Help Us Celebrate Love: Funding 20 LGBTQIA Weddings

Dear friends,

In the wake of the 2024 election, fear and grief have stricken us and our loved ones. With the imminent threat of Project 2025, our LGBTQIA+ siblings have been worried if their right to marry their beloved will be taken away. My partner Ben and I racked our brains, trying to consider anything we could do to help, and we decided to make an offer: if there was any couple trying to get married before the 2025 inauguration, Ben, an ordained officiant, and me, a cottage baker, would perform the wedding ceremony and provide the couple a small cake. When we posted the offer, it blew up, reaching over 2000 people in 24 hours. Now, based on the interest of this event, over the course of two days, we will be marrying and providing wedding cakes for 30 couples from all over Virginia!

The Ask

Due to the size of this event, costs are rising exponentially to get it done. We have to rent a venue, pay for cake ingredients for 30 cakes (and be able to craft gluten-free and vegan options), purchase flowers and decorations, feed the volunteer staff of over 20 people over 2 days. and other incidental costs. We are looking to raise $5000 to cover all of these costs. Any leftover funds will be split three ways: Between Ursula's Cafe, the Martinsville Pride Coalition, and the Roanoke Diversity Center.

The Venue

We are partnering with Ursula's, a pay-what-you-can cafe in Roanoke, Virginia for our venue. This cafe is doing incredible work creating a loving, nurturing, and welcoming space.

"Ursula’s Café is more than just another café… it’s a community hub where you can discover a decent cup of coffee, a hearty bowl of soup and lively conversation along with delicious baked goods and local entertainment. Our donate-what-you-can structure will help feed and warm everyone in our community with dignity. Our retail items and classes will keep us in business and our warm inviting atmosphere will keep customers returning. Everyone deserves good food and fulfilling lives!"

We will need to pay Ursula's $800 to cover the costs of rent, electricity, and other utilities and materials that we will be using over our two-day stay in their space. More importantly, these funds will go directly into their operating budget. Your donation will not only help us secure the venue for these lovely weddings, you will also help feed hundreds of people in Southwest Virginia.

The Cakes

Wedding cakes will be crafted by a team of local bakers and food enthusiasts. Our goal is one 8" cake per couple, so we will be crafting 30 cakes with gluten-free and vegan options. Everyone deserves to feel celebrated and enjoy the sweet details of their wedding day. By donating, you're helping to ensure that every couple receives a beautiful and lovingly crafted cake of high quality ingredients.

By supporting this event, you are helping us make it clear that we will never stop fighting for and loving our community. Your donation will directly help couples who love each other strongly and are trying to walk into the next era bravely.