WHAT'S IN THE LAST NAME
One of the many marriage traditions that male couples are redefining is naming.
Women, since the dawn of marriage, have been expected to, if not required to, take on their husband's last name. Historically, this was down to the astonishing and thankfully outmoded belief that women were property. Leaving their father's home (and thus name) for her husband's home and name, required that women leave behind their sense of origin and identity, ultimately in service of the couple's children.
Progressive beliefs dating back to as early as the mid-1800's and feminist pioneer, Lucy Stone, led women to "taking back their name" and ushering in the era of couples with different last names, children with hyphenated names and families inventing new last names altogether. In a wonderfully circular manner, women have expanded the options for gay men as they decide what married name to take for themselves and then bestow on their children.
Naming expert Kelly Utt-Grubb has put forward 10 compelling questions to help couples think about naming. Once you've considered these questions, you can turn to her enterprise, The Name and I for help in creating a real name for yourself in marriage!
“Key West is just a beautiful little community that is so accommodating and full of unexpected character. You walk down the street with roosters running alongside, people lounging in a hammock with a Cuban coffee or mojito, making it a really special place in the US.” Read all about why Nick and Andrew chose Key West for their perfect destination gay wedding.
Riley & Grey is a design-minded wedding website service that meets the design and functionality expectations of everyday life. Riley & Grey makes it easy to design a site that is entirely about the aesthetic of the grooms’ using the site. As the company says about itself, they are here to make it easy for you to “do you!”
Ode à la Rose is a French florist/flower delivery company founded in NYC over ten years ago. Bastille Flowers & Events, a boutique floral and event design firm. Their two main offerings: 1. Bastille's fully custom, white-glove floral & event design – the best-in-class choice for upscale weddings; and 2. Ode's online a la carte ordering of centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and more – the hassle-free option for tighter budgets that doesn't compromise on quality.
Nothing says romance more than a destination wedding that is steeped in history and nature. And for those for whom American history and nature is the clarion call, then Magnolia Plantation & Gardens near Charleston, South Carolina is your only choice for tying the knot.
Gay cruise: check. Ski Week: check. Mykonos: check. Black, White, Winter and Pride Parties: check. Having filled up the calendar with all the hot gay events and descended on the gay hotspots, what is a gay gent to do for something new? The answer is simple: Gay Surf Week: a week of surfing, yoga and wellness, and brand-new friendships hosted by Surf Synergy.
The Family Research Center at the University of Denver is conducting a first-of-its-kind study on married gay couples and is seeking US-based couples who are engaged or in the first year of their marriage to participate in this research. If you’re interested in participating in this paid research, please fill out this interest form.
To say: “I do!” in Key West is to get married in a decidedly casual manner. It is also likely one of the only places where qualifying that one’s planning, floral, catering or photography services are ‘gay wedding friendly,’ is not a requisite. Key West is where weddings are neither hetero nor homo. They are just… weddings! And whether your wedding is in front of hundreds of your nearest and dearest for a long, destination wedding weekend, or a handful of friends and family for a quick day-trip, Key West has it all for the gay wedding of your dreams.
What is it about the country’s most remote corners that attracts the curious, creative, and independent? Key West is the best destination to understand the alchemy of these magical escapes and why they, and especially Key West, have become havens for the gay community when they are looking for where to meet, wed, honeymoon, and vacation.
Rich in history, a wealth of biodiversity and most importantly, a warm, friendly, and hospitable population, Colombia is in many ways the embodiment of everything we hope to find in a gay destination in Latin America. And Out in Colombia is the best partner to help plan a memorable gay vacation or gay honeymoon there.
Read 6 tips for Kumo Productions selecting great photographers and videographers, and some things to consider to make you and your partner feel comfortable with your media team on the big day!