Our wedding march
PLANNING is well under way for same-sex weddings in the Geelong region.
As a month’s notice is required before couples can marry, same-sex couples around the country began walking down the aisle from Tuesday, a month since samesex marriage laws passed in federal Parliament.
Venues and celebrants in the Geelong region have been receiving queries and bookings from same-sex couples eager to tie the knot.
Geelong Celebrants for Marriage Equality co-founder Anita Jenkins said bookings and inquiries had “definitely picked up” from a few weeks ago.
She said there were at least 50 same-sex weddings planned for the Geelong region in the next nine months.
“As celebrants, it’s actually been really exciting and really emotional (to see same-sex couples be able to marry),” Ms Jenkins said.
Mt Duneed Estate had fielded inquiries from samesex couples from Melbourne and Geelong since the postal survey result was announced, sales and marketing manager Christine Whelan said.
“I suppose over the Christmas and ... New Year break, everyone pops the question, and we’ve had a few come through lately,” Mrs Whelan said.
The Pier Geelong had also fielded several inquiries from same-sex couples, manager Gil Costa said.
Mrs Costa said same-sex marriage would provide more parties and, in terms of the wedding economy, more work.
Both The Pier and Mt Duneed Estate appear on Equally Wed, a directory for LGBTI couples in Australia.
Equally Wed owner Nivelo Miller said the site, which launched in 2011, currently had “11 wedding professionals that include photographers, celebrants, wedding favours and balloon specialists alongside two venues, Mt Duneed Estate and The Pier Geelong”.
“We have seen an 80 per cent increase in visitors to the website since same-sex marriage was legislated,” she said.
The wedding planning rush comes after the Borough of Queenscliffe Council late last year resolved to waive permit fees for weddings in public open spaces.
“There are so many gorgeous locations in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale that deliver a stunning backdrop for wedding ceremonies, receptions and photography,” Mayor Susan Salter said.