The Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings (120 page)

and bridal magazines,
51

cancellation clauses,
54

contracts,
53
–54

deposits,
54

environmental/green tips,
55
–57,
193

money issues,
45
,
48
–51

narrowing down the options,
44
–46

organizational skills,
52
–53

overview,
41
–42,
47
–48

prioritizing,
42
–44,
47
–48,
49
–50

style,
44

week-before tasks,
237
–42

See also
expenses

wedding rehearsal,
238
–40

Wedding Report, The,
51

Wedding Style,
44

wedding styles.
See
themes

Weinberg, Seema,
23

Whitman, Walt,
200

wholesale liquor suppliers,
157

Wiccan tradition,
117
,
118

Wilde, Oscar,
157

Winston, Stephanie,
47

“Within the Ribbon” card,
73
–74

Wolfson, Evan,
58

Wynette, Tammy,
57

Y

yichud
(seclusion),
128

T
ESS
A
YERS
has worked in advertising and graphic design, written for game shows, and was a producer on a number of television talk shows. When she and her partner Jane Anderson decided to have a wedding ceremony in 1992, they were unable to find a proper guide for gays and lesbians, and this book was conceived and born two years later. In the years since then Tess has been busy raising their son, now 17, and works on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations. Tess, Jane and Raphael happily divide their time between Los Angeles and Marin County.

P
AUL
B
ROWN
has a BA in theater arts from Harpur College, Binghamton University. Over the years he has worked in theater (treasured every moment), a bit in television (not so much), and a stint in “celebrity journalism” (seemed like a good idea at the time). For the past fifteen years Paul has taught Special Education in Los Angeles. He met Tess Ayers several months before her wedding over two decades ago (then called a “commitment ceremony”). When the honeymoon was over, they collaborated on the first version of this book. Currently, Paul is working on a vocabulary and reading comprehension program for students with learning differences. He has never been married himself but he sure knows how to plan a wedding.