Elaine + Annabeth: An Episcopal Lesbian Church Wedding in Atlanta

Elaine and Annabeth are a devoted Atlanta couple who have been together more than 30 years. When the Episcopal Church recently decided to allow same-sex marriages, even in states where the marriages were not legally recognized, the couple jumped at the chance to make their love official. Elaine and Annabeth are long-standing and well-loved members of the St. Luke’s church community, were asked to be the first same-sex couple married in this historic Atlanta church. To have a lesbian church wedding in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2013 before marriage equality was the law of the land was a remarkable feat, and the women were honored that their wedding was the impetus for this historic day.

FROM THE COUPLE:

OVERALL VIBE OF THE DAY: Ecstatic on all parts. We were delighted that our beloved church had come to the place of developing a formal and official liturgy for gay couples, and to our surprise and delight, the entire congregation seemed to be deeply thrilled and proud to be taking part in this historic event in our church.

FAVORITE PARTS: The total delight at walking down that aisle, in that beloved church, with this astonishing collection of friends, family and colleagues, as well as fellow church members, on the arm of Elaine’s beloved Uncle Joe. And the confetti of fallen white petals from the trees in the church driveway as we were driven away in the “love car,” and the rainbow in the sky as we arrived home.

SPECIAL TOUCHES: Using many types of flowers to get the closest possible look of the rainbow colors.

MUSIC: Romantic oldies, some jazz, and some feminist / folk pieces.