Court Rules Baker Can’t Refuse to Make Wedding Cake for Gay Couple

Aug. 13, 2015 6:51 p.m. ET

A Colorado appeals court on Thursday ruled that a Denver-area baker cannot refuse to make a wedding cake for a gay couple based on his religious belief.

The decision comes as religious conservatives opposed to gay marriage fight to carve out exemptions to same-sex marriage and antidiscrimination laws—especially in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

The Colorado Court of Appeals rejected the argument by lawyers for the cake-shop owner who argued that forcing him to create and sell a cake to a gay couple planning a wedding celebration violated his First Amendment rights.

The ruling is the latest to limit the rights of religious business owners involved in wedding services to turn away same-sex couples.

"There's a growing body of court decisions saying that while religion is central to what makes America America, religion can't be used as an excuse to discriminate," said James Esseks, the director of the American Civil Liberties Union LGBT project. The ACLU represented the couple in the case.

Religious conservatives said the ruling was a mistake. Lawyers for the bakery said they would consider appealing.

"Government has a duty to protect people's freedom to follow their beliefs personally and professionally rather than force them to adopt the government's views," said Jeremy Tedesco, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, who argued the Colorado case.

The dispute started in 2012, when Charlie Craig and David Mullins visited Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood and requested a cake to celebrate their planned wedding. The couple had plans to marry in Massachusetts but wanted to celebrate with their friends in Colorado, which at the time didn't permit same-sex marriages.

Masterpiece owner Jack Phillips declined the couple's request, telling them he didn't create wedding cakes for same-sex weddings because of his religious beliefs, according to the opinion, which said he advised the two men that he would be happy to sell them other baked goods.

"Phillips believes that decorating cakes is a form of art, that he can honor God through his artistic talents, and that he would displease God by creating cakes for same-sex marriages," the opinion said.

The couple then filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. After a commission judge ruled for the couple—a decision affirmed by the commission itself—Mr. Phillips took his case to the appellate court.

"Masterpiece does not convey a message supporting same-sex marriages merely by abiding by the law and serving its customers equally," the court said in its ruling Thursday.

Religious conservatives opposed to gay marriage have tried to soften their rhetoric about homosexuality and their approach to the LGBT community, while maintaining their opposition to same-sex marriage.

Some church leaders fear the Supreme Court ruling could result in discrimination against religious people, and have said they would continue to fight for exemptions for business owners and religiously affiliated organizations.

"What happens next is that states should respond with appropriate legislation that would prevent the government from penalizing or coercing anyone because they act on the belief that marriage is a union between one man and one woman," said Roger Severino, the director of the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

But civil-liberties groups say continuing legal fights aren't indicative of a larger cultural battle.

"There's a small number of conflicts and the courts are resolving them the same way every time," the ACLU's Mr. Esseks said.

Gay couples have won similar cases in other states. In 2013, the highest court in New Mexico ruled that the owners of an Albuquerque wedding-photography company can't deny services to same-sex couples.

Earlier this summer, the Oregon labor commissioner ordered the owners of "Sweetcakes by Melissa" bakery to pay a lesbian couple $135,000 in damages "for emotional and mental suffering resulting from" its refusal to bake them a wedding cake.

Write to Jacob Gershman at jacob.gershman@wsj.com and Tamara Audi at tammy.audi@wsj.com

Source: Court Rules Baker Can't Refuse to Make Wedding Cake for Gay Couple

More than 100 brides without photographer after Texas business closes

8:18 a.m. CDT August 13, 2015

The owner of "The Wedding Shoppe" in Austin has filed for bankruptcy, leaving more than 100 brides in the lurch.(Photo: KVUE)

AUSTIN, Texas - More than 100 couples are without a wedding photographer after the company they hired filed for bankruptcy.

According to former contractors who worked for The Wedding Shoppe's owner Chris Howard, Howard announced suddenly he was filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in July and would no longer offer any service to any couple whose wedding was after Aug. 10. One former contractor said 109 couples have been left without a photographer they had already partially or fully paid for, and they may not get a refund.

