Soon after Democratic Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill Wednesday legalizing same-sex marriage, David Jacobs of South Portland put this posting on his Facebook page:
"Anyone up for a summer wedding in Maine?"
Now, Jacobs might need to get a larger yard.
"Our yard is beautiful, and we can probably seat 100, but judging from the responses I'm getting, we may need a bigger venue," said Jacobs, who hopes to wed his partner of 19 years, Paul Jacobs, in July 2010, as long as the law goes into effect.
"And certainly we'll need flowers, a caterer, some music – maybe something classical."
After the wedding, there might be a short honeymoon, probably in Maine.
"We love Acadia and heading up the coast, and we'd like to keep our money in the state," said Jacobs, 46, who has already changed his last name to his partner's to show people that "we're a family."
If enacted, the same-sex marriage law could be beneficial for Maine wedding entrepreneurs, the tourism industry and the state's economy. Couples have begun making tentative wedding plans, and wedding-related business owners say they fully expect the law to bring them new customers.
But first, they have to wait. The law cannot take effect until 91 days after the current legislative session ends, and that won't happen until at least mid-June. By the time the 91-day period ends, opponents might have the 55,087 signatures needed to force a statewide referendum on Nov 3.
If they succeed in gathering the signatures, the law would not take effect unless it's approved by voters.
Still, many businesses and same-sex couples want to be ready to act as soon as possible.
"I've already got a list of 10 couples who want to get married, who want to reserve a date," said Connie Mills, who runs a Brunswick-based business called All In One Weddings.
Rodney Mondor of Portland said his parents have pledged to help him pay for a wedding to his partner, Ray Dumont, on their 11th anniversary as a couple, which is next February.
Mondor said the couple would like to have a big party, which means renting a hall and hiring a DJ and a caterer – at least.
"I'm sure whatever we end up spending will be in the thousands," said Mondor, 42, associate director for advising services at the University of Southern Maine.
Mondor said he and Dumont probably will buy new rings as well. They currently wear gold wedding bands on their right hands to symbolize their commitment but would like new rings for when they are legally married.
"We probably will get something flashier," he said.
Chris Weber, owner of Black Tie Company catering in Portland, hasn't had specific inquiries from same-sex couples wanting to hire a wedding caterer yet. But she expects she will, based on the number of same-sex couple celebrations her business has catered.
"We've done a lot of commitment ceremonies (for same-sex couples) in the past, but to have the opportunity to do full-fledged weddings, this will bring us a whole new contingent of clients," Weber said.
A lesbian, Weber said she personally is "thrilled" about the new law.
Many owners of wedding businesses said they expect couples to wait before making firm plans – which would include putting down deposits on halls and services.
Wedding entrepreneurs also say the law could help tourism, as same-sex couples look for destinations. Mills said half of the potential new customers who contacted her after the bill was signed are from out of state.
A study by the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law estimates that legalizing same-sex marriages in Maine could generate $60 million worth of spending in the state on weddings and associated tourism during a three-year period.
The study also projected that 15,660 nonresident same-sex couples would come to Maine to get married during...
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