Same-sex ceremonies spell profit for wedding vendors
By MARY STEGMEIR, WATERLOO COURIERArticle Photos
WATERLOO - Same-sex marriage has been legal in Iowa for a little more than a week, but Cedar Valley wedding vendors are already fielding calls from gay and lesbian partners eager to plan their nuptials.
More than 20 same-sex couples filed marriage licenses with Black Hawk County last week, with many planning summer ceremonies. Those statistics spell increased business for area florists, caterers and photographers.
"I think we might see things pick up," said Mark Nading, owner of Design Studio Floral in Waterloo. "I don't know that we'll offer any new services, though. We just take care of every customer as they come to us."
There are 5,833 same-sex pairs in Iowa, according to the Census Bureau. Gay rights organizations expect half of those couples to marry within the next three years. Roughly 350 partners across the state completed license applications on April 27, the first day the right was extended to homosexuals.
"I had one woman call me as soon as she got her marriage license," said Whitney Grove, a wedding planner who assists couples in Northeast Iowa. "She just wanted basic information, but I think it's a sign that we'll be getting more and more calls."
In the wake of the Iowa Supreme Court ruling, a handful of businesses have formed that specifically cater to same-sex partners. Iowa's Gay Wedding Planner and the Iowa Gay Wedding Directory are online service that helps engaged couples pinpoint gay-friendly vendors across the state. Partners for Life Iowa, based in Des Moines, offers wedding packages for same-sex couples.
Using services designed with same-sex unions in mind helps take some of the guesswork out of wedding planning, said Nicki Drake, Partners for Life owner. Although gay marriage is now legal in Iowa, a large segment of the population still disapproves of the practice, she explained.
"We sort through the vendors and only choose the ones that will be friendly, courteous and fair to our clients," Drake said. "I've done a lot of Internet research and (made) a lot of phone calls to make sure that they're not going to be treated any differently than anyone else."
Those companies that welcome gay customers will likely be rewarded with increased profits. A 2008 study by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Policy at the UCLA School of Law estimated that same-sex marriage will generate $53 million per year for Iowa's wedding and tourism-related business sectors.
"Everybody has the dream of what they want for their wedding," said Grove. "The nice thing about weddings now is there (are) no rules.
"It's pretty much whatever the bride - or brides - want."
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jefffro
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05-19-09 12:28 PM
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Rebel - You seem to be a conservative on most issues.....why do you have a problem with capitalism and businesses making money? GOD BLESS EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL FAMILIES!
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KenBlackFan
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05-13-09 12:09 AM
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There are rules and some day everyone will wake up and see it's not about equal rights. But before that happens there will be another law suit against the state by a polygamist community to make it legal for them to marry multi-spouses. How much money are we wasting on these lawsuits? Federal acts should over rule states’; we would have to “make the news” in Iowa.
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Johnny
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05-10-09 7:26 PM
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I think the word you are looking for is FABULOUS! yeeaaaahhhhhhh.......
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MtownGuy
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05-10-09 9:50 AM
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Well, isn't that just lovely.
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