Same-Sex Weddings Big Business in DC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - For decades, Michael Kress has been capturing couples' special moments -- brides getting dressed, grooms waiting anxiously, and those magical minutes when they walk down the aisle as husband and wife.

"That's the shot" says Kress. "That exudes what it's about for them."

Soon, some of his wedding portraits may feature husband and husband or wife and wife. Kress says he had a powerful reaction after watching a documentary about same sex marriage in Massachusetts.

"I realized there's no difference between that couple, and every single couple that I photograph walking down the aisle. I look at it like, this is about love."

Kress is one of many wedding vendors who are preparing to meet new demand from same sex couples once they can legally marry in the District of Columbia.

Cater Steve Dunn is another.

"I'm still a little surprised that is it becoming a reality." he laughs. His company, Well Dunn catering on Capitol Hill already has one gay couple booked for a June wedding, and expects more to follow.
"There's a lot of destination weddings that happen in Washington, as well as a lot of people who go to school here who choose to get married here, so I think that's going to be the case with same sex marriages." says Dunn.

A study U.C.L.A.'s Williams Institute says gay marriage will bring an economic boost to the city. It estimates more than $52 million dollars in spending from local and visiting couples for their big day.

"There's a buzz, there's an electricity, people are excited" says event planner Jodi Moraru.

These three, along with Kelly Jenkins of Capitol Decor are celebrating the event by offering their services for free to one lucky couple through their website, www.Freedom2wed.com

"Whoever's chosen, whoever wins I think will be very very lucky and pleased with the result." says Moraru.

They've all done commitment ceremonies in the past. For them, doing a same sex marriage is a bigger deal.

"They want to be able to remember those moments, and be able to share it with all their family and friends because it's important to them, and wedding are important." says Kress.

The Williams Institute study believes that in the next three years, D.C. will perform more than 14,000 thousand same sex marriages -- which will bring in $5 million in new tax revenue and create 700 jobs.

On the web:
http://freedom2wed.com/