MIAMI — Ending a drawn-out battle over same-sex marriage in Florida, Miami-Dade on Monday became the first county in the state to allow gay couples to wed after a state judge lifted a temporary ban on the nuptials.

The rest of the state was to begin legalizing same-sex marriage just after midnight, as Florida becomes the 36th state to allow gay couples to wed. (The District of Columbia also permits same-sex marriages.) Mass wedding ceremonies were scheduled in counties across Florida beginning on Tuesday as couples rush to make their relationships legally binding. Group weddings are planned in Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Miami Beach and Orlando.

As gay couples began to wed, Jeb Bush, the state’s former governor and long an opponent of same-sex marriages, struck an unexpectedly conciliatory tone on Monday, saying in a statement that “regardless of our disagreements, we have to respect the rule of law.”

Mr. Bush did not indicate any enthusiasm for challenging the ruling Monday. His comments instead suggested a tacit acceptance of the new legal status for gay married couples, or at least an acknowledgment that there is little he can do to block it.