http://stevenrosenphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-day-of-gay-weddings-in-new-york.html
NYC I Do Gay Weddings - Marriage Equality in New York City = Same-Sex Marriage Gay Weddings -Lesbian Wedding Planning - -New York Gay Weddings - NY Lesbian Weddings -NY Same-Sex Wedding -RomanticCentralPark Weddings.com- www.IDoGayWeddings.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Meet "I Do Gay Weddings Photographer" Steven Rosen
http://stevenrosenphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-day-of-gay-weddings-in-new-york.html
Sunday, August 28, 2011
N.J. Store Refuses To Sell A Wedding Dress To A Lesbian Bride
- by Lylah M. Alphonse, Senior Editor, Manage Your Life, on Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:27pm PDT
"She said she wouldn't work with me because I'm gay," Genter told The Philadelphia Daily News. "She also said that I came from a nice Jewish family, and that it was a shame I was gay. She said, 'There's right, and there's wrong. And this is wrong.' "
Apparently, after Genter left Here Comes the Bride, a Somers Point, New Jersey, wedding boutique, the store's owner, Donna Saber, took a moment to look over Genter's customer-information sheet. That's when she noticed that Genter had crossed out "groom" and written in "partner" and her fiancee's name—and decided that she wasn't going to do business with her.
In a voice mail (which you can listen to right here, thanks to Philly.com), Saber told Genter, "what you are describing in this paperwork here is illegal" and "we do not participate in any illegal actions." But it looks like Saber isn't much of a legal eagle: New Jersey allows civil unions, and Genter and her longtime partner planned to marry in New York, where gay marriage was recently legalized. Furthermore, in New Jersey, it is against the law to refuse to buy from, sell to, contract or otherwise do business with an individual because of the individual's sexual orientation, according to the state's Attorney General office—which means that Saber did participate in an illegal action after all, just not the one she incorrectly accused her customer of planning.
Also, the irony: Some of the most popular wedding dress designers out there are gay, which means that Saber makes her living by selling things created by the same people she condemns.
When Philadelphia Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky called Saber to get her point of view, not only did Saber confirm Genter's story, she accused the bride-to-be of "stirring up drama." Polaneczky writes:
She said that your writing the word "partner" was basically a provocation, evidence of a need "to show that she's different."
"They get that way," she told me.
By "they," she meant women who were fed up with men because "men can be difficult," and so now they "experiment" with female relationships because they're tired of having men boss them around. ... "It's a lot of drama," she said.
Both Saber and Here Comes the Bride have come under fire for poor service in the past, but we're guessing that business is about to get a lot worse given the new crop of comments over at message boards likeYelp.com and Superpages.com.
Last time we checked, stores were in the business of selling merchandise, not deciding who should or shouldn't get married. But what do you think? Is it OK to turn down a customer who doesn't share your point of view? Or did Saber cross a line and go from business to bigotry?
Thursday, August 11, 2011
So You're EnGAYged Real Wedding Edd and Paul!
http://www.soyoureengayged.com/2009/real-weddings-edd-and-pauls-nyc-church-wedding/
Still Together And Still In Love!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
10 Great Wedding Tips on Planning a Same Sex Wedding In New York City
2. New York Night Clubs don't get started until 11:00 pm or so. Do a "Pre Club" Reception.
3. Don't plan your Wedding on or before Mothers Day or Valentine's Day.
The flowers can be 3 times higher !
4. Many Society Clubs are closed on the week ends and are looking to host weddings.
5. Keep the Guest count down. Guests will take half of your budget.
6. Hale a New York City Cab It's great photo opp .
7. Don't skimp on the Music ! Dancing makes a Wedding great.
8. Do buy something you can wear again!
9. Hire a Photographer that will give you a disk of the wedding photos.
10. Book Nancy Swiezy Events for I have saved thousand of dollars for my clients.
I save them time and money! www.nancysweizyevents.com
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Proper Etiquette for Gay Same Sex Weddings?
In my same sex weddings, the couples want weddings similar their strait siblings!
As always I customize the wedding to the couples taste, family history,
wedding traditions, regional culture, lifestyle and the most current design trends.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Big Apple said "I do" to Phyllis Siegel and Connie Kopelov!
From the http://www.nypost.com
My Question is... Was Bill Cunningham at the wedding?
Something Blue Is now New York Wedding Fashion!
Much Joy to the well deserving couple.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
NYC to hold lottery for first gay wedding slots!
Monday, July 18, 2011
My Big Fat Gay Wedding In New York City!
