The first same-sex couples to marry in the Twin Cities are savoring the moment — and the wedding cake.

General Mills and the Edina bakery Queen of Cakes are donating cakes to the first three couples to marry at Minneapolis City Hall just after midnight Wednesday, the moment gay marriage becomes legal in Minnesota. On Monday, the lucky pairs and their families headed to the Betty Crocker test kitchen in Golden Valley for a tasting.

Five-year-old Louie accompanied his mothers, Margaret Miles and Cathy ten Broeke, the first of 40 or so couples set to be married at City Hall early Thursday. He chose a chocolate fudge wedding cake.

"It's the part he's most excited about," Miles said, smiling down at the demolished plate of white, yellow, chocolate and red velvet cake slices.

As for his parents, they're just excited that after 15 years together, their union is about to be recognized by their home state.

"We're very mindful that while we're being married, it really is a celebration for the community," Miles said.

The City Hall event might not be a small, intimate wedding, but the couples will receive an outpouring of gifts from the community. The cakes, floral decorations, photography, music and even the reception space have all been donated.

"For us, it's not just our wedding, it's a celebration of equality for all same-sex couples," said Al Giraud, who will be marrying his partner of 11 years, Jeff Isaacson. Their wedding day is also the birthday of Isaacson's mother, Doris.

"The week has been overwhelming, the month has been overwhelming," Isaacson said.

With almost all of the details already arranged, it was nice to have a moment to pick out a wedding cake personalized just for them.

"To have a Betty Crocker cake is very Minnesotan," Giraud said. After extensive sampling, they settled on layers of red velvet and white cake, which will be decorated with symbols of Minnesota (frosted lady slippers, the state flower) and marriage equality.

Jennifer Brooks