New York hopes same-sex marriages give tourism a boost

When Carolyn Corboy, 27, and Maureen Hensel, 34, heard that same-sex marriage had been legalized in New York, they had many reasons to celebrate.

The Crafton, Pa., women could legally recognize the commitment they'd already made as longtime live-in partners. Corboy's daughter, Bailie, 3, could have married parents -- at least in New York -- like most of her friends at preschool. The nuptials still would not be officially recognized in Pennsylvania, where such unions are not allowed.

"I'd love to be able to call her my wife," Corboy said of Hensel. "It's important to us to be recognized as a family."

So within two hours of waking up to the news on their smartphones' MSNBC apps, Corboy and Hensel decided to get married. The wedding is planned for Aug. 6 in Liverpool, N.Y., near where members of both of their extended families live.

"We're excited to be able to commit to each other legally in front of the people who mean the most to us," Hensel said last week.

Elsewhere in New York, the tourism industry is eagerly waiting for out-of-state couples such as Corboy and Hensel to arrive when the state's Equality of Marriage Act takes effect July 24.

Although the date falls on a Sunday, city- and town-clerk offices in New York City, Binghamton, Syracuse and Woodstock announced they will be open so same-sex couples can obtain marriage licenses that day. State judges have volunteered to be on hand in New York City to conduct ceremonies and waive the normal one-day waiting period between receiving a license and getting married.

A report from the New York Senate Independent Democrat Conference prepared before the law was passed found that legalizing same-sex marriage would generate $391 million in economic activity statewide in three years, with 3,308 same-sex couples from surrounding states and 41,907 from other states traveling to New York to wed.

New York City's tourism company, NYC & Company, recently launched a campaign called NYC I Do to market the city as a wedding destination for same-sex couples -- promoting hotel deals such as the "Love Has No Boundaries Package" at Le Parker Meridien, which includes monogrammed robes reading "Mr. and Mr." or "Mrs. and Mrs." as well as a ceremony room, cocktail reception, champagne toast, sit-down dinner and a night in the Presidential Suite.

There's a more modest "The Right to Unite Package" at W New York, and the lavish "LGBT Wedding Hotel Takeover Package" offered by The GEM Hotel at its Soho and Midtown locations.

Inexpensive Weddings Elopement Packages - Journalspace.com Blogs

With the average wedding costing nearly $35,000, inexpensive weddings elopement packages can be very appealing for couples on a tight budget. Before opting for the cheapest nuptials, however, couples should be sure they understand what services are included in an elopement package and what they can expect on their wedding day.

When a couple begins to plan a destination wedding or elopement, the first thing they should do is define what they consider inexpensive. For some couples, even a small celebration may run several thousand dollars depending on the location and amenities they choose, which can be more expensive than a simpler, more traditional wedding ceremony and reception. On the other hand, a couple that is faced with the prospect of a large celebration in an urban area may find that a more exotic elopement can be a substantial savings. The key is to find the best celebration for the best budget without compromising on the romance, quality, and special sentiments of the day.

Couples may choose inexpensive elopement packages for a number of reasons. As two individuals join their lives together, they are often confronted with other expenses such as purchasing a home, reducing student loan or credit card debt, continuing education, or starting a family. Saving money by opting for an inexpensive elopement is a fiscally responsible choice that can be just as meaningful and romantic as a more lavish celebration.

Finding inexpensive weddings elopement packages can be easy, but couples should plan carefully to find the very best deals for their special day. Many resorts, hotels, and wedding planners in popular destinations offer elopement and destination wedding packages, and couples can contact different planners and facilities to inquire about less expensive options than the packages that may be advertised. Couples could also opt to hire a wedding planner on a consultancy basis for a cheaper rate, or they could make the wedding arrangements themselves if they are familiar with the destination and its legal requirements. The steps to finding the least expensive elopement options are:

Let's Elope, The Definitive Guide to Eloping, Destination Weddings, and Other Creative Wedding Options

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