Same-sex marriages will make Ireland a destination for gay couples from around the world

Irish wedding planners are getting calls from gay couples in the States, Slovenia, Germany and England, says Caomhan Keane as they want to get married in the first country to vote for

GAY Weddings Ireland (www.gayweddingsireland.ie) was created four years ago when the Civil Partnership Act came into play. Before May’s historic vote, Marian Purcell, who set the business up with her videographer partner Shane Costello, found that mostly older male couples were making enquiries.

“To be honest I think I had met about five young gay couples under 40 before the referendum who were planning their civil partnership (CP). Now I have had interaction with over 20 .” They’ve had couples from the States, Slovenia, Germany and England employ their services in finding gay-friendly wedding vendors, while they have spoken to nearly 20 lesbian couples who are planning weddings for this year and next.