By Natalie O’Neill
Plan to tie the knot in style at the borough’s first gay wedding expo, where the brightest color in the pride rainbow is sure to be — green.
More than 75 businesses will cash in on the lucrative new wedding market, offering gay-friendly honeymoon packages, queer wedding DJs and “alternative family” lawyers at Borough Hall on Jan. 15.
“It’s a new niche for businesses,” said organizer Daniel Brooks of Brooklyn Community Pride Center, adding that the market emerged after legislation allowing gay couples to wed in New York passed last June. “This is a very different venue — and it’s a chance for people to explore.”
Brooklyn-based merchants — which include Sposabella wedding boutique, Bride and Joy Photography and Fresh Fanatic bakery — will likely draw more than 3,000 visitors to the sprawling historic building, where Borough President Markowitz will play host.
Organizers divided the building into wedding genre rooms, including “party people” (catering and DJs); “apparel people” (stylists and boutiques); and the “honeymoon people” (airlines and cruise companies).
“It’s really is a great opportunity,” said Kim Nicholais, a photographer who runs Bride and Joy Photography, and is also gay. “I think it puts people at ease being photographed by someone who is like you — and understands.”
Proceeds from vendor fees go to Brooklyn Community Pride Center, the event’s sponsor, to improve its community center on Atlantic Avenue.
“This is a celebration — and we’re thrilled,” Brooks said.
Brooklyn LGBT Wedding Expo at Borough Hall [209 Joralemon St. between Adams and Court streets in Downtown, (718) 802-3700], Jan. 15 at 10 am. Free.
Reach reporter Natalie O'Neill at noneill@cnglocal.com or by calling her at (718) 260-4505.