In an email provided to KVUE by a former customer, a lawyer said, "Because of the imminent bankruptcy filing, no refunds can be given at the time."

The email goes on to state Howard's assets will be liquidated, but if there are no assets to be liquidated, there will be no funds to disburse. Couples like Megan Bertucio and her fiancé Jason could end up losing what they paid.

"It could be worse and you try and remind yourself that, but it's sad," Bertucio said.

She also said she was unaware of the company's bankruptcy until she reached out to them to point out their website was down. Former contractors with The Wedding Shoppe said they were also taken by surprise and received no warning of the pending bankruptcy.

"I was pretty shocked," said photographer John Winters. "I thought they were doing really well. I heard rumors they might open up a third office in Houston and a week later I hear that they're done."

KVUE tried multiple times to contact Howard, but was unable reach him.

The Wedding Shoppe had locations in Dallas, San Antonio and Austin. The store in Austin is closed and the phone number has been disconnected.

Several former contractors with The Wedding Shoppe told KVUE they are reaching out to offer their services at a discounted price to help the couples affected by the bankruptcy.

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Source: More than 100 brides without photographer after Texas business closes

Behind the scenes at the royal wedding: Touching new photo shows Charles and Diana sharing champagne after their marriage

The newly released photograph is part of a collection being auctioned off in Boston next month

Image shows the Prince of Wales and Princess Diana enjoying champagne at their wedding reception

Another dozen photos, all thought to have been taken by Lord Robert Litchfield, were released earlier this week

By Ruth Styles for MailOnline

Published: 10:59 EST, 12 August 2015 | Updated: 13:58 EST, 12 August 2015

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It should have been the start of a happy life together but as the following years would reveal, the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana proved anything but joyful.

But at their wedding, in July 1981, the heartbreak was still to come and now a new, previously unseen photo, has revealed just how close the royal couple once were.

Standing in an anteroom at Buckingham Palace, the grainy picture shows a smiling Diana resplendent in her ivory taffeta Elizabeth Emanuel gown standing beside a clearly delighted Charles, who clutches a glass of champagne in his hand.

Scroll down for video 

Happy couple: Prince Charles and Princess Diana are pictured enjoying their wedding reception at Buckingham Palace in July 1981

The image is part of a collection of dozens of previously unpublished snaps that are thought to have been taken by Lord Patrick Lichfield, who was given unrestricted access to the reception.

Lord Lichfield's photographs had been due to be returned to the royals for inclusion in a family wedding album but not all made the cut - among them the ones in his personal collection.

Due to go under the hammer next month, the striking pictures include a touching shot of Diana reassuring five-year-old bridesmaid Clementine Hambro while walking through the palace with the Queen.

Another candid shot shows Her Majesty beaming while peering at a television showing images of the cheering crowds celebrating the wedding outside on Pall Mall.

More still show Diana, who died in a car accident in Paris in 1997, arranging the 25ft taffeta and lace train of her gown while waiting for the formal wedding photograph to be taken.

Also featured in the collection, which will be sold off by RR Auctions in Boston on September 24, are Princesses Anne and Margaret, Prince Andrew and the late Queen Mother. 

Grand: The princess' veil can be seen as she stands next to her new husband, the Prince of Wales, as royals gather in the Throne Room

Iconic: With thousands of pearls and a 25ft train, Diana's wedding dress is carefully maneuvered into position for an official photograph

Celebration: Wearing a turquiose hat, the Queen is seen in front of a television broadcasting the scenes outside Buckingham Palace

Festivities: Her Majesty is seen in front of a television broadcasting the scenes on the Mall, where thousands of well-wishers gathered

Captivating: This behind-the-scenes shot shows the royal couple stepping out on to the balcony to greet thousands of well-wishers

Reception: The newly-married couple stop to speak to their page boys and bridesmaids as the Queen Mother (right) looks on< /p>

