THIS was FUN! Cheril wanted to do something to show her appreciation for and love of  her wife Monica. So when Cheril called us she spoke with senior event coordinator, Marcinho.

Cheril wanted something different, romantic and memorable created for this special day.  She had considered a nice meal in the city (Philadelphia) and perhaps a nice hotel.   Marcinho kicked it around in his head for about ten minutes, made a few calls and came back with this outline for the ladies.

He called Cheril back to offer his ideas. “How about this?  Picture it!  You and Monica arrive at a secluded countryside inn on the banks of the Delaware river, on a hundred acres of lush gardens and pasture… just the two of you.  The tulips are in bloom all over the property!  Does that appeal to you? “Then walk the beautiful grounds.  Then you go to your suite in the Bridal Tower to freshen up after the long drive and come down for a five course, gourmet meal prepared by a highly acclaimed Chef de Cuisine.

Regular diners here included Luciano Pavarotti, Paul & Joanne Woodward and a huge list of others. “I’m seeing a gigantic round table with the most romantic, sumptuous Venetian tablescape for two,  in the garden, just the two of you. Throne chairs.

I’d like to echo the flowers that were used in your wedding and reception, have loads of candles on the table and throughout the garden.  Then about halfway through the meal, we’ll have a vocalist come out and surprise Monica and serenade her! What do you think? “You’ll pick her favorite songs and the singer will be accompanied by an instrumentalist.  Maybe a flute, keyboard or guitar? “

And the photographer can be there before you arrive in order to capture events from the moment you arrive until the end  of the meal?  I’d think you’d want to take some shots in the suite to remember it as well? And Then… off to the suite?  What do you think?” Well, the client mused “You just came up with all that in less than ten minutes?!  You’re making me more romantic than I ever thought I could be.”

Once Cheril approved each feature, we made the bookings, reservations and arrangements. It’s worth noting that, in the midst of creating this perfect getaway for Cheril and Monica, we were extremely excited coordinating a wedding week on Key West! Here are some of the nearly three hundred photographs taken on the day of Cheril’s gift to Monica! We thank the women for presenting us the challenge, seeking us out and making the call! Stay tuned for the photos!  Subsribe to our RSS up top to be alerted when they are published.

via lezgetreal.com & nydailynews.com

Megan McCain asks New York Republicans to Support Marriage Equality

In an Open letter to New York Republicans published today in the New York Daily News, our favorite Republican, Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain, said the New York GOP should embrace gay marriage…. And said supporting a position that wants to treat people unequally isn’t just un-Republican, it’s down right “un-American.”

The feisty Ms. McCain also asked if equally is for everyone or only those who you agree with, saying, “do the rights and privileges we offer citizens include everyone in our country, or only some of us?” Meghan was really big on the golden rule in her letter and said, “I believe that allowing gays and lesbians the freedom to marry is an idea whose time has come. Though my opinion is no doubt influenced by my family’s public role in political life, I still approach this from personal experience, as I think most people do.

For me, this is about treating all of my friends, and all of our brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren the same as I want to be treated. Equality under the law and personal freedoms are what make America the greatest country in the world, and they are core values that I hold as a Republican.” God I love this girl….”

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/05/22/2009-05-22_why_the_new_york_gop_should_embrace_gay_marriage.html

via KEYETV.com

DJ Samantha Ronson (L) and actress Lindsay Lohan attend the Charlotte Ronson Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Promenade in Bryant Park on September 6, 2008 in New York City. (Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images)

Lindsay Lohan is planning to convert to Judaism so she can marry on again/off again girlfriend Samantha Ronson, according to a new tabloid report.

The high profile pair split in March after a fight at a Hollywood hotel but sources claim they have reunited in secret, and Lohan has even proposed.

An insider tells the National Enquirer the wedding talk angered Ronson’s Jewish family – so Catholic Lohan has offered to convert.

The source tells the tabloid, “Lindsay says Sam’s promised she’ll persuade her family to accept this, and they won’t wait to see if California changes their gay marriage legislation, but will travel to one of the states where it is legal to say their I do’s.”

California’s Prop 8, the ballot proposition outlawing same-sex marriage, was passed in November, just weeks after the practice was allowed in the state.

Copyright WENN.com
World Entertainment News Network

Editor’s comment:

If it’s true, MAZEL TOV to the happy couple!

