Liz and Ang Post Wedding Interview

June 26, 2019

It’s Pride Month, and what better time to celebrate a couple we had the pleasure of getting to know when we put together their wedding for LIVE TV! We have already told you about their Real Wedding (for the whole story with all the wedding details, click here), but we thought it would be great to follow up with Liz & Ang, and find out just what it was like to be a single-sex couple in the spotlight for their very important day.

Q (The Wedding Guys): First of all, what was it like being selected for the very first same-sex ceremony to be television on TV?

A (Liz/Ang): We likely would not have entered the contest if it wasn’t for our daughter. She has wanted us to be married, and have a large wedding, for a lot of years. We could only legally be married within the last handful of years, and by the time it was legal for us we were very busy with so many other things – to plan a wedding was not our top priority. Olivia’s (our daughter) video was fully created by her and was moving – so we entered it. She was very proud, and we were proud of her.

As for the wedding ceremony being on TV, by the time we got to that day we were comfortable on the Twin Cities Live set and with all of the employees. The ceremony was the next logical step in the process. We were able to invite our family and friends to the set to participate in the ceremony. We were happy to be married in front of our loved ones. Elizabeth Reis, the co-host of Twin Cities Live and our officiant, did such a wonderful job getting to know us and our kids. She captured us, our kids, and journey perfectly.

We do not take lightly the importance of our wedding being on TV. We know that we represented our LBGTQ community in a very public way. We tried to show a couple and family like any other – those who love each other and want to live a full life as a family unit like anyone else. We know that there were so many people and couples who came before us and paved the way for us to stand together, on TV, and be married. We don’t forget them and the struggles they had to make our day perfect. We know that it is important for our kids to see strong adults who believe in love and each other. We also know that it is important for all humans to see people (and families) like theirs.

Q (TWG): Were there any challenges to having such a public wedding?

A (L/A): When we were first picked to be Cupids Couple we tapped into some comments on TCL’s social media and saw some negative comments from viewers who were not happy they chose a same sex couple. We dismissed their comments and chose not to read comments on social media moving forward. Other than that, we did not encounter any challenges but we might have been sheltered by the great people we worked with (The Wedding Guys and the Twin Cities Live staff) if there were any challenges to speak of. Overall, we thought the process was smooth.

Q (TWG): What aspects of wedding planning were most important to you?

A (L/A): For us, it was important that our children (ages 10 and 8) were involved in the wedding planning. We went into this wedding as a family of four and we wanted all of our voices heard. Everybody did a great job including all of us in the process. Other than that, we were wide open for whatever came our way.

Q (TWG): Were there things that made the process challenging (you already had the audience partaking, but what about finding the right things to wear, for example?)

A (L/A): The process was actually quite smooth and all of the vendors were amazing. If I had to pick any challenges it would be that we are not young and have been together for a long time, so we have had a lot of years to think about and “plan” a wedding in our minds. Some of what I thought I would want I had to take out of my mind. For example, I [Liz] was not set on wearing a traditional white wedding dress. I would have been happy in a pretty black dress. We were able to go to Posh Bridal once before Twin Cities Live brought cameras to look at dress options and try on a few. Of course, once I had them on I fell in love with them and felt very comfortable in all of them that I tried on. We left feeling comfortable with one of us wearing a traditional white wedding dress.

We knew that a part of the process was to give most of the control to The Wedding Guys. They did a great job of creating a theme and chose a lot of wonderful options for the audience to choose – all while keeping us included in the process.

Q (TWG): Did you have expectations of yourselves, or others, of things you needed to do, or not do? (traditions, etc)?

A (L/A): The only expectation we had was to keep our kids a part of the process. We would go to a vendor and arrive as a tribe of four for everything. We often joked that we do everything together. It was fun to have Olivia [our daughter] and Luke [our son] a part of the process.

Q (TWG): Did you have a vision for what the day would be like? Did that come to life or was it a variation of that, or very different?

