Get Conscious!

We here at The Hollywood Chapel hope that you had a great 4^th of July weekend.This year it was even more meaningful to be living in a country where equal rights are becoming available to everyone. That being said, I just came across a great website if you are interested in having an alternative wedding - and this time we mean an eco wedding!

Conscious Clothing of Santa Fe has been making environmentally and ecologically - conscious hemp, hemp/silk bridal garments or wedding gowns for environmentally aware people for years.

Most of the time when you think of hemp clothing, you immediately think of a burlap sac! But on this clothing there are frills and flounces, faux pearls and pretty ruffles to choose from... Most importantly, because you care about the planet, you're interested in hemp and you want to support independent businesses.

You can also order a custom-designed gown, and you don't have to go to Santa Fe to get it. You can discuss dress ideas with them via phone or email, sending clippings from magazines and traditional bridal shops. Conscious Clothing will then send you swatches and sketches (which will include prices, which range from $800-$2000.) Once you've finalized the design ideas, you send a 50% deposit along with your exact measurements.

Included in the price of your dress will be two fit dresses. These are samples of the actual dress made from a cheap cotton fabric, for fit purposes only. These are 1/2 muslins, from the thighs up.) You will want to find a good seamstress in your local area who can fit these sample dresses for you. Once we have the fit how you want it, they will cut and sew the final dress.

This website even offers a gown option for the pure Vegan bride: a hemp/tencel blend. It offers bridesmaids dresses and even makes beautiful hemp suits for men!

Like The Hollywood Chapel, Conscious Clothing believes that a wedding is a very sacred ceremony. By choosing to wear a natural fiber on this special day, you are honoring not only the sacredness of your commitment, but also the very sacred connection that we all share with our planet.

Out-vitations!

If you are a same sex couple looking to get married in California this summer, you might be having a difficult time picking the right invitation from the many "traditional" designs out there.

You might also be having a hard time trying to figure out the wording. You are pioneers and while new businesses are sprouting up to help same sex couples with these issues, the wedding world, up until now, has been, of course, geared towards heterosexual couples.

So its a breath of fresh air to have found OutVite.com. A company that focuses on custom printed gay and lesbian stationary! In partnership with gayweddings.com, Out Vite provides fresh, classic and modern stationary for all aspects of a same sex marriage. In addition to wedding invitations, there are save the date cards, shower invitations, announcements, and custom napkins and coasters. There is even an option to print your selections at home!

While shopping for custom gay wedding invitations, you'll even be able to enter your own text and preview your invitation before you order it! They also do all different kinds of invitations for the GLBT community ranging from birthday to moving announcements to birth and adoption announcements.

A really great service who's time has come!

Don't Break The Bank!

Did you hear the recent news that Selma Hayek is paying a 3.5 Million dollar fortune for her upcoming wedding next Spring?

I couldn't help but think that this would NEVER happen with our weddings at The Hollywood Chapel! Our all-inclusive wedding packages don't even cost $1000! Our elopement packages provide style and elegance for a beautiful wedding day and the MOST it will cost you is $500.00! That's 1000 times less than Selma is reportedly going to pay for her DRESS!
That's crazy!

With the economy the way it is, your wedding day shouldn't break your bank. Save your money for a down payment on a house or a new hybrid car or a GREAT extended honeymoon to Europe to really start your marriage on the right foot, instead of drowning in debt.

Check out the new photos of the chapel on our website. The Hollywood Chapel is an elegant and gorgeous place to celebrate your wedding day. You will leave newlyweds, comfortable in your future together financially as well as together as a loving couple!

Save The Date

July 17th at 11:00am sharp people! Mark it and stamp it and save the date! I'm very excited and proud to announce that I have been chosen to be the officiant of BIG marriage ceremony in unison with the Universal Pictures release of Mama Mia. Can you get more Hollywood than that at The Hollywood Chapel?

I will be marrying 9 same sex couples, 9 straight couples and there will be 3 couples renewing their vows! Can you believe it? I will be officiating the vows of 21 couples at once and you are cordially invited!

Mamma Mia! The Movie, which hits theaters on July 18th, is a musical-comedy-romance that celebrates life, weddings, love and laughter. IKEA is collaborating with them. Why IKEA, you might ask? Well, IKEA is embracing its Swedish heritage, and celebrating the release of the ABBA inspired musical movie starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard.

