When ‘gay’ means ‘merry’

The Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau hopes to attract some newly wedded bliss to local hotels and resorts as thousands of same-sex couples line up at courthouses across the state to say their vows.

The bureau is riding the recent surge in weddings across the state by inviting not just same-sex couples, but all newlyweds, to celebrate their nuptials in Newport Beach, said Audrey Leoncio, the marketing and public relations manager for the bureau.

“Weddings are definitely a big driver in our city, and we have these great romance deals in our hotels for all newlyweds,” Leoncio said.

The bureau is promoting the numerous honeymoon packages available to newlyweds at Newport resorts and hotels. Promotional materials tout Newport’s close proximity to county courthouses in Santa Ana and Laguna Hills that began offering same-sex marriage licenses this week.

Literature from the bureau also includes information on how couples can download county registration forms online to speed up the marriage license process.

Several studies project a boost in the wedding industry statewide in the coming years, due in part to the recent California Supreme Court decision to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, Leoncio said.

Wedding information on the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau website also gets more hits than any other topic, she said.

Gay marriage will generate an estimated $63.8 million in revenue for state and local governments over the next three years, according to the findings of a UCLA study released earlier this month.

The study also projects gay weddings will give the state’s economy a $683.6 million boost over the next three years.

The study estimates 51,319 in-state same-sex couples and as many as 67,513 out-of-state same-sex couples will tie the knot in California over the next three years.

“I think just in general, they really expect a huge influx in spending on weddings over the next three years, and I think that’s going to be a huge thing for us to look forward to and look out for,” Leoncio said.

Local hotels promoting special romance deals include the Balboa Bay Club & Resort, which offers a package with deluxe overnight accommodations, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Guests also will get a $100 dinner credit, breakfast for two and free valet parking.

The Island Hotel Suite Romance Package includes a complimentary upgrade to one of the hotel’s executive suites. It also includes sparkling wine and chocolate cake.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at brianna.bailey@latimes.com.