( CNN ) -- Same-sex marriage in Alaska can move forward after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday rejected the state 's request to delay enforcement . The one-sentence order from the justices denying a stay means gays and lesbians could soon legally wed. Less than an hour later , a federal judge in Wyoming did the same in that Western state . Barring any continued legal intervention , that would make Alaska and Wyoming the 30th and 31st states to allow same-sex marriage , up from 19 states at the beginning of the month . In Alaska , a federal judge in the state in recent days had ordered gays and lesbians be allowed to apply for marriage licenses and to wed after a normal three-day waiting period . But everything was on hold pending emergency action from the justices . Some couples had begun applying for marriage licenses as early as Monday and in at least some cases , couples were married when they were granted expedited waivers . Alaska had requested a stay , saying it needed more time to file more detailed appeals to show its sovereign power to define marriage was being usurped by the courts . Officials , including the governor , had said waiting until the broader legal questions are resolved was best for all Alaskans . But a number of same-sex couples cited a federal appeals court ruling last week that struck down bans in Nevada and Idaho as unconstitutional . That appeals court 's legal jurisdiction also includes Alaska and other Western states . Wyoming officials have not indicated whether they will appeal the ruling from federal Judge Scott Skavdahl . The judge said it was preferable the voters or the legislature decide such matters as defining marriage , but concluded `` that ship has sailed . '' `` Binding precedent of [ higher courts striking down similar bans ] mandate this result , and this court will adhere to its constitutional duties and abide by the rule of law . '' A federal appeals court in June became the first such judicial body to strike down same-sex marriage , in Utah and Oklahoma . That court also has jurisdiction over appeals in Wyoming , known as the Equality State . The Supreme Court later allowed those federal rulings to stand . Gay and lesbian couples could begin marrying on October 23 , sooner if the state decides to drop any plans to appeal . The Wyoming case is Guzzo v. Mead ( 14-cv-200 ) . The Alaska case is high court case is Parnell v. Hamby ( 14A413 ) .
NEW : Federal judge rules same-sex marriage is legal in Wyoming . Supreme Court rejects Alaska 's request to delay enforcement . Alaska , Wyoming would become the 30th and 31st states to allow same-sex marriage .