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California Dreamin: Hundreds of Gays Wed

by Barry Artiste | June 18, 2008 at 02:53 am | 419 views | 3 comments | 0 recommendations

Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

Despit previous reports where some country clerks refused to officiate Gay Marriages, the floodgates opened as hundreds of Gays and Lesbians take advantage of California's Marriage laws between same sex couples, some finally see it as California Dreamin.

While Vancouver, British Columbia, once a hotspot for Gays from North America to come to get married see a noticeable downturn in tourism for Gays, Gay weddings are a Gold mine for Vancouver and despite "Big Money Marketing" marketing attempts to lure a growing American market to marry and honeymoon in Vancouver, tourism is down.

California may soon be a mecca for those Americans to marry and honeymoon in California, will Vegas be far behind in attracting those tourist dollars to Nevada?

SAN FRANCISCO - County clerk offices across California opened for their first full day of same-sex marriages Tuesday, with hundreds of happy gay and lesbian couples ready to take the plunge in what in some cities was a party atmosphere.

A gay men's chorus was singing on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall, brightened up by rainbow flags and supporters handing out cupcakes to happy couples.

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Marcy Mendelson

at 10:27 on June 19th, 2008

Wedding Photography by Marcy

I remember the excitement at City Hall in 2004. I ran out the door of my apartment, camera in hand, to capture the emotion, the nerves, the happiness.

A line of couples stretched around the corner and everyone was in a party mood. Couples
who had been together for decades, couples that had just decided they
loved each other the night before, children, relatives, all waiting
patiently and giggling with anticipation.

That was the scene in San Francisco, 2004. Flash forward to May, 2008 and here we are at this historic ruling.

As
a gift to the Gay & Lesbian community, all same sex wedding
photography packages will be offered at a 25% discount for Summer and
Fall 2008.

Please contact me for more details on how we can arrange a custom package to document your happy day!