The first same-sex weddings in England and Wales will be able to take place from 29 March 2014, Equalities Minister Maria Miller says.
英国妇女与平等部长玛丽亚·米勒称，2014年3月29日以后，英格兰和威尔士地区将可以举办首批同性婚礼。
Initially it was thought the first marriages would not take place until next summer.
此前人们以为英国第一批同性婚礼要在明年夏季之后才会举行。
Couples wishing to be among the first to marry will need to give formal notice of their intention by 13 March.
希望第一批结婚的同性伴侣需要在3月13日前递交正式申请。
It comes after the government's controversial legislation on the issue received Royal Assent in July.
今年7月，英国女王伊莉莎白二世同意同性婚姻合法化，这一举措也引起了诸多争议。
The Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaderships all backed the proposals.
英国保守党、工党和自由民主党领袖都对同性婚姻合法化表示支持。
MPs approved the principle of same-sex marriage despite opposition from many Conservatives, which caused tensions in the party. Most Lib Dem and Labour MPs supported the move.
尽管许多保守党人反对同性婚姻合法化，该党国会议员还是通过了这一法案，这也导致了不少党内纷争。绝大多数的自由民主党和工党国会议员对合法化持赞成态度。
The Church of England, the Church in Wales and other faith groups stated their opposition.
英格兰教廷、威尔士教廷等宗教组织对同性婚姻合法化表示反对。
Following the passing of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act, the government has been able to put in place the necessary arrangements much faster than previously thought.
在通过了同性婚姻合法化的法案之后，政府才得以加快步伐，制定必要的相关措施。
