It’s 5 years ago today – June 26 – that the Supreme Court upheld Marriage Equality.
Prior to that, when same-sex marriage finally became legal in California in 2013, my event colleagues and I experienced same-sex couples coming in droves from across the nation, so they could be legally married.
I was thrilled to live and work in a state that recognized these couples, and happy to welcome them and help them live their dreams.
One couple in particular has stayed with me always: two Black women from Texas, with their young daughter.
Of course I suggested a ‘toes-in-the-sand’ beach wedding – an iconic San Diego experience.
They declined and instead requested the ceremony be in a small park near the hotel where they were staying.
I kept pressing them that you couldn’t beat the gorgeous San Diego beaches.
Finally they had to say to me, that they so often have insulting slurs hurled at them as a same-sex couple, that they didn’t want to risk a wedding on the beach – so very public – and the possibility that some passerby could shout a horrid remark, not only on their very special day, but in front of their young daughter.
I felt so naive and heartbroken upon hearing that.
So, when the day came we gathered at the park. Just the two of them with their daughter as flower girl, and found a lovely stranger in the park who agreed to serve as witness.
Their love and caring toward each other made it quite apparent that the surroundings were the least important thing that day. They declared their “I Dos” and could legally call each other “wife” from that day forward.
Oddly, I’m happy that I no longer have an onslaught of same-sex couples from across the nation requesting officiating, because that means they are now able to get legally married in their own home town, surrounded by friends and family.
And here is evidence of my very first wedding ceremony (yes, I was a blonde back then!) at the Kona Kai on Shelter Island.
Just Imagine Love: Weddings & Ceremonies Blog 