The Gay Wedding Organizer » civil partnerships

Planning a Civil Partnership between October 2011 and May 2012?

Emma — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:43:04 +0000

Did you come to terms with your sexuality later in life?
Were you previously married to someone of the opposite sex?

The BAFTA award-winning team at The Garden Productions, who made the first series of One Born Every Minute and more recently, 24 Hours in A&E, is making a new documentary series for Channel 4 about love and relationships.

We would like to hear from same-sex couples planning a civil partnership between October 2011 and May 2012. Perhaps one or both of you came to terms with your sexuality later in life. Maybe you were previously married and you have children from that relationship. Whatever your story, we would like to hear from you.

Please email love@thegardenproductions.tv or call Becky on 020 3465 9060 to find out more.

Getting in touch does not oblige you to take part in the series.

Firecracker Films Needs You!!!

Emma — Fri, 20 May 2011 10:24:52 +0000

Firecracker films who smashed ratings records and created a pop cultural phenomenon with Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, are making a new Observational Documentary series for Watch (UKTV) on Britain’s biggest and most extraordinary parties.

We are looking for people who have something to celebrate including landmark birthdays, divorce, engagements, civil partnerships, proms and baby showers or generally any excuse for a knees up! The parties we film will be varied, diverse and constantly surprising.

We are interested in speaking to characters from all walks of life and would want to follow them in the run up to their big day and join in the celebrations.

Please contact Jess on 020 7349 3488 or at jessica.honeyball@firecrackerfilms.com for more information.

Wedding Budgeting

Emma — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:30:48 +0000

People often talk about how gay couples have more disposable income, and as a result, are likely to have a large budget for the wedding. In reality, unless you’re very lucky, most couples have to set a wedding budget and stick to it to avoid problems later on. Keeping a tight rein on the spending can be hard as there are so many wonderful things out there for one of the most important days of your life. However, letting yourself get carried away may lead to debt which is less than fun.

Wedding budgets can be helped by creativity

Creativity can go a long way in getting everything you want. Setting up a dedicated savings account can help, with a regular portion of your income set aside to go straight into it, and if you start planning a good 18 months in advance, that monthly saving can add up. Perhaps you have a skill that can save a bit of money, or friends that can help.

One way to get everything you want may be to ask for the flowers or transport or any other element as your wedding present, something to consider if you already have most of the things that would be on a wedding list.

The wedding budget should reflect what you want the most

It may just come down to prioritisation; if the way you arrive is more important to you than the cake, it makes sense to spend more money on a stylish car and choose a simple cake. Whatever happens, don't let yourself be swayed into paying for something that you don't really want, just because people say you "must" have it.

Will my UK civil partnership be recognised in America?

Emma — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:05:12 +0000

Dear Emma

I live in the UK, and am in a serious relationship with a girl from America. We see each other as often as we can afford and plan on entering a civil partnership after I graduate from University. That wouldn't be for another 2 years, but I'm trying to get as much research done as possible. I know we have to apply to the local Registry office, but what rights would our partnership have if we wanted to move back to America together? Any advice you can give would be helpful.

Name withheld to protect privacy

Hi,
I'm impressed; I've heard of planning a year or eighteen months in advance but 2 years shows real forward thinking!

In short, it depends on where you want to live (I guess your partner's place of residence is a big factor there) because civil-partnerships are only recognised by law in a small number of US states. As this changes often, check with the state you plan to live in.

Even if same-sex marriage is recognised in your future home state, it may not extend to civil partnerships solemnized abroad. You may have to re-marry there to have your union recognised, and Massachusetts for example has residency rules that you'd have to take a serious look at before you could do that.

Things are changing in America with regards to same-sex partnerships and legal recognition of them all the time. You can keep up to date with the developments in our News section , and that will also give you a flavour of just how hot a topic it is over there. Who knows what will have changed in two years time? Let's keep our fingers crossed that one day people won't ever have to ask this question again.

Emma