Oprah Winfrey’s former chef, Art Smith, threw a massive free gay wedding on Miami Beach this weekend for 101 couples, in order to celebrate the lifting of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
The mass wedding itself was officiated over by chef Guy Fieri while the massive gold cake was made by Duff Goldman, star of the Food Network reality show Ace of Cakes .
For his part, Art Smith told reporters that the film 101 Dalmatians had inspired him, so he decided to throw a beach wedding for 101 couples.
Smith jokingly referred to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , who plans to appeal the legalization, as the state’s own “Cruella De Vil.”
“She was determined that she was going to prevent equality from coming to Florida. For a state known for sunshine, it was living in the darkness when it came to LGBT rights and it was important to acknowledge that.”
When it came to the wedding, Smith made a speech, telling guests that he had organized the free gay wedding in order to “show the haters we’re proud, we’re happy, we’re loud.”
One couple who were also adamant that their marriage was a “defeat” for Pam Bondi was Nicole Griffin, 43, and Stephanie Swanson, 42, who said they were denied the right to marry for so long.
Another couple, Seth Anderson and Michael Ferguson , had legally married in a Utah courthouse two years ago, but joined the ceremony so they could renew their vows at a proper wedding.
As Anderson told reporters, “We wanted to come and be a part of this and celebrate with all the other people getting married.”
The wedding feast was prepared and served by Food Network star Duff Goldman and included fried chicken, grilled lamb, crab-stuffed avocados, and empanadas.
While some people aren’t happy about the new legislation, many same-sex couples obviously are, as the state of Florida enters into a new era with the legalization of gay marriage.
