As Connecticut just legalized same-sex marriage last fall, the lesbian wedding industry is just beginning to grow there. I expect there will be a lot more options in coming years, but for now, here are a few ideas and resources for planning your lesbian wedding in the Constitution State
One of the state’s few lesbian-owned lodges, Green Rocks is an eco-friendly B&B located in not far from the Long Island Sound. Kim Wanamaker, who co-owns the resort with her partner Barbara Simkins, is an wedding officiate, and offers packages starting at only $300. The resort is convenient for guests seeking outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, and is just over an hour’s drive from New York City.
This gay-owned inn in Eastern Connecticut can accommodate small, intimate weddings. Built in 1784, it offers a beautiful gazebo among perennial gardens for outdoor ceremonies. It can host up to 50 guests for a ceremony and 16 for overnight accommodations.
Partners Evan Nickles and Robert Bankel co-own this romantic luxury resort which draws straight and same-sex couples from all over the country. They host weddings outdoors during the spring and summer, among perennial gardens alongside a full-size swimming pool. All of their suites have 19th century furniture and functioning fireplaces, and four have in-room, oversize Jacuzzi hot tubs, and two feature private garden porches. They can accommodate up to 250 wedding guests.
This gay-friendly Christian Church could be a good idea for couples wanting a little bit more of a traditional ceremony.
Unitarian Churches are widely known to be gay-friendly, liberal and accepting. In Connecticut, 13 of the 19 congregations are specifically “Welcoming Congregations”—this means that they successfully completed a program to encourage inclusiveness among their LGBT members. According to the church Web site,
The New Haven congregation was designated as welcoming back in 1999, making it the first in the state.
Reverend Sara Henderson is a lesbian officiate who offers everything from “quick, hassle-free elopements” to elaborate packages. Check her Web site for current specials and packages.
An experienced gay-friendly, interfaith minister, Roth officiates weddings around New York City and throughout Connecticut. She is familiar and comfortable with traditions from different cultures, and could be a great choice for couples of mixed faiths or ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
