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WeddingWire and GayWeddings.com Reveal the Facts behind Same-Sex Weddings


WEBWIRE

Survey of Newlyweds Shows Majority of Same-Sex Couples Planning Bigger Than Ever

CHEVY CHASE, MD – October 22, 2013 – WeddingWire and GayWeddings.com released today the results of their 2013 Survey of Newlyweds, revealing more than 90 percent of same-sex couples who got hitched in 2012 said traditional wedding staples – venue, attire, catering and photography/videography – are essential to their big day. The statistic highlights the increase in members of the LGBTQ community who are taking advantage of new legal opportunities and celebrating their unions with more traditional wedding celebrations.

“When it comes to our unions, same-sex couples have not historically had the same level of support from family members, equal access to wedding services, and, above all, legal recognition,” said Kathryn Hamm, President, GayWeddings.com. “But, thankfully, as we can see in our Newlywed survey results, couples who got hitched last year are being acknowledged in a whole new way and this is impacting how we, as a community, are choosing to celebrate our unions. Together with WeddingWire, I look forward to continuing to ensure that every engaged couple sees themselves reflected in the market and has the resources they need to celebrate their love and commitment in whatever way they so choose.”

The comprehensive survey asked members of the WeddingWire and GayWeddings.com communities who had a wedding ceremony in 2012 to share the details of their recent wedding planning experience. Survey results indicated same-sex couples are expanding the ways they plan their weddings, just as the mainstream market is embracing them. Findings include:

  • Two Rings: In the engagement phase, more than two-thirds of couples signified their engagement with two rings (one for each partner), rather than the traditional one ring for the female partner.
  • Wedding Essentials: Regardless of the legality of the union, 93 percent of couples budgeted for flowers and said venue, attire, catering and photography/videography are wedding day essentials.
  • Top Planning Resources: The top three planning resources for these couples were wedding websites such as WeddingWire.com, same-sex specific websites such as GayWeddings.com, and books or magazines.
  • Smaller Weddings: Though same-sex weddings are growing in size, they remain smaller and more intimate relative to heterosexual weddings. Those same-sex couples surveyed reported an average of 80 guests compared to heterosexual couples who reported an average of 170 guests.
  • Honeymoons: Post-wedding, more than 80 percent of couples went on a planned honeymoon, which comes close to the 86 percent of heterosexual couples who went on a honeymoon.


“It’s exciting to see just how many doors have opened for engaged couples and wedding professionals  over the past few years, especially in the midst of the changing legal landscape,” said Sonny Ganguly, CMO, WeddingWire. “This survey reinforces why WeddingWire and GayWeddings.com began our partnership almost three years ago. Our partnership gives all couples seeking to celebrate their commitment access to the largest network of event professionals to simplify their planning process. We continue to deepen our dedication to educating wedding professionals and serving same-sex couples as they plan the biggest day of their lives in a monumental and meaningful way.”

The survey also revealed that only 46 percent of same-sex couples wed in their home states, compared to 70 percent of heterosexual couples who married in their home states. Of the more than half of same-sex couples who did not wed near their homes, two-thirds chose to venture to the closest marriage equality state.

"While there is still work to be done, I’m thrilled that GayWeddings.com and WeddingWire are leading the charge to fully integrate same-sex weddings into the mainstream wedding market,” said Hamm. “Together we are helping couples find services, products and local reviews that are relevant and inclusive.”

WeddingWire.com and GayWeddings.com recently launched a joint campaign, called Wed We Can, to provide resources both for wedding professionals and engaged couples, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity; the campaign celebrates the unions of all loving couples. Supporters of marriage equality are encouraged to visit www.WedWeCan.com and stop by the “ShowSupport” page to join the conversation on the issue of marriage equality. Visitors can also download Wed We Can images to use on their Facebook and Twitter pages to demonstrate support. To get involved in the conversation and to keep up with the campaign’s activity, use the hashtag #WedWeCan.

For more information about WeddingWire and GayWeddings.com’s partnership, visit GayWeddings.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc. 
WeddingWire™, the nation’s leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists , all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

About GayWeddings.com 
GayWeddings.com is the leading online boutique and resource dedicated to serving same-sex couples. While planning a wedding for daughter Kathryn in 1999, Gretchen Hamm was frustrated by the lack of resources available to same-sex couples and thus founded TwoBrides.com and TwoGrooms.com - the first such online boutiques to cater to the LGBTQ community - that same year. In 2005, the mother-daughter team acquired GayWeddings.com, solidifying its position as the largest resource of its kind at the forefront of the burgeoning same-sex wedding industry. Based in Dallas, Texas and Arlington, Virginia, GayWeddings.com serves the under-served LGBTQ community with its community forum, national gay-friendly vendor directory, wedding planning seminars, consultation services, free planning articles and “Wed Pages,” personalized customer service, and its online boutique. Kathryn is also the co-author of Capturing Love: The Art of Lesbian & Gay Wedding Photography and she writes, speaks and consults nationally about why same-sex weddings are meaningful and why marriage matters. 



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 Weddings
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