A (L/A): The reality of our day far exceeded what our vision had been. Everything and every detail was perfect. We were able to spend the morning at our reception venue [Bavaria Downs], using the bridal space to get ready, spend time with our family, and have lunch. The entire venue is incredible and the staff was amazing. Everything at the studio from the décor, flowers, special guest [cellist and singer, Keri Nobel], Twin Cities Live staff, The Wedding Guys, and our ceremony exceed any expectations we had. At the reception – the cake was lovely, the food was amazing, and décor was stunning, the photo booth was so fun, and the DJ was fantastic. Our day was perfect in every way!!

Q (TWG): Do you have tips for other same-sex couples planning their wedding? Anything you would recommend they consider that you know now that you’ve been through the process?

A (L/A): Other than to hire The Wedding Guys? (wink, wink). We don’t have any specific tips. As you are planning your wedding, stay confident in what you want and choose vendors who will work with you.

Q (TWG): Were there any types of services that understood your needs better than others? Were there some vendors that you needed to hand-hold a little more, to get what you needed?

A (L/A): All of the vendors were picked by The Wedding Guys. They were all amazing. Seriously, every time we would go to a store or meet with a vendor we had the best time and felt comfortable. We often left with hugs and the best well wishes.

Love is Love – How Two Minnesotans became the first Same Sex couple to marry in 1971

June 26, 2019

The fight for marriage equality started right here 42 years before Same Sex marriage was legalized when two Minnesota men, Jack Baker and Michael McConnell, made history in 1971 when they legally obtained a marriage license.

Last September, nearly 48 years after they first obtained their marriage license Jack and Mike finally had their union recognized by the state of Minnesota after a prolonged legal battle. In February, they learned that they were entitled to full spousal benefits from the Social Security Administration.

We caught their story last weekend on WCCO Sunday Morning when Esme Murphy shared their story. The two men met at the University of Oklahoma in the late 1960s and authored the memoir “The Wedding Heard ’Round the World: America’s First Gay Marriage” in 2016.

“In 1967 ― on Jack’s birthday, actually ― he asked me to be his,” McConnell recalled. “I said, ‘Well, I’ll tell you what: If you will find a way for us to get legally married, I’ll commit.’”

The process of two men applying for a marriage license in Blue Earth county in 1971 required some legal maneuvering. McConnell was able to legally adopt Baker, which established certain rights and protections for the two men. Baker then changed his first name to the gender-neutral “Pat Lyn,” and they were able to obtain a license from a clerk who didn’t realize the marriage of “Mike” and “Pat Lyn” was a same-sex arrangement.

In time, though, county authorities caught on, and the marriage license became the focus of a legal battle. Ultimately, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled against Baker and McConnell, and the U.S. Supreme Court chose not to hear their case ― even though they still had the original marriage license in their possession.

But this story has a happy ending: Minnesota legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, and the U.S. Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land in 2015. At that time, Baker and McConnell briefly considered tying the knot again in a legally recognized ceremony. Eventually, they decided against it.

“I said, ‘No, we already are married.’ It’s against the law in Minnesota, first of all, to get married twice,” said Baker “You can’t get a second license until a court invalidates the first license. So we said, “We have to continue on to prove that the license we had is legal.’” They were able to finally accomplish this in 2018.

Photo by Angela Jimenez

“Love is the most powerful force in the universe,” McConnell said. “It can and does transform everything.” Added Baker: “If you don’t stand tall and defend yourselves, no one will else will either.”

See more on their story.

Saying ‘YES’ to the Alternative Dress?

June 26, 2019

Many couples planning their weddings today want a unique, authentic, and personalized wedding. When a wedding is no longer cookie-cutter, why should the dress be. When telling their story, expressing their personal fashion style is one way; however, it’s playing more of a role in helping to thread the wedding all together. It seems fashion designers in the wedding industry are evolving as quick as technology and for salons it’s quite honestly hard to keep up.

