The legalization of same-sex marriage in New York state, hailed by the mass of supporters as a milestone and a human rights victory, could also help local wedding vendors ”“ ranging from wedding halls, hotels, caterers to planners, florists, photographers and officiants.
In Westchester, both the public and private sectors are planning to court same-sex couples. Westchester County Tourism and Film is planning a county-wide promotional campaign, with a slogan “Westchester ”“ the perfect location for every wedding!” said Lydia Ruth, marketing director. “We do expect new revenues from the weddings and want to get the word out that Westchester is the perfect place for everyone to get married,” she said.
Local wedding vendors are also reaching out to expectant wedding couples, with new ads on various websites.
Economic benefits for vendors
How much of an economic lift the new law will provide for Westchester and the state is still hard to gauge because of a number of factors. One report, from New York Senate”™s Independent Democratic Conference, estimated recently that gay marriage could generate some $390 million in revenue, increased economic activities and savings during first three years.
Much of the business from larger, lavish weddings probably won”™t materialize for several months because of the planning involved, though there could be a huge spike in the next few months from couples seeking a quick elopement or a vow renewal. And there are some New York couples that have already gotten married in other states where it is already legal, in neighboring Connecticut, Vermont or Massachusetts, for example.
“The couples who are getting engaged now are probably going to legally marry next year. So we will see those numbers show up next year. Because a wedding takes time to plan,” said Kathryn Hamm, president of the website gayweddings.com, a national website that helps same-sex couples with wedding vendor and products.
“We will also see those couples that are looking for a simple ceremony. They want to take care of that legal privilege and would like an opportunity to get that done quickly, without much fanfare. You will see many of these folks line up to get their applications in and be ready to marry on July 26 when the couples are first able to.
“You will also see couples who are looking to do a modest vow renewal, those who have been together for a long time.”
Booking up and reaching out
Bernadette Smith, a wedding planner with offices in Boston and New York, said local vendors could benefit from targeted advertising ”“ including some Google ads and online ads through major sites like GayWeddings.com and SoYoureEnGAYged.com. Sponsorship or volunteering with gay events is also a good idea, she added, as same-sex couples like to work with businesses that actively support the community.
“Many wedding vendors are gay-friendly but there are still plenty who don”™t get it, make assumptions and just generally make same-sex couples feel uncomfortable,” Smith said. “Wedding industry professionals should start with full staff training on gay weddings.”
Glenn Vogt, general manger at Crabtree”™s Kittle House in Chappaqua, is familiar with hosting receptions for same-sex couples who married in other jurisdictions. “We have been doing them for quite a few years already. We are very happy that the law passed and we would love to have more ceremonies here.”
He said he actually expects many couples from New York City to hold their wedding ceremonies in Westchester venues that offer an idyllic setting. “Many weddings that we do here are for people who live in the city. So it wouldn”™t surprise me to see a big increase in business from people who live in New York City.”
At Cortlandt Colonial in Cortlandt Manor, general manager Evan Liaskos said that the few dates he has available in the fall will probably get taken up for same-sex weddings. “I have been getting inquiries and I anticipate an increase in business, specifically for (the) next two to three years. I know that when Vermont came onboard and allowed it, a lot of catering halls and reception sites there received a huge increase in business.”
He had hosted same-sex receptions before. “One couple got married in Vermont and had their reception here, said Liaskos, who has even bought and registered the domain Westchestergaywedding.com and NewYorkgayweddingreceptions.com to reach out to local couples.
The Crowne Plaza hotel in White Plains is another wedding venue that is reaching out to same-sex couples. “We are working in conjunction with our hotel in Times Square. And we have agreed to participate in the program that the Westchester Office of Tourism is building as well,” said Hugh Anderson, general manager.
Overflow from New York City
Joe Shane, who owns All Digital Mobile Music, a music DJs company in Valhalla, said he”™s been advertising in different websites including RainbowWeddingNetwork.com for the past couple of years. “We”™ve done some ceremonies for civil unions, others that got married in other states,” he said. “We anticipate there should be some more business. Once couples get their marriage license, they will start planning.”
Many local florists also stand to gain from the new law. Blossom Flower Shop in Yonkers has been fielding inquiries from couples, said Sue Kegan, the store owner. She said she has met some couples who were inquiring about their wedding ceremonies now scheduled for the fall. “This is a process that takes time,” she said.
As for town and city clerks who will process those long-awaited documents for gay couples ”“ the marriage license ”“ some in Westchester are expecting long lines come July 25. “I think we are going to get a lot of overflow especially from New York City. People don”™t want to wait in long lines to get married, you know?” said Vinny Spano, deputy city clerk at City of Yonkers.
At Lifetime Events by Jacqueline we are looking forward to working with same-sex couples. Best wishes and congratulations..