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Learn how LGBT couples can pursue legal rights even in states where same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognized

By Deanna Duff

The romance of weddings is intoxicating—gorgeous gowns, dapper tuxes, lush flowers and creative cuisine. However, beyond the pomp and circumstance, a marriage can also be an opportunity to legally protect your union. Unfortunately, the legal benefits are not yet automatically afforded to most same-sex couples when they say "I do," but hopefully this will change in years to come. Until then, couples should seek out what legal protection is available.

The Rev. Tony Talavera and his wife, Lou Ann, run the French Quarter Wedding Chapel in New Orleans, and he estimates that he has officiated more than 1,000 same-sex ceremonies. Since same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in Louisiana, Talavera and two attorneys helped create a “Protection Package for Non-Traditional Weddings.”

“Joining people together is a romantic time, but I try to make sure they understand the work and planning that has to happen, too. Couples who can’t get a legal marriage license need to put something together, legal paperwork, to protect themselves,” says Talavera.

Duke Morgan, a New Orleans-based attorney, and Deborah Fleming, a non-practicing attorney, advise couples on what legal protections are available.

“My inspiration for this is that I know it works,” says Fleming. Fleming and Talavera became acquainted years ago when living in San Francisco and saw too many same-sex couples devastated by a complete lack of legal rights.

“I think we’re moving slowly in the direction of legalizing marriage for everyone. I hope that this country is a great enough place that everyone can have that one day,” says Fleming.

Until then, same-sex couples need to safeguard themselves. Laws vary from state to state, but there are some general categories worth looking into. Also, be aware that protections in one state may or may not be recognized in different jurisdictions. In states where same-sex marriage is legally recognized, do not assume that any subsequent rights will be recognized elsewhere.

“I recommend people visit a local, family-law attorney and mention these things if you plan on being married,” says Fleming.

 

http://equallywed.com/gay-wedding-planning/legal-advice-for-gays-lesbians/marriage-love-and-legalities.html

Big Easy Brides

As seen 2011 on WE TV

(Couples Brings 'The FUN')

BIG EASY BRIDES

Features (online):

• New Orleans Times Picayune (NOLA.com)
• Bayou Buzz

Highlights (print):

• Sunday Record

Highlights (online):

• Huffington Post (video)
  • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/22/big-easy-brides-she-is-your-cousin_n_932843.html
• AOL TV
  • http://www.aoltv.com/2011/08/22/jealous-brides-crazy-weddings-premiere-big-easy-brides-video/
• Love in the Big Easy
• Warming Glow
• NBC Dallas-Ft. Worth
• Reality Shack Blog
• TV Screener

Warming Glow

http://warmingglow.uproxx.com/2011/08/weekend-preview-cinemax-sure

Weekend Preview: Cinemax? Sure.

08.19.11 Written by Danger Guerrero

Big Easy Brides (WE, Sunday) – This show… I do not think it means what you think it means. Although I would watch a show about overweight, promiscuous brides, if only to try to get inside the minds of those grooms.

AOL TV

http://www.aoltv.com/2011/08/22/jealous-brides-crazy-weddings-premiere-big-easy-brides-video/

Jealous Brides and Crazy Weddings on Premiere of 'Big Easy Brides' (VIDEO)

New Orleans' French Quarter Wedding Chapel is at the heart of the new series 'Big Easy Brides' (Sun., 10PM ET on WE). That show title, however, could certainly bring another very different image to mind, and not a very flattering one. Still, it does grab your attention, even if not for the right reasons, and any attention is good for a fledgling show.

The series follows the staff at the chapel as they preside over weddings from the mundane to the outrageous. Superheroes, voodoo, lingerie ... nothing is too much for them to handle. And they'll do what they can to make it as special as it can be.

However, since you're dealing with the outrageous, there is a bouncer on hand, and he was needed right away in the premiere. Maria Daskalakis is the wedding coordinator, but one bride is't sure why that would mean her husband should be taking his shirt off. We're a little murky on that as well.

Nevertheless, Maria was complimenting the groom's muscles and talking about training and exercises, which apparently led to the groom stripping down. It was enough to put the bride into jealous rage mode, which in turn escalated the entire wedding party into fight mode.

It was just one of the unions spotlighted in this premiere, which included a decidedly trashy -- in a good way -- trailer park wedding, cousins in love and an alcohol-fueled carriage ride. Marriage may not last for all of these wacky unions, but the weddings sure are fun to watch.

