GayWeddings.com

Dry weddings aren’t just for alcoholics anymore. It used to be that “dry” was synonymous with problem drinkers, and while it’s true that many people with alcohol-related issues don’t want liquor served at their weddings, others are adopting the idea as well.

For your gay reception, the advantages of a dry wedding are numerous. For starters, you’ll save a bundle of cash. Liquor is a huge budget buster, even if you’re just serving wine, and cutting it out of your affair entirely will make your wedding much more affordable.

We want to ask our parents to pay for our wedding—but how?

Question for Steven: When my older sister got married last year, our parents paid for most of her wedding, and her fiancé’s folks took care of most of the rehearsal dinner and some other incidentals. (I think my sister and her fiancé also covered some of the wedding-related costs themselves.) Now that my partner and I are planning a ceremony, we’re wondering whether it’s okay for me to approach my parents about paying for my wedding, too. And if it is, what do I say?

I have helped many friends over the years search for the perfect diamond. And, one thing everyone finds most helpful is the time I spend educating them on “The 4 Cs”.

I believe an educated consumer will always get the most meaningful diamond for him- or herself, and the best purchase for his or her money.

The day has arrived and you decide it is time to take the plunge and commit to an amazing person in your life “'til death do you part.”

But what comes next? You face many decisions such as moving in together, choosing "my place or yours," deciding where to register for china and so on. But no decision is more symbolic of your love than the rings you will exchange. Rings have been a symbol of faith and loyalty throughout the ages. They have symbolized commitment, strength and love, and express before the world that you are in a “relationship.”

Question for Steven: I hear through the grapevine that an old friend of mine feels snubbed because I didn’t invite her to be in my wedding. It’s going to be a small ceremony, but the truth is that I don’t think of her as one of my closest friends. In fact, several years ago I downgraded her in my mind to an “acquaintance.” So how do I make it right? Tell her the truth? Smooth talk her? Or just pretend like everything’s okay and wait to see if she gets over feeling left out—and accepts my invitation to come to the wedding as a guest? I really want to avoid any lesbian drama!

Are you ready to have a wedding, legal or otherwise?

While the idea of a lavish affair is enough to seduce anyone, think about everything it means before you sign on any dotted lines.

I don’t normally write columns like this one because I’m a gay-wedding planner and not a therapist. However, in the past year I’ve met or interviewed or been friends with so many gay newlyweds that I thought it would be a good week to assess what a gay wedding means.

1. Discover designer or vintage gown at a great price.

2. Secure an iconic spot for the wedding (regularly featured in film and TV including multiple episodes of Sex and City.)

3. Direct as much of your hard-earned cash for said items to charity as possible.

While gay and straight weddings are becoming more and more similar, there are still some major exceptions. Since there are certain questions I am repeatedly asked, I decided to put together a list of the five most common gay wedding dilemmas, and how to solve them. If you think I left one out, drop me a line!

Question for Steven: My girlfriend and I are not sure how to decide who should be in our upcoming wedding party. Our “gay family” is so big —lots of exes! -- and we’re close to our relatives, too. We’re hoping there’s a special new LGBT way to decide who does what, so that we don’t end up insulting anyone.

Question for Steven: My girlfriend and I are busy planning our fall wedding and right now we’re trying to settle on a final guest list. So here’s my predicament: She won’t let me invite my friend Susan because she happens to be my ex as well. But we haven’t been together in ten years! And while it’s true that she was the other most important relationship in my life, that’s old news. We’re good friends and I want to invite her. Who’s in the right here?