Retail Bliss: Here Comes the Brides!

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Gays and lesbians are not the only ones rejoicing over the California Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriages. Per WWD, scores of designers and retailers are kicking up their heels as well, as they see bridal sales soar in a rough economy. Just take a look at these numbers:

"In the next three years, same-sex nuptials could generate as much as $683.6 million in revenue from weddings, hotels, marriage license fees, taxes and other tourism-related activities, according to a study by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the UCLA School of Law."

Local winners include Nicole Miller who "saw bridal sales more than quadruple last week in her Los Angeles boutique"; luxe gift boutique Gearys of Beverly Hills, whose owner Tom Blumenthal told the trade "about a dozen same-sex couples have inquired about registering in just the last two weeks—some of them famous," describing them as "major, major registries"; Santa Monica jewelry store Rafinity, which does an average of 20-40 weddings a month "had at least 10 to 15 same-sex couples shopping for wedding rings since the court decision"; and jewelry Neil Lane told the pub: "My business has increased....It is a whole new audience..."
· The Bliss of Newlyweds: Same-Sex Marriages Boost California Stores [WWD, subscription req]