Through July 12, IKEA stores throughout the U.S. will host celebrations and ticket giveaways, and most will hold karaoke events featuring music from the soundtrack of Mamma Mia! The Movie. So get ready to sing along to the tunes of "Dancing Queen," "Gimme Gimme, Gimme," "Money, Money, Money" and, of course, "Mamma Mia." Each person who takes the mic for karaoke or participates in other events will receive two tickets (while supplies last) to an exclusive local screening of the movie for IKEA customers only. Visit www.IKEA-USA.com and select your local store for complete information about in-store events in your area.

Here is the part that I am involved in: to really get into the spirit of the movie, IKEA is also hosting a big wedding of their own. The ceremony will take place at the IKEA Burbank on July 17th, and after the reception, the brides, grooms and their wedding guests will enjoy a private screening of the movie at Universal City Walk.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and love IKEA, the story of Mamma Mia! The Movie, and of course, each other - let us know. Log onto www.IKEA-USA.com/weddingcouples to find out more!

New Magazine Supports Alternative Weddings!

Jonathan Feit, publisher of Citizen Culture, is back with another magazine focused on all kinds of weddings. July 1st he is relaunching WithThisRing-Magazine.com — a publication aimed at "anything outside traditional white weddings." A print magazine is also planned and aimed to launch in Spring 2009, just in time for next year's wedding season.

With the California Supreme Court recently overturning the ban on gay marriage, Feit sees this as a perfect opportunity to launch. "We've been waiting for this," he says. "We got a gift." He plans to build the brand online and then launch print magazines one by one in the top GLBT cities around the country, likely starting with San Francisco and Boston.

Feit, compares With This Ring to Paul Cloutier's JPG and Everywhere publications. WTR won't be entirely user-generated, but Feit hopes people will contribute to the Web site. He created a prototype for the magazine in 2006 and it's available on the Web site or upon request.

Check it out! We hope to find more valuable resources like this to share with you to help you plan your dream wedding here at The Hollywood Chapel.

The Wedding Gift That Keeps On Giving

Many of the same-sex couples that we marry here at The Hollywood Chapel, have already been together for several years. In fact, many of them have shared a home, waiting for the day when a true marriage would be legal for them. They already have all the blenders and panini makers anyone could want. So here's the quesion: What do you get for a couple that literally already has everything?

Well, we've come across an interesting idea and thought that we'd share it with you. Many same-sex newlyweds are actually asking that in lieu of gifts, their guests and well-wishers make a donation to the political committees who are hard at work to keep same-sex marriage legal in California. In fact, these pro-equality groups have created marriage registries right on their websites to make it as easy as possible for couples to register and for guests to give the best wedding gift of all...marriage for life!

As we've mentioned here before, there are right-wing groups across California who are steadfastly focused on ending legal marriage for gay and lesbian couples. This coming November, an initiative will be on the ballot seeking to take away the fundamental freedom to marry from same-gender couples. This measure is funded not only by California groups, but by out-of-state groups with deep pockets.

Marriage registry is a truly novel idea in Internet fundraising. In the several weeks the registries have been up, hundreds of couples have signed up, asking friends and family to donate money to fighting a constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to being between a man and a woman.

If you are a same-sex engaged to be married couple and are interested in starting a marriage registry, here are two great places to start. Both of these sites allow you to sign up for your own registry with a personalized web page and invite your family and friends to donate to your cause and help you keep your marriage legal forever.

Equality California - www.eqca.org
EQCA was a plaintiff in the historic California marriage case decided by the California Supreme Court on May 15, 2008. During the past 10 years, EQCA has worked with the Legislature and the courts to ensure that all loving and committed couples have the right to marry in California.

Click here for the EQCA Wedding Registry page.

Equality For All - www.equalityforall.com
The Equality for All campaign is a large and diverse coalition of civil rights, faith, choice, labor and community of color organizations working to stop and defeat any ballot measure that has the intent to discriminate against LGBT Californians and deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.

Click here for the Equality for All Wedding Registry page.

Same Sex Honeymoon Specials in Los Angeles

So you've picked the perfect place in Los Angeles to get married - The Hollywood Chapel, of course. You've had a perfect ceremony complete with flowers, a photographer, a wonderful and sensitive officiant, marriage license - Done. Now what? Where could your celebrate your wedding night that would be as fantasticly stylish and amazing as your ceremony?

