SEATTLE - The impending legalization of same-sex marriages in our state - and President Obama's recent support of the unions - is fueling a new kind of industry.
Vendors catering to gay weddings are a part of what could be our state's next big industry. And it was all on display Sunday - from wedding dresses to wedding cakes - at the Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo in Seattle.
Chad Biesman and David Marquardt were there. They plan to take the plunge Oct. 19, and they were looking for a DJ and florist.
"I think the importance of having an event like this is that we can feel completely comfortable walking into the event. We can hold hands, we can be affectionate and we can be excited as a couple," says Biesman.
This is a four-year-old event. And this year, organizers say its busier than ever because of the state Legislature's passage of the same-sex marriage bill.
Officiant Frank Harlan says he is anticipating a busy year as long as opponents fail to overturn the law.
"As of right now, I have couples coming in from Denver, couples coming in from Las Vegas, couples coming in from Memphis, Tennessee. Did I say Texas? Texas, too, yeah," says Harlan.
Kristine Young of Wave Link Music was at the expo, too. She said the downturn in the economy put a dent in the company's DJ business. But she says things are looking up - and the legalization of gay marriage in Washington state might be another boost.
"So, naturally, with the changes that have happened in the last couple months, it's really helped our business as well," Young says.
President Obama's announcement earlier this month - that he also backs gay marriage - may have given supporters a much-needed boost.
While Chad Biesman and David Marquardt continue their wedding planning, they say they'll go to New York to legalize it if things don't go their way here in Washington.
"All my family's here, so it is a big deal for me to have it here," says Marquartdt. "To be honest, though, we're going to have this ceremony whether it's legal or not. It would be awesome to be recognized legally, though."
Organizers of the wedding expo say if the same-sex marriage law is upheld here in Washington state, they anticipate the number of next year's attendees to possibly double.
Vendors catering to gay weddings are a part of what could be our state's next big industry. And it was all on display Sunday - from wedding dresses to wedding cakes - at the Gay and Lesbian Wedding Expo in Seattle.
Chad Biesman and David Marquardt were there. They plan to take the plunge Oct. 19, and they were looking for a DJ and florist.
"I think the importance of having an event like this is that we can feel completely comfortable walking into the event. We can hold hands, we can be affectionate and we can be excited as a couple," says Biesman.
This is a four-year-old event. And this year, organizers say its busier than ever because of the state Legislature's passage of the same-sex marriage bill.
Officiant Frank Harlan says he is anticipating a busy year as long as opponents fail to overturn the law.
"As of right now, I have couples coming in from Denver, couples coming in from Las Vegas, couples coming in from Memphis, Tennessee. Did I say Texas? Texas, too, yeah," says Harlan.
Kristine Young of Wave Link Music was at the expo, too. She said the downturn in the economy put a dent in the company's DJ business. But she says things are looking up - and the legalization of gay marriage in Washington state might be another boost.
"So, naturally, with the changes that have happened in the last couple months, it's really helped our business as well," Young says.
President Obama's announcement earlier this month - that he also backs gay marriage - may have given supporters a much-needed boost.
While Chad Biesman and David Marquardt continue their wedding planning, they say they'll go to New York to legalize it if things don't go their way here in Washington.
"All my family's here, so it is a big deal for me to have it here," says Marquartdt. "To be honest, though, we're going to have this ceremony whether it's legal or not. It would be awesome to be recognized legally, though."
Organizers of the wedding expo say if the same-sex marriage law is upheld here in Washington state, they anticipate the number of next year's attendees to possibly double.