Same Sex Weddings

I know this is a touchy subject for a whole lot of people. My outlook on this topic is let love be! Anyone should be allowed to marry their special someone. And I am here to tell you about some great ideas for same sex weddings!


First of all registering for your same sex union. I found all of these great links from gayweddings.com
Here are a few resources, including links to find information for registering for a civil union or marriage license in applicable jurisdictions:
District of Columbia
How to apply for a marriage license in D.C..
Massachusetts:
GLAD's How To Get Married Guide
Vermont:
The Vermont Guide to Civil Unions
Marriage Certificate order form
Connecticut:
A comprehensive look at state laws
FAQs from the Connecticut state website
Maine:
In Nov. 09, voters overturned legislation allowing same sex couples to marry.
Hawaii:
Bill authorizing civil unions lands on Governor's desk. Updates to follow!
Iowa:
Tips for an Iowa marriage
New Jersey:
Information for a New Jersey Civil Union License
New Hampshire:
Your Honor, I Do
Requirements and information for marriage licenses
California:
Tying the knot in California, 2008
Proposition 8 has nullified gay marriage. 
Canada:
Information on the legal implications of a Canada gay marriage from the Human Rights Campaign
UK:
General Register Office for the UK
www.gayweddings.com


Ceremony

http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/49115/detailview.aspx?STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&type=3&style=same-sex&ps=8&keep=-843063781&id=49115&PgReferrer=view.aspx

Who will Marry you?

A civil servant's primary role is to legalize the marriage, so unless you're marrying in Massachusetts or California, that won't be a part of the ceremony. Instead, you can ask a judge or justice of the peace to sanction your union symbolically. Also, look into an Ethical Humanist officiant (to find a local society, visit American Ethical Union or an officiant from the Unitarian Universalist Association, Universal Life Church, or Metropolitan Community Church. These groups have announced their support for gay marriages and encourage their clergy to officiate them. And keep in mind that your officiant doesn't have to be "official" -- that is licensed to perform legal weddings -- which means a dear friend or relative can do the honor.

If you'd like a religious ceremony, look for an officiant from a religion that leaves the decision up to individual clergy members (Buddhist, some Protestant, some Quaker, and Reform Jewish). Many religious denominations also bless gay unions, even if they won't officiate these unions. Of course, the Internet is a great research tool for finding local officiants, and many invite gay couples to contact them about creating a personalized ceremony.
http://gay.weddings.com/articles/find-the-right-gay-wedding-officiant.aspx

What are the elements of the ceremony?

Though you may not end up with a legal document, the ceremony itself is a binding ritual, so you'll want to make it truly personal. Even so, your ceremony may be quite similar to a traditional wedding. Here are the basic components to a traditional wedding ceremony and what they include:
Processional: This is what gives guests the cue that the wedding is about to begin. Normally, the music dramatically changes and your bridal party and one or both of you will walk up the aisle to the altar or huppah to meet one another. Many gay couples decide that they're more comfortable walking up the aisle together instead of one waiting for the other at the altar. If your ceremony space has three aisles, think about walking up opposite side aisles and meeting at the altar. Then afterward, you can walk down the middle aisle together for the recessional. This also works well if you're each having a family member (mother, father, sister, brother) or close friend escort you up the aisle. As for your wedding party, your attendants can come in from each side or walk up the center aisle before you both enter. And when it comes to seating guests, your respective families can sit on either side of you (figure out which side each of you will stand at the altar), while mutual friends can simply sit wherever they please on either side. Another idea: create an aisle or separator between guests and have everyone sit in a U-shape around your altar or huppah. Whichever you choose, remember that it's your day and you should do what works for you two.
The Greeting/Call to Attention: This is where your officiant tells guests they're present to support the commitment and love between the two of you, and may say a few words about you and your relationship.
Declaration of Intent/Vows: Writing your own vows is a great way to celebrate your commitment to each other -- and honor the uniqueness of your relationship. You can draw what you like from traditional, religious, or secular vows; adapt wordings from poems, songs, and prose; or start from scratch and express your feelings in your own words. Memorize them, read them from a book, or repeat them after your officiant. Looking for more readings and ideas? Check out these ceremony readings.
Ring Exchange: Perhaps you've already given each other rings and you would like to add bands to go with them. If you're not getting a second set of rings, you can simply reenact the original ring exchange with a few special words. And when it comes to figuring out which hand to wear it on, that's entirely up to you. Many gay couples wear commitment rings on their right hands as opposed to the more traditional way of wearing them on the left. Or you might choose a nontraditional design and wear it on the traditional finger. No matter which you choose, the important part is celebrating and showing the symbol of your love for each other. During this time, it's appropriate for your officiant to say words about the symbol of the wedding ring and its meaning to you as a couple. If you opt not to have a ring exchange, the minister might have you two simply join hands while he gives a pronouncement.
Readings/Joining Rituals: You could read about love, friendship, companionship, trust, growth, or whatever value of your relationship you wish to highlight. Joining rituals like a unity candle (the two of you light a mutual candle with flames from two individual candles) or Native American sand blending are perfect ways to symbolize your union. You could also try the sharing of wine (bitter and sweet), which symbolizes that you're partners for all of life's joys and sorrows. Or, sign your names on parchment or in a holy book to show your commitment as a covenant.
Pronouncement of the Union and the kiss: This is the part you've been waiting for -- and it speaks for itself! This is also where your officiant may proclaim the marriage -- a few options include "life partners," "true partners," "beloved friends," or just "married!"

-- Anja Winikka
http://gay.weddings.com/articles/gay-wedding-ceremony-elements.aspx


http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2010/01/martha-stewart-weddingss-first-same-sex-wedding/

Wording Wedding Invitations

The person paying for the wedding is generally, but not always, recognized as the event's host on the invite. So if you two are footing the bill for the wedding, then your names should be at the top of the invitation.


For the couple hosting a formal affair:

The honor of your presence
is requested at the marriage of
Derek Ryan Baker
to Charles Robert Jacobson
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past four in the afternoon

or

The pleasure of your company
is requested at the marriage of
Derek Ryan Baker
to Charles Robert Jacobson
Saturday, the seventeenth of May
two thousand and eight
at half past four in the afternoon

The couple hosting a more casual affair:

Derek Ryan Baker &
Charles Robert Jacobson
invite you to their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 4:30 in the afternoon

or

Derek Ryan Baker &
Charles Robert Jacobson
invite you to share and celebrate at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 4:30 in the afternoon

or

Derek Ryan Baker &
Charles Robert Jacobson
invite you to share in their joy at their wedding
Saturday, May 17, 2008
at 4:30 in the afternoon
http://gay.weddings.com/articles/gay-wedding-invitation-wording-for-couple-hosting.aspx




Inspiration Photo's

Let them eat cake!!!


http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/gay-wedding-cake.jpg


A great way to word your wedding invitations!!!






http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/46249/detailview.aspx?id=46249&RPID=2&type=3&style=same-sex&ps=8&keep=-843063781


http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/47598/detailview.aspx?type=3&RPID=2&style=same-sex&ps=8&keep=-843063781&id=47598


http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/47604/detailview.aspx?id=47604&type=3&RPID=2&style=same-sex&ps=8&keep=-843063781

Good luck in all your planning!