Milw. Co. Courthouse open late for first same-sex marriages

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is keeping the Courthouse open late Friday in the wake of the historic court ruling allowing same sex couples to get married in Wisconsin. The Courthouse will remain open until 9pm Friday night.

“I have been waiting decades for this day to finally arrive and we won’t make loving couples wait longer than they want to to get married,” County Executive Abele said in a news release.

County Executive Abele said he will personally pay for any overtime costs associated with keeping the Courthouse open.

A historical moment in Wisconsin, becoming the first same-sex couple in Milwaukee County to say "I Do". Matt Schreck and Jose Fernando Gutierrez are joined together, now legally married.

"It’s amazing, it’s amazing to be with my best friend for the rest of my life," said Matt Schreck.

The two have been together for seven and a half years, and their story is similar to hundreds tying the knot.

"We got engaged years ago, I proposed to him 4 and a half years ago," said Schreck.

Couple after couple, each sharing a commitment on an evening, that is memorable in more than one way.

The courthouse will be back open Saturday, June 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Couples interested in getting married should use the entrance off of Wells Street, between 9th and 10th Streets.