At the stroke of 5 Monday afternoon, gay and lesbian couples across California had a moment to savor: At long last, they could legally wed.

From Woodland to San Francisco to Beverly Hills, dozens of same-sex couples — with hundreds more expected today — exchanged "I do's" in court-sanctioned ceremonies tinged with history, joy and reflection.

Ellen Pontac wore purple and her partner – now her spouse – wore black when they exchanged rings.

Yolo County Clerk/Recorder Freddie Oakley asked each if they took the other as her wife, and both said "I do."

With that, Oakley pronounced the couple married.

"We've been waiting a very, very long time," said Pontac.

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