Calif. readies for possible return of gay marriage

Planning a party for thousands of people is challenging under the best of circumstances. Now imagine trying to pull it off without knowing what day it should happen or if there even will be cause for celebration.

Such are the circumstances for same-sex marriage supporters as they await a U.S. Supreme Court decision that will determine whether California’s voter-enacted ban on gay marriages lives or dies. The high court’s ruling is expected by the end of the month, bringing with it the possibility that same-sex couples again will be able to wed in the nation’s most populous state.

But the court does not give advance notice of which decisions it will release when, leaving organizers of decision-day events being planned nationwide to watch, wait and plan for multiple scenarios.