LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. — Same-sex weddings have begun in New Jersey, which has become the 14th state to recognize nuptials between gay partners.

Weddings were held in several cities and towns across the state in the first minutes of Monday morning, as soon as a court order requiring the state to recognize gay marriage went into effect.

In Newark, Mayor and U.S. Sen.-elect Cory Booker choked up as he led the ceremony for seven gay couples, telling the audience, “This is very beautiful.”

The weddings there and elsewhere went ahead after the state Supreme Court on Friday denied Gov. Chris Christie’s request to delay the date when a lower court mandated gay marriage be legalized.