PHOTOS: Arizona's Same-Sex Couples Begin to Marry

A ruling on Friday that Arizona's marriage ban violates the U.S. Constitution cleared the way for these joyful images.

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With Arizona's attorney general saying it would be "immoral" to appeal a ruling that found his state's marriage ban unconstitutional, same-sex couples quickly began wedding. Republican Attorney General Thom Horne could have kept right on appealing the ruling up the chain, moving from the loss in district court and taking things up with the Ninth Circuit. But every indication based on previous rulings from that court indicated failure ahead — which Horne said obligated him to stop the legal process.

"Lawyers live under a rule called Rule 11, which provides that it is unethical for a lawyer to file a pleading for purposes of delay rather than to achieve a result," said Horne in a statement. "Therefore, the only purpose to be served by filing another appeal would be to waste the taxpayer’s money. That is not a good conservative principle."

His counterparts in the likes of South Carolina have not followed his example and continue to fight precedent set by rulings at the circuit court level. Here are the kinds of moments being delayed as a result:

\u201c#Arizona #gaymarriage: Couples get married, celebrate: https://t.co/Oh6am4Ugle\u201d
— azcentral (@azcentral) 1413649814

\u201cHorne won't appeal. Couples rejoice. Many here will marry today. @azcentral @12News @azcentralPhoto\u201d
— Nick Oza (@Nick Oza) 1413568154

\u201cCovering the repeal of the gay-marriage ban in AZ, the staff responds to a historic day. https://t.co/1Qzgx2SQau\u201d
— AZ Republic Photo (@AZ Republic Photo) 1413824080

\u201ccc: @GovBrewer MT @MarkJRemillard: Karen Bailey & Nelda Majors hold their marriage certificate after waiting 57 years\u201d
— Anthony Michael Kreis (@Anthony Michael Kreis) 1413574471

\u201cErika and Abby embrace as Abby gets nervous before their wedding. #gaymarriage\u201d
— Patrick Breen \ud83c\udf35 (@Patrick Breen \ud83c\udf35) 1413593643

\u201cGay marriage taking place at #Phoenix City Hall. @MayorStanton serving as witness.\u201d
— Dustin Gardiner (@Dustin Gardiner) 1413575863

\u201cHorne won't appeal. Couples rejoice. Many here will marry today. @12News @azcentral @azcentralPhoto\u201d
— Nick Oza (@Nick Oza) 1413567221

\u201cSpecial thanks to @GPGLCC, KAK Shop, @urbancookies, Cactus Flowers for making today extra special for these couples.\u201d
— Greg Stanton (@Greg Stanton) 1413580885