To celebrate the first same-sex marriages in New York, five lucky couples- one pair from each borough- win a New York City destination honeymoon package that includes a two-night stay in a luxury hotel, dinner at two New York City Restaurants, tickets to Zarkana and Hair the Musical and more

New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Clerk Michael McSweeney and NYC & Company today announced five couples- one who married in each borough- were randomly selected as winners of a New York City honeymoon package that will help newlyweds celebrate their nuptials in the most culturally vibrant city in the world.

Couples who entered the public lottery to marry on the first day of marriage equality in New York, were automatically entered into a drawing to receive the honeymoon package. An all-time high of 659 marriage licenses were issued in New York on July 24. Couples came from as far and varied as Hawaii, Utah, Texas and Missouri to say ‘I do’ and usher in a new era of acceptance and equality in New York State.

“New York City is the greatest city in the world and our new marriage equality law makes the Empire State a leader in civil rights for all people,” said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “The enormous success we saw in the first two weeks of marriage equality, along with the amazing honeymoon packages provided by NYC & Company make New York City the place to get married and celebrate a honeymoon. There is no place better in the world to marry.”

“July 24th was a historic day for our city – and it wasn’t just New Yorkers who celebrated. More than 100 same sex couples from 20 states and the District of Columbia came here to tie the knot in the greatest city in the world,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “That’s great for New York City, and we say the more the merrier. The world’s most welcoming City also happens to be a honeymoon destination like no other.”

“It has been my privilege and my pleasure to be a part of the historic first days of marriage equality in New York City,” said New York City Clerk Michael McSweeney. “Sincere congratulations to all the lucky couples.”

“With marriage equality passed, New York City is poised to become one of the leading wedding destinations, pumping millions of additional dollars into the City’s economy. Not only is the City an attractive draw for all couples seeking to say NYC I DO, but it also serves as the perfect backdrop for couples wanting to extend their stay to include a uniquely exciting and memorable honeymoon,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.

“We are incredibly honored to welcome these winning couples – and all recent newlyweds – to our new Dream Downtown hotel for what we are sure will be a honeymoon to remember,” said Hampshire Hotels & Resorts Chairman and CEO Sant Singh Chatwal, who is hosting the winners for two nights each at his recently opened luxury property in Manhattan. “Opening a new hotel in New York City’s most exciting neighborhoods – Chelsea and the Meatpacking District – during this vibrant and culturally significant time in the state’s history has been a tremendously rewarding experience. We are very grateful for the City Council’s support and we are so inspired by our guests who come from all backgrounds to seek an exciting getaway only New York can provide.”

Newlyweds Tina Johnson and Iris Gonzalez in the Bronx; Rafael Delannoy and Emilio Casarez in Manhattan; Gregory Anderson and Peter Talley in Brooklyn; Sacha Jessamy and Sharif Allen in Queens and Robert Portas and Charles Dominick in Staten Island were selected to receive the New York City honeymoon package, which includes a two-night stay in a luxury hotel, dinner for two at any Benmarc Restaurant, two tickets to the Broadway musical Hair, and passes to an array of cultural institutions throughout New York City. All those who were married on Sunday will receive a gift certificate to Macy’s to celebrate their union.

The full Honeymoon Package details below:

• Two-night stay at Dream or Night Hotels
• Dinner at the Mario Batali/Joe Bastianich West Village Restaurant Lupa
• Dinner for two at any of the Benchmarc Restaurants by Marc Murphy (Landmarc restaurants or Ditch Plains in the West Village)
• 3-Hour Cruise on the Circle Line Cruise
• Passes to The Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters Museum and The Whitney Museum of American Art
• Tickets to Hair the Musical
• Tickets to Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil
• Tickets to a Mets baseball game
• Macy’s $10 Gift Certificate
• NYC and CO Travel Guide

For more information on the New York City Honeymoon package, visit http://council.nyc.gov.
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