By Kathleen Furey

Now that same-sex wedding ceremonies are permitted at Tokyo Disney, there’s sure to be a great interest in an adorable destination wedding at Japan’s happiest place on earth. Here are a few things to consider while planning your special day:

	Not all packages are created equal: Tokyo Disney offers three wedding packages: The MiraCosta (an Italian-style seaside wedding), The Cinderella Castle wedding (coming in September 2012) and The Disney Ambassador Hotel weddings. All three packages are beautiful, but unfortunately, the Mira Costa and the Ambassador Hotel wedding package may not be the best option. The ceremonies take place in a chapel, where same-sex weddings are not allowed due to “religious teachings."
	Disney takes care of every detail, and we mean every detail: Depending on your package, the Tokyo Disney Bridal salon has every detail planned for you, from the bridal gowns to the Mickey Mouse-shaped votives on the reception table.
	Reservations are very limited: Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean that the theme park stops operating, thus creating a limit as to who can get married. You can book the ceremony eight months in advance, but be advised—if two couples book on the same day, there is a lottery, so have a backup plan ready.

Photo: disneyweddings.jp

By Kirsten Ott Palladino

 

We love it when a company comes right out of the closet with its support of same-sex marriage, like Wedding Paper Divas has with its new Groom plus Groom line of wedding invitations for gay men. The design-savvy line is available in three colors, smoke, autumn orange and seafoam, and features handsome block lettering announcing the groom plus groom.

 

We’re excited about the creation of this line, and we spoke to Wedding Paper Divas’ merchandise design manager, Janel Wiley, to find out more about what prompted it.

Q Why was this Groom plus Groom line important to create?

A This has been on our minds for quite some time and we were very excited to launch the first of many designs that cater specifically to our same-sex customers. We offer a modern, design-forward alternative to the choices currently out there. Our designs give all couples the option of having stunning, chic invitations and announcements that really speak to their personal style.

Q Can you give us a few hints about what else is coming in June for the same sex designs?

A Definitely! We have a wide range of styles designed specifically for same-sex couples. A huge focus for us was to incorporate iconic symbols, imagery and phrases in a refined way—staying true to the chic, modern aesthetic that Wedding Paper Divas has come to stand for.

 

Wedding Paper Divas is offering Equally Wed readers an exclusive 25 percent discount off wedding stationery. (This offer excludes letterpress, thermography and third-party products (such as custom stamps, embossers, photo books, gift certificates and calendars. There is no minimum purchase required. Cannot be combined with any other offers. One time use per customer.) For the discount code, send an email to weddings at equallywed dot com, and we’ll send you the super private code.

Kirsten Ott Palladino is the editorial director and cofounder of Equally Wed Magazine. Follow her on Twitter @kirs10palladino and connect with her on Facebook.

My amazing mother and me in St. Louis.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, it’s important to make sure our moms know how much we appreciate them. However, we were inspired by ways you can honor mothers on an even more important day—you’re wedding, the day you officially begin a family of your own. 

Real Wedding grooms Kevin and Pete were each escorted down the aisles by their mothers.

When your special day arrives, there’s no sweeter way to honor the woman who raised you then by integrating heirloom details into your wedding day details. Here are five creative ideas:

When Kim married her wife Randie in upstate New York, it was important for the couple to infuse sentimental details into their day, including turning Kim’s mother’s wedding gown into a beautiful canopy for their chuppah.

Kim was also insistent on using her inherited family china at the reception, much to the caterer’s concerns. The mix-matched pieces paid homage to her ancestral lineage while creating individualistic, shabby chic table settings that paired effortlessly with the overall vintage theme.

Add the “something old” to your wedding day ensemble with a locket keeping photographs of your mother. Brides can accessorize their bouquet or wear around their neck, and grooms and brooms can turn it into a boutonniere, keeping Mom close to their heart.

My mom's favorite has always been Chanel N°5

For femme brides who don’t have their own signature scent, spritz on the perfume your mother has worn for years. When nerves begin, one deep breath will send you back to childhood and put you at ease.

If you're not big on baubles, incorporate your mother’s jewelry into the brides’ or bridesmaids’ bouquets for a personal and glamorous touch.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there!

Photo:Real Weddings Kevin & Pete photographed by Kristin Korpos Photography; Real Weddings Kim & Randie photographed by Sam and Gertie Photography; Real Weddings Kim & Randie photographed by Bre Sessions; Anna Rozenblat; Kyle Hale; Paper Antler via Inspired By This; iloveswmag.com

Cake toppers can be a surprisingly tricky thing to pick. You want something that represents you, yet you don’t want to be too kitschy (we’ve all seen the candy bride with the sourpuss look, dragging the groom with the ball and chain). For same-sex couples, it gets more complicated, as many manufacturers don’t make bride-bride or groom-groom toppers. There is the option of buying two toppers and discarding the figures you don’t want, but that is costly and wasteful. Here are some same-sex wedding cake toppers that won’t force you to buy two sets and provide some inspiration for your ceremony.

Already Assembled: Just the right touch of flash for a not-so-quiet couple, this crystal lesbian cake topper is elegant rather than kitschy. Available at WeddingCollectibles.com for $72.95.

Simply Beautiful: This topper is super simple, yet super elegant—just your names and your wedding date. Available at GayWeddings.com for $27.95.

Cultural Cake Toppers: These fun, customizeable toppers perfectly represent both marriage and Dia de la Muerte without being tacky. Available on Etsy.com for $70.

Mix-and-Match: The Shop at Gay Weddings offers mix-and-match toppers, perfect for interracial marriages or for brides who are both wearing dresses or both wearing suits, or one bride wearing a suit while the other rocks a dress. Available at GayWeddings.com for $86.50.

Retro Classic: So ‘50s, yet fun for the 21^st-century. Available at oneofakindcaketoppers.com for $89.99.