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Gay marriages create wedding industry bliss
This new -- and growing -- clientele is a boon for planners, photographers,
hotels, caterers and more. 'It's a big business.'
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arguments next week on two different cases, one federal
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and one involving California law, regarding the legality of
same-sex marriage. The court's rulings on these cases --
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By Bruce Kennedy 3 hours ago
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The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to begin hearing
California's Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of
Marriage Act -- could have long-term impacts on how
Americans deal legally, financially and culturally with gay
marriage.
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Supporters of same-sex marriage say now is the time to
bring this issue up for scrutiny. A number of polls show
public support of gay marriage has risen significantly in
recent years. Nine states and the District of Columbia
have legalized gay marriage. And last week, Colorado
joined eight other U.S. states with civil union laws or
similar statues for same-sex couples.
But don't overlook the economic impact from all these
changes. The gay wedding market has grown nationally, creating, as The Denver Post notes, new business
opportunities for wedding planners, photographers, vendors, hotels, resorts and caterers -- as well as financial
planners and attorneys.
"It's a big business," Bernadette Coveney Smith with the Gay Wedding Institute told the Post. "There is definitely
room for all of us to benefit financially from gay weddings."
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The Institute offers advice on planning legal same-sex weddings. It also has training workshops and a gay wedding
certification program for people and organizations in related industries. Hundreds of wedding professionals have
received that certification.
Lindsay Alesio, manager of a Marriott (MAR) in Denver, says her hotel received certification though the Gay
Wedding Institute last year. That Marriott has so far hosted two same-sex weddings. It has three more scheduled and
is getting inquiries for more.
Alesio says sensitivity, tolerance and respect for same-sex marriages can make an economic difference in her
industry. She told the Post about a $175,000 gay wedding she booked several years ago at a mountain resort. She
said she asked the man calling about the wedding, "What's the name of your significant other?"
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"He said: 'You are the only one who has asked me that way,'" she remembered. "And he booked with us."
MARKET UPDATE
A casual look around the Web reveals dozens of sites offering advice and services for gay-friendly weddings.
Of course, not all marriages last. A 2011 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA's School of Law found "dissolution
rates" for legally married same-sex couples were only slightly lower than divorce rates for different-sex couples. But
ending a same-sex marriage or civil union can present some unique legal challenges.
"Civil unions are legal in Colorado now, but nothing has changed at the federal level," said certified financial planner
Lauren Sigman in an interview with the Post, "so the complexity of that difference is very real." It seems even when a
gay marriage goes bad, someone will be making a profit.
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CONTROVERSIAL New markets offer McDonald's growth opportunities
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Brutus625
1 hour ago
Nobody wants to see gay marriage legalized more than divorce lawyers - they stand to make a
killing!
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Replies (0)
Mark Tretter
58 minutes ago
Since they already have a TV show about ladies shopping for wedding dresses called "Say Yes to
the Dress" will they have a similar show called "Say Yucks to the Tux"?
EBay overhauls fees to woo angry Amazon sellers
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