I just want to get married!

July 11, 2008 6:40 PM

How to enjoy our first Pride Parade?

My gf and I are taking advantage of the opportunity to go get married in San Diego next weekend. (YAY!) We've just now realized that same weekend is the Pride Parade. We didn't have much else nailed down as far as plans go, but I have to admit I'm a little worried now about there being a bazillion more people in town than usual. She's really gung ho about all the Pride-activities and I am too, but I have lots of questions.

Are we even going to be able to get into a club Friday night?

Do you have to register or buy tickets or anything to march in the parade Saturday? Do people walk in regular outfits? I didn't actually plan on packing my feather boa for the trip.

Looks like we're going to hit the festival on Sunday and hopefully catch Kathy Griffin there that evening. Better to buy tickets for the Festival ahead of time online I guess? Can we bring water in with us? Am I going to need cash? (I'm usually anti-cash which is why I ask)

Non-Pride related - we have an apptmt to get our marriage license Fri afternoon and immediately get married there (they don't take apptmts for that...sigh) Now I'm totally freaked that there's going to be mass crowds of gay couples clamoring to get married. Is this gonna work? I have this horrible image in my head of it not working and us having to go back each day and keep standing in line.

Give it to me straight. (no pun intended, really) I know I'm a control freak. I like definite plans. Am I worrying too much? Or is it going to be that crazy? Any suggestions to keep my sanity?

*Note, we will be staying with a friend of mine from high school. She's going to be chauffeuring us around so multiple trips to try to get married would be a definite bummer.

posted by CwgrlUp to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

Not familiar with San Diego, but perhaps there might be a less crowded office other than downtown/somewhere else in the county where you can get married, and your license is good for 90 days anyway. Here's a PDF from their office with contact info.
posted by mdonley at 8:00 PM on July 11, 2008

It looks like it would be really easy to get a friend deputized to perform your ceremony and then you could have it anywhere you wanted. The one thing that was unclear was if one of you needs to be a resident of the county for it to work - be sure to ask if you go in that direction.

Also, if either of you have ties to a particular faith, you might be able to find a gay-friendly clergy to perform the ceremony for you. This works best of you have a local clergy who can vouch for you with the San Diego one.
posted by metahawk at 11:32 PM on July 11, 2008

At the recent parade here in Chicago, the people with "Just Married" or "I Do" + "thanks California!" got incredible cheers. People walked in regular outfits. If you have the sign and strike up conversation with people with the same idea who have a float during the preparation time, they might invite you up.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:44 AM on July 12, 2008

I've been to Pride events in many different cities, and I can tell you that Pride pretty much anywhere is always crowded. If you want to watch the parade, get there about 1 hour before the start time to stake out a good place in the front. Most parades start a little later than advertised - basically operating on drag queen time.

In most parades, you technically have to be part of one of the entries to march, but as a robot made out of meat says, if you approach floats in the prep area you will be sure to find ones who will let you march with them. But even if you were to jump in I seriously doubt they would drag you out or anything. But personally I think you should definitely try to have a fun outfit, or some accessories or a "just married" sign. Walking in your regular clothes feels boring and having something fun that people on the sidelines will react to will definitely get you in the mood!

Any clubs in the village around pride week will be super packed - you can get in, but be prepared for long lineups and drink waits.

And do bring cash with you, there are usually lots of stalls with stuff to sell and you may want to chuck some change in the pride donation buckets as well. And don't forget the sunscreen!

I hope you have a wonderful time and congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
posted by vodkaboots at 1:25 PM on July 12, 2008

We got gaymarried in San francisco on June 19. There were other people getting hitched, but the whole process was smooth and well-organized and took a grand total of about half an hour. They walked us through the whole process.

And I'd take that about.com link with some salt - my understanding is that it can take several weeks. Mefimail me if you have questions, although I'm on the road and internets are unreliable. I'll get back to you Monday night or tuesday morning though.

Congrats!!
posted by rtha at 7:55 PM on July 12, 2008