Outlook Media announced on Saturday that their Love Big LGBT wedding expo will be expanding its footprint to five Ohio cities in 2015: Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Additionally, the company is launching a new LGBT Wedding Guide publication to complement the event series.
“Planning for a wedding is stressful enough,” says Christopher Hayes, Publisher of Love Big LGBT Wedding Guide Magazine. “Love Big relieves the added stress of coming out to potentially non-supportive vendors by putting equality-minded businesses all in one place.”
Ohio is one of the few remaining states that currently does not recognize marriage equality, though many are expecting that to change sometime this year following a Supreme Court ruling.
“These next five-ish months are going to be some of the most important in the history of the marriage movement and so the work that we’re able to do right now is even more important,” said Why Marriage Matters Campaign Manager Chris Geggie in an interview with CU last month.
Outlook Media says that despite the laws requiring LGBT Ohioans to travel out of state for licensing, many are choosing to hold their ceremonies and receptions in-state with family, friends and loved ones. The expos are designed to showcase wedding services including florists, jewelers, photographers, venues and catering as well as vendors who can provide advice on legalities, taxes, finances, adoptions and other areas.
The event will feature over 100 vendors, is free to attend, and open to all.
UPDATE! This event has been rescheduled to Sunday, June 7th. It will now kick off Pride Month. The event will still be held at Hollywood Casino in Columbus from 11am to 3pm.
For more information, visit www.LoveBigWeddingExpo.com.