Mui also reports that:

"A report by the Congressional Budget Office in 2004 estimated that legalizing same-sex marriages across the country would generate about $1 billion annually in new federal revenue through taxes and other fees. But determining the spending power of the gay wedding market has been difficult because it has largely gone untapped until recently."

Arlington-based GayWeddings.com has had a front row seat for the market movement over the past 11 years: first as a ground-breaking business inviting others to take part in the market at a time when resources were much harder to come by for same sex couples, and now as an "old timer," supporting couples in planning their celebrations and getting the wedding products they need while also helping vendors to reach this nascent market.

Up next in the Washington, DC wedding movement: the same sex group wedding ceremony sponsored by GLBT Wedding Services (by the Event Emissary) on March 20, 2010 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.

Event organizer, Mike Wilkinson, has set the bar for a Guinness World Record and then some. Up to 400 couples are invited to participate in the day's activities. Private ceremonies are also available.

Finally of note, another enterprising group of wedding vendors has banded together to offer a gay wedding sweepstakes (a la Crate & Barrel's 2010 Ultimate Wedding Giveaway) where one couple will win a complete wedding package.

For couples in DC who wish to marry, 2010 presents many great options: from competitive pricing bids to big celebrations and giveaways...not to mention the advantage of having achieved legal marriage status in case the District of Columbia finds itself vulnerable to a change of heart by new session of Congress.

We have enjoyed sharing our perspective and joy with journalists as they have tried to understand the economic trends in the gay wedding market and as they seek to speak with couples who are excited about heading to the legal altar for the first time.

When invited by Rebecca Cooper of Washington Business Tonight (Newschannel 8) to join her on a recent live edition of her show (Friday night, March 5), we were thrilled to accept.

But, upon learning that the station does not provide a make up artist, a plan needed to be hatched!

Enter Perfect Picture Makeup, which is just that. Picture perfect.

Giannina Giraldo agreed to help GayWeddings.com president, Kathryn Hamm "get her face on" for her live television appearance.

Kathryn's primary request: help me look natural but make sure I don't get washed out.

And, Giannina delivered. Her selection of everything -- from base to lipstick -- gave Kathryn color, but also kept her skin tones natural looking.

The experience offered a simple reminder that the cameras will be present on one's wedding day as well. So, even the most makeup skittish of lesbian brides and gay grooms should consider consulting with a professional to learn more about how to put one's best face forward for the photographers who will be documenting the Big Day!

To view the Washington Business Tonight clip (available through 3-5-2011), please click here and select Windows Media Player.

The interview also led to an invitation for Kathryn Hamm, President of GayWeddings.com, to appear Friday at 7 pm on Newschannel 8's nightly series, Washington Business Tonight, hosted by Rebecca Young.

More specifically, the contest requests that couples enter the following:

1. Tell us your love story in 100 words or less.
2. Get down to the nitty-gritty and share three important details of your Ultimate Wedding in 100 words or less.
3. Of course you want a perfect wedding, but what about all the other days? Describe your everyday dream day in 100 words or less.

And, rules specify that:

"All entries must be in by 11:59 pm CST on March 31, 2010. Couples are encouraged to run their own marketing campaigns, as the 50 finalists will be those with the most votes. A panel that includes Jo Gartin, along with judges from Crate and Barrel and Daily Candy, will then select a winner. We will notify the lucky couple and the 18 other winners in April 2010 and post all of the winners."

So, to all of our gay grooms and lesbian brides out there: once you've entered tell us more about you on our Facebook page or Twitter feed. We're happy to for you to use our services to help spread the word about your campaign.

Good luck and get to it!

If you haven't yet joined either feed, we encourage you to do so. Or, if you prefer to use a Google Reader, you can sign up for our GayWeddings.com RSS feed, which will update you anytime we post a new article.

If you are a gay or lesbian couple looking for gay-friendly vendors, you can search for vendors in your area of choice and, vendors, you can tell our couples about your services.

If you have feedback for us, please let us know! Or, if you'd like more regular tidbits from us, please Follow Us on Twitter or become a Fan of GayWeddings.com on Facebook!

Happy Planning!

Tuesday, February 12th 7:30pm
Renberg Theatre, The Village
1125 N. McCadden Place
LA, CA 90038

The screening will benefit Let California Ring, the campaign for marriage equality. Suggested donation is $10.

Reception to follow with the couples, filmmakers and narrator, Peri Gilpin.

When officials began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, this country went to war over a word. How different is a 'gay marriage' from a heterosexual one? THE YEAR OF PAPER follows three couples - lesbian, heterosexual and gay- through their first year of marriage and explores both sides of the same-sex marriage debate. The film is being distributed by Frameline.