Will Obama flip flop on gay marriage?
By 365gay Newscenter Staff

(Boston, Massachusetts) Fears are mounting that the Obama administration is about to flip-flop on its opposition to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Last March, a federal lawsuit was filed in Boston challenging the law which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage. The Justice Department has until June 22 to respond to the lawsuit. So far there has been no comment from either the department or the White House.

The Department of Justice typically defends laws passed by Congress. But during the election campaign, then-candidate Obama pledged to overturn the ban.

A grassroots online campaign called Equal Rep has begun to pressure the administration to keep his campaign promise by asking Attorney General Eric Holder “not to defend this unconstitutional law.” 365gay blogger Emma Ruby-Sachs helped craft the legal memo to Obama, which states in part, “The President reserves the right to refuse to defend an unconstitutional statute. Section 3 of the DOMA is clearly unconstitutional in that it denies married same-sex couples economic benefits granted to heterosexual married couples from the same state without providing a rational basis for this discrimination. ”

The Web site includes a cut-out mailer urging the president not to flip flop on the issue.

Support is slowly growing in Congress for repeal of the 1998 law, but a bill has yet to be filed in either the House or the Senate. In the meantime, the lawsuit challenging DOMA appears likely to proceed.

The lawsuit was filed by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, the group that brought a successful legal challenge leading to Massachusetts becoming the first state in the nation to legalize gay marriage in 2004. GLAD brought a similar successful suit in Connecticut.

Full Story…

via http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/

The NH Senate, by a 14-10 vote, approved Governor Lynch’s language strengthening religious institution protections in the gay marriage bill it had passed May 6th. Now, on to the House, for a vote expected today.

As we approach our FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of being America’s first GLBTI-Specific wedding design and coordination firm, I am reminiscing about the many, many couples for whom we’ve created their dream weddings!

Castles, lakes, yachts, forests, gardens, beaches and more; it has been an incredible pleasure to have helped so many couples create their perfect day!

I am grateful to have been entrusted with such precious events and felt the need to blog about it. I wanted to say thank you to all the many couples and individuals who make up our happy client-family in our three divisions (savvyplanners.com, savvyTravel and our VIP Concierge division!)

You’ve experienced the savvyplanners.com difference and have told us, via your AMAZING love letters, how we’ve exceeded your expectations every time. I am humbled by your kind words and warm expressions of thanks and admiration. I am fortunate to have some of the finest event teams on the planet.

Thanks for making us who we are! I look forward to bringing our particular brand of client care, design savvy, inventiveness and creativity to thousands more couples in the future.

We certainly recognize that there are thousands of wedding and event planners working hard for their clients and wanted to thank you for choosing to trust your investment, memories, vision, desires and dreams to us. Thank you.

Warm regards,

-MW Savant, CEO, and the entire team!
savvyplanners.com

(PRWEB)  March 16, 2006 – The seemingly indomitable “419 Fraud” (named for a statute in Nigerian law) came to life in the mid-eighties and has many variations that have afflicted unaware companies and individuals the world over. The latest version is pointed at mid to large sized wedding firms. It seems logical that they are targeted because of their visibility online and in search engines.  It matters not whether it’s a gay, lesbian or traditional wedding company.

savvyplanners.com, this week, received a questionable e-mail and felt behooved to issue an open letter to US Wedding & Events professionals reminding them to stay aware and prepared for this ever-evolving scam. Though most of us have heard of the fraudulent e-mail scheme, some of us in the industry, because of our drive to truly help our clients and to book clients, are often naturally apt to respond to booking inquiries that appear legitimate.

In our most recent case, a male sent an e-mail to us and cc’d a colleague in North Carolina (arguably the number one planner in their region.) The letter stated that he was in Scotland and was preparing to bring his BTB to Key West for their wedding. He stated the number of guests, the location they desired. The subject was “WEDDING BOOKING”. The letter went on to say that he wanted to know our pricing and where he could send a check. This set off our alarms, but, not immediately. We have clients from all over the world who elect to engage our Key West office, as Key West is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the U.S.A. We often get e-mails because of the expense to the client to make international calls. What set off the bell first? It was the lack of return contact information except the return e-mail address. The text of the mail (unedited) is as follows:

