Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage Could Prove Beneficial To Local Companies

The state Senate's of the Marriage Equality bill, legalizing same-sex marriage, means that in 30 days the law signed late Friday night by Gov. Andrew Cuomo will take effect, and gay and lesbian couples can begin in our state by late July.

While many supporters of marriage equality this historic , it may be giving local companies, that provide services, a reason to cheer as well.  Since some same-sex couples have been waiting literally decades for this momentous occasion, many are sure to pull out all the stops, and spare no expense to mark this both deeply personal, and political, milestone.

Frank Amantia, the charming banquet manager of , is looking forward to welcoming an influx of new clientele.

"I love it.  We just booked one right now, we have two gentlemen next month, and one with girls.  We have about six or seven on the books, but now the phones are ringing," Amantia said.  "A lot of them go to Greenwich, Connecticut to get married then come back here for the reception.  Now they don't have to do all that driving."

He sees same-sex marriage as just another source of income.

"Business is business.  Whatever makes people happy; I don't judge," Amantia said.

Joe Stuppiello a spokesman for said it's too early for him to tell how much this new development will impact sales, since engaged couples usually do things like book the venue first. "We're at the end of the whole chain ... Our turnaround, the time people shop for formalwear, is two or three months out," he said.

He does anticipate, however, that it will eventually increase business for the store. 

"I see this as a positive move for the wedding industry, no question about it," Stuppiello said.

An employee at , John Ferrera, said confidently, "Anything having to do with weddings will be a positive thing."

According to Ferrera, they've done commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples over the years, but he said it's a bit premature to speculate on how much of an effect this approval will have in the future.

He added, "It's something that's a longtime in coming."

Linda Shapiro, director of event planning for , an off-premise catering service in the area said, "We actually recently did a commitment ceremony.  I actually was going to reach out to those girls, and see if they were going to make it legal.  Yes, it will impact our business.

"It's more people getting married in New York.  Why wouldn't it?  Love is a beautiful thing, and I think when people find it, and if they want to share their life together, we are happy to work with them."