AUSTIN (KXAN) — Employees at the Travis County Clerk’s Office worked overtime this week, worked a holiday Friday, and will work the weekend to help accommodate same-sex couples get their marriage licenses. But County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said their work has resulted in a very smooth and happy week following the historic Supreme Court decision.

“We have had a lot of happy people,” DeBeauvoir said. “The staff has hung in there even though they are tired. The excitement and adrenaline carries them through the days.”

The office said they had issued 692 same sex marriage licenses heading into Friday and averaged about 70 a day this week. They typically issue about 20 marriage licenses under regular circumstances. DeBeauvoir expects to return to their normal level once the extended hours end this weekend.

The county office being open on a holiday and a weekend is very rare according to DeBeauvoir.

“I don’t remember anything like this. This is the first time we have had a specific opening on a specific holiday for a specific reason.”

Signs of appreciation could be seen on Friday. A flower bouquet thanking the staff was placed on a table at the clerk’s office and one couple hugged the employee who would normally have had the day off after being issued their license.

“I am so appreciative,” said Wendy Winnet after she and Jennifer Hewgley received their license. “(The employee) looked like she really enjoyed doing her job. She is just as happy as we are.”

Winnet said she and Hewgley plan on getting married at the Big Gay Wedding event Saturday on the south steps of the capital. Work and other obligations kept them from getting a license and if not for the office working the holiday, the couple would still be waiting.

“One-thousand percent. They made this possible,” said Winnet.

The Travis County Clerk will be open from 8am-5pm on Saturday and from 12pm to 5pm on Sunday.BIG GAY WEDDING

The organizer of Saturday’s Big Gay Wedding said at least 16 couples have signed on to be wed at the capital and that number could grow. Up to 300 guests are also expected to be in attendance.

Lenore Shefman is a local attorney and was working when the Supreme Court decision was announced last week.

“I was in a deposition and did not want to be there. I wanted to be celebrating,” she said. “So I said ‘You know what? Let’s have a Big Gay Wedding.’”

A violinist, champagne, and food are all part of the planned celebration. Shefman and some of her staff spent Friday making decorations for the ceremony that will take place at 4pm on the south steps of the capital.

A longtime activist for LGBT rights, Shefman said her motivation for the celebration comes from many years of fighting for the right finally granted last week. She will be one of a few officiants presiding over the marriage ceremonies.

“To have something culminate like this, I cannot tell you how it felt.”