I enjoy seeing beautiful photos of weddings. I like seeing all the well thought out details and how the whole vision of the day comes together as much as the next person. But today, as I sat and watched live video streaming from San Francisco City Hall, I was reminded that it’s not about the photos or even the details. It’s about being able to marry the person you love. I watched couple after couple have quickie ceremonies in some corner of city hall with a throng of reporters breathing down their necks. And it was beautiful. The faces of these couples were so bright with joy. It didn’t matter that there was no string quartet or wedding party. The happiness and love was palpable.
My friend, Monkeywed, called me from the San Diego County Clerks building for some on the scene reporting. It was so much fun to hear her voice full of excitement and the cheers as yet another couple was pronounced “spouses for life.” You can read her blog post about it here. To think that just a few years ago Miss GB 2.0 were denied a marriage license at that very spot. Today was a totally different story. Here’s one of the great photos that Monkeywed took (because we just don’t see enough same-sex male couples around here).
Looking at the photo galleries is like a reunion. I knew these two lovely ladies when they were expecting their first child. Now they have four!
With one month to go until our wedding day, I am so happy to be reminded what it’s really all about. Being able to marry the person I love is more than enough. Everything else, including the birdcage veil, is icing on the cake.
You’re right, it really is just icing when you think about it 
Well put, Miss GB! I have chills. Thanks for the reminder about what’s really important.
Oh my gosh, your post is so amazing and heartfelt. Plus, that picture is so touching! Thanks for posting and reminding us all what it’s all about.
You are absolutely right. Thank you for the beautifully written reminder.
This is such a great post, GB! A reminder of what this is really all about - love!
Also, the picture’s on Monkeywed’s blog are so happy and full of joy.
What an amazing and historical day. Makes me proud to be a Californian!
As I watched the video and looked at the pics GorgesViola linked to on the Boards, it really struck me that these couples were the true embodiment of what marriage is all about– that whatever the challenges in life, the joy in being with your partner will lift you up and carry you through.
The HUGE smiles on the faces of those people are so, so beautiful to see.
Bravo, California, bravo!
This is such an excellent point and something we all need to remember. Thank you, Miss Gingerbread!
hear hear, sister! we ended up scrapping our wedding plans and going to vegas…even though it was nothing like i expected, the fact that i was there with my husband and that we were laying the foundation for spending the rest of our lives together was more than enough for me.
What a great reminder, Miss GB! I have never cried at a wedding, but I cried on Monday night just watching the 6 o’clock news in San Francisco. What a joyous time for so many people who have waited so long to tie the knot legally - with or without icing! Love IS what it’s all about!
Thank you for keeping us grounded Miss GB (and I’ll admit, I got a little teary reading your post and seeing the pictures)!
I just got this from our officiant, Reverend Helen: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/story/391090.html
Scroll to the bottom for a video of her officiating one of the 17 marriages that she performed for same-sex couples yesterday
I have teared up so many times the past two days watching so many couples finally get the chance to marry the love of their life!
After having it out with Mr.GV today about all things important *and* unimportant, it felt so good to read your post. Thank you so much, Miss GB.
Great post
Mrs. Gingerbread, Vancouver
Age and Occupation: 32, Psychologist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Software Engineer
Engagement Date: Sometime in the fall of 2004
Wedding Date: July, 2008
Blogging Since: March 24, 2008
Venue: Rainforest wedding, beachfront restaurant reception
About Me: I recently moved to Canada from Southern California. Trying to plan a wedding in a new city, not to mention a new country, is tough, but the fact that we can get legally married here more than makes up for it! The wedding will be an opportunity for most of our family and friends to see our new city for the first time so it will be both a wedding and a reunion. Besides my future wife, I am also madly in love with a good bargain, Swedish pastries, Tivo, and my two dogs and calico cat (in no particular order).
Posts like this keep me grounded, GB. Well-written and heartfelt…love it!