( CNN ) -- The 9th U.S . Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that same-sex marriages can resume in California , a move that the Supreme Court paved the way for on Wednesday . Three judges on the appeals court made it possible for local governments to issue marriage certificates for gay and lesbian couples with a few words : `` The stay in the above matter is dissolved effective immediately . '' Very soon after , cheers erupted and camera flashes flickered as Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier obtained a marriage license and wed at San Francisco 's city hall . The two were one of the couples who sued to stop a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage from taking effect . `` This is a profound day for our country , and it 's just the right thing , '' said California Attorney General Kamala Harris , shortly before presiding over Perry 's and Stier 's wedding ceremony . `` Justice is finally being served . '' California 's Supreme Court struck down the state 's ban on same-sex marriage in May 2008 , ruling that the state 's constitution gives `` this basic civil right to ( marry to ) all Californians , whether gay or heterosexual , and to same-sex couples as well as to opposite-sex couples . '' But months later , 52 % of voters backed Proposition 8 to once again restrict marriages so that they can only be between a man and a woman . The measure put gay and lesbian marriages on hold in the state , though lawsuits followed . State officials declined to stand behind Proposition 8 -- and , thus , its prohibition on gay marriage -- though private parties did step in and offer to do so . A federal appeals court later ruled that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional , though it still issued a stay on same-sex marriages until the U.S. Supreme Court could weigh in . That happened in a 5-4 decision Wednesday , when the high court dismissed an appeal of that federal court ruling on jurisdictional grounds . That meant Friday 's news -- the resumption of same-sex marriages in the Golden State -- was expected , even though no one knew when it would happen . The Supreme Court ruled that the private parties backing Proposition 8 did not have `` standing '' to defend the ballot measure . Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion , joined by fellow conservative Justice Antonin Scalia and more liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg , Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan . `` We have never before upheld the standing of a private party to defend a state statute when state officials have chosen not to , '' wrote Roberts . This decision was cheered by gay marriage supporters in California , though it skirted the larger issue of whether same-sex marriage is a constitutional `` equal protection '' right that should apply to all states . So , too , did another landmark ruling that same day on United States v. Windsor : It struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act and found that the federal government must recognize legal same-sex marriages , though it did not compel them to be legalized in the 37 states where they currently are not . Supreme Court cases rest of citizens who sued , made history . Still , both decisions were resoundingly cheered by gay rights supporters . Many who believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman , however , were disappointed . And that held to form on Friday as well , after the 9th Circuit 's ruling allowing same-sex marriages in California . `` This outrageous act tops off a chronic pattern of lawlessness , throughout this case , by judges and politicians hell-bent on thwarting the vote of the people to redefine marriage by any means , even outright corruption , '' the Proposition Legal Defense Fund said in a statement . `` ... If our opponents rejoice in achieving their goal in a dishonorable fashion , they should be ashamed . '' CNN 's Erica Henry contributed to this report .
Kristin Perry and Sandra Stier wed at San Francisco City Hall . They do so after a federal appeals court lifts an order banning same-sex marriages . The U.S. Supreme Court paved the way for the move with a ruling Wednesday . TL;DR Same-sex marriage is legal in California, but it will take time to become fully recognized by other states.