Wedding bells may soon be ringing for a lot more people in the Garden State. While rumors are swirling that they will be “civil unions” instead of “marriages,” same-sex unions are coming to New Jersey. Some are saying legislators, given 180 days to hammer out the details, may comply with the state supreme court ruling by the end of the year.

All this means the potential for more competition to book weddings. A new magazine slated to hit stands in mid-2007, With This Ring, will devote about 40% of its coverage to LBGT weddings, seemingly to be well-timed for the New Jersey ruling.

Commitment ceremonies are not new, however, and there are already many liberal officiants who have been conducting them. The internet overflows with ideas for same-sex ceremonies and vows.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the mainstream bridal industry to accept these weddings and welcome them.