On January 6 of this year, Florida made history by becoming the 36th state to recognize same-sex marriage. My partner Jason and I were more than ready. After eight years together, we had a home, intertwined finances (ahem, he pays for everything), and we had been raising our wonderful child, Leo, for four years.
While many envision traditional weddings filled with flowers, elegant ceremonies, and tearful toasts, our celebration was far from conventional. It was a spontaneous, “Wow, we can finally get married!” kind of affair—and you know what? It was infinitely better than any typical wedding. Here’s why:
11. No Planning Required
Most weddings are marathons of planning, involving endless decisions about seating arrangements and venue aesthetics. Not us! We simply sent out a Facebook invite: “Meet us at the courthouse in three days, folks! We’re getting hitched!” Done. Even the officiant just showed up.
10. A Collective Experience
Getting married can often feel isolating, with so many doubts swirling around. But when you’re surrounded by countless other couples doing the same thing, it’s downright empowering. We took a number—ours was B47. Sharing this moment with so many others made it feel monumental. As I always say, if everyone else is jumping off a bridge, maybe you should too—especially if it’s over a chocolate river!
9. We Could Bring Our Kid
The traditional marriage model often puts the cart before the horse, leaving kids out of the picture. Thankfully, we were allowed to raise Leo long before we could call ourselves a family legally. It was incredible to have him there on our special day.
8. A Fraction of the Cost
Weddings can be exorbitantly expensive, with costs piling up for dresses, venues, and catering. Our wedding? A couple of rings, new outfits, and that was it.
7. Unexpected Guests in Uniform
The local police officers were there, but they weren’t strippers (which was a bit of a letdown). Still, they were friendly folks ensuring that the day went off without a hitch.
6. Midnight Madness
Getting married at 12:01 AM on a Tuesday is not something most would choose, but how rebellious is that? We stood against the norm, celebrating under the stars with a cup of coffee in hand.
5. In a Government Building
Sure, it may not sound glamorous, but there’s something cool about getting married in a government office. We navigated through metal detectors and jury duty rooms, where hundreds of other couples joined us in celebrating a momentous occasion.
4. Dignitaries in Attendance
Did your traditional wedding have the County Clerk and Sheriff present? I didn’t think so! Their presence made our event feel all the more significant.
3. Shared Anniversary
Our wedding date now coincides with many other couples across Florida. If anyone mentions getting married on January 6, chances are they’re part of our fabulous community. We celebrated alongside two amazing women, Mia and Kira, who have been instrumental in our lives. Our son loves them dearly, and the values they bring to our family are immeasurable.
2. Love is Everything
What truly makes our marriage stand out is the love we share—not just between us, but also from our friends and family. Growing up, I never thought marriage would be a possibility for me. Yet, here we are, with Leo beaming at the thought of us sharing his last name. We received an overwhelming amount of love and support from our community, with gifts and well-wishes pouring in.
1. Gratitude and Joy
We fought for this marriage, and it feels infinitely more precious because of that. The fight for equality has made our union not just a formality but a beautiful testament to love prevailing.
In conclusion, while every marriage has its unique charm, the experience of our Florida marriage-equality wedding was one of spontaneity, community, and love. If you’re considering starting a family, you might also want to explore options like an at-home insemination kit for your journey, or learn about the process of IVF for further insights.
Keyphrase: Florida marriage equality wedding
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