Bayou Buzz

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/buzz/latest-buzz/323272-new-orleans-french-quarter-chapel-focus-of-new-realty-tv-show

New Orleans French Quarter Chapel Focus Of New Realty TV Show

The Louisiana film industry and reality TV are a good marriage.  Now, it could be even better as a new reality TV show isat the alter this Sunday featuring a French Quarter landmark, a wedding chapel.

Big Easy Brides will feature Reverend Anthony "Tony" Talavera and his wife Lou Ann Talavera of the French Quarter Wedding Chapel.  The reality television show will be broadcasted by WEtv Ssunday August 21^st starting at 9 PM CST.  

The Talaveras have been strong advocates of the French Quarter and the wedding industry--for years attempting to help make New Orleans the "Wedding Capital of the World"  because of the uniqueness and romance offered by the City.   

"The French Quarter Wedding Chapel is the ONLY wedding chapel in the French Quarter, and now we have national coverage with this new show, Big Easy Brides.  This will not only shine a light on THE most romantic city in the world to get married, but will bring a fresh look into what all New Orleans has to offer, said Reverend Talavera. 

"As important as the wedding day, Big Easy Brides shows that what a bride wants, a bride gets.  We believe that every wedding is special and this is our way to share what we do at The French Quarter Wedding Chapel with the rest of the world."

Talavera invites the public to tune in to WEtv August 21^st to catch the season premiere of Big Easy Brides @ 10/9c.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/22/big-easy-brides-she-is-your-cousin_n_932843.html

'Big Easy Brides': She Is Your Cousin

WeTV has found the perfect companion show to it's Sunday franchise show Bridezillas, and that show is "Big Easy Brides". If you are the type that can't get enough of battling bride shows or just sideshows in general then this show is for you. This episode is ghetto messy. What is "messier" than Mom running into the church to stop her son's wedding, only to be carried out of the church on her son's shoulders. No one seems to know why Mom is intent on stopping the wedding at all costs, until Mom yells, for all to hear, that the Bride and Groom are cousins. Oh yeah, they suddenly remember that's why Mom is against this wedding. There is more to this story, check out the clip.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/popcornbiz/Weekend-Watch-List-Sexy-Sex-Sex-Talk-128067348.html

Weekend Watch List: Sexy Sex Sex Talk!!

Welcome to Watch List, where we identify five things on TV to watch while you stay at home and caramelize the Weetabix. LET’S GO!

BIG EASY BRIDES – 10:00PM Sunday (WE) Follow New Orleans wedding chapel owners Tony and Lou Ann Talavera as they help people get married very quickly and get that same marriage annulled even quicker. Your first wedding in the premiere is one with a trailer park theme. Why wouldn't you just have the wedding IN a trailer park then? It's not like a Cinderella-themed wedding, where you'd need a pumpkin coach. A trailer park wedding is feasible. ANTICIPATION: TRASHY GOOD!

http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2011/08/big_easy_brides_brings_the_fre.html

'Big Easy Brides' brings the French Quarter Wedding Chapel to the world

Published: Saturday, August 20, 2011, 3:12 AM

Statistically speaking, marriage may be about as sound a bet as a coin flip, so why not have a little fun with the entry ritual?

That’s been the business plan for the French Quarter Wedding Chapel on Burgundy Street for a decade-plus, and business has been very good.

The Rev. Anthony Talavera and his wife Lou Ann have presided over more than 10,000 weddings in that time, many of the imaginatively themed variety.

Vampire weddings. Swamp weddings. Sexy weddings. Voodoo weddings.

So it was only a matter of time before reality-TV caught a few on camera.

Yes, New Orleans will be in the reality-TV spotlight again this weekend. And yes, some of the advance promotional imagery for “Big Easy Brides” can be discomfiting if propriety and understated taste are your personal afflictions.

In the videos on the We network’s website for the new series, launching at 9 p.m. Sunday in the digital-cable We network, there is drinking, fighting, censored nudity and the familiar blue blink of cop-car lights.

It’s right on-brand, in other words, for a certain swath of visitor.

Accordingly, I now pronounce “Big Easy Brides” OK. Say “I do” to this series. It’s not till death do you part, though a union of several seasons seems quite likely, and it might be a boost for the local quickie-wedding industry.

“Bridezillas” will provide a substantial lead-in audience for the new series, which tracks the expeditious matrimonial services offered by the Talaveras and their likeable staff.