“I am Walter bradley based in Scotland I and my wife are coming to in USA to do our wedding ceremony and my wife is Nigeria and based thereI need your assistance to be my wedding planner and you have to get across to me to enable me know what the requirments are for a wedding to take place and how you will help me to organise it, the cost of your services too. I urgently await to hear from you.and let me know the cost of these types of wedding and my guest are 30 guest coming from all over the Canada, USA and Africa, Let me know the cost of it becos i will prefer churche,beach wedding Or Garden Wedding, i will send you a cheque for the amount you require but i have booked $15,000 usd for my wedding packages and i want to know may be the amount will be okay and i want my wedding to take place on April 22 0r 29/2006. Hope to hear from you now Best regards. Walter bradley”

The letter was immediately brought to management attention and was determined to be a fake. Note the (coincidental?) mention of Nigeria. Note, also, the short notice. The missing elements here are those of a typical 419— the sad story of someone’s tragic demise, an immense inheritance dollar figure and a massive percentage offered for your help. “I didn’t perceive the slightest element of European syntax or style in the letter. That raised my eyebrow so I just followed our procedure and reported it”, said Irma Rabinowitz, the director of client care who handles inbound inquiries. Please be aware that, though most of us have some knowledge of the “Nigerian Connection” and their ploys for twenty years, people become numb or forgetful. We extend this call for caution to our colleagues not to be less vigilant on this matter.

Advise your teammates about this latest variation that now targets our industry. If your company had responded to an inquiry like this, the result of falling for this scheme is that you would probably receive a check for far more than mentioned in the letter. Then you would be contacted again to tell you that it was some clerical error and you received too much money. Then you’d likely be asked to cash it and forward or wire the balance to the correct party (often via a very well known U.S. wire company) in this country or abroad.

By the time one realized the odd nature of the transaction, they are already invested in it. One presumably deposits the check. If you are a good-natured person or prone to believe things that seem too good to be true, you likely would continue. The problem is that the check was bad to begin with. You might have wired the money thinking that you have a check that has been deposited in your account. This is what the scammer wants. Don’t respond to communications that are not completely bona fide.

If you do get trapped in this crime, do not cash the check because it is you that will be hit with fees and will likely never get your money back. Do report it to federal officials and do make certain to talk to your staff about how to handle responding to e-mails that are suspicious relative to your typical inquiries. If you have an e-mail address, a fax machine, or a PO Box, you could be approached. Coordinators and Planners are in this business for many reasons. However, we’re all in this together. Whether your company is large or small. If you’re corporate or home-based, let’s continue to look out for one another.

Share this information with as many colleagues in your network as you can. Best Wishes for a wonderful 2006, MW Savant, CEO savvyplanners.com Resources: Nigeria – The 419 Coalition Website Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC)

UPDATE:  These days there are many other countries mentioned or not.  It has evolved into the use of stolen credit cards as well.  They are now including more information to make it look bona fide (such as contact information)  Just remember:  “If it walks like a duck…”  Please be careful!

PUBLIC SERVICE UPDATE: 5-20-09 Here is the latest attempt received today which reflects the typical, current approach:

“Hello , My name is Glenn Upson, I’m on an island vacation  presently, I am looking for an experienced wedding planner who will handle my wedding and arrange the reception dinner for a group of people who will be attending the wedding ceremony. The wedding is expected to hold on the 25th of July. 2009 and 25 to 45 guests are expected to attend. As i do not know what the guests might choose for their meals and drinks, i will make a prepayment as initial deposit for this booking via credit card once availability is confirmed by you. You are to arrange for a venue for the wedding (its a civil wedding), a place for the reception ,Videography, Music Entertainment,Photography,cake and flowers. If there is any these items that is beyond your capability,you let us know so that another company can handle it. Get back to me with your response as we don’t have much time with us so that we can process our accommodation within the region more convenient for you and us. Best Regards, Mr. Upson”

UPDATE: Here’s another variation.

