Getting
Married Up North
OH CANADA!
by Gina Daggett
Canada, the land of the rainbow maple leaf,
joined the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain in 2005 by
legalizing same-sex marriage, and since then it has become
a mecca for gay people looking to tie the knot. Gay and
lesbian American couples are heading to the border (a
pilgrimage of sorts) to a country that celebrates and
validates love between everyone. According to Darryl Persello,
founder of 2 Dears & a Queer, a Vancouver,
BC-based wedding and event planning company, “98%
of our business is international, and our clients come
to us from virtually all 50 US states.” It’s
no wonder; Canada is not only on the cutting edge of sanctifying
the dignity and worth of its entire population, but it’s
also one of the most beautiful places in the world with
white-capped mountains, rocky coastlines, and vibrant,
booming city centers. Whether you’re looking to get
married with all the bells and whistles available in places
like Vancouver, Montréal, Toronto, or Halifax,
or you prefer a laid back rural ceremony, Canada has it
all.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
As host to the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver,
BC just might be the hottest place for American LGBTs
to get married these days. With its scenic Canadian
Rockies as a backdrop and its seaside bonuses (combined
with the city’s epitomical cosmopolitan flare),
Vancouver is a top pick for Americans traveling north
for their nuptials.
Lauded the “Best City in the Americas”
by Conde Nast Traveler, Vancouver is clean, safe,
and picturesque, while also boasting a dynamic breadth
of culinary delight and rich multiculturalism. Not to
mention it’s super gay. “We have a wonderful
gay village and the city itself is very gay-friendly,”
says Persello, who specializes in same-sex weddings
in Vancouver and the surrounding areas, including Whistler
and Vancouver Island.
There’s a reason for this: Vancouver
and its municipalities are enthusiastic about the gay
community. “We have actively reached out to the
GLBT community in a way that not a lot of other travel
bureaus have,” says Amber Sessions of Tourism Vancouver.
“Vancouver is surrounded by ocean and mountains
so it’s a stunning place for a wedding. Hundreds
of [gay] couples from around the world have come to
Vancouver to legally exchange vows. Ceremonies have
varied from intimate gatherings, to seaside and garden
services, to full blown large-scale events with all
the trimmings,” she adds.
“I have a lot of clients eloping
from the states,” says Vancouver photographer Leanne
Scherp, who moved to Canada to be with her partner because
of its inclusive environment. “I love it when couples
get married here because they are recognized and supported
by our government and community, which adds another
positive spin to the celebrations.”
Rich Dalton and Luis Grisales are the
perfect example. They not only tied the knot in British
Columbia, but actually picked up and moved to Vancouver
from the States afterwards. “We chose Vancouver
because Luis is from Colombia and we were able to immigrate
to Canada,” says Dalton. A special on the Style
Network, Whose Wedding is it Anyway? featured
Rich and Luis and their wedding. Their celebration was
two-pronged: a commitment ceremony at home with loved
ones and a legal wedding in Canada. “I don’t
think a lot of people will travel for a wedding,”
says Dalton, so it made sense for them to do it this
way.
In terms of venues in Vancouver, the
possibilities are endless,” says Scherp. “Beaches,
mountaintops, lakesides, forests—it’s worth
looking around to find the venue that suits your style.”
Some ideas from locals: Grouse Mountain, Vancouver
Art Gallery, Stanley Park, Unitarian Church of Vancouver,
and Sunset Bay Yacht Charters to name a few.
“You can even get married at the Vancouver Aquarium,”
Persello says. “You can dine next to the Beluga
whale tank!”
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Where to stay? Vancouver is loaded with
great hotels—large and boutique alike. Great hotel
accommodations include the new, simple, and stylish Loden
Hotel that welcomes guests with strawberry-infused
water in its lobby. The Wedgewood Hotel and Spa
is draped in old-world elegance within the downtown business
district, and home to a fantastic lobby bar, Bacchus,
which is the perfect spot to cozy up by the fire when
it’s raining. The pro-gay Kimpton chain has a fantastic
hotel in Vancouver, too, situated right off Robson Street.
Their Pacific Palisades property offers vintage
charm and is a short stroll to Stanley Park. For those
on a tighter budget, the Sandman Suites on Davie
is always a good bet, as it’s close to the beach.
Most of the fully-furnished suites, 198 of them, have
outdoor balconies and fantastic views.
If you’re looking for something
a little cozier, there are some great gay-owned or gay-friendly
B & B accommodations. The charming Nelson House,
which has been hosting queers for 19 years, is located
in the heart of the gay/shopping district, sandwiched
between Robson and Davie. Built in 1907, the three-story
gem overlooks a quiet garden. Also in the neighborhood
is the homey Ashby House. Built in the 1800s,
it is steeped in history and is home to a stable of
furry, four-legged residents who’ll gladly spend
time with you on the porch.
Hailed as an international “food
capital” by the New York Times, Vancouver
is a foodie’s culinary dream. From five-star cuisine
to three-table sushi joints, Vancouver has everything
your palate desires before and after your wedding. Don’t
miss Bluewater (where there are frequent celebrity sightings
and delicious oysters). The best raw bar in town—with
great sushi and shellfish—Bluewater is tucked
into trendy Yaletown. Romance is served at CinCin
on Robson Street. This Tuscan eatery overlooks the shopping
district, but it feels like a true Italian departure.
It has contemporary cuisine and an award-winning wine
list. At Parkside, an unassuming restaurant smack
dab in the middle of the West End neighborhood, the
Mediterranean meets France. In the summertime, their
enchanting outdoor patio is hard to beat.
Looking for a cozy spot to snuggle with
your honey and a cocktail? Try gay hotspot Oasis;
they have great happy hour specials and a delectable
$5 tapas menu. For signature cocktails and light bistro
fare, try Gerard in the Sutton Place Hotel. Gerard
is a well-known film industry hangout and has the air
of an English club with tapestries, leather chairs,
and its own cozy fireplace. Another great lobby bar
is Elixir in the Opus Hotel, which serves a fusion
of contemporary and classic French cuisine. Depending
on your mood and motive, choose from one of three of
Elixir’s rooms—bustling bistro, airy garden
room, or plush velvet room. In the Four Seasons, Yew
serves over 150 wines by the glass and a Latin-inspired
Sunday brunch. It is often host to non-profit auctions
and fundraisers, notably for Friends for Life, a Vancouver-based
organization that helps care for people living with
HIV and AIDS. Their elegant lounge/restaurant pays homage
to three of nature’s most exquisite elements—glass,
wood, and natural rock—in its decorative flare.
After the wedding pandemonium, the honeymoon
beckons and there are plenty of places in British Columbia
and nearby to take a load off. “The most popular
honeymoon vacation when getting married in Vancouver
is boarding a cruise ship to Alaska,” says Persello.
Scherp has seen her clients and friends honeymoon in
Whistler, Tofino, and Harrison Hot Springs.
Many couples also enjoy a grape escape by heading off
to the Okanogan Valley, Canadian wine country.
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