What: I Do For Us, Too, same-sex wedding event
When: 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4
Where: Hilton Vancouver Washington Conference Center, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver
Cost: In advance, $10 for engaged couples and $8 for others; at the door, $15 per engaged couple and $10 for others
Information: I Do For Us, Too; Facebook
Clark County’s wedding industry is already gearing up for what it hopes will be voter affirmation Nov. 6 of the state’s same-sex marriage law.
Local wedding vendors have organized Vancouver’s first gay and lesbian wedding show — I Do For Us, Too, — Nov. 4. The event will showcase some wedding businesses that are eager to serve same-sex couples, as well as provide information and discussion on Referendum 74, which asks voters to uphold or reject the state’s same-sex marriage law.
What: I Do For Us, Too, same-sex wedding event
When: 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4
Where: Hilton Vancouver Washington Conference Center, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver
Cost: In advance, $10 for engaged couples and $8 for others; at the door, $15 per engaged couple and $10 for others
Information: I Do For Us, Too; Facebook
Same-sex marriage could be a boon for Clark County’s wedding industry. In addition to Washington couples who may marry under the law, Clark County businesses expect an influx of Oregon couples who are not legally allowed to tie the knot in their state.
“We are making sure all of the wedding professionals at the event are friendly to the LGBT community,” said Diane Figley, event organizer and co-owner of Vancouver’s Red Raccoon1 LLC wedding officiants. “Same-sex couples are often met with, ‘Oh, sorry, that date is booked,’ or some other lame excuse for being refused service. We’re hoping (the participating businesses) aren’t in it just for the money. Of course, there will be a monetary gain for everybody, but the businesses we’ve included have been supportive of same-sex couples for some time.”
The event is from 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at the Hilton Vancouver Washington Conference Center, 301 W. Sixth St. The hotel, which hosts weddings, is a partial sponsor.
About 50 wedding vendors will participate.
Examples of wedding professionals’ work will be on display to provide inspiration for wedding planning and to illustrate their creative abilities.
The event also incudes appetizers, refreshments, a fashion show, a question-and-answer session, a Referendum 74 information session, a silent auction, and a live auction of a full wedding package.
Figley recruited Cloud Nine Events & Accessories, Panache Weddings & Events, Mega Music Entertainment, Crave Design, and Elephants Delicatessen to help organize the event.
Paris Achen: 360-735-4551; http://twitter.com/Col_Trends;http://facebook.com/ColTrends; paris.achen@columbian.com.
