The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Tess Ayers (Author), Paul Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1994

Forty black-and-white photographs accent a savvy same-sex wedding guide, which tackles topics ranging from choosing creative vows to finding a cake topper with two brides or two grooms. 10,000 first printing. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Although same-sex marriages are not yet legal anywhere in the United States, more and more lesbians and gay men are seeking the right to validate their unions. This wittily written, well-organized, and creatively laid-out guide offers historical background and practical suggestions covering all aspects of the event, from what to call it to wording the invitations, buying rings, and booking the honeymoon suite. Acknowledging the inherently political statement of the act as well as personal degrees of coming out, the authors provide sensitive counsel by encouraging the couple to present a positive (not defensive) attitude to the heterocentric world, keeping their own priorities foremost and making sure the entire process remains fun. Based on their own and others' experiences, they offer many imaginative ideas for a wide variety of successful ceremonies. A resource directory, suggested references, and index (not seen) contribute to the usefulness of this timely guide.
James E. Van Buskirk, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Proponents of legalizing gay and lesbian marriages increasingly target municipal, state, and federal lawmakers. John Boswell's Same Sex Unions in Pre-modern Europe , documenting such marriages in antiquity, has climbed onto local best-seller lists. Ayers and Brown take a why-wait attitude and rework traditional wedding-planning etiquette to fit the reality of the increasing number of gay and lesbian commitment ceremonies taking place almost daily, admittedly without the legal recognition accorded male-female unions. Their book's three sections deal with the decision-making process, wedding logistics, and actual step-by-step planning, for which they provide checklists to carry a couple through the big event. Along with such practical matters as the rules for wedding gifts and what a photographer provides, Ayers and Brown deal with such fine points for gays and lesbians as considering what to call him or her (bride? groom? hmmmÿ20.ÿ20.ÿ20.), gender-bending wedding fashions, alternative invitations, and whether and how to change one's name. Timely, informative, and entertaining. Marie Kuda

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harper San Francisco; 1st edition (July 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062502719
• ISBN-13: 978-0062502711
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,511,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am so grateful for this book!, July 30, 1999

By A Customer

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

My partner and I didn't even know where to start. Actually, we weren't even sure we wanted to have a commitment ceremony. Until we read this book and not only got so much information and support, but inspiration as well. We took so many suggestions from the book and had the most beautiful ceremony of all time (if I do say so myself!) A million thanks to these wonderful authors.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and entertaining resource, June 18, 1999

By A Customer

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

I really did not know what to expect when I bought this from Amazon, but I knew that my partner and I needed some help in planning our commitment ceremony and I didn't want to read the standard bridal magazines or wedding planners (they didn't exactly look like a great resource for two guys). This book was the perfect solution -- it covers all the issues and questions that a gay couple faces when planning a wedding from making the announcement to taking the honeymoon. Want to know what stores are gay-friendly with their registry services? Or where to go for a same-sex couple cake topper? Or suggestions for your vows? This book has it all. Beyond exceptional content, it is also well-written, well-designed, and is full of interesting and entertaining bits of trivia about gay marriage. The back of the book includes a thorough index of other off-line and on-line resources to help as well. A great resource.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So great my straight friends were jealous, December 16, 1999

By A Customer

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

This is a great book for anyone planning a committment ceremony -- gay, lesbian, bi, or straight. It contains great pratical information, which it delivers with an great, irreverent sense of humor. Lots of stories from other couples' searches for the perfect outfits, caterer, etc. This book helped my partner and I write our own ceremony and put on what several guests told us was the "most beautiful wedding I've ever been to."