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<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2018I do\u2019 and usher in a new era of acceptance and equality in New York State.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew 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,\u201d said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJuly 24th was a historic day for our city \u2013 and it wasn\u2019t 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,\u201d said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. \u201cThat\u2019s great for New York City, and we say the more the merrier. The world\u2019s most welcoming City also happens to be a honeymoon destination like no other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been my privilege and my pleasure to be a part of the historic first days of marriage equality in New York City,\u201d said New York City Clerk Michael McSweeney. \u201cSincere congratulations to all the lucky couples.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith marriage equality passed, New York City is poised to become one of the leading wedding destinations, pumping millions of additional dollars into the City\u2019s 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,\u201d said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are incredibly honored to welcome these winning couples \u2013 and all recent newlyweds \u2013 to our new Dream Downtown hotel for what we are sure will be a honeymoon to remember,\u201d 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. \u201cOpening a new hotel in New York City\u2019s most exciting neighborhoods \u2013 Chelsea and the Meatpacking District \u2013 during this vibrant and culturally significant time in the state\u2019s history has been a tremendously rewarding experience. We are very grateful for the City Council\u2019s support and we are so inspired by our guests who come from all backgrounds to seek an exciting getaway only New York can provide.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s to celebrate their union. <\/p>\n
The full Honeymoon Package details below:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Two-night stay at Dream or Night Hotels
\n\u2022 Dinner at the Mario Batali\/Joe Bastianich West Village Restaurant Lupa
\n\u2022 Dinner for two at any of the Benchmarc Restaurants by Marc Murphy (Landmarc restaurants or Ditch Plains in the West Village)
\n\u2022 3-Hour Cruise on the Circle Line Cruise
\n\u2022 Passes to The Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Cloisters Museum and The Whitney Museum of American Art
\n\u2022 Tickets to Hair the Musical
\n\u2022 Tickets to Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil
\n\u2022 Tickets to a Mets baseball game
\n\u2022 Macy\u2019s $10 Gift Certificate
\n\u2022 NYC and CO Travel Guide<\/p>\n
For more information on the New York City Honeymoon package, visit http:\/\/council.nyc.gov.
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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<\/p>\n
New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Mayor Michael R.<\/p>\n
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