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Pink pair offer on-line help with gay weddings
Emma Dunlop GETTING married can be an organisational headache – with the couple having to plan everything from the reception to the flowers and the right outfits.
For straight couples there is help from countless magazines, websites and shows dedicated to taking the hassle out of it all.
But gay couples planning to get hitched following today's law change may find themselves confused – which is where a Wakefield couple calling themselves Pink Fusion step in.
Seeing a niche in the market, 30-year-olds Katie Bennett and Caroline May have set up an on-line wedding planning service dedicated entirely to helping same sex couples.
They first hit on the idea when Ms Bennett tried to help her gay brother plan his wedding.
"It was a minefield out there," said close friend Ms May.
"I am planning my own wedding at the moment and I know just how hard it all is. But everything is set up for heterosexual couples.
"Civil ceremonies are still a relatively new idea and it can be embarrassing for same sex couples to have to phone venues to ask if they are 'allowed' to get married there.
"Despite having licences to perform marriages, many venues still don't want to take on same sex couples or don't even realise the law changes.
"We can offer to take away that embarrassment for couples who may be doing a venue search."
The team, who met while organising corporate functions, also cater for the more whacky elements of wedding planning.
"With gay people we have found some of the requests a bit more – say – flamboyant," Ms May said.
"One couple wanted us to source a number of bowls with goldfish in them to put on their tables as decorations. Others want more simple displays. "
The company is hoping to offer a similar service to straight couples, although they plan to keep the two sites entirely separate. Details are on www.pinkfusion.org.uk
Retailers are also hoping to cash in on the "pink" pound by offering "gay marriage" products.
Asda is bringing out a range of "Mr and Mr" and "Mrs and Mrs" cards this week, while sets of "Darling, Dearest, Queerest" embroidered towels and soaps have gone on sale at Superdrug.
Asda has also launched gold commitment rings, while Superdrug has pledged to donate 1 from each 10 sale of its "His and His" and "Hers and Hers" gift sets to the Elton John Aids Foundation.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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