Bridal Extravaganza is Celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary- But it will be the First for Gay Couples following the US Supreme Court Ruling for Marriage Equality
July 18, 2015-Houston- Marriage Equality will bring big bucks to the state of Texas, now that same sex couple can legally marry. Gay couples are expected to pump nearly $200 million dollars into the Texas economy and some of the spending will start this weekend as couples head to the largest wedding show in the country. Houston’s own Nadine Moon of Who Made the Cake has whipped up a special cake for the occasion. Mark Phariss and Vic Holmes, the plaintiffs in the Texas gay marriage case who helped to over turn Texas ban on same-sex marriages, are getting married in November- but this weekend they are traveling to Houston to go shopping for their wedding at the Houston Bridal Extravaganza Show.
“We have waited for a very long time to get married and we want to go big! That’s why we are attending the largest wedding show in the country,” said Mark Phariss and his soon to be husband Vic Holmes, who led the fight for marriage equality in Texas.
“Vic and I are overjoyed. After almost 18 years together, we can soon exchange vows, place rings on each other’s finger, look each other in the eye and say, “I do” — all at a wedding surrounded by family and friends. We can’t wait!”
And they are not alone. Quinn Newsom & Rashaan Nowel of Houston are ready to get married and they want to go big for their wedding too! The couple has been on the front lines in Houston fighting for marriage equality. They are heading to the George R. Brown Convention Center to shop and talk to Houston’s wedding vendors- all gathered in one place.
The couple wants a wedding that is extravagant and exciting in the state they are proud to call home. “The wedding is going to be epic!” Quinn exclaimed. “It’s going to be Aladdin, fire works, fire blowers, belly dancer goodness wrapped up in a white and gold linen tent!”
“It will be an immense joy to know that our family, our children will be able to know that their parents were joined in matrimony, like their friends and cousins,” Quinn reflected. “That we will be able to build a life and legacy with each other. It is a huge turning point for this state in the right direction.”
Same-sex marriage will pump a lot of money into the Texas economy as couples plan their weddings and guests visit from other places. The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public policy issued a report last year that says marriage by 23,200 same-sex couples in the first three years could generate nearly $200 million in total spending in Texas. That amount is based on wedding, tourism and sales tax revenue. Those estimates are based on half of the 46,401 same-sex couples ””based on the 2010 U.S. census, the latest data available ”” in Texas getting married.
The trend across the country, according to the report, is that half of same-sex couples in a state married within the first three years of legalization. Nationwide, same-sex marriages will lead to $2.6 billion in total spending in the first three years, the Los Angeles-based institute projected. Still, most soon-to-be-married couples will buy rings, clothes, flowers, catered meals and other services. Their out-of-town guests also will spend money on lodging, food and entertainment. Such spending can boost local and state tax revenue and help support local jobs. In Texas, the Williams Institute projects, same-sex marriages will generate $14.8 million in local and state sales tax revenue and support 523 to 1,570 jobs within three years. Link to photos and the story of Quinn
Newsom & Rashaan Nowe:
http://texasformarriage.org/voices/families/wild-dreams-of-weddings-and-family-in-tx/
Link to photos of Mark and Vic and their wedding invitation:
https://www.theknot.com/us/mark-phariss-and-vic-holmes-nov-2015
About the Bridal Extravaganza
July 18-19. 2 whole days of fashion shows, wedding seminars and over 400 booths featuring the best of the best wedding service companies in Houston. CLICK TO ORDER TICKETS
This is the best weekend to meet face to face with Houston’s top wedding vendors. See in person all they have to offer, including samples of their designs, photos and video of reception locations, displays and new ideas to make your wedding special, various styles of photography, and, as we say, “everything from the garter to the getaway car” will be under one roof during the show weekend.
We are Houston’s original bridal show, now celebrating 30 years! You can attend the nation’s largest bridal event.