Same-Sex Wedding Boom in Tahoe?
Sierra Sun
By Jenny Goldsmith
June 18, 2008The California Supreme Court ruling that allows same-sex
couples to tie the knot in California has Tahoe Basin tourist and wedding
industry officials eyeing a potential economic windfall.
“People at the state level are anticipating a huge boom in the wedding
business based on this new law,” said Steve Teshara, executive director of
the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “Maybe local people in the
industry haven’t seen it yet, but we anticipate we should get our fair
share of the demand.”
As long as voters don’t re-institute the ban on same-sex marriage come
November, gay and lesbian couples are projected to spend $684 million on
cakes, flowers, rings, hotels and other wedding-related services over the
next three years, according to a study by the Williams Institute at the
University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.
“Since North Lake Tahoe is a premier wedding location, folks in our
community in that business should see an increase,” Teshara said.
With 10 same-sex couples already securing a marriage license in Nevada
County on Tuesday, local wedding industry professionals are gearing up for
an influx of business.
“I definitely think this will be a boost for Tahoe’s wedding industry,”
said Kathy Giebel, wedding coordinator for the North Tahoe Conference
Center in Kings Beach. “We have not had our first call yet, but I imagine
in the near future we will.” “We would love to get a piece of the pie,”
Giebel added.
Squaw Valley’s PlumpJack Inn hosted a same-sex wedding ceremony several
years ago, and sales director Rob McCormick said they welcome gay and
lesbian nuptials “with open arms.”
PlumpJack Inn is no stranger to the issues of same-sex couples. San
Francisco’s mayor — Gavin Newsom — holds a large stake in PlumpJack
ventures and gained national attention when he spearheaded political
support for same-sex marriage licenses and gay rights.
The potential boost to the North Tahoe tourism and wedding industries
could help revive a market that has been hit hard by skyrocketing fuel
costs, home foreclosures and soaring airfares.
“Things have been slowing down in the Tahoe wedding industry over the
last two years,” said Alice Ross, a North Lake Tahoe wedding minister who
agreed to officiate same-sex marriages in Nevada County. “The wedding
industry is not what it used to be and I imagine this would help.”
Although only one same-sex marriage is scheduled to take place in the
North Tahoe region this summer, Teshara said business should pick up soon.
“Given the potential uncertainty on how long this law may be in place,
people are apt to do something sooner rather than later,” Teshara said. |