Just as everything come full circle, color’s initial entrée into bridal gowns started in the 1960’s as a trend. But here is the catch. In the 1960’s and early 1970’s color dresses were reserved for second marriages. These short dresses were usually in the color of Light Blue, Light Pink or Blush, Light yellow or Mind Green. Designed with some sort of jacket, it was accessorized with a matching colored pill hat and short veil, pearl earrings and necklace. Shoes were white or in a match color with white gloves and flowers were in a matching color – Go Figure! Now you know why in the late 1990’s and early 2000 so many brides marrying for the second time were puzzled why they could wear white.

So let’s get started, what is your style? Traditional, Boho, Beachy Destination, Casual, Courthouse, Free Spirit or the new Sophisticated Sexy. Well now designers are ushering in color on hand painted silk, jumpers and evening wear which can lend a nod to prom. How the designers are keeping up with it all is beyond us since they only create two bridal collections for the Fall and Spring fashion seasons.

Brides are embracing something different to go along with their something borrowed – something new and yes something blue. The Radical Red dress of yesterday is now replaced by the rocking Bold Black dress. Of course for some designers they have been embracing the jumper or pant suit and color for some time in the last four years. Although the flyover states have a reputation for being behind the curve of the new trends, the brides in the Midwest were slow to pick up on the trends but so were the East and West Coast brides.

Here are some of the Alternative Dresses to help you say YES to rocking the aisle.

Las Vegas Issues 20,000th Same-Gender Marriage License

June 26, 2019

Las Vegas’ Clark County Clerk’s Marriage License Bureau issued the 20,000th marriage license to a same-gender couple – James Johnson, 33, and Matthew Tipple, 30, of DeBary, Florida.

“Today we issued our 20,000th marriage license to a same-gender couple,” County Clerk Lynn Goya said. “We are excited to help James and Matthew celebrate their coming wedding, and commemorate this special day for the wedding capital of the world.”

For being the 20,000th couple, Johnson and Tipple were presented with a wedding ceremony package from Caesars Palace including a hotel stay, dinner at Hell’s Kitchen and tickets to a Celine Dion show.

“We have been together for 10 years and thought how much more memorable of a vacation this would be if we got married in Las Vegas,” Johnson said.

“There was a time not too long ago when we were not even able to get married,” Tipple said. “Now, to be the 20,000th couple. It’s just amazing.”

The Marriage License Bureau, a division of the Clerk’s Office, issued its first marriage license to a same-gender couple on Oct. 9, 2014. In January 2017, the office issued its 10,000th marriage license to a same-gender couple. Overall, the Marriage License Bureau here issues about 80,000 marriage licenses annually and is typically the busiest in the nation with couples coming here from every state in the U.S. and more than 85 percent of the countries in the world. In 2017, more than 1 out of every 25 marriages in the U.S. took place in Clark County in Las Vegas!

Couples can find a directory of wedding services and vendors at www.WeddingChamber.Vegas.

Day-After Wedding Gift Opening Brunch

June 19, 2019

Weddings have turned into a weekend-long affair of celebratory events. One special time, in particular, is the morning-after-the-wedding brunch! Keep the celebration going! Who doesn’t love brunch and all of its glory? Mimosas, bloody mary bars, croissants, donuts – you can’t go wrong. Having a brunch after your big day is such a great way to thank all your friends and family for celebrating with you on your big day and especially for saying your goodbyes for those who came from out of town.

Just another excuse to have you and your partner’s loved ones in one room once again. While everyone brings their appetite for delicious boozy morning drinks, pancakes, sausage and steamy bacon, its a great way to kick back and relax. We came up with some fun ideas and food for thought (literally) for hosting a fabulous morning after brunch!

Keep it Caj! Having a time slot of 9:00 am – 11:30 am for guests to roll in and out to grab some OJ and breakfast goodies. It’s always a good idea to have a number estimate for how many people you should expect coming through. Ask for your invited guests to RSVP for the morning after gift opening brunch to manage costs!

