Pink Wedding Days | Gay Marriage and Civil Partnerships Blog

Estonia has recognised its first same-sex marriage , and campaigners are hopeful that more could follow. The two men were married in Sweden but now live together in Estonia.   When the men tried to register their marriage they were refused by authorities in the Baltic State.  This was later overruled by a judge in the District Court on the grounds that there was ‘nothing in the way’ to stop them. Estonia became the first former Soviet Republic to legalise same-sex partnerships back in 2016. The “Cohabitation Agreement” was seen as a major step forward in a region rarely associated with LGBT rights.   As we reported in January 2016, however, there were some serious kinks in the legislation and couples were encouraged not to rush into a civil partnership until the new law was entirely ironed out.  It wasn’t the auspicious start that campaigners had hoped for.  But this latest news is both heartening and encouraging, an...

The Church of Norway has voted to allow same-sex weddings in its churches. No, you’re not dreaming; it’s a good news LGBT/religion story. The vote passed 112 to 89 in favour.   The Church of Norway is Norway’s largest Church, and whilst clergy can decline to perform a same-sex marriage , couples will retain the right to be married in churches regardless.  Norway legalised same-sex marriage back in 2009, and the country now follows two of its neighbours, Sweden and Denmark, in giving same-sex couples the option of a religious ceremony.   In a world that seems to be out of it's freakin' mind at the moment, this is very, very welcome news. 

Where: Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel What: Hotel Capacity: The Ballroom accommodates 180 guests. The reception room allows for up to 150 guests Contact: Mercure Brighton Seafront Website                       Wedding Fayre: 29 th January 2017 What We Love:  The Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian building that has effortless charm and character. Many of the hotel’s original features have been retained, and there’s a real sense of history throughout. Fortunately, the beauty on the inside is matched by the hotel’s glorious location: right on Brighton’s promenade. If you’ve dreamed of a wedding venue with a sea view , then it doesn’t come much better than this. With an impressive number of bedrooms, too, the celebrations don’t have to end when everyone’s retired for the evening. This hotel is a perfect base from which to go on and explore the rest...

Where: Mercure York Fairfield Manor What: Hotel Capacity: up to 120 for the ceremony, 130 guests for sit down meal and up to 180 for the buffet.   Contact: PWD Page                 Mercure York Website                 Twitter                 Facebook Wedding Fayre: 29th January 2017 What We Love:   This venue is set in 6 acres of private grounds on the banks of the River Ouse providing stunning photography opportunities that include two-foot bridges to a small secluded island. The website promises that you’ll be the only couple getting married that day, and so you’ll have their undivided attention. We love, too, how flexible Mercure York Fairfield York is when it comes to a couple’s big day: whether your wedding is going to be an intimate affair or grand occasion – they’ll cater for you , and with 89 bedrooms ...

Where: Iscoyd Park, Shropshire. What: Hotel Capacity:  Two ceremony options for 60 or 120 guests.                 Sit down wedding breakfast and reception for 130. Contact: PWD Page                Iscoyd Park Website                 Twitter                 Facebook Wedding Fayre: 28 th – 29 th January 2017 What We Love:   This superb grade II red brick Georgian House is set within gorgeous 18th-century parkland; it has charm and character in spades. The venue is available for up to three days, so there’s plenty of opportunity for relaxing and spending time with friends and family both before and after the big day.  Couples with specific décor plans will enjoy the chance the dress the venue to their liking without keeping one eye on th...

Where: Down Hall Country Hotel, Hertfordshire What: Hotel Capacity: Up to 180 guests in the Bridgeman Suite with smaller suites available for a more intimate ceremony. Contact: PWD page                  Website                 Twitter                  Facebook Wedding Fayres:  Sunday, March 12th 2017, 11-3pm (no appointment necessary). What We Love:  Down Hall has a storybook majesty to it. This truly is a gorgeous venue, and you’ll be hard pressed to find another with more character, charm and history than here . Historically, the hall dates back to 1322, and this Italianate mansion is set in 122 acres of woodland. We love the location, too. It’s just 45 minutes from Central London and Stansted Airport is close by. This is the best of both worlds: rural charm but with excellent transport links. The Down Hall websit...

