In recent weeks, I’ve found the need to put destination-wedding packages together for several Iowa couples who’ll come from all four corners of this great state this summer. From a “Bridges of Madison Co.” package for a couple from Dubuque, to an “Iowa’s Capitol” package (with a rooftop wedding that over looks the Capitol building) for a couple from Council Bluffs, all four of them will sparkle and dazzle, I promise.This past year and really just until now, for some silly reason, I only focused on out-of-state engaged couples, thinking that our “local” gay and gay-friendly businesses would provide the services needed and requested right in the community that the couples reside in. Silly me, I guess I’m not in New Jersey, anymore...
My hopes are that as this industry grows—and I assure you it’s about to, “big-time”—that all of our great state’s metropolitan areas will become more receptive to us as well. An upcoming symposium for LGBT businesses and employers, hosted by David Hurd, former CEO of Principle Financial, and Connie Wimer, DSM Magazine Editor, will present “LGBT Business Symposium 2010” at the Embassy Suites on the River, downtown Des Moines, May 10th, from 9am-5pm. Go to www.oneiowa.org for more information.
(I also know we have ALOT of talented and creative people out there that need to step up and come out and join this movement...)
This summer will also take me out to those four corners, to assist with several “small-town gay weddings”, and I look forward to the kindness and inclusion these towns and cities have to offer the couples, and their friends, families, and guests, that I work with.
And just a quick shout-out to Cedar Rapids for being one of the friendliest cities in our state to do a consultation... and for having Hamburger Mary’s!!! (Customer service is imperative these days and I’ve had several out-of-state families compliment the joint!)
In the next few weeks I’ll spotlight other cities here in Iowa and put together a “best of the best” listing for each one.
As I now grow my business and leave the nest of “DSM”, I’m excited to meet and greet all of you out there helping with this “movement”, and in showing the rest of the world how the hospitality, diversified customer service, and what a professional vendor collective we can offer, THROUGHOUT the state, will make them want to come and check it out...
My Top 10 Vendors for your “Iowa’s Capital Gay Wedding”:
(In no particular order, and I need to mention ALL were at Iowas’ first Gay Wedding Expo!)
1) Des Moines Rentals, Scott McDonald @
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2) Plaza Florists, Sandy Taylor @
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3) Majestic Limo & Coach, Scott Woodruff @
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4) Gateway Markets, George Formaro @ www.gatewaymarket.com
5) PaulaMax Photography @
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6) Carefree Patisserie, Jennifer Stauss @
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7) Des Moines Botanical Center @
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8) The Wedding Chapel, Rev. Cathy Love @
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9) Garden Galley Bed and Breakfast @
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10) Chaos Productions DJ, Jessie Swanson @
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And BTW, if you’ve got any questions, stories to share, couples who I should visit with or vendors I need to meet, please feel free to e-mail me @ www.gayweddingswithpanache.com and go to the contact page!
Beau Fodor is an Iowa wedding planner who focuses specifically on weddings for the LGBT community. He can be reached through iowasgayweddingplanner.com or gayweddingswithpanache.com.
