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Event Recap: Gay Weddings 101 with Christy Matthews
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than they once were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilizations oldest institutions. They ask for dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.
- Justice Anthony Kennedy
About the Education Event
On Tuesday, September 20th, wedding planner Christy Matthews delivered an engaging and informative education session about Gay Weddings. Wedding vendors from all areas of the industry attended to hear Christy speak about her passion for marriage equality and providing safe, welcoming environments for LGBT clients.
For more information on this topic, we invite you to visit the following resources provided by Christy:
- The Gay Wedding Institute (GWI) - Christy's presentation was an overview of this larger certification course, created by Bernadette Smith, founder of the GWI and owner/planner at 14 Stories, a wedding planning firm. Here, you will find information about the gay wedding certification program, and how to bring the GWI to your business and train your entire team.
- Wedding Wire report - This was compiled in collaboration with the Gay Wedding Institute and Community Marketing. These are the statistics Christy shared during her presentation. The numbers are useful to help us have a broader view of the emerging trends.
Event Photos by Beatbox Portraits
Vendor Credits
- Speaker: Christy Matthews
- Photographer: Trish Dove from BeatBox Portraits
- Caterer: CN Catering
- Venue: The Room on Main
- Flowers: Haute Floral
- Linens and Chargers: Events Xtra Ordinaire
- A/V support: Glenn Roush Entertainment
- Valet: Advantage Valet
- AACWP Event Planners:
- Education Chair Jennifer Ashford of Altar Ego
- Vendor Relations Chair Emily Gromacki of Bella Flora
- Meetings & Events Chair Rachel Burt Garcia of As You Wish
Interested in being part of an AACWP event?
Are you a wedding or event professional interested in contributing to or speaking at a future AACWP event? We host a variety of events from 40 to over 300 guests and would love to consider featuring your product or service, or having you as a speaker. From favors to flowers, lighting to linens, parking to passed hors d'oeuvres and more, we are excited to hear from you!
Vendor contributors: Email our Vendor Relations Chairperson Emily White at vendorrelations@aacwp.org to tell her more about what you do and how you'd like to donate your services or products to a future event.
Speakers: Email our Education Chairperson Jennifer Ashford at education@aacwp.org.
