Great company, food, drinks and fabulous vacation getaways are part of this year's BTL Same-Sex Wedding Expo. Attendees will also have a chance to participate in two workshops, hear great music and meet 40 terrific vendors!
LIVONIA –
The process of planning a wedding is supposed to be fun and exciting, not pressure-filled and intimidating. There are many LGBT-friendly vendors who understand and are ready to help at the Third Annual BTL Same-Sex Wedding Expo at the Detroit Marriott Livonia April 7.
When it comes to dress and tuxedo shopping, ordering a cake, choosing rings, or selecting a photographer and flowers, many local vendors are available to provide products, resources and information for same-sex couples looking for something that suits their needs.
"Flowers are beautiful. They stir the senses and enhance the special day. Without flowers, a wedding just wouldn't seem complete," said Jeffrey Jucewicz, owner of Fleurtech Designs http://www.fleurtechdesigns.com in Bloomfield Hills. "For years I had seen so many boring, predictable flower arrangements and I started thinking about how I might use a shape and texture to create something more sculptural with impact."
Fleurtech offers up some advice for couples when choosing flowers. "Don't be afraid to think outside of the box. I often like to select flowers that are seldom used and design using them in mass. Flowers such as carnations, baby's breath, and gladiolas are often seen as being inexpensive but when bunched together tightly, these flowers can have a huge impact," he said. "I'm not only able to create beautiful floral designs but often work with my clients in designing the entire event. You know, a wedding or any event is so much more than just centerpieces."
Many LGBT people love the opportunity to be non-traditional and reinvent what weddings should look like. That's why stores like Infinity Jewelers http://www.infinityjewelersmi.com in Royal Oak are so unique.
"We hand make a lot of our own jewelry and have the ability to create any design anyone can dream of. We make it in-house so that helps us keep the cost down," said Seta Bederian, owner of the store in business for more than 25 years. "We are an honest jewelry store with the ability to give couples fast and reliable service with any jewelry repairs. Our customers can expect to receive exactly what they paid for and friendly service from a knowledgeable staff," he said.
While there are many LGBT-friendly venues to choose from, some LGBT couples would prefer a more traditional and religious ceremony. That is made possible at the Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church http://www.northwestuu.org.
Couples making a commitment to one another need a supportive community of faith and the church officials declared on the website that they are "proud that Northwest UU publicly and successfully welcomes LGBT people. We celebrate the lives of all people and welcome same-sex couples, recognizing their committed relationships, and equally affirms displays of caring and affection without regard to sexual orientation."
For Marsha Hogerheide, owner of the Buttercream Bakeshop http://www.buttercreambakeshop.net in Wixom, it's important to find someone to work with that is flexible and willing to brainstorm ideas, whether it is simple and elegant or out of the box. "Be creative and think about what you like and how you would like to share this with friends and family," said Hogerheide, owner of the bakeshop established in 2006. "Use the Internet for ideas. Don't get lost in the millions of pictures or ideas, but narrow it down and find a few jumping points then add your own touch to it."
Hogerheide has had the pleasure of creating wedding cakes for LGBT celebrations before. "I don't discriminate against anyone," she said. "I want to be able to provide a product that people are happy with and are proud to talk about it with friends and family. It doesn't even cross my mind to ask. What I do ask is what flavor of cake do you like?"
