Seattle Mayor Kicks Off Marry Me in Seattle Sweepstakes

Marry Me in SeattleSeattle’s first openly gay mayor, Ed Murray, will commence Seattle’s Marry Me in Seattle sweepstakes on September 3 by officiating the marriage ceremony of Minneapolis couple Zac Baker and Sam Busch. They are the first couple chosen in the Marry Me in Seattle Sweepstakes to receive a Seattle wedding trip hosted and coordinated by Visit Seattle. Some 50 friends and family of the grooms will fly to Seattle for the wedding ceremony.

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As part of the program, the couple will receive air transportation from Alaska Airlines, a four-night stay at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel, a wedding ceremony at Canlis restaurant, flowers, wedding photography, DJ, ground transportation from Uber Seattle, champagne courtesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, beer from Hilliard’s Brewery & Taproom and dessert from Trophy Cupcakes.

The Marry Me in Seattle sweepstakes was set up by Visit Seattle to draw visitors from, the LGBTQ community to the city by showcasing its progressive and welcoming culture. As part of the campaign, The organization which acts as the city’s nonprofit tourism marketing organization, asked hundreds of local businesses to display rainbow lights or hoist rainbow flags to welcome the visiting couple. Safeco Field (home to the Seattle Mariners) Seattle Great Wheel, Pacific Science Center and many other organizations have pledged to do so.

Hundreds of couples have entered the sweepstakes since the campaign launched in July. Four wedding trips total are available, with ceremonies taking place the first Wednesday of the month, September through December. Any LGBTQ couple residing outside of Washington State is eligible to win.

The newly launched campaign web site, 2DaysInSeattle.com/marryme, features a Seattle LGBTQ marriage checklist that includes a link to Washington State’s marriage equality information, links for marriage applications and licenses, and a list of LGBTQ officiants as well as a wedding resource guide. 

Follow Zac and Sam’s story via social media with the hashtag #MarryMeInSeattle