Could the legalization of same-sex marriage be a boon for those in the wedding business?
One New York florist thinks so.
Diana Gould has designed her fair share of flowers and décor for commitment ceremonies on this side of the border.
She”™s also helped usher in “I do”™s” across county lines in Connecticut, where gay marriage became legal in 2008.
“Now that the bill has been passed in the state of New York and the filing has begun, I do believe we will see an increased volume of people who are planning same-sex marriages in the New York metropolitan area and who are looking for beautiful flowers and décor,” said the owner of Diana Gould Ltd. in Elmsford and New York City.
David”™s Soundview Catering in Stamford, Conn., has not fielded phone calls as of yet from gay couples in New York looking to celebrate nuptials, but general manager Melissa Desousa said, “We have done and will continue to do many same-sex marriages, so we hope that it will trickle down to us.”
According to the U.S. Census, there were approximately 581,300 same-sex households in the U.S. in 2009.
Antun”™s of Westchester Catering and Events in Elmsford has been working with the same-sex community for four or five years and has noticed an increase in business following the bill”™s passage.
“We do about five or six gay weddings a year now and we”™re in the process of doing a proposal for two ladies now for next year,” said Rich Stytzer, vice president of Antun”™s. “We plan to reach out to various gay and lesbian groups and I plan to talk to my managers to offer incentives in honor of the law that”™s passed.”
Some caterers and event venues say it might be too early to predict what booking activity will stem from the approved legislation.
“Typically January, February and March is the heaviest booking season,” said Rachel Greene, who works in marketing at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie. “Right now, we haven”™t seen an increase in calls ”“ maybe a few more here and there ”“ but not quite yet.”
Silver Spoon Catering in Mount Kisco, which orchestrates parties throughout Fairfield, Westchester and New York City, has noticed an uptick in its inquiries from gay couples.
Owner and chef Craig Pellis said the calls have been coming in and that clients are looking to play more of an active role in planning their soirées.
“They want to take charge of their own event,” Pellis said. “They want their own venue whether it”™s at their home or a facility they choose and they”™re doing all the decorations. I”™m advising as far as the style of food and making suggestions for food, but they want to be involved in the rentals and the decision-making.”
Area vendors and event planners could see stronger bookings for the fall and winter season, Gould said.
“I think now that it is recognized legally, people will feel much more inclined to invest in a formal wedding.”
