The Wedding Planner

Mindy Weiss has planned weddings for Gwen Stefani, Eva Longoria, and Jessica Simpson. Now she's taking on the first, and probably most expensive, gay nuptials in California.

By Corey Scholibo

As one of the top wedding planners in the business, Mindy Weiss has overseen such high-profile nuptials as Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale and Eva Longoria and Tony Parker as well as baby showers for Nicole Richie and Jennifer Lopez. But in all her years in the business she has never planned a wedding for a same-sex couple. That's all about to change. On the heels of the May 15 California supreme court ruling instituting statewide marriage equality, Weiss has nine weddings booked for gay male couples -- no lesbians yet. With price tags starting at $75,000, her ceremonies are for those with high-end desires and means -- and even then there's no guarantee she'll be able to fit you in. She took the time to speak to us between meetings in Las Vegas. According to Weiss, every bride wants the same perfect day -- even if that bride happens to be a man.

Have you been getting a ton of calls?
We have gotten several calls. They are all going to be quick because they all seem to want to get married before November and before the election. The first will probably be the last week in July. And so now we are looking for places and giving them options.

Is there a different style to a gay wedding?
Actually, all our weddings just take on the personality of the couple. So there is truly no etiquette, because I am handling it just as I would handle any other wedding. I mean, everyone I met with said “I’m the bride.” [Laughs] So there is a definitive difference in who wants to be the bride and groom. They are so concerned about the wardrobe. That is the biggest thing. I am so thrilled, because definitely there is an attitude difference here too. Number 1, they are so excited that they are able to get married, but also they want to have a lot of fun. They want a serious ceremony, but they really want to have fun at the party.

Have you done any gay weddings in the past?
No, I haven’t, actually.

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. 1 2 3 NEXT Page 1 of 3

For more information on Mindy Weiss or to request her services, go to MindyWeiss.com.

READ COMMENTS (0) MORE Marriage Equality EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

More Online Only

Commentary Progress in the Midwest
A city native and strong supporter of Kalamazoo's effort to keep an anti-discrimination law reflects on a hard-won campaign.

Commentary What Marriage in Maine Meant for Me

Dana Hernandez is a straight white married mother of two young children. But in campaigning for No on 1 and reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com, defeat hit her like a ton of bricks.

Marriage Equality Terri White Stages Her Leather Encore

Last year, acclaimed stage performer Terri White was homeless and living in a public park. On Sunday, she and her partner held a leather-themed commitment ceremony onstage following her triumphant Broadway turn in Finian’s Rainbow.

Music Ghost Story

Out singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile discusses working with her childhood mentor, coming out publicly, and joining next year's Lilith Fair.

News View From Washington: GOP Upheaval

Now that the only pro-marriage equality candidate in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Republican Dede Scozzafava, has dropped out of the race, Tuesday's election holds any number of political lessons for both the GOP and the LGBT community.

Books Hot Sheet: Ditto Knocking 'Em Dead

This week might not bring anything to the screen other than a Boondock Saints sequel, but there are plenty of reasons to sit at home on the couch or head to your local concert venue.

News Features Sailor Speaks Out
Sailor Joseph Rocha endured years of hazing until he spoke out — then he was discharged for revealing his homosexuality. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is itching to suit back up.

Music Rainbow High

Busy Broadway heartthrob, gay rights activist, and former Advocate coverboy Cheyenne Jackson chats about his Finian’s Rainbow revival, his politically charged cabaret CD, and laying around in his underpants (pic on page five).

Marriage Equality For Maine, The Time is Now
Money is on their side and the polls look optimistic, but volunteers fighting to preserve marriage equality in Maine are prepared for a fight to the finish.

Television Another Tough Broad

After being outed by a Nazi and locking lips with a hook-up three times in one episode, Christine Woods's tough-talking FBI agent Janis Hawk on ABC's FlashForward might just be prime time's best gay offering — who isn't in Glee club, that is.

Books In Sickness and in Health

Mary Cappello’s memoir Called Back takes readers on a white-knuckle journey through the experience of cancer treatment in America — especially disorienting to navigate as a woman and a lesbian.

Books An American Crime

Best-selling novelist Patricia Cornwell made headlines last week when she filed suit against a New York investment firm for losing $40 million of her money. But she'd much rather talk about her new book, hate-crimes legislation, and Angelina Jolie.

Comedy Gilded Lily

After conquering Broadway, movies, and television, out funny lady Lily Tomlin prepares for the final frontier — Las Vegas.

Entertainment News Ricky Martin, No Shirt and a Baby
Ricky Martin knows how to get the camera's attention. Take a look at the many pictures of Ricky uploaded to his Twitter account in the past three months, always shirtless, frequently carrying one (or both) of his babies.

Television Fresh Blood
With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.