“It makes me proud as a citizen and as a mayor,” Slay said.

But the echo of champagne corks popping in the mayor’s office will likely be silenced today with the thud of legal documents as officials get down to less-celebratory business. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, who is charged to enforce the state’s constitution, sued the city on Thursday morning.

Slay said he informed Koster of the city's action last night.

Circuit Judge Rex Burlison signed an order where the city agreed to refrain from issuing more marriage licenses while the case is pending.

Even with the official marriage documents from the city, the validity of the couples’ unions will be in question. Missouri’s constitution recognizes only marriage between a man and woman and bars county recorders from issuing licenses to same-sex couples.

“But, make no mistake about it,” said Slay, “I, and all of us standing here, are doing this to force the issue and to get the law settled for everyone who wants to get married in the state of Missouri.”

Slay added: “If we weren’t doing this, no other city in Missouri would.”