During a recent interview, Tony Talavera said he was approached about a prospective series in February by the production company Bischoff Hervey Entertainment.

The principals in the company are Jason Hervey, best known for his big-brother role on “The Wonder Years,” and Eric Bischoff, best known as a pro wrestling impresario. The company’s reality titles mark affiliations with Billy Ray Cyrus, Hulk Hogan, Ted Nugent and Scott Baio, among others, for a wide array of networks.

They’re money, in other words, and so might be their new show thanks to the colorful cast of characters that was pre-assembled and waiting when producers and cameras moved in.

My early favorites are chapel-staff musician Dana Abbott and bouncer Gino Galento.

Yes, bouncer. For a wedding chapel.

“They’re crazy as hell, and a whole lot of personality at all times to take in,” says Abbott of her coworkers in one of the online promos. “But I still love ‘em to death. They’re my family.”

Talavera said he was wary of the filming at first.

“We’ve heard so much about reality shows not having a good slant to them,” he said. “I wanted to make sure it didn’t tarnish our business, because we want to put a good light on New Orleans.

“We feel it’s good for the city. It’s exciting.”

Talavera is personality-plus himself – possessing a liver and a kidney not originally his own, for starters -- and maybe the best kind of central character for such a show.

He said he gives every couple he weds his phone number, and invites them to call for post-nuptials counseling if – or most likely when – needed.

“If they ever need to talk, they’re welcome to call,” said Talavera, himself a successful husband for nearly 20 years. “The love is a given. You need to learn to be a husband and wife.”

Do you ever. Talavera said he often later hears from customers that the common-sense advice he offers has paid off.

“I like to think I have more success than a reverend or a judge walking into a wedding and then leaving,” he said. “I give ‘em a little more ammo to succeed.”

The success of “Big Easy Brides” could further the word that New Orleans is a premier destination for both premeditated betrothal benders and more impromptu rice showers.

Humidity, after all, is not the only thing in the air here.

“We are a romantic city,” Talavera said. “If America loves it, we’ll do more shows.”

Reality Shack Blog

http://blog.realityshack.com/2011/08/21/whats-hot-on-tv-tonight-big-brother-hoh-and-nominations/

What’s Hot on TV Tonight – Big Brother HoH and Nominations

Thankfully time ran out Thursday and we didn’t have to watch hours of the houseguests running down a slippery lane and filling up a big bowl with little cups of liquid. They spared us, and that was decided after the show went off the air. We’ll find out the winner tonight and who has control of the house. Catch up on your other favorite shows and head to TV-Links.

11. Bridezillas. First, when the ‘Best Man’ won’t bend to Bridezilla Suzy’s will and change his speech, Suzy takes matters into her own hands, dumping a drink all over him. Meanwhile, Bridezilla Brittany seems more interested in her wedding than in actually marrying her fiancé. This scatter-brained Bridezilla may not be able to focus on much except berating and badgering her fiancé. Nothing, including a broken finger, excuses him from appeasing Brittany at every turn. 8:00 PM CT WE TV

19. Big Easy Brides. Season Premiere. When a couple comes in looking for the ultimate trailer park wedding, their low-budget wish is the snarky wedding coordinator Maria’s command. Boob cakes, crawfish and an Astro-turf aisle are no problem, but an angry landlord with strict rules threatens to ruin the bride’s big day. 9:00 PM CT WE TV

TV Screener

http://tvscreener.com/2011/08/potts-picks-the-weekends-best-tv-%E2%80%93-august-20-21-2011/

Potts Picks: The Weekend’s Best TV – August 20-21, 2011

Posted August 19th, 2011 by Kim

 (ALL TIMES ET)

- A bride gets upset with a four-year-old wedding party member for wearing a tiara on Bridezillas (Sun., 9PM, WE);

- The new reality series Big Easy Brides (Sun., 10, WE) follows the nuptials that take place at a New Orleans quickie wedding chapel;

As seen on the front page of Gambit.

Cover Story

The Ringer

When it's time for their dreams to come true, couples around the country turn to the Rev. Tony Talavera, proprietor and officiate of the French Quarter Wedding Chapel. By Ronnie Virgets

JUDI BOTTONI / AP. The Rev. Tony Talavera performs Vegas-style ceremonies at his French Quarter Wedding Chapel in New Orleans. "It's just romantic here," he says