Mayor Bloomberg anticipates big gay wedding business for New York City
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Gay-Friendly Hotels in New York City
Gay and lesbian travelers account for a sizeable portion of the New York tourism market. In 2008, they made up 10 percent of the 47 million visitors to the city, and in 2009 New York City officials promoted Manhattan as a gay tourist destination in a $1.9 million Rainbow Pilgrimage Campaign. So it's no surprise that virtually every hotel in New York is hospitable to members of the LGBT community. Some, however, go further than others, either by investing in targeted advertising or by offering special packages and discounts. All of the hotels on this list are TAG approved or members of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.
The Muse - Kimpton
W New York Times Square
Marriott Marquis New York
Grand Hyatt New York
60 Thompson
http://www.oyster.com/new-york-city/hotels/gay-friendly/
Monday, July 11, 2011
NEW YORK CITY Destination New York Same Sex Gay Weddings
Destination weddings, meaning weddings held in a vacation location away from the couple's home town, have gained in popularity in recent years. Today, this hip alternative allows a couple to combine the best of an adventurous honeymoon with a more traditional ceremony, and sometimes save money in the process.
Some destination weddings just involve the eloping couple, others include a few close friends and family, and still others are full blowout affairs with multiple parties over a long wedding weekend.
So is a destination wedding right for you? Here are the pros and cons:
Pro: A Complete Package
Resorts and tourism organizations have seen the dollar signs behind this trend and so work hard to keep a destination wedding stress-free and simpler. As part of a package deal, many offer the complimentary services of their on-site wedding consultant who will help you coordinate all of the ceremony essentials (marriage license, cake, officiant, etc.) All you have to do is show up! Also talk to your wedding coordinator about organizing activities for your guests such as sightseeing, SCUBA or snorkeling excursions, sports, or shopping. If your resort has a spa onsite, give your guests gift certificates for spa services to help them really enjoy their stays.
Con: Planning a Wedding Long Distance and Legal Red Tape
For those of you not getting married at a resort, you'll have to juggle all those details yourself long distance. If your destination wedding is in a foreign country or even another state, you might run into complications when trying to get a marriage license. Consider hiring a coordinator who specializes in destination weddings to help you over these speed bumps. You'll want to know how to get a marriage license in that location. You can also consult the marriage site at about.com for laws in popular destinations. And, check with those tourist boards, who may have literature available to help you find local florists, photographers, and venues.
Pro: Avoiding Stressful Family Situations
With a smaller invitation list, you can avoid feeling "forced" to invite the cousin you can't stand, or the in-law that everyone fights with. Just invite your very closest friends and family to the intimate ceremony and celebration, or keep it romantic and don't invite anyone. You can always send them pictures!
Con: Family Members and Friends You Love May Not Be There
Particularly for far-away locations, some guests may not be able to attend due to the expense, or the difficulty of getting time off of work. Older guests may not be able to travel so far away from home. Talk to those who are truly essential before you book tickets and send invitations. On the plus side, you'll have far more time to spend with the guests who come to a destination wedding than those who come to a more traditional wedding.
Pro: You'll Save Money By Not Having 200 People at a Reception
Spending a luxurious wedding weekend in a dramatic location can often cost less than a seated dinner at a nice location. Destination Wedding Etiquette calls for the bride and groom to pay for the hotel rooms, food and most of the guests' expenses. Guests pay for their own airfare. If money is an issue, look to domestic locations or countries with a favorable exchange rate, and consider keeping the guest list small.
Con: Some of your loved ones may not be able to afford to travel that far
Again, talk to those who are truly essential before you've made the final decision on your destination wedding location. Consider paying for some of your guests' airfare, and look into group discounts through travel agents.
Pro: By Combining Wedding and Honeymoon, You Can Afford to Go to that Dream Honeymoon Locale
Instead of spending your honeymoon at a Bread and Breakfast close to home, you can have the trip of a lifetime in an glamorous location. Best of all, you'll have an excuse to return there for a 5-, 10-, or 25-year anniversary.
Con: With Your Family Around, and a Wedding to Worry About, Will You Really Get a Honeymoon?
Of course, you'll be in a beautiful place, but will you have enough romantic alone time? To get around this, make sure you schedule it and insist on it. Arrive a few days before everyone else (you may need to do this anyway for marriage license requirements), or have a honeymoon nearby afterwards. If neither of these are possible, find interesting things your wedding party can do while you and your fiancé have couple time.
From http://weddings.about.com/
www.nancysweizyevents.com
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Happy July 24th for Same-Sex Marriage in New York Starts
Same-sex marriage will become legal in the U.S. state of New York on July 24, 2011.
