Official says L.A. County will be ready for gay marriages

The county clerk says ceremonies could begin June 16, the first possible day that the state Supreme Court's ruling allowing same-sex marriages could take effect.

By Jean-Paul Renaud, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 1:27 PM PDT, May 20, 2008

Acting Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan told county supervisors today that his office would be ready to perform same-sex marriages on June 16.That is the earliest date on which the state Supreme Court's overturning of the ban on same-sex marriages could take effect.

Logan said he would extend the corps of volunteers needed to officiate at marriages, and would seek to open new offices to facilitate the ceremonies."We expect that when the decision goes into effect, that there will be an initial peak in the volume of people coming into our office," he said. "We want to be sure we're prepared for that. We want to make sure we're staffed up for that."Logan said he already has received a request from city officials in West Hollywood to have the county open a marriage-license office there.

"It's also possible that they may have somebody in their own staff" to perform the ceremonies, Logan said.Supervisors have also asked Logan to convene an advisory group with gay community leaders to get a better handle on the numbers of couples expected to seek licenses. The Sheriff's Department and the Office of Public Safety, which protects county buildings, also have been asked to provide extra security during the first few weeks the marriages are permitted.Last week, justices struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage in a broadly worded decision that would invalidate virtually any law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. Officials said it would be at least 30 days from the court's action before marriage licenses could be issued. But opponents could ask the court to rehear the case. Even if the court declined, such a request could delay the effective date by up to 90 days.
LA Times Story dated May 20, 2008
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lagay21-2008may21,0,6730541.story

The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage

SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.
The case involved a series of lawsuits seeking to overturn a voter-approved law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
With the ruling, California could become the second state after Massachusetts where gay and lesbian residents can marry.
"What happens in California, either way, will have a huge impact around the nation. It will set the tone," said Geoffrey Kors, executive director of the gay rights group Equality California.
California already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses, including the right to divorce and to sue for child support. It's therefore unclear what additional relief state lawmakers could offer short of marriage if the court renders the existing ban unconstitutional.
A coalition of religious and social conservative groups is attempting to put a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine California's current laws banning gay marriage in the state constitution.
The Secretary of State is expected to rule by the end of June whether the sponsors gathered enough signature to qualify the marriage amendment, similar to ones enacted in 26 other states.
The cases before the California court were brought by the city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples, Equality California and another gay rights group in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march that took place at Mayor Gavin Newsom's direction.
Story from the Associated Press May 15, 2008

Leap Year Wedding on February 29th 2008

Wedding Chapel Special --- Leap Year Wedding on February 29th 2008
Leap year wedding on February 29th. Get married on a very unique day.

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$300 package with 15 or more guests will receive a free cake and cider in the chapel. Also one free 8x10 image.
$350 package with 26-40 guests receive the cake, cider, 8x10 and a free CD of all the wedding images.Bride and groom rate for that day is $200 (no guests)Call for available times. We will also have the Torrance park weddings on this day.

St. Patrick's Day Wedding 3/17/08

Luck of the Irish on your wedding day...
Do you want a fun day to get married? How about St. Patrick's Day in our Wedding Chapel.
The Chapel is decorated for the day and we have a special that includes a green cake and green cider.

HOME WEDDING MINISTER & PHOTOGRAPHER SPECIAL

HOME WEDDING MINISTER & PHOTOGRAPHER SPECIAL
Special running through 2/28/08 - Get married in your Home - (So Bay area) - $500 - includes Minister, County of Los Angeles Married License issued by our Notary, One certified copy of license, 1 Photographer for 1 Hr - takes about 150 digital images - you get all images on CD(no prints for this package), and website to view your images. Prints can be ordered directly from the online gallery.

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Valentine's Day Wedding Special 2/14/08 and 2/16/08

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Valentine's Day is on Thursday this year. We have several specials for this special day and Saturday 2/16/08 as well.

On both days we will give all couples one free 8x10.
Free cake and cider for all packages of 15 or more guests.
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Year End Elopement - Get married now

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Get married now before the end of the year. Contact us for our end of the year elopement specials. The County Recorder's office are all booked and if you already have your marriage license we give you a $50 discount off our price.

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