Whether you live here or not, some beautiful Los Angeles hotels are running specials specifically catered towards creating a wonderful honeymoon experience for same sex couples.

Hyatt Regency Centry Plaza:
The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, is running a special called "Celebrate Pride 2008," which offers same-sex couples who stay two nights: a one-year membership in the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD - a $40 value.) The offer, which runs through Dec. 30, 2008, is good not only at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, but at 25 of Hyatt's hotels nationwide that are participating in this program, including the Hyatt at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, where PlanetOut will host a Pride Rocks party on June 28. The package runs $259 per night.

W Los Angeles - Westwood:
W Hotels boast that they have "always been an avid supporter of the LGBT community." And they show their love with their annual Pride 365 Package complete with everything you need to support the cause. This year, W Hotels Pride 365 upped the ante with an upgraded package and an all inclusive experience. Included are signature W Pride 365 T-Shirts, Bliss Spa's broad-spectrum sunscreen, W Disposable camera, two cool cocktails and a wonderfully spectacular room. In addition W Hotels are including a donation and one year membership to Lambda Legal, an organization dedicated to achieving full rights of the LGBT community and those with HIV. Another great perk at the W Los Angeles - Westwood is that Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival runs July 9-21st.

Hilton Checkers Los Angeles:
The world-famous Hilton Checkers Los Angeles is a historic hotel that dates back to the 1920's, and is the only four-diamond boutique hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Formerly the Mayflower Hotel, built by industrialist William Anderson, this intimate hotel offers a number of packages that same-sex couples can enjoy.

Romance packages include amenities such as sparkling wine and breakfast for two, and with the "Spa for Two" package, couples can select their favorite therapy and share the experience in the same room together. If you and your partner are theatre lovers, the Checkers' theatre package features a dinner for two at Checkers Restaurant and car service to the theatre district. This hotel also features an awesome rooftop deck with gorgeous views of the Los Angeles skyline, perfect for romantic evenings for two!

Happy honeymooning lovebirds!

Los Angeles Mayor Presides Over Same Sex Wedding!

Last week Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, "The California electorate is coming into a new age realizing that (gay) marriage is an institution that supports family values, and it's certainly one I support. I certainly respect people of faith who disagree. I also respect the law, and I'm sworn to uphold the law."

Yesterday, he followed through with that statement by officiating the wedding ceremony of Academy Award-winning producer Bruce Cohen (American Beauty, Big Fish) and art consultant Gabriel Catone.

The couple, who have been together for five years, got married by the Mayor late afternoon yesterday in the press room in City Hall. They are the first same sex couple in history to be married by a Los Angeles Mayor who promised last week to marry "as many people as possible."

Cohen and the Mayor are longtime friends, and apparently Cohen asked the Mayor personally if he would marry them. But, if you don't know the Mayor personally, fret not my friends. Because we are here to help facilitate your wedding at The Hollywood Chapel. And we may not have City Hall, but we DO have just as much power as the Mayor to marry you!!!

We are proud to call ourselves Los Angelenos!

The Royal Same Sex Wedding Date is Set

According to the Associated Press, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have set a wedding date! That is very exciting to all of us who advocate same sex marriage. Ellen and Portia are apparently going to do it up - going all out for what Ellen told reporters backstage at the Kodak Theatre when she recently won her Daytime Emmy (congrats) was going to be their "dream wedding."

Ellen said, "Yes, we have set a wedding date. How do I fell about it? I obviously feel like it's long overdue. I think someday people will look back on this like women not having the right to vote and segregation and anything else that seems ridiculous that we don't all have the same rights."

Ellen also went on to say that plans are in the works to fly the entire de Rossi family in from Australia - (Will the wedding be in Los Angeles then?) and that 'incredible people' will be singing at the ceremony. She also said that she would show a tiny bit of the ceremony on her talk show and said that she would use her emmy as a wedding cake topper!

Ellen did go on to say that "planning a wedding is very stressful." Well welcome to the world of weddings Ellen and Portia! You know, it would all be so much easier for you...stress free, less expensive and all inclusive at The Hollywood Chapel. We're just saying...

Consciously Aware Wedding Rings

As you know with environmental awareness at an all time high, and with the popularity of movies such as "Blood Diamond," people are starting to take notice of what impact their desire for diamonds, precious stones and gold can have. Since we are celebrating the new Summer of Love this year, we think that its time to extend that love to all involved in the wedding making process. I've just come across a website with a great list of cruelty-free wedding rings!

