SEATTLE – Today Visit Seattle announced a new national travel advertising campaign to promote Seattle as a destination for LGBTQ marriage. The Marry Me in Seattle campaign will appear in national LGBTQ travel and lifestyle media and include an innovative sweepstakes for engaged couples to win hosted trips and weddings in the Emerald City – and a chance to be married by Seattle's first openly gay mayor, Ed Murray. 

The campaign and wedding sweepstakes, which begin July 1, were developed in collaboration with Visit Seattle's agency Copacino + Fujikado, in partnership with Here Media and with funding by the Seattle Tourism Improvement Area, a dedicated marketing fund assessed from guests at 54 downtown Seattle hotels and administered by Visit Seattle. 

The sweepstakes package includes participation from some iconic Seattle partners. Air transportation will be provided by Alaska Airlines, a four-night stay at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, a wedding ceremony at Canlis restaurant, DJ and music, wedding photography, champagne courtesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, beer from Hilliard's Brewery & Taproom and dessert from Trophy Cupcakes. The hosted Seattle weddings will accommodate guests and transportation to and from the ceremony will be offered by Uber Seattle.  

“It's an honor to be part of this campaign and I look forward to officiating at the ceremonies for the lucky couples who win wedding trips to Seattle,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray. “I appreciate the work Visit Seattle is doing to bring more out-of-town LGBTQ visitors to Seattle and the new 'Marry Me in Seattle' campaign is a great example of that work.”

Ceremonies will take place on the first Wednesday of the month this September through December. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray will officiate the first wedding on September 3.

Any LGBTQ couple that resides outside of Washington State is eligible to win one of the four wedding trips. Winning sweepstakes entries will be randomly chosen.

Beginning July 1, the campaign web site, www.2DaysInSeattle.com/marryme, will feature an essential Seattle LGBTQ marriage checklist that includes a link to Washington State's marriage equality law (referendum 74 which was passed by Washington voters in November 2012), information and links for marriage applications and licenses and a list of LGBTQ officiants.

The web site will also feature a wedding resource guide that includes more than 30 Seattle romance packages, transportation, wedding music and DJs, florists, photographers, venues and catering companies. The site and resource list will be permanent and continuously-updated.

“Seattle is a welcoming and progressive place to live and visit,” Said Ali Daniels, Visit Seattle's Vice President of Marketing. “What better way to celebrate the passage of Referendum 74 than to throw a party - or four - hosted by generous hospitality businesses throughout the city.  The response that we've received from our partners is incredible. Everyone we've reached out to wants to find a way to be a part of this campaign.”

The Marry Me in Seattle sweepstakes is co-sponsored by HERE Media, which produces and distributes niche content focused on LGBTQ consumers across a multi-platform global network including television, video on demand (VOD), broadband, online, print, and mobile. Brand titles include Here TV, print brands The Advocate, OUT and HIV Plus, and online properties including Gay.com, Advocate.com, OUT.com, SheWired.com, Gay.net, OUTTraveler.com, and HIVPlusMag.com.

Ads will also appear in Passport magazine, an LGBTQ lifestyle publication, as well as in Seattle Met Bride & Groom, and in Visit Seattle's visitor guides and at Pride festivals in Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B.C.

About Visit Seattle

Visit Seattle, a private, nonprofit marketing organization, has served as Seattle/King County's official destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 50 years. The goal of these marketing efforts is to enhance the employment opportunities and economic prosperity of the region.

First Wednesday Wedding Partners

Air Transportation:

Alaska Airlines

Catering:

Ravishing Radish

Tom Douglas Restaurants

Beer:

Hilliard's

Champagne:

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Dessert:

Trophy Cupcakes

Top Pot Doughnuts

Dinner:

SkyCity restaurant (Space Needle)

Florists:

Cedarhouse Flowers

Marigold & Mint

Ground Transportation:

Uber Seattle

Hotels:

Hotel Vintage

Paramount Hotel

Renaissance Seattle Hotel

Seattle Marriott Waterfront

Music:

Anthony Jacob

Officiants:

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray

Photography:

Jean-Marcus Strole Photography

Kristen Marie Photography

Wedding Venues:

Axis

Canlis

Seattle Aquarium

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