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.

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

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