Bloody Mary Bar! You can’t go wrong with having a Bloody Mary bar and or a sweet mimosa/bellini bar filled with delicious accoutrements and different options for your guests. Cheers!

Serve something easy and hassle-free. Having an array of donuts and delicious bakery items, serving an egg bake or DIY waffle station is a great way to have a stress free brunch.

Click here for a delicious Egg Bake recipe!

Use your decorations from the night before especially your floral arrangements! There’s no need to spend more money on totally different decorations. And for the final addition for any perfect gift opening brunch is a hangover kit for your guests before they hit the road after a long night of celebrating!

Check out more morning-after brunch ideas here -> Pinterest

Summer Guest Attire

June 19, 2019

Finding the perfect ensemble for the next summer wedding your attending is hard. You want to be comfortable especially on those hotter summer days. We rounded up some great options to keep you cool, calm and sophisticated! Check out these inspirational looks to consider when picking out your summer attire for the next wedding you attend. Don’t sweat it, we got you!

Grant Slim-Fit Banna Republic | Gray Stretch Suit Pant Express |

ASOS Slim Grey Suit | Seersucker Pant Suite J.Crew | ASOS Slim wedding skinny suit

Check out more summer wedding attire here -> Pinterest

Ines Di Santo Spring 2020 Bridal Collection

June 19, 2019

My inspiration this season lives in a fairytale dream. Our bride Ophelia spends time in a shimmering lunar garden filled with celestial wonder. She dances through branches with fluorescent blossoms. Ships sail in the clouds amongst the moon and the stars. Tiny woodland creatures and beautiful gold and silver twigs dance around her wrists and fingers…Sunrise brings with it gorgeous soft color and the dream leaves a trace of wonder she tucks in her memory.

– Ines Di Santo

Straight from Spring New York Bridal Fashion Week, Ines Di Santo had a 2020 collection that stunned the runway. Inspired by a “fairytale dream” Ines Di Santo describes the Ines Di Santo bride as the inspiration for this exquisite collection.

How to Start Planning a Destination Wedding

June 11, 2019

There’s a lot that goes into planning a destination wedding, and obviously one of the biggest decisions a couple makes when choosing a wedding away from home is where to have it. The other is who can help make your dreams a reality? With the right vendors, you can have the destination wedding you’ve always wanted. A great place to start is with a travel agent that can point you in the right direction as far as location, and other vendors. Following up on last week’s Real Wedding feature of Marissa and Justin, we’ve reached out to the President and CEO of their travel agency, Romance Travel, to find out more about what it takes to plan a destination wedding.

Shelli Nornes explains that planning a destination wedding can be easier (and in some ways less stressful) than a traditional wedding, “Planning a destination wedding is so easy because you have the resort’s wedding team handling all of the vendors on your behalf.” In addition, oftentimes Nornes says it’s also more cost effective. “A destination wedding costs about 30% less than a traditional wedding ($10,000 for a destination vs. $30,000 for a traditional wedding.)” And because only 30-40% of your invited guests will actually travel to your destination, you can be generous with the amount of people you choose to invite. “Some couples like [the fact that fewer people will accept the invitation to attend] as it helps trim the list naturally. Not everyone can make it, and that’s ok!” reminds Nornes.

But not all aspects of destination wedding planning are different from planning a traditional one. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or not, most couples send out save the dates 14-18 months prior to the wedding date. It’s important (and considerate) to give guests time to plan and budget for their trip. After all, you might be planning a rehearsal dinner, a ceremony and a reception, but with a destination wedding your guests inevitably have planning of their own to do as well. “We have many wedding guests who set up payment plans with us, which really makes things easy.” Nornes adds.