Hello,
My name is Clarence Peters ,i want you to prepare a seven[7] days program in your facility for my Greek clients,.They’re coming to your country for their first Vacation visit and shall be touring round your City.They re just two couples:
Mr & Mrs Marcel Denco{44and 37yrs}
Mr & Mrs Cyril Peterson{46and 34yrs}
Arrival date: 20th OCTOBER 2009
Departure date :28th OCTOBER 2009
Number of days: 7days
Number of Guest: 4,thus they will not be touring on their arrival and
departure dates.
Confirm availability and get back to me with your rates and total cost so
i can give you my card details for a deposit payment.Am waiting for your
reply,
Regards
Mr. Clarence Peters

And another:

Dear Sir/ Madam
I am in need of urgent reservation for this Rout check the information
CMH—JFK—CMH
Acc—Dubai —–Pek—Acc
Departure date is 5th of AUGUST 2009
Return date 25th of AUGUST 2009
Emirate Air Line
Economy Class
I am waiting to hear from you so that i can forwards you the name and
the
credit card details ok?
Kind regards,
Rev Colins.

And another:

Good Day,

My name is Bob Robinson of Alpha research institute UK, we needed 6 single rooms for a vacation for board members. get back to me immediately if the dates are available.

Reservation Date: 11th October 2009 – 20th October 2009

No of person: 6 persons

Payment Type: (I hope you have a credit card charging machine {POS}). Please confirm if you have the availability and provide me with the total cost of the 6 rooms for 10 days .

I await your swift response.

Regards,
Bob Robinson  ( Co-ordinator)
Alpha research institute London United Kingdom
9 Wimpole Street , London . W1G 9SR UK

LEARN EVEN MORE

Sending to you Tuesday evening, May 12:  THIS IS AN URGENT ACTION FOR WEDNESDAY.  WE ASK YOU TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL NOW TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND LIST SERVS:

The New York State Assembly just passed a marriage equality bill.  The New York State Senate still has to vote in the weeks ahead, but this is a crucial news hook for you to CALL NEW JERSEY LEGISLATORS ON WEDNESDAY STARTING AT 9:30 am.

Starting at 9:30 am Wednesday, we ask each of you, no matter where in New Jersey you live, to call the 4 legislators listed below to tell their offices:  ”The New York Assembly just passed marriage equality.  I support marriage equality for New Jersey and I don’t want to wait until the end of the year for a legislative vote in New Jersey.  I want equality for our state now.”

You can put that in your own words – whatever expresses your passion.  Your calls these past months have brought us to edge of having enough legislative votes to pass marriage equality in New Jersey.  Please, let’s keep the heat on!  Here’s whom you should call:

Senate President Dick Codey at (973) 731-6770

Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney at (856) 251-9801

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo at (201) 804-8118

Senate Judiciary Committee Vice Chairman John Girgenti at (973) 427-1229

If you’re told by the office you’re not a constituent: “I’m calling your office because the Senator holds a leadership position that impacts the entire state.”

If you hear anything substantive in your conversations – something beyond thank you or we’ll record your views – let us know by emailing us at Contact@GardenStateEquality.org. Include which legislative office you spoke with, what the office said, as well as your own name and hometown.

Your activism makes all the difference in the world to tell our side of the story.

On behalf of the entire Garden State Equality Board and staff, please accept our deepest gratitude.  And please forward this email to all the people you know so they call too.

Steven

After another long day of debates in the NY State House,  NY AO7732: Marriage Equality bill Passes the House 89-52!

We have been monitoring and even tweeting highlights for those away from their computers and observed a passionate, yet courteous debate on both sides of the aisle.

Notable was, bill co-sponsor, Hon. Danny O’Donnell’s impassioned call for the body to not “deny him something they all have and that we wants so desperately.”

At one point the voting machine failed near the end of the session and the Speaker had to instruct the members to not leave the chamber or the capitol.

Two years ago the bill was introduced and had substantial support, however, this year, it had majority support.

There were voiced concerns about the possibility that the bill could be subjected to a referendum,  constitutional amendment to reject or a vote.  There was one member expressing a warning that a constitutional convention would not be desirable.

Here are the details of the vote:  http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=ao7732

You can read our tweets below and go to http://twitter.com/savvyplanners_c to follow us.

