Seattle marries lesbian couples from California as part of the landmark Marry Me in Seattle tourism campaign.

Beautiful Seattle, Washington, is the scene for the progressive tourism campaign organised by Visit Seattle’s Marry Me in Seattle. The lucky newlyweds this time were California couple Andrea Ross DeLuna and Claudia Araceli Pizano, who tied the knot at the lovely waterfront Seattle Aquarium, surrounded by 30 guests. They are the third LGBTQ couple to be married through the campaign.

The couple was chosen from hundreds of sweepstakes entrants and received a Seattle wedding trip hosted and coordinated by Visit Seattle, the city’s nonprofit tourism marketing organisation. The package included air transportation from Alaska Airlines, a four-night stay at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront, a wedding ceremony at the Seattle Aquarium, flowers, wedding photography, a DJ, ground transportation from Uber Seattle, and champagne courtesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, beer from Hilliard’s Brewery & Taproom and dessert from Top Pot Doughnuts.

“The wedding was amazing,” says Pizano. “Every time we come to Seattle, we feel welcomed with open arms. All of the histories behind the city and the friendly people made it the most amazing place we’ve been.”

DeLuna and Pizano have been together for six years, first meeting at work and then ‘bonding’ on opposing softball teams. Their first kiss happened in Seattle, which they visited for a softball tournament. “We immediately fell in love with the city, the weather and the friendly people,” says DeLuna.

The Marry Me in Seattle campaign was created to invite LGBTQ visitors to Seattle by showcasing the city’s progressive and welcoming culture. Nearly a thousand couples have entered the sweepstakes since the campaign launched on July 1.

Four wedding trips are offered, with ceremonies occurring on the first Wednesday of the month, September through December. All LGBTQ couples residing outside of Washington State were eligible to win.