The Complete Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings [Paperback]

K. C. David (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0312338791 | ISBN-13: 978-0312338794 | Edition: First Edition

"Get out your gay/lesbian rice and celebrate! Taking you from the wedding announcement to the thank you notes, this is the ultimate guide to same-sex ceremonies."
-Michael Musto, Village Voice

Your wedding team is here! Let GayWeddings.com help you and your partner plan a ceremony that suits your taste and budget without losing your mind in the process. The absolute authority for same-sex unions on the web, K.C. David and his devoted staff of experts are at your side from the proposal to the honeymoon.
- Marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership: protecting your rights and assets together
- Finding gay-friendly venues, caterers, and yes, even clergy
- Tips for notifying friends and family, and which newspapers run same-sex announcements
- Ideas from folks who have already tied the knot

PLUS: A wedding timeline checklist, vow writing exercise, sample menus, budget worksheet and more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Planning a same-sex wedding isn't all that different than planning a straight wedding. While some couples may choose a stereotypical biker bash or drag fest, David's emphasis is on traditional ceremonies and receptions, where same-sex cake toppers and greater emphasis on coordinated wedding attire may be the only hints that the marriage might not be recognized in all 50 states. The guide provides the usual checklists and common-sense wedding advice ("never hire a caterer-no matter what-without tasting the food first"). But its most unique-and therefore most useful-aspects deal with the challenges specific to same sex couples, such as hiring an attorney to navigate state laws that deal with partnerships; announcing the engagement to family and friends; finding gay-friendly vendors; and dealing with hesitant guests. David relies heavily on his own experience running a romantic inn in Bucks County, Penn., and marrying his partner, Doc, both for advice and for anecdotes. David has never met a romantic conceit that he didn't like, so readers should be prepared to revel in starry-eyed schmaltz and the kind of flamboyant wisdom that has made entities such as "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" so successful (e.g., in a chapter titled, "Creating Your Wedding Style," David writes, "It's important that you keep in mind that you will be basically creating a set design, almost like those in Broadway productions"). The book also includes sample menus (and the recipes to go with them) and listings for gay-friendly vendors and partnership advocacy organizations.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

K.C. David founded GayWeddings.com in 1998, prior to which he spent ten years as a wedding consultant for both gay and straight couples at the inn he owned in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He is proud to be the first openly gay member of the American Bridal Association. He lives with his partner in Bucks County.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (May 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312338791
• ISBN-13: 978-0312338794
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #465,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely useful, May 17, 2007

By 

wellreadwoman (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings (Paperback)

I picked up this (and two other gay and lesbian wedding guides) fully expecting it to be biased wedding industry propaganda and not particularly useful for planning my smallish low-budget wedding. But I was pleasantly surprised to find a small book chock full of great information. While the author was clearly used to planning fairly lavish traditional ceremonies, the step-by-step planning process worked just as well for my smaller event. I particularly found the sections on wedding style/vision, incorporating cultural influences, dealing with wedding stress, and reception planning useful.

The earnest, inclusive and reassuring tone was great---very down to earth. It's a good book to read when having a brideszilla moment to remind you to calm down, talk to your partner and remember why you're doing all this in the first place.

My main complaint was the chapter on current LGBT law on marriage, partnerships, legal protections etc. Since this type of information is always changing, it's better to check with a more up to date source (a local LGBT equality organization, a lawyer, the HRC website, or a legal guide). A related concern: nearly all the websites the book mentioned are defunct, under new management, or no longer useful. In addition to the oft-mentioned gayweddings.com (which I think has been bought out), I would also recommend checking out purpleunions.com if you're looking for vendors.

Also, the ceremony planning section was a bit thin on info on secular ceremonies. If you're not having a church wedding, I'd recommend a ceremony planning book like I Do by Sydney Barbara Metrick or Alternative Weddings by Jane Ross-MacDonald for the ceremony. But overall, this is a good book. I checked it out from the library originally, but actually ended up buying it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with lots of information, but most websites listed are dead., August 8, 2010

By 

Nicholas Herweck "Soon to be Mr. & Mr. Greenw... (Northern Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings (Paperback)

The review, by wellreadwoman, is dead on accurate. I borrowed this book from my local library, and have to say that this review is absolutely on track. This book is great, but don't waste your time with the websites listed in the book. The only website that still holds up is [...] . Good luck with your own Gay/Lesbian Wedding!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Advice for Gay/Lesbian Weddings, February 4, 2009

By 

Dean Robinson (St. Petersburg, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings (Paperback)

Thank goodness for this book. There are so many details in planning any wedding but for a gay/lesbian wedding it can really get complicated. This book is very thorough and covers everything you have questions about or need to know to have the wedding of your dreams. We highly recommend this book to all gay/lesbian wedding planners.