The Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings, Third Edition

My partner and I are planning a commitment ceremony -- (Why didn't somebody warn me about how much work this would be?!)-- and being two guys, albeit gay ones, we really didn't have any idea about what we were doing. We looked at several straight wedding guides and planners, but they weren't very helpful for planning an alternative wedding. We could have made it up from whole cloth, but we needed some idea of the basic do's and don'ts of a wedding. Finally, we found and purchased THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LESBIAN AND GAY WEDDINGS. What a godsend! It takes you through the whole process from engagement to honeymoon and beyond, step by step with in depth descriptions, explanations, and alternatives to tradition. The authors present what might have been rather dry material in an engaging, entertaining manner that keeps it interesting and fun. I found myself reading sections that didn't really apply to us just for the heck of it. They liberally sprinkle personal anecdotes and first-hand experiences from gay and lesbian couples who have tied the knot throughout the book. An invaluable resource for anyone planning or even dreaming about a same-sex ceremony.

I bought this book on the same day that my boyfriend proposed to me, when we went into the city to get the right ring size. It was so exciting to have it in my hands right in the moment; sort of like an instant print-out of everything in my head. I have just started to read it, but I must say it helped us prepare for the "announcing our engagement' phase very well. Having already read through other couples' varying experiences, I wasn't surprised by the more...awkward moments. It's more useful than you might think it would be to have a wedding book specifically for the community; in all my excitement I had completely forgotten that we are gay! Very inspiring, well-structured to keep me sane in the upcoming months, and funny--very important.

This is a great book for anyone planning a committment ceremony -- gay, lesbian, bi, or straight. It contains great pratical information, which it delivers with an great, irreverent sense of humor. Lots of stories from other couples' searches for the perfect outfits, caterer, etc. This book helped my partner and I write our own ceremony and put on what several guests told us was the "most beautiful wedding I've ever been to."

My partner and I didn't even know where to start. Actually, we weren't even sure we wanted to have a commitment ceremony. Until we read this book and not only got so much information and support, but inspiration as well. We took so many suggestions from the book and had the most beautiful ceremony of all time (if I do say so myself!) A million thanks to these wonderful authors.