Top 5 California Gay Wedding Destinations
Wednesday 4th June 2008
Barring any last-minute legal actions by the Supreme Court, the State of California will issue its first same-sex marriage license sometime on June 17th.
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Image by Daniel Schwen.
California’s momentous decision to overturn a gay marriage ban has massive ramifications for the United States as a whole. Because California does not have a residency requirement to get married, people from other states are legally able to travel there and get married. This means same-sex couples will have legal marriage licenses from a US state, and according to US law other states are required to honor those licenses.
I think you can see where this is going. California may have just effectively legalized gay marriage in a good many other states. New York has already announced it will honor same-sex unions performed in California. It’s a near certainty that, within a year, every other state will have to either agree to do the same or take a case like this to the US Supreme Court.
What does all this mean for you? It means an awesome holiday is in order, that’s what. California’s continued support of same-sex marriage hinges on one thing: tourist dollars. Gov. Schwarzenegger is already salivating at the thought of the billions of dollars same-sex marriages, particularly from visiting tourists, are going to add to the economy.
As such, it is your duty to support human rights by going to California. Luckily for you it’s Out of Town month at Pinke, where we bring you all manner of facts and features on the best gay travel destinations in the world. In celebration of the state’s momentous decision, we’re bringing you a guide to the best wedding spots in the state. These wedding spots all happen to be great gay friendly travel destinations in their own right, so don’t think you have to be getting married to go.
5. Sacramento
Sacramento is definitely the ugly stepchild of the more tourist oriented cities in this list, but it’s got great symbolic value for a wedding. The capitol of California is also the site of the legislative buildings and the state Supreme Court, the very same court that recently legalized that same-sex marriage you’re planning. Since you’re going to have to go to a courthouse to get hitched anyway, why not make it a famous and historic one with deep personal meaning?
4. San Diego
Image by Rufustelestrat.
San Diego can help bring out the animal in you in more ways than one. Start out by freeing the beast at your bachelor/bachelorette party. San Diego is home to a swinging gay nightlife scene, but for a legendary night of crazed debauchery there’s no place like Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexican border is a short shuttle bus ride from the city centre. For the event itself, the city is home to arguably the world’s best zoo, a must for any visitor and an exotic and elegant venue for your wedding. The zoo already does plenty of weddings every year and has a whole variety of locations throughout the park to choose from. You can go elegant colonial African, or rough it a bit more and do a safari style wedding. Another plus is that, with 300+ days of sunshine a year, your wedding will almost certainly have gorgeous weather.
3. Los Angeles
Sunset Boulevard as it passes through West Hollywood.
West Hollywood is the capitol of the LA gay scene. Home to streets packed with gay bars, nightclubs and restaurants, it’s also a fantastic place to play Spot the Celebrity. This may not be the best place for anyone who’s afraid of getting shown up on their special day, as you’re likely to spot a movie star at least once during your stay. Make sure transportation is arranged beforehand, as LA has horrible public transportation and is incredibly spread out. You will need a car. The list of places to tie the knot is endless, from the beaches of Malibu to film studios. Why not try a theme wedding and have everyone dress as their favourite movie character. Just make sure everyone knows YOU get to dress up as Dorothy.
2.Palm Springs
Image by Raymond Shobe.
Only the most fabulous dare attempt to top Palm Springs’ glitz and glamour with that of their own ceremony. Pinke readers, however, generally fall into that category. This swank desert oasis is the resort town of choice for California’s elite. It’s a favourite weekend trip for A-listers, as well as a playground for the rich and famous. It’s also ever so gay. The boys are more than welcome and the ladies even more so, particularly for the classic Lesbian bacchanalia known as the Dinah Shore weekend every Spring. For the ceremony, try a poolside wedding at any of the ritzy top tier resorts.
1.San Francisco
Arguably the world’s most gay friendly city, San Francisco is a beautiful, thriving location for a ceremony. The city is ready too, it’s pouring a huge amount of money into preparing for an influx of tourists hoping to wed. Check out the city’s top tourist destinations like Pier 39, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. For the day itself, find a venue at one of the many businesses on Castro Street. They may not all be traditional wedding locations, but they have the added bonus of being at the epicentre of the gay universe and the “gayest street in the world”.