Event co-sponsored by: Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, The Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Outvite.com

FOR TICKETS: RSVP to Kelly

Casting Call for LOGO Documentary Series, Be Real

Be Real, a documentary series for LOGO (MTV/Viacom network) celebrating GLBT life in America, is currently casting for its second season. More specifically, we are casting for our COMMITMENT episode.

We are looking for couples 25+ years in age and older that have a compelling story they would like to share. Whether it is tying the knot, proposing, or celebrating an anniversary—we’d like to capture on camera this momentous occasion in your lives. This is an opportunity for you to share your ceremony and love story with LOGO viewers and help send a positive and inspiring message to the GLBT community.

All inquiries and submissions may be directed to us via email.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Casting Call For Brides!

Are you planning a wedding in the next six months (NOV 07' - APR 08')?

Are your wedding preparations getting out of control? Are you swamped with a massive to do list for your big day? Are you doing everything in your power to make sure your wedding day is perfect?

Do you think you have what it takes to be on America's top rated wedding show?

Benefits of participating:
$$ All participants will be compensated generously! $$
Videographer included!

Interested?
PLEASE CALL OUR CASTING OFFICE at:
(213) 417-4437
Or e-mail us.
Please include a photo of you and your fiancee along with your contact info.

Vegasonesource.com in conjunction with LV Wedding Connection will host a mass Las Vegas gay and lesbian wedding event entitled "Our Love" on July 5th, 2007 to take place during Gay Days and Nights Las Vegas, July 4th - 8th, 2007.

LV Wedding Connection is very excited to brides and grooms celebrate this momentous occasion. Join this first of its kind Las Vegas mass gay and lesbian wedding. Make this one of the most special memories of your lifetime for only $225.00!

RSVP is required by June 29th, 2007.
Review event details and make your reservation

"Gay Days & Nights Las Vegas" is a trademark of Community Marketing Inc., Copyright © 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 17,2007) – GayWeddings.com today announced the re-launch of its web site, which includes a new storefront with free planning articles, free “Wed Pages” for couples, a gay-friendly vendor directory, consulting services, a community forum, news updates and more. The remodeled site and extension of services solidifies GayWeddings.com top rank at the forefront of the burgeoning same-sex wedding industry.

Forbes.com estimates that if same-sex marriage were to be legalized in the United States today, it would pump $16.8 billion into the wedding industry, while a recent ResearchMarket.com survey projects the total buying power of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) community to be $641 billion.

“As the leading online boutique dedicated to providing resources to same-sex couples who seek to affirm their life-long partnerships, GayWeddings.com is poised to change the landscape of the wedding industry through serving the underserved GLBT community,” said company president, Kathryn Hamm. “The tools on our updated site allow us to reach farther, to provide greater service and to truly fulfill the needs of same-sex couples around the world who wish to celebrate their love for one another through ceremony.”

Long-held stereotypes in American culture purport that -- straight or gay -- men want to play the field and women want to settle down and that members of the GLBT community are not interested in settling down in stable relationships. Shattering these stereotypes, lesbian and gay couples alike have organized commitment ceremonies, sought to have their relationships legally validated where recognition exists, and sued in jurisdictions where rights for same-sex couples do not exist. At GayWeddings.com, approximately 40% of its clients are gay couples, 60% are lesbian couples, and a burgeoning number of clients are friends and family members shopping for specialty wedding gifts.

Straight “Mother of A Bride” and company founder, Gretchen Hamm, embraces the market growth. “I’ve always said that recognizing the partnership rights of same-sex couples is not a matter of ‘if.’ It’s a matter of ‘when.’ We’re excited that the marketplace has begun to catch up with us and we are thrilled to serve so many happy couples. We commend the growing number of jurisdictions that have embraced partnership rights for same-sex couples and look forward to welcoming more states into the fold.”

Currently, five countries and Massachusetts fully recognize same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, 17 countries in addition to Oregon, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Washington, Vermont and the District of Columbia observe civil unions, domestic partnerships or offer other legal recognition of same-sex couples; and, legislation awaits the signature of Gov. John Lynch in New Hampshire.

About GayWeddings.com
While planning a wedding for daughter Kathryn in 1999, Gretchen Hamm was frustrated by the lack of resources available to same-sex couples and thus founded TwoBrides.com and TwoGrooms.com – the first such online boutiques to cater to the GLBT community – that same year. In 2005, the mother-daughter team acquired GayWeddings.com, solidifying its position as the largest resource of its kind. Based in Dallas, Texas and Washington, D.C., GayWeddings.com serves the under-served GLBT community with its community forum, national gay-friendly vendor directory, wedding planning seminars, consultation services, personalized customer service and its online boutiques, which feature hard-to-find gay wedding items including certificates, invitations, cake tops, albums, guest books, personalized accessories and more. Through advocacy, relationship building and education, GayWeddings.com strives to affect change in the wedding marketplace. Visit us at www.GayWeddings.com.

