London to launch Europe's largest gay wedding show
London is set to launch Europe's largest gay wedding show yet, as the Same-Sex Marriage Act comes into force in England and Wales this year.
Gay Weddings Live will hit the UK capital in June, focusing on providing services tailored to same-sex couples - a high-spending and statistically financially comfortable demographic.
The show will cover all aspects of the wedding experience, including travel, fashion, food and drink, beauty, technology and entertainment. Luxury brands such as the V&A and Attitude will be present to display their products and services.
Gay wedding shows are a rapidly growing international trend, following the widespread legalization of same-sex marriage in recent years. Ireland is believed to be the first country to have hosted a fair back in 2011, with Paris following suit on the continent in 2013.
Extravagant shows have also popped up in San Francisco, New York and Auckland, while the UK event The Gay Wedding Show has been touring the country since 2004, predating the nation's Civil Partnership Act.
According to a 2013 survey by wedding website The Knot, same-sex couples are more likely to write their own vows and embrace new traditions such as the post-wedding brunch. They are also more likely to foot the wedding bill themselves.
Gay Weddings Live will run June 21-22.
