Gay couple tie the knot in a first for South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Vernon Gibbs and Tony Halls got hitched Friday in South Africa's first gay wedding, a day after the government made same-sex marriage legal.

The couple, who run a guest lodge and animal rehabilitation center on the southwestern coast, donned their game-ranger outfits and went down to the local home affairs office in the town of George.

In front of marriage officer Petro Kruger they exchanged rings and were pronounced a married couple.

"It was so amazing. So quick and easy. I can't believe it. I am so happy," said Gibbs. South Africa on Thursday became the first country in Africa, and only the fifth in the world, to legalize same-sex marriages, despite opposition from political parties and religious groups.

The Civil Union Act went into effect a day ahead of the Dec. 1 deadline set by the country's Constitutional Court, which required the marriage law be changed to ensure equality for gays and lesbians.

As some couples began hurrying to make preparations for long-awaited nuptials, jewelry shops, hotels and entrepreneurs were offering "pink wedding" services.

Jacky Mashapu, a spokesman for the Home Affairs Ministry, where couples will need to apply for permission to wed, said George had been the site of the first two gay weddings -- Gibbs and Hart at 11 a.m. and another one at 2 p.m. Details of the second one are not yet known.