The beauty of diamonds, rubies, and other gems become treasured memories of first loves, engagements and weddings. But in recent years, more and more people have become aware of the sad story behind some of the world's precious stones.

Besides gemstones, most consumers don't know where the gold in their products comes from, or how it is mined. Gold mining can be a dirty industry: it can displace communities, contaminate drinking water, hurt workers, and destroy pristine environments.

Here is a list of responsible jewelers who make a difference for people and communities by refusing to trade with unethical miners:

Aid Through Trade

ARTCAMP SC de RL

Columbia Gem House, Inc./Tri-Gem Designs

Costello International

Global Handcrafters

greenKarat

Junk to Jewels

Kazuri America LLC

Leber Jeweler Inc.

Make Piece/Peace Inc.

Peter Stone Co. USA Inc.

Rishashay

Sumiche Jewelry Co.

WorldFinds

Same-Sex Marriage Q & A

There was a great article in the Los Angeles Times on Monday called Reader Q&A on Gay Marriage. It is a great because it addresses so many of the questions that we hear on a daily basis here at The Hollywood Chapel.

For instance, do you know the answers to these questions?

• If I have a same sex marriage, should my spouse and I register as domestic partners?
  
• If the November constitutional amendment to limit marriage to a man and a woman passes and is upheld, would gay marriages conducted between now and November still have legal standing?
  
• Do I have to be a California resident or U.S. citizen to obtain a marriage license?
• Do I need a blood test or health certificate?

The Los Angeles Times also has a Facebook page on same-sex marriage, as well as an entire section dedicated to the debate on same-sex marriage at www.latimes.com/gaymarriage Which will keep you posted on all the news that they publish on the subject.

Between this blog and the Los Angeles Times, you'll have no choice but to consider yourself well informed! Its also wonderful that our local paper takes such a well-rounded approach and interest in same-sex marriage.

THC - Celebrity Couple of the WeekA Star's Trek to Marriage

George Takei, the actor most famously known as Mr. Sulu on the original "Star Trek" series has boldly gone where only few Californians had gone before, and got married to his longtime partner, Brad Altman yesterday.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Takei said, "I think it's a glorious California morning to make history,'' said Takei happily to the media. "Congratulations to all of us: May equality live long and prosper."

Takei and Altman got married in an auditorium that had been converted to a licensing facility by the county! What? Imagine how much more beautiful the day would have been for them if they'd been married at the beautiful Hollywood Chapel! Even as Takei was talking to reporters, other couples were filing into the auditorium to be married. At The Hollywood Chapel, we'll give you a whole hour to celebrate and revel in your newly wedded bliss.

TODAY is the DAY!

Not only is today the first day that same-sex couples can get married legally in California. It is also the first day that The Hollywood Chapel opens its doors!

We are excited and filled with anticipation. We hope that we can help facilitate as many happy marriages as possible, gay and straight alike.

We hope that our mission and our unique services will provide the perfect wedding day for those who are truly exploring an unchartered frontier.

Once again, please visit our website for information on wedding packages, reservation information, directions, etc. We look forward to meeting and marrying you! And we'll keep you posted on how these first few days in the new era of California weddings are going here at The Hollywood Chapel.

First Same Sex Couple Married in California!

Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 84, were the first same-sex couple to be legally married in the state of California. The two have been together as a couple for over 55 years. They were married by the mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom, who said that he could think of "no greater example of commitment, constancy, of faith and devotion to another person than that is expressed in their lives Del to Phyllis and Phyllis to Del."

The Mayor went on to say, "I think that today marriage as an institution has been strengthened. I think today marriage has been affirmed. And today we can say its the first day in the state of California that we are providing marriage equally and fairly to everyone, denying no one their right and their opportunity to live their lives out loud." We say "ditto!"

Congratulations Del and Phyllis. We'll get busy on marrying the rest here in Hollywood at The Hollywood Chapel.

See below to watch coverage of the nuptials.

Lorelei on Kevin and Bean Show on KROQ!

The Hollywood Chapel is making big news! Our very own Rev. Lorelei Starbuck was a guest this morning on the super popular Kevin and Bean Show on the world famous KROQ 106.7! As you all probably know...tomorrow is THE day! Finally, same-sex couples will be able to legally marry in the state of California.

