A Melbourne couple has launched what they claim to be the world’s first magazine dedicated to gay weddings.
Groom + Guy, which hit news-stands this week, will be published again in November, then quarterly.
The magazine, founded by Matty Bulger and his partner Tony Smith, is available across both digital and print platforms.
The high-end publication, unashamedly aimed at couples who are earning “$100,000 plus”, covers more than wedding stories and will include sections focusing on style, travel, honeymoons and food.
Mr Bulger believes gay wedding planning is a more egalitarian process than heterosexual weddings, where the bride tends to make most of the arrangements.
“With a gay couple, generally it’s very heavily dictated by both of them and that’s a challenge in itself – how do they get what they both want and be happy with the day,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The couple said that although same-sex marriage rights are not yet acknowledged in Australia, couples are still creating “something special” to celebrate their love.
“Our journey has just begun and we are already shaking things up,” they wrote on the magazine’s website.
“Couples continue to make the decision to create something truly special to mark their love and respect for one another, even if it isn’t binding in the eyes of the law, and we are here to showcase and support that decision.”
Mr Bulger told the SMH it was important the magazine establish itself before gay marriage is legalised in Australia.
“We asked ourselves, ‘Should we wait until it becomes legal or should we do it now and be around for when it happens’.
“People are already doing it, they are already committing it. Let’s jump in and grab the biggest market share now.”
Australian Marriage Equality spokeswoman Shirleene Robinson said the publication was a positive step for “members of the LGBTI community to see how they might be able to celebrate their joy and happiness with the ability to share this important life moment with their family and friends”.
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