Gay Weddings are Good for Business

Research, data, advice and tips on the business of same-sex weddings from Bernadette Coveney Smith, the nation's leading gay wedding expert. In 2004, Bernadette opened 14 Stories, the first company in the U.S. to specialize in planning same-sex weddings.

What DOMA Being Struck Down Means for Wedding Vendors

Bernadette Coveney Smith - Saturday, July 10, 2010
Today, a district court judge ruled that part 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.  You can learn more more about the Defense of Marriage Act by following that link, but essentially, it means that my gay marriage in Massachusetts is meaningless most everywhere else including at the federal level and in most states.  Currently this ruling only affects Massachusetts residents.

The law explicitly includes a piece that U.S. states that don't allow gay marriage don't have to recognize gay marriages performed in U.S. states that do.

If this ruling stands, it is significant for a number of reasons and may impact your wedding business:
  • Similar lawsuits will follow, opening the door to federal recognition by couples who live in Connecticut, Vermont, and the other places gay marriage is legal.
  • You'll see more large receptions in your state hosted by couples who marry where it's legal and return home - the number of couples traveling to legally marry will jump dramatically because it will actually mean something (benefits) on the federal level!
  • This should open the door for more states to legalize gay marriage as they see money lost to states where it is.
  • Other parts of DOMA that impact the 45 states where gay marriage is illegal are also being challenged.  These states may be forced to recognize gay marriages performed in states where it is.  This means more weddings!
  • This ruling will mean more wedding sales for all of us - an annual increase of $9.5 billion when gay marriage is legalized nationally (according to Forbes)
Gay marriage is obviously a hot button political issue, with only half the country in support.  But it's also an economic issue.  My home state has seen more than $120 million pumped into its economy from gay marriage in the past six years. Today's court ruling is the first step in that process.  Gay weddings are good for business - and they are good for society.

Is your company ready to reach this emerging and lucrative wedding market?  Or does your marketing plan need a tune-up so you don't unwittingly alienate these couples? Where do you stand and what are you going to do about it?  I can help.


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Comments
Kelli Parker commented on 08-Jul-2010 11:14 PM
Bernadette,
Thanks for this insightful post. Too many vendors overlook same sex weddings because they're uncomfortable with the politics. When you have time, I'd love to talk more with you about this hot button issue.
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