When it comes to which destinations to consider, Nornes is a huge fan of Riviera Maya, where Marissa and Justin got married (in case you missed it, see their wedding story, here). She loves the convenience and affordability of flights to the Cancun airport, and “There are hundreds of resort options and something for everyone. But most importantly, the hospitality of the Mexican people just can’t be beat.” When asked why she thought Unico 20°N 87°W was the best location for Marissa and Justin, she explained that, “The details make the difference here. Weddings at Unico can be sleek and modern or boho and romantic. Just like our couples, no two weddings are alike, and Unico delivers on customized experience, which brides and grooms are looking for. Justin and Melissa’s wedding was exactly what they were dreaming of.”

No matter what type of destination you are considering, Nornes advises using an experienced wedding travel expert. He/she will point you in the right direction for the locale that’s right for you. “We can recommend the best destinations and resorts based on your wants and needs. We know which resorts offer the best amenities and group perks. We know the on-site wedding teams and have personal relationships with them. But most importantly, we take care of helping all of your guests and organize the entire experience.” And really, isn’t that what everyone wants for their wedding, no matter the locale?

With more couples looking to create a unique destination wedding or a one-of-a-kind honeymoon, The Wedding Guys have created an event that brings the best array of resources of romantic travel opportunities available for either your honeymoon, destination wedding, mini-moons or weddingmoons. Who knew there were so many options?

The Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Showcase is Minnesota’s only event designed exclusively for honeymooners and couples planning destination weddings. “With so many couples choosing to get married abroad or looking to honeymoon in a range of exotic destinations, there is a high demand for expert travel assistance.” says Matthew Trettel, one of The Wedding Guys. “There are so many details to think about when planning a destination wedding and until now, there has not been a single resource where you can check off everything on your list.”

At the event you will have the opportunity to learn advice from the experts, on everything from the legal requirements of planning a destination wedding to selecting the perfect entertainment for your guests. You will walk away with brochures and other resources that will help with the entire process and you will also learn the latest trends on destination weddings, getting married at an international location and the best hotel options for the wedding itself. Travel professionals like Romance Travel are excited to share travel suggestions, insider tips, ideas and rates for planning the perfect trip. Not only that, but the opportunity to interact with the experts face-to-face at the event is key to setting you on the right path of an enjoyable and stress-free destination experience.

The Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Showcase happens only twice a year. You can find out more information HERE.

Including Dad(s) in your wedding planning process

June 11, 2019

We’re putting aside the dress shopping, the linen selection, and choosing the color pallet and putting some options on the table for involving dad in your wedding planning process. It’s true, moms often get more opportunity to be involved in many aspects of the wedding planning, but don’t forget this is just as big of day (and often more emotional) for your dad.

So, if your dad isn’t the biggest fashion-forward guy or isn’t as concerned which shade of pink you choose because he can’t discern the difference between your two favorite shades of pink – blush and bashful, there are still many other ways you can include him in the process.

First, ask which parts of the planning are more appealing for him to be involved with and where he’d like to share his input! Let dad come along for your menu tasting and even help with the selection of what will be served throughout the night at the bar. This is a great way to include daddy-o.

(Photo by Touchstone/Getty Images)

Go the extra mile with your Father-daughter dance or if you’re having a special dance with your dad in general, add something extra special. Whether its special dance lessons leading up to your big night or including dad with music selection with your DJ or finding the perfect band for your wedding day!

Give something extraordinary to dad before your big day. Whether that’s some fun socks to wear while he walks you down the aisle, a custom handkerchief, or custom tie to spruce up his suite on the big day. Make dad feel special, too, on your wedding day.

Annual Father’s Day Gift Guide – What’s Hot This Year?

June 11, 2019

As Father’s Day creeps up on us this Sunday (June 16th), we made sure to create a great and easy gift guide to truly wow your dad this year. From trendy cooking accessories to make things around the kitchen seemingly easier, to grooming essentials to keep clean and sharp on the go and other fun and universal gifts that any dad would love to get this Father’s Day, we got you covered.

For the trendy Daddy-o