How to Have a Gay Wedding

Gay marriage is legally recognized in just one of the 50 U.S. States, Massachusetts. However, many other countries consider same-sex marriage as binding as heterosexual unions. Here are some ways to have a gay wedding in the United States or abroad.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose where you will have the wedding if you want to have a legal same-sex marriage. Massachusetts has legalized same-sex marriages but sanctioning countries including Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and South Africa.

2. Realize that some restrictions may apply to people from other countries marrying in jurisdictions that have legal same-sex marriage. Thorough investigation is necessary before deciding to have a wedding in another country.

3. Recognize that a gay wedding performed legally in another country may not be recognized as legal in the United States. Individual states aren't obligated to validate marriages from other locales, so check the laws carefully.

4. Prepare to only be able to have a civil wedding, rather than a church wedding. Churches are not required to perform same-sex marriages, so a civil ceremony may be your only option.

5. Be aware of other options for legal recognition of same-sex couples as you plan your wedding. Some jurisdictions grant partnerships, civil unions and domestic partnerships to gay couples. These relationships can have many of the legal benefits of traditional marriages, including inheritance, insurance plans, social security benefits, pensions, tax reductions and unemployment benefits.