Wedding expo caters to MD gay couples planning to marry in D.C. with over 3 dozen companies for gays eyeing a wedding in Washington DC.
"There are lots of businesses that want to tap into the gay marriage market and don't know how," said Deborah Cummings-Thomas, who co-owns Marry Me in DC, a consortium of wedding officiates. "It's a huge economic market. You have people with lots of disposable income, love to travel and love to have a good party."
Washington began sanctioning gay marriage in March. While same-sex marriage is illegal in Maryland, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler issued an opinion in February holding that Maryland should recognize same-sex nuptials performed out-of-state. The opinion has a direct impact only on state agencies but has been hailed by gay-rights advocates as a step toward equality.
"We're sort of in that gray space," lawyer Heather McCabe told expo attendees at a session on legal matters. McCabe said that the issue in Maryland will ultimately be decided in court and that same-sex couples should sign wills, prenuptial agreements and other legal documents.
The expo cost $5 per person. Less than halfway through the afternoon, all 100 pink gift bags were gone. For Drew Vanlandingham, a wedding planner, the prospects seemed promising. "The people who are coming today are serious," he said. "They're not playing around."
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