SEATTLE – Two California women were the third LGBTQ couple to be married through Visit Seattle’s Marry Me in Seattle campaign last night. Some 30 friends and family were on hand to witness Andrea Ross DeLuna and Claudia Araceli Pizano tie the knot at the Seattle Aquarium.
The couple were chosen randomly from hundreds of entrants in the sweepstakes and received a Seattle wedding trip hosted and coordinated by Visit Seattle, the city’s nonprofit tourism marketing organization. They received air transportation from Alaska Airlines, a four-night stay at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront, a wedding ceremony at the Seattle Aquarium, flowers, wedding photography, DJ, ground transportation from Uber Seattle, champagne courtesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, beer from Hilliard’s Brewery & Taproom and dessert from Top Pot Doughnuts.
“The wedding was amazing,” said Pizano. “Every time we come to Seattle we feel welcomed with open arms. All of the history behind the city and the friendly people made it the most amazing place we’ve been.”
This was the third of four couples to win a Seattle wedding trip through the Marry Me in Seattle campaign. On September 3, Zachary Baker and Samuel Busch of St. Paul, MN were married in a ceremony that was officiated by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. On October 1, Blake Easter and Patrick Atkinson of South Carolina were married by Seattle Judge Anne Levinson (Ret.), who was a leading proponent of legalizing same sex marriages in Washington.
DeLuna and Pizano have been a couple for six years. They met at work and quickly interacted on opposing softball teams. They recall a “series of hang-outs” in lieu of a first date, but cite their first kiss in Seattle, where they visited for a softball tournament. “We immediately fell in love with the city, the weather and the friendly people,” said DeLuna.
The Marry Me in Seattle campaign was created to invite LGBTQ visitors to Seattle by showcasing the city’s progressive and welcoming culture. Nearly a thousand couples have entered the sweepstakes since the campaign launched July 1. Four wedding trips in total are offered, with ceremonies taking place the first Wednesday of the month, September through December. All LGBTQ couples residing outside of Washington State were eligible to win.
The Marry Me in Seattle campaign and wedding sweepstakes were developed in collaboration with Visit Seattle’s agency Copacino + Fujikado, in partnership with Here Media and funding by the Seattle Tourism Improvement Area, a dedicated marketing fund assessed from guests at 54 downtown Seattle hotels and administered by Visit Seattle.
The campaign web site, www.2DaysInSeattle.com/marryme, features an essential Seattle LGBTQ marriage checklist that includes a link to Washington State’s marriage equality law (Referendum 74 which was passed by Washington voters in November 2012), information and links for marriage applications and licenses and a list of LGBTQ officiants. The web site also features a wedding resource guide that includes more than 30 Seattle romance packages, transportation, wedding music and DJs, florists, photographers, venues and catering companies. The site and resource list are permanent and continuously-updated.
this was an amazing experience!!!