May 24, 2004
WASHINGTON TIMES Feature:
same-sex wedding firm established
By Reena Vadehra, UPI Correspondent
WASHINGTON TIMES Feature:
same-sex wedding firm established
By Reena Vadehra, UPI Correspondent
Feature: WASHINGTON TIMES (same-sex wedding firm established)
By Reena Vadehra
UPI Correspondent
May 21,2004 http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040520-050743-7967r.htm
Amidst the growing debate over the legality of same-sex marriages, one Key West, Fla., company is launching a
wedding-planning service for same-sex couples. Touted as the first and only wedding coordinating company devoted
to gay and lesbian couples, savvyplanners.com will officially kick off its services during the Key West Pride Festival in
June 2004. The new role for the firm comes at the heels of the Key West mayor and city officials' announcing official
support for same-sex marriages in March.
According to Marc Savant, chief executive officer of savvyplanners.com, the need for a gay and lesbian wedding
planner arose from previous incidents of abuse. At times, vendors would treat same-sex couples with disrespect or
rudeness upon the discovery of their sexual orientation.
"There was one time, at a hotel, an employee would roll his eyes and slam things onto the counter loudly," Savant
says. "He was playing the disgust button."
Such behavior motivated Annie McAuly to hire savvyplanners.com. Although not married, McAuly and her female
companion of one year booked a trip to Key West through the gay and lesbian friendly company. "In Pennsylvania,
my girlfriend and I have had some name calling and staring. We tend to be more secluded there. In Key West though,
we could hold hands and kiss openly without any stares or comments," she said
.
McAuly hopes to use savvyplanners.com again for her wedding. The 2-year-old company has performed wedding
and commitment ceremonies in the past, as well as other event planning services, such as vacation trips and parties.
Though savvyplanners.com's services are centered toward the gay and lesbian community, the company assists
people from all walks of life. Savvyplanners.com concentrates its events in Key West, which the CEO describes as a
city that "has historically been 'live and let live.'"
For the June 2004 launch, the company plans to set up a booth during the Key West Pride Festival, where
consultations and bookings for weddings will be offered. Wedding vendors are increasingly recognizing the
profitability of accommodating same-sex couples. Last year, at the second annual Same-Sex Wedding Expo in New
York sponsored by Marriage Equality New York and The Wedding Party, Bloomingdale's and American Express
provided its services to gay and lesbian couples for the first time. In fact, almost half of the vendors at the 2003 expo
were companies that do not exclusively cater to the gay and lesbian market.
According to the Association for Wedding Professionals International, the U.S. wedding industry amounts to
approximately $60 billion. Although same-sex weddings only account for a small percentage of the industry, the
greater visibility of the gay and lesbian community and the recent scurry to marry same-sex couples across the
country could signify to vendors a new, profitable chip of the of marriage market. Even with the growing popularity of
wedding ceremonies among the gay and lesbian community, many states do not recognize the legality of the
marriage. Florida state law, for example, defines a marriage as between a man and a woman. Also, Florida does not
recognize same-sex licenses from any other state.
In defiance of Florida law, Key West Mayor Jimmy Weekley and City Commissioner Tom Oosterhoudt created two
resolutions supporting same-sex marriages on behalf of the city. The announcement came in reaction to President
Bush's initiative for a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriages. The first resolution condemns the
president's proposed constitutional amendment and urges public and private companies to offer benefits to
employees' same-sex partners. The second resolution calls for the county clerk to consider issuing marriage licenses
to same-sex couples. Danny Kolhage, the county clerk, responded by claiming that he is bound by state law.
Nevertheless, Savant is hopeful that Florida's state law on same-sex marriages may change. "People anticipate that
in the future the other shoe will drop," he said.
By Reena Vadehra
UPI Correspondent
May 21,2004 http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040520-050743-7967r.htm
Amidst the growing debate over the legality of same-sex marriages, one Key West, Fla., company is launching a
wedding-planning service for same-sex couples. Touted as the first and only wedding coordinating company devoted
to gay and lesbian couples, savvyplanners.com will officially kick off its services during the Key West Pride Festival in
June 2004. The new role for the firm comes at the heels of the Key West mayor and city officials' announcing official
support for same-sex marriages in March.
According to Marc Savant, chief executive officer of savvyplanners.com, the need for a gay and lesbian wedding
planner arose from previous incidents of abuse. At times, vendors would treat same-sex couples with disrespect or
rudeness upon the discovery of their sexual orientation.
"There was one time, at a hotel, an employee would roll his eyes and slam things onto the counter loudly," Savant
says. "He was playing the disgust button."
Such behavior motivated Annie McAuly to hire savvyplanners.com. Although not married, McAuly and her female
companion of one year booked a trip to Key West through the gay and lesbian friendly company. "In Pennsylvania,
my girlfriend and I have had some name calling and staring. We tend to be more secluded there. In Key West though,
we could hold hands and kiss openly without any stares or comments," she said
.
McAuly hopes to use savvyplanners.com again for her wedding. The 2-year-old company has performed wedding
and commitment ceremonies in the past, as well as other event planning services, such as vacation trips and parties.
Though savvyplanners.com's services are centered toward the gay and lesbian community, the company assists
people from all walks of life. Savvyplanners.com concentrates its events in Key West, which the CEO describes as a
city that "has historically been 'live and let live.'"
For the June 2004 launch, the company plans to set up a booth during the Key West Pride Festival, where
consultations and bookings for weddings will be offered. Wedding vendors are increasingly recognizing the
profitability of accommodating same-sex couples. Last year, at the second annual Same-Sex Wedding Expo in New
York sponsored by Marriage Equality New York and The Wedding Party, Bloomingdale's and American Express
provided its services to gay and lesbian couples for the first time. In fact, almost half of the vendors at the 2003 expo
were companies that do not exclusively cater to the gay and lesbian market.
According to the Association for Wedding Professionals International, the U.S. wedding industry amounts to
approximately $60 billion. Although same-sex weddings only account for a small percentage of the industry, the
greater visibility of the gay and lesbian community and the recent scurry to marry same-sex couples across the
country could signify to vendors a new, profitable chip of the of marriage market. Even with the growing popularity of
wedding ceremonies among the gay and lesbian community, many states do not recognize the legality of the
marriage. Florida state law, for example, defines a marriage as between a man and a woman. Also, Florida does not
recognize same-sex licenses from any other state.
In defiance of Florida law, Key West Mayor Jimmy Weekley and City Commissioner Tom Oosterhoudt created two
resolutions supporting same-sex marriages on behalf of the city. The announcement came in reaction to President
Bush's initiative for a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriages. The first resolution condemns the
president's proposed constitutional amendment and urges public and private companies to offer benefits to
employees' same-sex partners. The second resolution calls for the county clerk to consider issuing marriage licenses
to same-sex couples. Danny Kolhage, the county clerk, responded by claiming that he is bound by state law.
Nevertheless, Savant is hopeful that Florida's state law on same-sex marriages may change. "People anticipate that
in the future the other shoe will drop," he said.