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Image by Daniel Schwen.
California’s momentous decision to overturn a gay marriage ban has massive ramifications for the United States as a whole. Because California does not have a residency requirement to get married, people from other states are legally able to travel there and get married. This means same-sex couples will have legal marriage licenses from a US state, and according to US law other states are required to honor those licenses.
I think you can see where this is going. California may have just effectively legalized gay marriage in a good many other states. New York has already announced it will honor same-sex unions performed in California. It’s a near certainty that, within a year, every other state will have to either agree to do the same or take a case like this to the US Supreme Court.
What does all this mean for you? It means an awesome holiday is in order, that’s what. California’s continued support of same-sex marriage hinges on one thing: tourist dollars. Gov. Schwarzenegger is already salivating at the thought of the billions of dollars same-sex marriages, particularly from visiting tourists, are going to add to the economy.
As such, it is your duty to support human rights by going to California. Luckily for you it’s Out of Town month at Pinke, where we bring you all manner of facts and features on the best gay travel destinations in the world. In celebration of the state’s momentous decision, we’re bringing you a guide to the best wedding spots in the state. These wedding spots all happen to be great gay friendly travel destinations in their own right, so don’t think you have to be getting married to go.
5. Sacramento
Sacramento is definitely the ugly stepchild of the more tourist oriented cities in this list, but it’s got great symbolic value for a wedding. The capitol of California is also the site of the legislative buildings and the state Supreme Court, the very same court that recently legalized that same-sex marriage you’re planning. Since you’re going to have to go to a courthouse to get hitched anyway, why not make it a famous and historic one with deep personal meaning?
4. San Diego
Image by Rufustelestrat.
San Diego can help bring out the animal in you in more ways than one. Start out by freeing the beast at your bachelor/bachelorette party. San Diego is home to a swinging gay nightlife scene, but for a legendary night of crazed debauchery there’s no place like Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexican border is a short shuttle bus ride from the city centre. For the event itself, the city is home to arguably the world’s best zoo, a must for any visitor and an exotic and elegant venue for your wedding. The zoo already does plenty of weddings every year and has a whole variety of locations throughout the park to choose from. You can go elegant colonial African, or rough it a bit more and do a safari style wedding. Another plus is that, with 300+ days of sunshine a year, your wedding will almost certainly have gorgeous weather.
3. Los Angeles
Sunset Boulevard as it passes through West Hollywood.
West Hollywood is the capitol of the LA gay scene. Home to streets packed with gay bars, nightclubs and restaurants, it’s also a fantastic place to play Spot the Celebrity. This may not be the best place for anyone who’s afraid of getting shown up on their special day, as you’re likely to spot a movie star at least once during your stay. Make sure transportation is arranged beforehand, as LA has horrible public transportation and is incredibly spread out. You will need a car. The list of places to tie the knot is endless, from the beaches of Malibu to film studios. Why not try a theme wedding and have everyone dress as their favourite movie character. Just make sure everyone knows YOU get to dress up as Dorothy.
2.Palm Springs
Image by Raymond Shobe.
Only the most fabulous dare attempt to top Palm Springs’ glitz and glamour with that of their own ceremony. Pinke readers, however, generally fall into that category. This swank desert oasis is the resort town of choice for California’s elite. It’s a favourite weekend trip for A-listers, as well as a playground for the rich and famous. It’s also ever so gay. The boys are more than welcome and the ladies even more so, particularly for the classic Lesbian bacchanalia known as the Dinah Shore weekend every Spring. For the ceremony, try a poolside wedding at any of the ritzy top tier resorts.
1.San Francisco
Arguably the world’s most gay friendly city, San Francisco is a beautiful, thriving location for a ceremony. The city is ready too, it’s pouring a huge amount of money into preparing for an influx of tourists hoping to wed. Check out the city’s top tourist destinations like Pier 39, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf. For the day itself, find a venue at one of the many businesses on Castro Street. They may not all be traditional wedding locations, but they have the added bonus of being at the epicentre of the gay universe and the “gayest street in the world”.
