In the wake of R-74’s passage, Gay Marriage is now legal in the State of Washington. Thus, it wound its way into the State Capitol campus as ~20 couples tied the knot in mass & multiple ceremonies beneath the stately Rotunda this Saturday. The first couple (having reserved the building for the day) to give their vows was Tina and Teresa Guajardo. They generously shared the joy of this historical occasion by inviting all gay couples to hold their weddings there the same day. Yours truly wasn’t about to miss such a seminal event and brought all the tools to capture the many joyful moments.
11:30a-12:30p The Yelm Community Choir performed by the Christmas Tree beneath the Rotunda.
12:30p Teresa & Tina were wedded on the 3rd Floor North Balcony.
1:00p-2:30p Individual marriage ceremonies were held on 3rd & 4th floor balconies.
1:30p A Large simultaneous marriage ceremony has performed on the East Balcony.
1:00p-3:00p A Potluck reception was held in the Columbia Room.
4:00p-? The Capitol building closed and the ongoing reception migrated to the Urban Onion at the historic Olympia Hotel on Legion Way.
Officials were available for both religious and non-religious ceremonies. Photographers were available, offering their services free of charge.
The atmosphere was electric. Smiles were everywhere mixed with laughter and an occasional trembling voice as the newly weds swore their love and devotion to one another. The place was packed. The good vibes were so intense, this reporter had to decompress in a humbler nearby environment by helping the ‘Food, Not Bombs’ program that feeds the homeless hot meals on Saturday evenings at the Olympia Timberland Library.
It’s been said a picture is worth a thousand words. The happiness radiating from the faces of newly wedded same-sex couples and their friends seen in the following snaps speaks volumes and proves the maxim.
