Today's Supreme Court decision is a landmark, indeed. An email from Matt Cole at the ACLU stated "simply having the California Supreme Court say that constitutional principles demand that marriage be open to same-sex couples is an enormous win. The Court has a remarkable history of leadership on civil rights and civil liberties." As Matt further indicates," marriage in California will transform the discussion of marriage nationwide. Given the state's economic clout, the fact that California is marrying same-sex couples will put considerable pressure on the rest of the country to recognize those marriages." 

While this is all fine and dandy, I have it on good authority that the anti-gay forces have gathered enough signatures to place an initiative on the November ballot that would amend the State constitution and over-rule the decision. Your support is going to be sorely needed to squash the bullies so if you get a call or log onto the Equality-California website (www.eqca.org) give what you can, even if it hurts a little. The people at EQ-CA were a strong part of making today's decision happen.

Next, there is the very lucrative wedding market and you guys need to know the facts:

The wedding market is a very lucrative market. It's an enormous profit-maker for hotels, restaurants, caterers, social halls, resorts and more. "Know before you sign" is my motto. When I got into the hospitality business, the contracts were a joke. I was the author of one of the strongest hotel contracts in the industry and others soon followed my lead. If you are going to engage in any contactual situation with any of the above or more, KNOW BEFORE YOU SIGN. Read through the entire contract, thoroughly. If you have questions, then ask the person who is issuing the contract. Caution: if they are unable to answer your question, then DO NOT SIGN until you have an answer from a Manager. 

Also, if there is something you don't agree with on the contract, negotiate it and have the changes put in writing, preferably on a new contract instead of the changes being handwritten on the initial contract. Make sure the new contract header reads "Revised Contract" with the revision date.

I'm also happy to review your contracts with you, time permitting, before you sign.

With the economy tightening, the wedding business is eagerly awaiting the gay dollar to be spent. They know that Gay people have more disposable income than any other group and I'm sure catering directors around the state are now gearing up their advertising - and higher revenue streams - due to gay marriage and gay people's desire to have a lush, expensive celebration. I'm not detering people from that but what I do want to remind people is to beware of pricing. For instance, if you 're dealing with a hotel for a wedding, take a look at the standard catering menus as well as the wedding menus. You will sometimes see a vast difference on prices for the same items on the menu; usually weddings are higher. Insist on the dinner price. Other venues will have a food and beverage minimum - hence the higher wedding prices - again, take a look at your budget. For some people they don't care if they meet the minimum or not; in some cases the minimum's may be too high and you should just scrap the venue.

Lastly, I want to leave you with one piece of sane advice: you don't have to follow the straight ritual of weddings if you don't want to. Do what feels right between you and your partner.All that really matters in the end is that you love each other and that you're fortunate to share the moment you say "I do" with those you want to be with the most.

Cheers, everyone.