Contact:
Lisa Drozd
GLWeddings.com
908-371-0900

On Wednesday evening, March 21, the first ever New Jersey Gay & Lesbian Wedding Expo will be held to present hundreds of wedding planning options to gay and lesbian couples throughout the tri-state region.

This free admission event will be held at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center at Raritan Center in Edison from 6 pm to 9:30 pm.

Couples will find all the finest goods and services for weddings including a selection of caterers, locations, photographers, musicians, entertainment, floral designers, fashions, honeymoons, limousines, travel, registries, officiates, invitations, event planners and more. Live music and fashion shows will also be presented.

Guests who would like to attend the Expo are encouraged to pre-register and will receive event updates, details, and confirmation.

For additional information contact Lisa Drozd at 908-371-0900 or visit glweddings.com.

The event is being presented by GLWeddings.com and Americanbride.com.

A DiVine Affair LLC, and Tailored Ceremonies invite you to be among the first couples to attend a “Premier” Group Civil Union Ceremony in New Jersey to be held on Saturday, February 24, 2007.

Allow yourself to indulge in this fully planned elegant affair that we have prepared for you. Your special day will begin with your arrival for the 10:00 am ceremony, performed by Rev. Jennifer Ansbach of Tailored Ceremonies, at the renowned Branches in W. Long Branch, NJ. Upon arrival, a tour of the grounds should include visit inside, where you can pick out your bouquet or boutonniere for the ceremony.

A photographer will be on hand to capture this historic moment at the ceremony, which will then be followed by a 4-hour brunch reception with cake cutting ceremony in an elegant ballroom with a 1-hour open bar and music provided by Create Excitement.

This is a special limited engagement so please register by calling (732) 458-1625 or email us at adivineaffair@yahoo.com or visit us on the web at a DiVine Affair or Tailored Ceremonies.

Pricing for this event is $200.00 per couple and $90.00 per guest. Space is limited so please reserve early.

*Photography is not included in the price. Pricing varies upon your package selection.

A FIRST IN CALGARY: A mass legal Wedding Ceremony for the LGBT Community will be held in celebration of the joy and love in marriage!

The 2007 WeddedBLISSBall was conceived and will by officiated by Rev. Nadene Rogers in association with Lisa Hanslip of The Wedding Planner. The event is not only a celebration of diversity, but is further intended to honor the right of every person to love and be loved – as married in life.

Couples will participate in either “legally tying the knot” or simply “renewing their commitment vows” in the presence of family and friends.

The 2007 WeddedBLISSBall is a non religious, spiritual Celebration with Reception to follow.

This Event is sponsored by GayCalgary.comMagazine, Outlooks Magazine and the 2007 OutGames. Net proceeds will benfit the SHARP Foundation.

What: The 2007 WeddedBLISSBall
When: Sunday, April 1, 2007 at 4:00pm
Where: The Muse Restaurant and Lounge - 107 10A St NW - Calgary, AB

Contact:
Rev. Nadene Rogers @ 403.270-3432 or visit the web site.

Says Marc:

And who says Internet encounters don’t work out?

Needless to say that we were both skeptical about meeting through a gay internet site.

François ' first question was: "What are you looking for?" To which I replied:
"Just someone normal, who smiles a lot, has a good sense of humor, is honest and feels good in his mind." And I added: "Acts older than his shoe size (except I didn’t use the word 'shoe'…"

Well, we met. As an animal lover, I have three dogs, 5 parrots, and at the time a 200 gallon aquarium with tropical fish. When François showed up behind the door, I said, ah, good you’re here; I have to walk my dogs! Care to join? And he did.

Our story is still a continuous fairytale.

We both thought as marriage as something we didn’t need to formalize our union. But, we changed our minds.

As for wedding plans, they seem a little complicated, we’re having three celebrations:

1) First in Switzerland, as the Swiss don’t recognize gay marriages, we’re signing what we call a Recognized Partnership Agreement. That will happen in March 2007. Friends, family, party and cake.

2) As I hold two nationalities, Swiss and Canadian, we’re holding another celebration in Montreal on August 3, 2007 with only close family and friends.

And, 3) On August 18th, is the big bang party.

The count: 120 Invitations, rsvp’s, catering, live music band, photographers, video, and a ceremony at the feet of beautiful Mont-Blanc bordering the Geneva lakeside.

And, at the top of our 6 layers cake, two grooms cake toppers, which are not just porcelain figurines, but a true representation of our union and ongoing love.

Guys and girls, don’t think too hard or too long, JUST DO IT!