Intimate: Princess Diana is seen holding five-year-old Clementine Hambro, her youngest bridesmaid, as the Queen walks by her side

Stunning: Led by a page boy, Princess Diana carries a young Clementine through Buckingham Palace, the Queen walking by her side

Ornate: Even in her wedding gown, Princess Diana is able to bend over to set down Clementine as they make their way through the palace

Tender: Prince Andrew leans down to talk to Clementine as Prince Charles speaks to a page boy (right) and the princess smiles

Source: Behind the scenes at the royal wedding: Touching new photo shows Charles and Diana sharing champagne after their marriage

Picture-perfect moments from Indian weddings!

What makes an Indian wedding so colourful and memorable? Find out!

A traditional Indian wedding is nothing short of an elaborate festival.

Colourful clothes, interesting rituals, dramatic expressions -- the wedding has it all.

Here, Delhi-based photographers Anish and Noopur Bhatia, founder, Happy Flashbacks share some of their favourite images that capture all the drama, madness and emotions from Indian weddings.

A Colourful Bouquet

Our bride, Tushi is looking like a princess.

All the bridesmaids are sitting right next to her as her support and strength.

This one is Noopur's favourite as it shows the girl power and the colourful outfits of the ladies add life to the picture.

Looks like a colourful bouquet of different roses. Doesn't it?

The Dance of Life

This picture is a lifetime memory for the couple to remember the dance of their life when they were on the top of the world, dancing on the song of love and everybody is watching them.

The Unusual Jodi

Some moments become really special and we recall them through pictures.

A common myth is that a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can never be friends, they never gel up well.

However, this jodi of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was fabulous.

They loved each other like mother and daughter.

This picture is one of my favourites.

A Perfect Family 

This picture may look more like a pose, but trust me this is a perfect family picture that anyone would want.

This is one of our favourites because this was on special request from our bride's dad on his daughter's wedding to get a picture perfect family photo which he can get framed as one of the memories from the wedding. But it came out pretty well.

This is an aesthetically pleasing picture showcasing how both the daughters are the strength of the father sitting in the centre as the core of the family and the mother standing above showering her love on all the three.

This picture does not need any description as no one can describe in words how a mother feels on the day of her princess' wedding.

The overflowing emotions simply says it all that her blessings are always there for her daughter.

I feel fortunate to have captured this moment as this will forever remain in the wedding album for the daughter to see how her mother felt at the time of vidai.

It will also be important for the mother to always remember those precious moments of her daughter leaving at the time of vidai.

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Source: Picture-perfect moments from Indian weddings!

Unpublished wedding photos of Charles and Diana up for sale

Boston: More than a dozen unpublished behind-the-scenes photographs of the wedding reception of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at Buckingham Palace may fetch at least USD 18,000 at an auction here.

The 14 original candid images are from the wedding reception at Buckingham Palace on July 29, 1981. None of the photos have ever been published and only very few people have ever laid eyes on them.

More than a dozen unpublished behind-the-scenes photographs of the wedding reception of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at Buckingham Palace may fetch at least USD 18,000 at an auction here.

They originate from the collection of an assistant to English photographer Patrick Lichfield. The present collection, consisting of seven black-and-white glossy photos and seven colour satin-finish photos, will go on sale at RR Auction in Boston on September 24.

Six of the larger photos depict Princess Diana wearing her gorgeous wedding dress with members of her family and wedding party, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Ann, Princess Margaret, and Prince Andrew.

Three show Princess Diana holding the five-year-old Clementine Hambro, her youngest bridesmaid; one shows her setting Clementine down; and another shows her smiling as Prince Andrew leans over to talk to Clementine.

Queen Elizabeth is clearly visible walking alongside Princess Diana in four of the images, and the Queen Mother is seen in two.

Prince Charles is also in two of these photographs. One striking photo depicts Princess Diana and Prince Charles from behind on the famous balcony overlooking the massive crowds gathered on the Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.

