17 couples from Missouri stand in the Johnson County Administration hallway, proudly holding their Iowa State Marriage Licenses. After this picture was taken, they boarded their chartered bus and drove to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City Church where they completed the state's requirement to become officially [and legally] married couples.
The Mayor of Iowa City, Regenia Bailey greeted us with respect and admiration. She claimed that Iowa City welcomes us not only on May 1st, but to return to Iowa City all the time and maybe to even consider moving there. Iowa's media crew was present to capture the historic day for both Iowa City and Missouri. Equality Iowa was there too greet us with flowers for every couple. The day was truly inspirational and made all the planning worth it.
Thank you to all those who made donations to help cover the costs for these ambitious weddings. This was by far the quickest destination wedding planned for anyone.
Thank you: Luella Berg, Amy J Berra, Dora Bertram, April Blastenbrei, Dallas Bryson, Karen Clodfelter, Sean Collins, Varion Coppock, Lori Curtis, Brooke Curtiss, Alyson Damasio-Ortiz, Tarah Demant, Kelly Duepner, Joy Easterling, Alan Easton, Jeanne Emanuel, Scott Emanuel, Alison Gee, Mondonna Ghasedi, Daniel Gladden, James Goodwin, Scott Granneman, Jennifer Greenfield, Michael Hall, Amber Haywood, Sara Henryson, Adrienne Herren, Kim Humphries, Trisa Inzerillo, Christine Kennedy, Alexa Kissinger, Pamela Lanning, Scott Lapp, Rachel Lee, Joan Lipkin, John Mancuso, David Martineau, Meredith McCance, Elizabeth McMullen, Elizabeth McMullen, Suzanne Moak, May Morrison, Colleen Mungavin-Carlton, Katiuscia O'Brian, A. Pizairroe, Marilyn Gay Pona, Pona Family, Pete A Pona, Lindsay Prince, Diane Ranna, Edward Reggi, Richard Reggi, Michael Reiser, Maria Reuter, Becky Rosenthal, Jon Schmuke, Saskia Shuman, Aretha A Sills, Mary Simms, William Streeter, Chelsea Switzer, Katherine Varnum, Brian Vetruba, Jeane Vogel, Kathryn Vogelsang, Jodi Waxman, Sherrill Wayland, Roseann Weiss, Julissa Williams, Michael Worthington.
In-kind donations: Jamake Dudley of Jamakescakes.com who made our amazing wedding cake; Kim Painter the Johnson County Recorder; Debbie Read for her excellent Notarizing ability, Brenda Jones, and Tony Rothert of the ACLU of Eastern Missouri; AJ Bockelman of PROMO; Joan Benson and Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey; Devotay restaurant who created and served us the best meal in town; Sara Henryson who was a major donor; Christine Denburg who was my Iowa City helper; Ann Duggan who opened her home and heart; and Diane Finnery who was my biggest cheerleader and always said, "I do."
The Clergy who not only shared their passion of their faith, but who also joined a community with their words and actions: Kate Lovelady from the Ethical Society of St. Louis; Rabbi Susan Talve from Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis; Rabbi James Goodman from Congregation Neve Shalom, St. Louis; Rev. Krista Taves from UUC Emerson Chapel in St. Louis; Rev. Benjamin Maucere and his wife, Rev. Holly Horn both from Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City Church.
We cannot thank enough Lisa Mandel, Kristi Foster, and Christina Cosio for providing us with their amazing talents of photography. I want you to hire these amazing, creative women for all your business, church, and personal photographic/video filming needs. Click their names to see their amazing work.
Thank you to the following businesses: Park Avenue Coffee for donating our breakfast; Heidi Martin and Jon Shigemura of Metlife for providing beautiful gift baskets; and Philip Deitch of Ameriprise Financial for all his support.
Photos, videos and links of all the media stories will be posted here shortly.
Thank you,
Ed Reggi who is legally married to Scott Emanuel
