Gay marriages could begin in Virginia next Wednesday, Aug. 20, — far sooner than expected.

Surprising everyone, a federal appeals court in Richmond refused Wednesday to keep the state’s ban in place while the issue is appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The action came from the same three-judge panel of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals that struck down the ban on same-sex marriages last month in a 2-1 decision.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the court’s latest decision means clerks of circuit courts could begin issuing marriage licenses in seven days.

The only way that would not happen is if the Supreme Court intervened and issued a stay while it considers whether to hear the same-sex marriage issue.