And you thought weddings were a big deal?
Commitment ceremonies for gay couples are increasing in popularity and extravagance, and local businesses are taking note.
“People are recognizing that there is a market for this,” said Rick Garcia, political director of Equality Illinois, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to defending the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. “We’re just in the beginning stages, but there’s already been an exponential increase in the number of ceremonies and the involvement of the business community in the past few years.”
Equality Illinois sponsored a wedding expo in October for gay and lesbian couples, and according to Garcia, more than 60 Chicago businesses, from jewelers to photographers, participated. Equality Illinois plans to sponsor the same event next year.
“The response was just overwhelming,” Garcia said. “It is just a booming business, and people are advertising to the gay media now. When Jewel is making rainbow cakes, you know something’s happening.”
One of the most important factors of a successful ceremony is finding the right spot. If you’re looking to tie the knot in a place of worship, a few locations in Chicago offer the space, and others have both the space and the officiants.
Steve McDonagh, co-owner of Hearty Boys Catering (773-244-9866), has organized multiple commitment ceremonies with Pastor Gregory Dell of Broadway United Methodist Church (3344 N. Broadway).
McDonagh also recommends Reverend Ed Townley of Unity In Chicago Church (1925 W. Thome Ave.) and for Jewish couples, Rabbi Michael Sternfield of the Chicago Sinai Congregation (15 W. Delaware Pl.).
Whether or not a couple opts for a church ceremony, there’s an abundance of local gay-friendly reception spots–some of which can host the ceremony too.
For an industrial, funky feel, try A New Leaf (1818 N. Wells St., 312-642-8553) a concrete and metal raw space attached to a flower store. Maxim’s: The Nancy Goldberg International Center (24 E. Goethe St., 312-742-1748) is a private meeting and reception facility that offers the feel of an art nouveau French restaurant in 1920s Paris.
For a more funky, artsy crowd, try the loft space of Mars Gallery (1139 W. Fulton Market, 312-226-7808). Get that fun, retro kitsch vibe at Catalyst Ranch (656 W. Randolph St., 3W, 312-207-1710), or stick with a classic, traditional feel at Newberry Library (60 W. Walton St., 312-943-9090). But fans of the Newberry better act fast–all Saturdays in 2005 are already booked.
Why stop celebrating after the reception? Zoom Vacations (773-935-1728) focuses on vacations for gay couples, and according to chief travel officer Joel Cabrera, the company has organized honeymoons to destinations such as Costa Rica and Brazil.
“Couples just want to go somewhere that’s going to be very special for them and very romantic,” he said. “We don’t send them to places where they’d just be accepted. We send them to places where they’ll have an amazing experience.”
Cabrera said couples typically spend $3,000, but some trips are more elaborate. Zoom Vacations organized a November vacation for five couples to Machu Picchu, in Peru, where they received a shaman blessing. Zoom Vacations is planning the same trip again from March 12 to 20.
The big day brings big decisions. For a list of other businesses and/or service providers for commitment ceremonies, visit the Equality Illinois Web site at www.equality illinois.org or the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.glchamber.org.