1. CORRECTION: House Adjourned until 10:30am. Good night!15 minutes ago from web

2. House adjourned until tomorrow 10am. Congratulations New York State. It has been a long struggle.17 minutes ago from web

3. NY AO7732: Marriage Equality Passes the House 89-52!18 minutes ago from web

4. Hon. Deb J. Glick:”There are gay people in every religion, race, comnty.we can show u the way 2 overcm d divisions that still affect society19 minutes ago from web

5. Madam speaker asks members to not leave the Capitol.25 minutes ago from web

6. Hon Jon Bing: “Resistance is futile when it comes to the laws of this state. Proud to be a co-sponsor.” Votes Affirmative.25 minutes ago from web

7. They are attempting to repair the voting machine.28 minutes ago from web

8. Voting machine is down in the House. Madame Speaker has requested no one leaves the chamber and remains until vote is read.29 minutes ago from web

9. Hon. Wm Scarborough:”My concern is that when this passes, those people feel unheard..are still going to be opposed. I am voting for this.”33 minutes ago from web

10. Hon Inez D. Barron: “The law will go forth…” Votes in the negative.39 minutes ago from web

11. Final speakers coming forth to explain their votes as the vote is being tallied.44 minutes ago from web

12. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “Please do not deny me something that you have and that I want so desperately.”about 1 hour ago from web

13. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “I really hope that u can find it in ur heart to let me have that piece of paper.”about 1 hour ago from web

14. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “you nd to undrst it’s hard 4me to undstd that udon’t get that ths is about equality.”about 1 hour ago from web

15. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “Equality is not easy. We teach r children 2 hate what they don’t know I don’t think that if u vote no that ur a bigot.”about 1 hour ago from web

16. AO7732 spons. Hon. Dan O’Donnell (69A.D.):”I don’t wish to take anything from any of you.”about 1 hour ago from web

17. Hon Teresa R Sayward: “The truth is that homosexuality is not a sickness… my son should not be denied his civil rights”.about 1 hour ago from web

18. Final two remarksabout 1 hour ago from web

19. Hon. Kevin A. Cahill “we are a bicameral legis and its clear that every vote is party vote…they need courage. know you did right thing.”about 1 hour ago from web

20. Hon. Felix W. Ortiz (51 A.D.): “…stepping forward to make the right decision in behalf of discrimination… enough is enough.” Voting Aff.about 1 hour ago from web
21. CORRECTION: House Adjourned until 10:30am. Good night!15 minutes ago from web

22. House adjourned until tomorrow 10am. Congratulations New York State. It has been a long struggle.17 minutes ago from web

23. NY AO7732: Marriage Equality Passes the House 89-52!18 minutes ago from web

24. Hon. Deb J. Glick:”There are gay people in every religion, race, comnty.we can show u the way 2 overcm d divisions that still affect society19 minutes ago from web

25. Madam speaker asks members to not leave the Capitol.25 minutes ago from web

26. Hon Jon Bing: “Resistance is futile when it comes to the laws of this state. Proud to be a co-sponsor.” Votes Affirmative.25 minutes ago from web

27. They are attempting to repair the voting machine.28 minutes ago from web

28. Voting machine is down in the House. Madame Speaker has requested no one leaves the chamber and remains until vote is read.29 minutes ago from web

29. Hon. Wm Scarborough:”My concern is that when this passes, those people feel unheard..are still going to be opposed. I am voting for this.”33 minutes ago from web

30. Hon Inez D. Barron: “The law will go forth…” Votes in the negative.39 minutes ago from web

31. Final speakers coming forth to explain their votes as the vote is being tallied.44 minutes ago from web

32. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “Please do not deny me something that you have and that I want so desperately.”about 1 hour ago from web

33. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “I really hope that u can find it in ur heart to let me have that piece of paper.”about 1 hour ago from web

34. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “you nd to undrst it’s hard 4me to undstd that udon’t get that ths is about equality.”about 1 hour ago from web

35. Hon. Dan O’Donnell: “Equality is not easy. We teach r children 2 hate what they don’t know I don’t think that if u vote no that ur a bigot.”about 1 hour ago from web

36. AO7732 spons. Hon. Dan O’Donnell (69A.D.):”I don’t wish to take anything from any of you.”about 1 hour ago from web

37. Hon Teresa R Sayward: “The truth is that homosexuality is not a sickness… my son should not be denied his civil rights”.about 1 hour ago from web

38. Final two remarksabout 1 hour ago from web

39. Hon. Kevin A. Cahill “we are a bicameral legis and its clear that every vote is party vote…they need courage. know you did right thing.”about 1 hour ago from web

40.