The colour photos bear official Lichfield labels (asserting copyright) affixed to the reverse and show various interior scenes.

The first image pictures Princess Diana and Prince Charles standing beside one another, seemingly beaming with happiness and two show Queen Elizabeth watching a small television broadcasting images of the massive crowd outside.

One photo shows Princess Diana in the Throne Room as her dress designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel arrange the trainin preparation for the formal photographs. Another image depicts Princess Michael of Kent from behind in her turquoise dress and two show the Royal Family gathering for the formal photographs, with Mark Philips, Prince Andrew, Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Earl Spencer, the Duke and Duchess of York, and Baroness Fellows present.

"These never-before-seen photographs capture the candid and unrehearsed moments of the fairytale wedding," Bobby Livingston, executive VP at RR Auction, was quoted as saying by the 'Daily Express'.

Two years ago his company sold a pre-marriage photo of Diana with a male friend for USD 18,000.

"I think this collection will go for at least that price, personally I think more. In the States there is still great interest in Princess Diana," he said.

Source: Unpublished wedding photos of Charles and Diana up for sale

The rise of 'Big Fake Weddings': How bride and grooms-to-be are paying $25 to attend pretend ceremonies where they can test drive everything from dresses to cocktails

$25 ticket gives couples chance to check out 30 local vendors during night that features ceremony and reception

Wedding photographer Callie Murray started The Big Fake Wedding in 2008 to make planning fun 

Company said the goal is to inspire brides and grooms and support small businesses

The wedding may be fake but each couple picked to walk down the aisle are actually renewing their vows 

There are 31 Big Fake Weddings a year in 25 cities that attract more than 6,000 guests and 1,000 vendors

By Anneta Konstantinides For Dailymail.com

Published: 23:06 EST, 8 August 2015 | Updated: 00:52 EST, 9 August 2015

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Couples in the midst of wedding planning now have the chance to test drive the details that go into their big day - whether it's the venues, flowers or even cake - thanks to The Big Fake Wedding. 

Wedding photographer Callie Murray started The Big Fake Wedding in 2008 as a fun way for engaged couples to plan their weddings by actually going to one. 

A $25 ticket per guest gives couples the chance to check out 30 local vendors in action during a night that features everything from the ceremony and cocktail hour to the dinner and late-night dance party reception.

This may look like a wedding, but the bride and groom are actually renewing their vows - and the guests are engaged couples attending what has become known as The Big Fake Wedding 

Wedding photographer Callie Murray started The Big Fake Wedding in 2008 as a fun way for engaged couples to plan their weddings by actually going to one

A $25 ticket per guest gives couples the chance to check out 30 local vendors in action during a night that features everything from the ceremony and cocktail hour to the dinner and late-night dance party reception

'For brides and grooms, the event serves as a source of inspiration,' reads the company's website. 

'A resource in finding trusted wedding vendors and an emotional reminder to plan for what comes after a wedding: a marriage!'

The wedding for each event is fake - but the couples picked to walk the aisle are very real.

In fact, they're already married - and using the ceremony as a chance to renew their vows.

Marketing director LaBruce Trammell said the company has three goals. 

Everything at the wedding - right up to the gown and bridesmaid dresses - are provided by 30 trusted local vendors 

Some categories also feature more than one vendor, giving soon-to-be brides and grooms a variety of ideas for their big day 

Vendors at the events range from the basics - the flowers, food and music - to quirky touches, such as a Popsicle or snow cone carts

'Inspire brides and grooms to do something different, support small businesses, and encourage a solid and committed marriage,' she told Yahoo! 

The parties aren't meant to serve as a complete wedding-in-a-box, but rather as an opportunity for couples to see the many directions they could take while planning their big day.  

Vendors at the events range from the basics - the dress, food and music - to quirky touches, such as a Popsicle  or snow cone carts and party favors in the form of potted seeds. 

Some categories also feature more than one vendor, giving soon-to-be brides and grooms a variety of ideas.

