GayWeddings.com (http://www.GayWeddings.com): The mother-daughter team of Gretchen and Kathryn Hamm offer a seemingly inexhaustible array of advice and information about services and items for your ceremony. You might also want to visit their their blog at http://www.gayweddingfodder.com.
Musician
Emily John (http://www.harpgigs.com/EmilyJohn/): Emily brings a serene presence and beautiful music to a ceremony. She enjoys working with a couple to tailor the music to their event and is happy to play anything from Stairway to Heaven, to the Beatles, to Enya, to Classica, to Celtic. If you're considering a harpist, Emily's the one you want. She can be reached at Ejharpist@aol.com or by phone at 718.575.9309.
Photographer
Christopher Duggan (www.thresholdvisions.com): Christopher has a lovely way with people. He understands the immense significance and emotional charge of ceremonies, and he has an uncanny knack for catching the nuances of emotion at different ceremony moments and rendering them beautifully through photos. Many people have found this to be true, so much so that Chris was chosen to be the Festival Photographer at the 2006 Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Chris offers a number of different package options, all of which include engagement photos. He can be reached at christopher@thresholdvisions.com or by phone at (917) 816-0388.
Artist
Mary Ahern (http://www.MaryAhernArtist.com): Whether you need elegant note cards, luminous paintings or prints for your home, or simply a few moments of visual splendor, you're sure to find what you need at Mary's online studio. Mary can be reached at mary@MaryAhernArtist.com.
Ceremony Elements: Ketubah
Daniel Sroka (http://www.modernketubah.com): The ketubah, or wedding contract, is an integral part of the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. Inspired by nature and flowers, Daniel's ketubot are very beautiful, an inspiration in themselves. Moreover, these lovely heirlooms are available to all couples, for Daniel offers both traditional pieces and certificates especially designed for lesbian, gay and interfaith couples. If you wish to have a marriage certificate worthy of the appellation fine art, you'll find one to your liking at Daniel's site. Daniel can be reached by voicemail or fax at 815-301-8836.
In Print
GO! - A Cultural Roadmap for the City Girl, March 2008, Volume6, Issue 9:In particular, see the articles entitled "GO Get Hitched" on pages 16-19 and "Engaged To Equality - Where We stand in the Fight for Same-Sex Marriage Rights," pages 26-29. Thisexceptionally interesting and informative magazineis also available online at www.gomag.com.
Recognizing Ourselves - Ceremonies for Lesbian and Gay Commitment (by Ellen Lewin; Columbia University Press; 1998): This is not a "how to" book, but an insightful, sensitive and often moving anthropological analysis of gay and lesbian ceremonies. The author speaks on the basis of her research endeavors, and from experience, as she and her partner consecrated their own relationship with a commitment ceremony.
The Essential Guide to Lesbian & Gay Weddings (by Tess Ayers and Paul Brown; Alyson Books; 1994, 1999): A practical and entertaining guide to planning your ceremony.