Its almost as if we were destined to be doing this work. One of the first questions Kevin and Bean asked Lorelei was how she started out in this kind of work. She explained how she owned a wedding chapel in Vegas and saw the need for one here. She told the story of how we found the perfect space for a wedding chapel on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood the DAY BEFORE it was announced that the California Supreme Court declared the ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

Kevin and Bean also wanted to know what the difference was between a wedding in a Las Vegas wedding chapel and one at The Hollywood Chapel. Lorelei explained how we really wanted this to be a place where couples could fully experience their wedding day. In Vegas, she explained, couples are herded through the chapels. They "come in the front door and out the back door."

Lorelei walked right into that one - and after a couple of unfortunate "back door" jokes - she was able to explain that The Hollywood Chapel will be providing couples with a full hour to celebrate their wedding, complete with flowers, beautiful photographs - the whole kit and caboodle - Including the MARRIAGE LICENSE, which is the biggest difference in Vegas and California weddings. In Vegas, you have to wait in line at the courthouse for your marriage license. In California both Lorelei and I are Notaries! We can both issue you your marriage license on the spot!

Kevin and Bean and Lorelei also discussed the financial impact of same-sex marriage legalization on the California economy and how its going to be HUGE. Lorelei said this ruling will provide income "from apple growers to walnut farmers everyone is going to benefit from this."

And what about the fact that same-sex marriage could be invalidated by the public vote in November? Lorelei agreed that could be a big hurdle, but that - so far, the majority of Californians, 62% to be exact, are in favor of allowing same-sex marriage to be legal. She also said that the statistics just aren't there to show that gay marriage promotes the break down of the family. Its just not true. So get out and vote!

As Lorelei said in the interview, "We don't discriminate!" Heterosexual or Gay, everyone is welcome at The Hollywood Chapel. Lorelei took it a step further. "If you're Klingon you can get married here!" She said, laughing. And we mean it. I've said it before and I'll say it again. We are thrilled to be here during this incredible time. In celebration of tomorrow we are honoring the gay and lesbian community! We have great specials that include the whole nine yards, we're also doing the "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am" package for $125.

You can click here to hear the interview. Go Lorelei and go Hollywood Chapel!

The Great California Marriage Rush

Want to catch up on your reading about the politics surrounding same-sex marriage issues in California and nationally?

The Advocate has devoted the cover of their upcoming July issue to the Great California Marriage Rush!

Check out these great articles online:

• Summer of Love, Winter of Struggle
• California Marriage Time Line
• Calling a New Army of Lovers
• California Marriage Primer
• The Other 48

A True Love Story

Same sex marriage, obviously isn't a new topic just because it was just legally recognized in California. Its been an issue for centuries, and now Directors Guido Santi and Tina Mascara have made a documentary about a long-term gay relationship.

"Chris and Don: A Love Story" is the three-and-a-half-decade relationship of the British writer Christopher Isherwood and the American portrait artist Don Bachardy. The New York Times calls it "one of the ultimate true stories of a proto-gay-marriage succeeding in a forbidding climate."
(click here to read the full New York Times review)

Synopsis: In 1953 uppercrust British writer Christopher Isherwood was 49 and living in L.A., part of a circle that included the likes of W. H. Auden, Igor Stravinsky, and Aldous Huxley. Then one day he spotted California boy Don Bachardy on the beach, and the unlikely pair fell madly in love. It was a bond that endured until the end of the writer's life, which Bachardy, by then an accomplished portraitist, memorialized in a famous series of paintings. This lyrical documentary celebrates the enduring May-December love of two openly and unapologetically gay men in an era before it was common to be out.

Los Angeles Weekly has said that the documentary is "a fusion of art and love that's deeply moving."

We would love to celebrate the California legislature legalizing gay marriage by extending an invitation to the filmakers Guido Santi and Tina Mascara to screen "Chris and Don: A Love Story" at The Hollywood Chapel to commemorate this amazing "Summer of Love!"

Cross your fingers that they accept and we'll keep you posted!

The BIG Business of Same-Sex Weddings

The legalization of same-sex marriage in California is excellent news to the GLBT community, but it might be even better news for California's economy. Recent reports say that the industry is expected to make $700 million this year! $65 million of that new revenue will be generated for California's state budget alone!