An amendment to the 2004 Civil Partnership Act has failed  a second reading in the House of Commons. Sponsored by Conservative MP Tim Loughton , the second reading could have paved the way for opposite-sex civil partnerships. Instead, it was adjourned , without a vote, until March.  Same-sex couples have a choice: civil partnership or marriage.   Opposite-sex couples do not , and campaigners believe this is  discriminatory. In January 2016,  Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan  began a legal challenge against the Government after they were denied a civil partnership because they were a heterosexual couple.  There's only one place in the British Isles where civil partnerships are available to everyone: the Isle of Man. The Government has suggested that it could scrap civil partnerships altogether , arguing that there isn't enough interest to justify changing the law.  Even amongst homosexual ...

Blame the Spartans for the stag nights , and then blame them for hen parties and hag dos .  It's not your wedding, but you're not off the hook. Organising the last night of freedom for a bride or groom can be a massive headache, but here's a guest post that will give you some tips on how not to lose your cool.  And of course, many of these will apply to the guys, too.  5 Hen Do Problems: Solved Whether you’re the bride-to-be or have been charged with organising her send-off, there’s plenty of pain points that come with organising a hen do to remember… Collecting money, flaky friends, travel troubles , you name it! To help make your hen do hassle free, here are  5 simple ideas that you’ll love: 1.           One of the most awkward elements of organising a hen do is, unsurprisingly, chasing people for money! Asking for cash can be tricky at the best of times, let alone when you have a million and ...

We’ve only just said goodbye to Christmas, but there’s already another occasion looming on the horizon: Valentine’s Day . High street retailers are often found lacking when it comes to LGBT-inclusive greeting cards , so we’re pleased to see a company offering a greater range, and Cardology has some fab designs. Cardology design and make intricate 3D cards inspired by kirigami :  the Japanese art of folding and cutting.  And who doesn’t love a pop-up card? Especially when they look this gorgeous.  If your partner isn’t the soppy sort, then there are tongue-in-cheek cards, too, and plenty of anti-Valentine's cards to choose from, but whatever you pick we’re certain that your other half with love it. Give them a try, and let us know what you think. *Pink Wedding Days received no payment for this post. We just thought it might interest our followers J

A court in Peru has ruled that the country must recognise same-sex marriages formed overseas. Peruvian national Oscar Ugarteche Galarza married his s ame-sex partner in Mexico City in 2010 but was unable to register his marital status on his passport because gay marriage is not recognised in Peru. He decided to take legal action. The Marilyn Stowe blog reported that judges presiding over the case had said that there was “a great part of society speaking out for the legal equality of homosexual couples” and that the “administration of justice has to be interpreted on the basis of changes to and the needs of our society” The decision is likely to be appealed. 

It might be hard to imagine, but spring isn’t too far away.  For couples planning nuptials over the next  few months, it’s time to start thinking about the added touches that will really make your wedding pop. We think you’ll agree that a little bit of colour goes a long way, and that’s why we’re smitten with Pantone colour of the year inspired confetti.   Use the pick-and-mix tool on the Shropshire Petals website to get inspired and get colourful with your wedding day confetti. Confetti inspired by Pantone's colour of the year Every year, Pantone releases its colour of the year and 2017’s is Greenery. Perfect for spring, green is a versatile colour that will combine wonderfully with a variety of other colours, making spring 2017 an exciting time to get married . After choosing your colour scheme it can be difficult to match every little detail exactly, so the perfect solution is to use different tones of the same colour or seve...

The superb Askham Hall in Cumbria is a wedding venue not to be missed.   Located  near  Lake Ullswater, this  beautiful venue boasts  15 rooms, a restaurant, spa  and  outdoor pool . It also has a converted ancient oak beamed barn – the perfect place to  celebrate a marriage  with friends and family. Keep the 12th March 2017 free, because this is one venue you have to see.