On the morning of Anna & Hay’s wedding - the news broke of the overturn of Roe v. Wade. It was heartbreaking and frightening. It felt like a dark day. But despite it all, there was a kind & thoughtful couple that still deserved to have the best wedding day possible. At Anna & Hay’s ceremony I heard the following said by their officiants. It restored a bit of hope in me so I want you to read it too. “One reason Anna and Hay wanted to have a wedding was to honor all of the queer people, past and present, who couldn’t or still can’t get married. Their wedding is a way of taking up space within this institution and centering queer stories, queer love, and queer family-making. Marriage is not just a declaration of love; it is the only way to access certain rights in this country: like visiting your partner in the hospital, making medical decisions for one another, accessing health insurance or family leave, and allowing the non-carrying parent to legally adopt their own child. And within our current societal structure, marriage increases the likelihood that others will recognize your relationship as legitimate. Anna and Hay hope that by having a wedding, their straight friends and family will reflect on how we can enact change and challenge systems of power that continue to oppress queer people. They also want to remind us that our votes, past and future, have and will continue to have an impact on the rights and autonomy granted to them and all marginalized groups. Anna and Hay approached their wedding day with the knowledge that this institution was not made for them, but also with the intent to make it their own, to queer the act of marriage.” Vendor Team Photographer: @marissasoliniphoto Second Shooter: @wander.kings Planner: @jaime.ta Videographer: @lovebug_pictures Venue: @mount_pisgah_weddings Anna’s dress: @bhldn Hay’s suit: @duchessclothier Florals: DIY Rentals: @fortheloveofpeterentals Food: @danangeatery Donuts: @mikikomochidonuts ID in comments #MarissaSoliniPhoto #QueerWedding #QueerLove #QueerCouple #Engayged #Pride #LoveWins #DancingWithThem #ChangetheWeddingIndustry #EquallyWed #EugeneOregonPhotographer #EugeneWeddingPhotographer