These aren't just guesses. These predictions are based on Massachusetts' spending rates after same-sex marriage was legalized in 2004. Can you believe that a proposed 103,000 same-sex couples living in California will marry in the next three years, and approximately 70,000 same-sex couples from other states will come to California to get married.

With the increased tourism there will likely be 2,100 jobs available in California. Furthermore, if same-sex weddings were to become a federal law, they could produce nearly $1 BILLION in revenue each year. Nation-wide, same-sex marriages could add more than $16 billion annually to the existing $70 billion wedding industry.

So not only are human rights taking a huge step forward, but California can improve its economic slump by supporting same-sex marriages. It seems as if the decision to legalize same-sex marriage adds a lot to the greater good! When the federal government makes the monumental decision to legalize same-sex marriage under the Bill of Rights, maybe our current economic meltdown will start to reverse, and thousands of jobs will be available for Americans, and our fight will be won.

The New Summer of Love

This summer could be like none other in California's history. With the lift of the ban on same-sex marriage beginning on June 17th, the Summer of 2008 will truly be the new "Summer of Love."

Unlike the 2004 same-sex marriages in San Francisco, where the couples knew that the ruling allowing them to get married could be overturned at any time, Californians this year know that they have from June 17th until election day in November before anyone can potentially touch their legally married status.

California is also a state in which you don't have to be a resident to get married. It is predicted that same sex couples from around the nation will be coming to California to get married this summer. It will be the Summer of Love meets the Gold Rush!

And, let's face it, if there is a better marriage than summer and California, we don't know what it is! The atmosphere is draped with blue skies, flowers in bloom, warm temperatures, and it's a great way to alleviate some of the stressful planning details that can occur for outdoor weddings.

Summer in California adds to the excitement and romance involved with wedding plans and can follow any theme such as a crisp, clean elegance, or a casual, comfortable ease. Its the ideal setting for a summer wedding. Just think of the wide range of scenery from mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, coves, meadows, and desserts, all providing beautiful and wide blue skies.

Most days resemble summer for California, but even so, like the rest of the United States, most California couples - forget about the same-sex marriages this year - marry between May and August. Summer is a time for vacation, relaxation, amusement, and entertainment. Summertime is attributed to a period of fruition, fulfillment, happiness, and beauty,

"Summertime and the livin is easy." California and The Hollywood Chapel gladly welcome all couples to join us here for a beautiful summer wedding. And don't forget, once you get married in the summer, you get to celebrate your anniversary in the summer every year.

THC - Celebrity Couple of the Week!Ellen & Portia

We are so excited to hear that popular TV host and gay rights advocate Ellen DeGeneres has announced wedding plans with her partner of 4 years, Portia de Rossi. Ellen has been one of our favorite entertainers since 1997, when she appeared on the cover of Time Magazine with the headline, "Yep, I'm Gay."

Representing smart, well-respected, popular and beautiful lesbian women, Ellen has been on the forefront of gay rights since coming out. Portia is best known for her roles on television series Ally McBeal and Arrested Development.

While the couple have not announced any specific plans, it is rumored that Ellen would prefer an intimate ceremony at her Los Angeles home which she shares with Portia. We are still holding out hope that she will not want to risk scuffing her tennis court and have the ceremony here at The Hollywood Chapel!

This feels like a full-circle moment in history to DeGeneres according to reports:

One key to their happiness, DeGeneres said last year, is that they learn from one another. "She's taught me lessons about myself, and I feel like I've taught her," said the TV host. "We've both changed and grown, and we just feel like, 'Oh, okay, this is completion.'

-People Magazine

We here at The Hollywood Chapel wish Ellen and Portia a world of happiness and can't wait to hear of their wedding details.

If you haven't seen it, here is a look at Ellen's wedding announcement during her show and the wild reaction from the crowd. And Portia's in the audience!

A Guide to Creating Your Special Day

The Hollywood Chapel is all about making your wedding day truly YOUR day. Its not about what society and bridal magazines tells you it should be. We want you to stop worrying about that five tiered wedding cake and the $5000 dress. If that's what you want - great - go for it. But if you are not feeling it, it doesn't mean that a beautiful wedding isn't in store for you.

We want your wedding to be as unique as you are and planning a huge and 'traditional' wedding can be a logistical nightmare, especially if you are doing your own thing. Here's a book that we like that can help.

