Gay Wedding Planning: Venues, florists, cakes, caterers, photogs and more

With wedding season in full swing and the upcoming second anniversary of gay marriage becoming legal in New York, we felt it only appropriate to roll out a wedding guide for same-sex couples. We’ve compiled a list of top wedding planners, favorite venues to host the ceremony and reception, and other top-notch wedding vendors ranging from cake makers to florists and photographers — some of whom are even offering special deals and discounts in celebration of these monumental events.

Next month marks the second anniversary of gay New Yorkers becoming able to legally wed, and LGBT rights activists say their dreams of equality grow with every “I do.”

Brian Silva, executive director of nonprofit Marriage Equality USA, said the number of marriages that take place every day in the Big Apple goes a long way toward silencing those who don’t approve of gay rights. Silva credited the success to the businesses and city residents who have shown their support throughout the years.

“I think it’s the result of a lot of years and a lot of work from individuals who did work to bring NY to the point where 60%-plus people are OK with gay marriage,” he said.

The city clerk’s office issued at least 7,184 licenses to same-sex couples in the first year of legalized gay marriage. A spokes?man for the city clerk said the number is probably greater because reporting sexual orientation is optional. The spokesman couldn’t give a figure for the number of same-sex marriages in the second year so far, but said stats would be available closer to July 24, the anniversary of the law’s enactment, and added that he didn’t see any major decline in the numbers.

“It’s been pretty stable,” he said.

Gay weddings have also been an economic boon as same-sex couples spent an average of $9,039 on their weddings, according to statistics released by the city last year.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, whose marriage to Kim Ca?tullo was one of last year’s same-sex marriages, said the large number of weddings promotes progress.

“There is virtually nothing more amazing than having the state you love and call home finally declare that your family matters and is just as good as everybody else’s,” she said in a statement.

(Ivan Pereira)
Katherine Herrup