Since July 5, the first day same-sex couples in New York were allowed to apply for a marriage license, New York City's clerks offices have received over 2,500 applications. Naturally, a lot of them want to be wed as soon as possible. Maybe even on July 24. But there are only so many people able to perform the ceremonies, and only so many hours in the day.

“We’ve done our homework, and it’s clear that the number of couples who want to marry on Sunday is more than the City Clerk’s offices could possibly handle,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “And the last thing we want is for couples to wait on line for hours and hours, only to walk away upset on what was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.”

So what're they doing about it? Why, they’re conducting a lottery, of course!

Want to be married the first day same-sex marriage is legal in NYC? Go to the city clerk's website and fill out the application to be entered into the random drawing. The city says this is the fairest option.

The city said it would make available 764 marriage licenses for July 24. Couples who don’t get picked (we’re not going to call them losers, are you?) will be able to try again during the rest of next week, when the clerk’s offices throughout the city will be open for two extra hours each day.

Whatever happened to “First come, first served”?