I DO: A Guide to Creating Your Own Unique Wedding Ceremony is a creative look at weddings and helps explain a lot of the meaning of the historical traditions, like - what is the significance of a veil? and what does the exchange of rings really signify?

The author gives you ideas for wedding alternatives. Inspired from all kinds of traditions around the world. "Planning guides are included to help you create your own personal event, whether it's to celebrate an interfaith, intercultural first union, a second or third marriage (including one or both partners' children), a same-sex marriage, or a commitment ceremony.

With I DO as a guide, and The Hollywood Chapel as your venue, you'll be well on your way to creating an unforgettable ceremony to inspire a lifetime of love.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today is the FIVE YEAR anniversary of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Ontario, Canada.  Martha McCarthy, who was lead counsel in the landmark case vs. the Attorney-General of Canada had this to say on globeandmail.com about the impact of her Country's landmark decision and California's recent decision to legalize gay marriage.

"It's estimated that about 15,000 gay or lesbian couples have been married in Canada since June 17, 2003. In Toronto, 4,650 licences had been issued to same-sex couples at the end of 2007, making up 6 per cent of the total issued in the period. Marriage rates have not declined. Divorce rates have not increased. The English language seems to have no problem accommodating the concept (in fact, several dictionaries have been amended). Nobody seems to be forcing churches to do things they don't want to do.

Other signs of the breakdown of the family, whatever that means anyhow, are not apparent. The opposing interest groups, including some big-spending American traditional family forces, have publicly announced their retreat. Of course, what that data doesn't show is that individual lives have changed. 

I have experienced and heard about my share of gay and lesbian weddings, all different and yet, often so similar. Again and again, couples speak of authenticity, and of greater feelings of citizenship and inclusion in families and communities. They tell of neighbors sewing their dresses, reuniting and acceptance with family members, the importance of the public declaration, the effect of the event on their relationships with others.

Many are surprised by how different they feel, both as a couple and in their lives generally. Our 12-year-old client Robbie Kemper perhaps said it best when he took to the microphone the day of the decision and declared, "Now nobody can say I don't have a real family."

We applaud Martha and the work that she's done! She was the winner of the Ontario Bar Association 2007 Award of Excellence in Family Law and a campaigner for gay equality rights.

Happy Five Year Anniversary Canada!

Obama Supports the LGBT Community

Chicago, IL -- This weekend Senator Barack Obama released the following statement commemorating Pride month.

"I am proud to join with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered brothers and sisters in celebrating the accomplishments, the lives, and the families of all LGBT people during this Pride season. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core this issue is about who we are as Americans."

"It's time to live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. Let's enact federal civil rights legislation to outlaw hate crimes and protect workers against discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. Let's repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' and demonstrate that the most effective and professional military in the world is open to all Americans who are ready and willing to serve our country. Let's treat the relationships and the families of LGBT Americans with full equality under the law."

"We are ready to accomplish these goals because of the courage and persistence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people who are working every day to achieve equal rights --the gay couple who demands equal treatment in our family laws as they raise their children, the lesbian soldier who wants nothing more than to serve her country openly and honestly, the transgendered workers who asks for the simple dignity of being judged by the quality of their work. Generations of LGBT Americans, at once ordinary and extraordinary, have made possible this moment in our history. With leadership and hard work we can fulfill the promise of equality for all."

thehollywoodchapel.com is LIVE

We are so excited to announce that thehollywoodchapel.com is LIVE!

In our quest to maintain a legacy of extraordinary service, the Hollywood Chapel now has amazing services available to you online that will make your beautiful wedding effortless. Imagine being able to apply for your marriage license, research your perfect wedding package and reserve your wedding date, all online and all at one place!

In celebration of the California Supreme Court's landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriages, we are celebrating with our "Summer of Love." For all couples, we will offer magical packages that affirm your right to love and to be married! These packages range from $675 to $875 and include use of the timeless intimate Hollywood Chapel, a Los Angeles Officiant or Minister, your custom wedding ceremony, special unity and sand ceremonies - evevn wedding bouquet's and boutennieres. Also included in your package are photographs and videos to capture the best day of your life.

We also offer beach and park wedding planning and have elopement packages that range from $175 - $375!

Your wish is our command. Book your chapel wedding today on thehollywoodchapel.com and be registered to be the first to say I do in the Famous Hollywood Chapel!

Making Traditions New .... Again!

