marriage

In a pandemic wedding trend, couples are turning to Zoom elopements, with just 2 people in love and an online officiant: ‘For us, it was perfect.’

The cake was from Costco, the food was Italian takeout, the venue was the couple’s Oak Park, Illinois, family room. Jessica and Jason Jaffrey got married on New Year’s Eve with no guests, other than her two school-age daughters from a previous marriage, and a close friend who agreed to officiate via Zoom. The 15-minute ceremony was followed by a Champagne toast and phone calls to family and friends. “It was really nice, I have to say,” said Jessica Jaffrey, 44, a women’s health nurse practitioner. “We could just enjoy each other and not have to worry about DJs, and food, and not saying 'hi’ to...

Nevada first US state to recognize gay marriage in its constitution

Los Angeles (AFP) - Nevada has become the first US state to enshrine in its constitution the right of gay couples to marry, overturning an 18-year ban on same-sex marriage.The measure was put to voters during the recent presidential election on November 3 and the final results were published in recent days.Voters approved the "Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment" by 62 percent, with 38 percent against, according to the Nevada secretary of state's office."It feels good that we let the voters decide," advocacy group Equality Nevada president Chris Davin told NBC News. "The people said this, ...

Seven dead, dozens infected after 'superspreader' wedding in rural US

Millinocket (United States) (AFP) - A wedding in rural Maine became a coronavirus "superspreader" event that left seven people dead and 177 infected, renewing fear of the disease in the northeastern US state that had hoped the worst of the pandemic was behind it.The nuptials in early August were attended by 65 people, breaking the official limit of 50 allowed at a gathering.A ceremony at a church was followed by a reception at the Big Moose Inn -- both venues near the picturesque town of Millinocket, whose population numbers just 4,000.Ten days later, two dozen people associated with the weddi...