Marketing director LaBruce Trammell said the event is meant to inspire brides and grooms to 'do something different' 

The company also wants to help support small businesses while encouraging a 'solid and committed marriage' 

The parties aren't meant to serve as a complete wedding-in-a-box, but rather as an opportunity for couples to see the many directions they could take while planning their big day

'You see things that aren't on Pinterest yet, because we encourage vendors to really push the creative envelope,' Trammell said. 

'We're here to inspire, hands down.' 

Vendors are only required to stick to the night's theme, receiving a PDF inspiration board from the company that also includes the wedding's color scheme and a couple of pictures to help illustrate the desired atmosphere.  

There are 31 Big Fake Weddings a year in 25 cities that attract more than 6,000 guests and 1,000 vendors.   

Vendors are only required to stick to the night's theme, receiving a PDF inspiration board from the company that also includes the wedding's color scheme and a couple of pictures to help illustrate the desired atmosphere

There are 31 Big Fake Weddings a year in 25 cities that attract more than 6,000 guests and 1,000 vendors

Source: The rise of 'Big Fake Weddings': How bride and grooms-to-be are paying $25 to attend pretend ceremonies where they can test drive everything from dresses to cocktails

Hi-Tech Wedding Gifts Tops the List Says Denver Shea McGrath, Denver Wedding Photographer

Hi-Tech Wedding Gifts Tops the List Says Denver Shea McGrath, Denver Wedding Photographer

Denver, CO, August 08, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Shea McGrath, Denver Wedding Photographer, agrees with Best Buy's survey from Wakefield Research, which sees a growing increase with technology requests for wedding registries. According to a survey of brides and grooms, 74% of those married within the last five years consider requesting hi-tech gifts (such as flat-screen television, camera or video camera, a tablet, smart thermostat, or wireless sound system) acceptable on a wedding registry.

"I think it is mainly because we are from the millennial generation. We were raised on technology as small children and have adapted our lives around the conveniences of technology," noted McGrath. "Additionally, I see technology gifts are more common than traditional gifts such as chinaware," added McGrath.

"Technology is of course ever present today and couples are really starting to include these tools in their weddings – including their gift registries," said Wendy Fritz, head of gi fting registry for Best Buy, which began its own registry in February. "It's no longer about a fancy china place setting, it's about a flat screen TV for a new home or a digital camera for the honeymoon."

Most of those surveyed (74%) said they would prefer a useful gift such as a tech product over a sentimental gift. For Best Buy's survey, Wakefield Research got input about wedding gifts from more than 1,000 brides and 1,000 grooms from May 29 to June 12, 2015. Half the respondents were married five years ago or less, the other half 20 years ago or more.

Shea McGrath Photography is relocating to Denver, Colorado and is now accepting bookings for weddings, engagements, and lifestyle portraits starting in September 2015.

About Shea McGrath Photography:Shea McGrath Photography is developing a reputation as an intuitive and kinesthetic photographic artist. McGrath is often asked to photograph for personal events, such as weddings, as well as for the health & beauty , and fashion industries. According to McGrath, "What started as a hobby and avocation in college has quickly turned into a passion and profession. Invited to be part of those special moments in people's lives is joyful and allows me to capture happiness. Clients feel comfortable and have a great time when on one of these photo shoots. Many clients have shared they had so much fun during the session, they forgot there was a camera around."

Shea McGrath Photography (www.sheamcgrath.com) is a professional photography company specializing in natural light photography helping people to celebrate life events such as weddings, graduations, engagements, Bar Mitzvahs & Bat Mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, and all lifestyle celebrations. Her work style is quickly gaining attention for product, fashion, and beauty photography as well. McGrath is now recognized worldwide as a portrait, nature, and industry photographer for over a decade. Follow Shea McGrath Photography on Twitter @shea _mcgrath, like on Facebook at facebook.com/sheamcgrathphotography, or Instagram @sheamcgrathphotography.

Source: Hi-Tech Wedding Gifts Tops the List Says Denver Shea McGrath, Denver Wedding Photographer