Along with many Californians and members of the LGBT community, we are ecstatic about the California Supreme Court decision on May 15th to legalize same-sex marriage. We applaud the fact that yesterday, that ruling was upheld. As we expected however, there has definitely been no lack of scrutiny, intolerance and objection to the legislation.

Fear runs rampant that the sanctity of marriage will somehow lose its value in society. Somehow, traditions will be mocked. But, throughout history, tradition has adapted and grown to match the society that surrounds it. What if we had stuck to our die-hard government sanctioned traditions and had never given women and minorities the right to vote; or, even worse, what if we had stuck to the hundreds of years long tradition of slavery? What would that say about us as a people?

California was at the forefront of justice in 1948 when our Supreme Court lifted that ban on interracial marriage. And that landmark decision has broken racial barriers, redefining who is entitled to love and marry. To us, it seems ridiculous today that a law against interracial marriage ever even existed.

Today we are breaking gender barriers and changing traditions. Marriage will now be defined as the social recognition of two people joining together, regardless of gender, the legitimization of a same-sex family. The fear affiliated with these changes of repressive traditions will soon meet acceptance. One day in the future, our children will look back at 2008 and think, "How ridiculous that a law against same-sex marriage ever even existed!"

The 28th Amendment is on its way. Congratulations to all the couples who are now able to embrace this milestone. We look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion with you at The Hollywood Chapel.

For an interesting look at changes in tradition and marriage, visit Greta Christina's Blog.

California High Court - High Five!

Today the California Supreme Court refused to stay and/or delay its decision legalizing same-sex marriage!

We rejoice this decision along with gay and lesbian couples around California. The "final hurdle" is cleared and same-sex couples can start getting married on June 17th! WE can start marrying same-sex couples at The Hollywood Chapel starting June 17th. Hooray!

That's the good news. Now the bad news - the fact that most weddings, especially in Los Angeles, can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars. Now that the legal barricade blocking gay marriage has been knocked down, it seems a shame that a financial hurdle would now replace it. Not at the Hollywood Chapel, my friends.

The Hollywood Chapel was created to celebrate the joy of marriage and equality. Here we celebrate freedom and fairness. Freedom from unconstitutional laws that limit human rights and freedom from the financial burden typified by the existing wedding machine.

Today is a great day for all Californians. We look forward to celebrating it with you!

First Hollywood Wedding Chapel

Oh my... I have exciting news to tell all of you. Michelle and I signed the lease on our new wedding chapel. We are thrilled to be able to bring the first classy wedding chapel to Los Angeles. Yes I know there are a few others but believe me they don't hold a candle to ours.

Decorated in true old Hollywood style you and your guests will be treated to eye candy. Think... a chapel in Venice Italy, Faux walls, chandeliers, wooden church benches and an out door Zen Garden Chapel complete with twinkle lights, wooden chairs, bramble arch. Yes, you are going to love it.

And believe me it isn't your Las Vegas style wedding chapel. Our little slice of heaven will be truly a work of art. Our goal is to offer couples the ease and affordability of a Vegas wedding without the drive, expense or tacky silk flowers.

Our elegant chapel will surround you with true Hollywood Hipness. Is that a word? Not sure, but we will be THE place to get hitched in Hollywood. Know any Celebs that want to get married???? Hey Ellen we would love to marry you and Portia.....Call us !

Los Angeles or California weddings will never be the same. You can elope here, just the two of you, or have up to 15 guests, complete with champagne and cake after. And you will never be rushed or hurried through your wedding. We offer a full hour in the chapel for pictures, and celebration. Our packages will include everything you could want. License, officiant, pictures, flowers and more.

Give us a call today! 877-Lets-I-Do or 323.848.9370! We can book your wedding today and you could be the first to get married in the chapel entirely free. Book your wedding and you automatically are entered in the drawing. Winners will be on our video blog and on the news!

You will just have to stop by and see! We will be open in two weeks. Keep watching this blog for all the information. Oh and yes we will be doing Same Sex Weddings so call today and book your wedding.

Lorelei & Michelle

Affordable Weddings in California? They DO Exist!

Affordable Beach Weddings are not a dream, they are real and they can be done for far less than you would think. What about a great one for under $3000??? Yes it can be done and the dream of putting together a great beach wedding takes less than you think. But it does take doing some homework and finding a company that can pu