A bill to make it so was passed on June 24, 2011 by the New York State Legislature and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that there is no constitutional right to same-sex marriage in New York.[1] Following the 2006 Court decision, the New York State Assembly passed same-sex marriage legislation in 2007, 2009, and 2011. However, the New York Senate rejected same-sex marriage legislation in a 38–24 vote on December 2009.
After negotiations between Republican members of the Senate and Governor Andrew Cuomo, regarding protections against discrimination lawsuits for religious groups and non-profit organizations, a same-sex marriage bill known as the Marriage Equality Act passed the State Senate by a vote of 33–29 on June 24, 2011.
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the measure the same night, allowing the law to go into effect on July 24, 2011.
Were To Get A Same-Sex Marriage License In New York City?
With the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, people from all over the country and all around the world are asking the question: can I come to New York City and get married? The answer is yes! Whether you're a lifelong local or someone who has dreamed of coming here your entire life, New York City is the ultimate spot for you to tie the knot.
Here's what you need to know:
Who can get married in New York now that the Marriage Equality Act has passed?
The Marriage Equality Act allows same-sex couples to get married in New York just like opposite-sex couples, with the same rights, responsibilities and privileges under State and City law.
Can I get married in New York City even if I don't live there?
Yes. Couples who reside in New York or in another state or country are all welcome to marry here.
When can same-sex couples begin marrying in New York?
The Marriage Equality Act allows same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses starting 30 days after the Act was signed into law. State law generally requires couples to wait 24 hours after receiving a license before they can be married. For more information, visit cityclerk.nyc.gov.
How do I get a marriage license in New York City?
To get a marriage license, apply for one from the New York City Clerk’s office. Once you obtain a license, it is valid for 60 days. For more information, visit cityclerk.nyc.gov.
Can my spouse and I get married in New York City if we were already married in another state or country?
Yes. You and your spouse can get married again in New York, whether you reside here or not. (Note: New York already recognizes lawful marriages, including same-sex marriages, that were performed elsewhere.)
FROM
http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/html/marriage/marriage_bureau.shtml
Manhattan Marriage Bureau
141 Worth St
Manhattan – TriBeCa
NY 10013
The Launch Of New York Hort Couture
Please come and visit my new Blog
New York Hort Couture
http://newyorkhortcouture.blogspot.com
Photo from the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala
Friday, July 1, 2011
Wedding plans bloom as NY legalizes gay marriage

NEW YORK (AP) — As the news flashed around the globe that New York state had legalized gay marriage, New York fashion designer Malcolm Harris didn't waste any time. He dashed off a Twitter message to his boyfriend of nine years: "'Will you marry me?
A city away, in Boston, Bernadette Smith decided to immediately relocate her business planning gay weddings to New York City.
In Brooklyn, pastors Ann Kansfield and Jennifer Aull received their first two requests to wed gay couples at their church in the borough's Greenpoint section. They scheduled one for Labor Day weekend.
Even as supporters of gay marriage celebrated victory in New York on Saturday, preparations were being made to make gay weddings a reality in the state.
Couples who had talked about going out-of-state to wed changed their plans. Reception venues got their first calls. Churches that accept gay unions said they were looking forward to hosting ceremonies.
After a lifetime of waiting, there was a sense of urgency.
The law signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo late Friday night doesn't take effect for 30 days, but Harris — who got a "yes" to his Twitter proposal — said he and fiancé K. Tyson Perez planned to get a marriage license right away, wed on paper, and then have a blowout reception in six months.
"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him," Harris said.
"This is going to be as traditional as it gets. We're going to do it at the Four Seasons, a place that is like gay church to me," he added about the atmospheric restaurant where he planned to hold the event.
The law passed amid opposition from the largest and most influential religious groups in the state, but in New York City, at least, there were still an ample number of churches that have already said they would happily officiate a gay marriage ceremony.
The Rev. Stephen H. Phelps, senior minister at the Riverside Church, in Manhattan, said he was looking forward to replacing the commitment ceremonies that have been done there for years with something state-sanctioned.
"I think it is an occasion for members of our society who have been burned by narrow-minded religion to see that it doesn't have to be that way," he said.
At a gay pride celebration in Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park, the Rev. Joseph Tolton of the Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church, a Pentecostal congregation that is predominantly gay, said he couldn't wait to start.
"I'm going to be very busy on Saturdays," he said.
Congregants Yvonne Lindesay, 55, and her partner Elaine Livingston, 62, said they're planning to get married after living together for two years, after watching the results of New York's critical Senate vote on television Friday night.
"I cried. Our phone was ringing off the hook — from straight people too," Lindesay said.
Smith, who founded a gay wedding planning business in Massachusetts after it legalized gay marriage, said she had been hoping to relocate to New York for some time, and had already begun laying the groundwork to establish a New York officer for her company, 14 Stories, in anticipation of the vote."
