Queer Money: Gay Weddings

On episode 2 of Queer Money™, we discussed how perfect gay weddings don’t have to ruin perfect gay marriages.

Amiee Palifroni owns Prisma Weddings & Events in Denver CO that specializes in lesbian and gay weddings.
Jessica Ozar is a freelance writer in Atlanta GA whose work has appeared on The Huffington Post. She was legally married to her wife in August 2014.
Matt Carriglitto is an accountant and Partner at Holm Ryan Truitt Hall, LLC in Denver CO. Matt specializes in accounting for the LGBT community. Matt married his partner in October 2015.

The perfect wedding represents your feelings and is recognized by friends, family and the government
Thoroughly research what you want and eliminate what you don’t want
Ask for discounts and leverage connections
Alternatives such as destination weddings to all-inclusive resorts may cost less overall
Learn to say, “No.”
You’re already non-traditional, adopt any tradition you want

Establish a wedding budget you can live with, not one that requires financing
Decide what the one or two most important aspects of your wedding are and don’t let other aspects cause budget creep
Control your guest list
Limit spending on alcohol

Per Huffington Post in 2013, only 28% of gay weddings have 100+ people; lesbian couples spend on average 15% more than gay couples.
Per Advocate in 2014, gay weddings on average cost $15,849; straight weddings on average cost $14,009 less.
We shared on YahooFinance: get married off-season, avoid insurance, buy local and seasonal, DIY, solicit the help of friends and family, negotiated and consign.
Cameron Huddleston shared on Kiplinger 8, pragmatic ways to spend $5,000 or less on weddings.
Rosemarie Groner of BusyBudgeter.com shares how she spent $3,000 on her wedding.
Sandy Smith of Yes I AM Cheap wrote about how she had a $5,000 wedding.
Download the Queer Money™ 16 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Perfect Wedding