The move is partly a matter of survival, she said. Over seven years, her client list has been dominated by people traveling to Massachusetts from elsewhere to wed — a type of tourism that may now shift to the Big Apple.
"I was supposed to have a gay wedding today with a gay couple from New York," she said. "They were a no-show. Of course, for a good reason."
She said New York has quite a set of parties to look forward to.
"The weddings are incredible," she said. "I think maybe because there is a lot of pent up anticipation ... It's really about appreciating and savoring the legality of it. Because some couples have literally been waiting for years and years. To be around that energy, where they are not taking a thing for granted ... there's usually not a dry eye in the room."
At the Greenpoint Reformed Church, Aull said she and co-pastor Kansfield, who got married themselves in Massachusetts years ago, have presided over same-sex unions before. But she expects there will be something different, more joyous, about being able to do it legally at home.
"There is always a little bit of a bittersweet aspect when you are doing a marriage, and there is a sense that it is not recognized by anyone," she said.
Associated Press reporter Julie Walker contributed to this report. (Julie Walker was my bride!)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Oh Happy Day...Same-Sex Weddings was legalized in the U.S. state of New York on June 24, 2011 by the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cu

Same-sex marriage was legalized in the U.S. state of New York on June 24, 2011 by the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that there is no constitutional right to same-sex marriage in New York.[1] Following the 2006 Court decision, the New York State Assembly passed same-sex marriage legislation in 2007, 2009, and 2011. However, the New York Senate rejected same-sex marriage legislation in a 38-24 vote on December 2, 2009.[2] After negotiations between Republican members of the Senate and Governor Andrew Cuomo, regarding protections against discrimination lawsuits for religious groups and non-profit organizations, a same-sex marriage bill known as the Marriage Equality Act passed the State Senate by a vote of 33-29 on June 24, 2011.[3] Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the measure the same night, allowing the law to go into effect on July 24, 2011.[3]
Thursday, June 16, 2011
One More Vote For Gay Weddings In New York

New York is on the verge of becoming the sixth state to allow gay marriage. Gov Cuomo introduced the bill in both chambers on Tuesday. In an effort to pacify Republicans, the bill has several stipulations that exempt religious institution from having to oblige or provide facilities for gay weddings.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pushed for gay marriage, garnishing widespread support from Democrats in the State Assembly. However, Republicans, who control the State Senate, have been an obstacle in his goal. But, Republicans are coming around to the idea. Tuesday, two Republican state senators gave their support to Gov. Cuomo’s gay marriage bill. Thirty-one Republicans support the bill.
Contact Us

Nancy Sweizy Events
www.nancysweizywevents.com
www.arainbowaffaire.homestead.com
www.newyorkhortcouture.blogspot.com
nancysweizyevents@gmail.com
917 355 0689
New York City The Hamptons Newport R.I.
Real Gay Wedding....Edd And Paul

Edd Clark and Paul Stephan have been together for over 25 years. On a vacation to Palm Spring Ca, they decided it was high time to get married! So back to NYC they went to plan their wedding. Both Musicians, Paul is the Minister of Music for the Madison Avenue Baptist Church. So the church was the perfect place for a chic spring cocktail reception.
Rev. Susan Sparks held one of the most joyful rehearsals had ever done. Not only did she bring champagne for all, she has a great sense of humor that put the couple and family at ease. It was a perfect spring day in NYC for a perfect NY couple.
Great Friends performed at the wedding and the reception. David Eldridge, the past floral designer of the Plaza Hotel, created English garden arrangements in soft yellow, blue and cream.
I created a musical cup cake tower for the couple.
Congratulations Edd and Paul!
Event planner: Nancy Swiezy
Flowers: David Eldridge
Venue: Madison Avenue Baptist Church
Officiated: Rev. Susan G. Sparks
Reception held in the church
About Nancy Swiezy Events

Nancy Swiezy
Floral Designer,Weddings and Events
Ms Swiezy has over 20 years in the Special Event and Wedding Industry, She has worked with New York's top event and florial companies including Tentation Potel and Chabot. Her sister Company, A Newport Affaire was proud to have been chosen to plan the wedding for a New York society family in Newport R.I. at The Marble House.
As a past member of Actors Equity and The First Sous Chef for Gods Love We Deliver,
Ms Swiezy has many Friends and Family who deserve to be married just Like the rest of us.
She was the Associte Publisher of Bizbash Media and is a editorial contributor to many publications including Newport Life Magazine, Destination I Do, Grace Ormond Wedding Style, Special Event Magizine and the Wedding Podcast Network.











