Would you crowdfund your wedding? Couple ask public for money towards expensive ceremony - with no invite offered in return

PUBLISHED: 16:44 EST, 10 July 2013 | UPDATED: 20:24 EST, 10 July 2013

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A same-sex couple are asking the public to cover the cost of their wedding via a crowdfunding site.

Cesar Hernandez-Topete and Miguel Munoz from Long Beach, California, created an account on GoFundMe, which allows users to solicit donations, and set a monetary goal of $2,500.

In a video appeal the duo explain that they were delighted when their home state's ban on gay marriage was overturned, but then realized they didn't have the finances needed to tie the knot.

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Soon-to-be wed: Cesar Hernandez-Topete and Miguel Munoz are pleading with the public to help fund their wedding via the crowdfunding site GoFundMe

'We're using technology to make you a part of our special day,' they add.

Over the past four days they have raised $575 and there is no end date set. Most of those who have contributed towards their nuptials have offered congratulatory messages.

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However, some critics have slated the whole concept deeming it 'poor etiquette', 'ridiculous' and 'inconsiderate'.

Indeed, Samantha Escobar wrote in an article for The Gloss: 'Having your family (and maybe, maybe friends, I guess) help pay for your wedding is one thing; asking the general public? Uh, no. Please don’t do that.'

'Having your family help pay for your wedding is one thing; asking the public? Uh, no'

She continues: 'Stop having parties you can’t afford; if you must have an event, then have a smaller one that fits in your budget.'

And another commentator wrote on the Huffington Post: 'It seems shallow that your wedding needs to be something so elaborate that you need to croudsource [sic].

One wedded woman pointed out that she and her husband paid just $22 to get married at the court house, eliminating any need for financial aid.

However, one appeared less adverse to the idea merely stating that 'it doesn't hurt to ask'.

On their fundraising page titled 'Our Big Fat Gay Wedding' Mr Hernandez-Topete and Mr Munoz reveal that they met four years ago over a 'simple dinner date' and their relationship soon progressed.

Frustrated: The couple were delighted when their home state's ban on gay marriage was overturned, but then realized they didn't have the finances needed to tie the knot

They became domestic partners on July 13, 2012 and then continued to fight 'alongside thousands of other couples' against California's proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage.

Finally when the legal barriers were lifted on June 28 this year they apparently ran down to the city hall to attain a marriage license.

But with 'limited funds' they decided to give crowdfunding a shot and turn their big day into a reality.

They also explain that they're in the process of adopting and have 'countless bills' to pay in anticipation of their first child.

Although they are not offering wedding invitations in return for donations, they promise to send free cake pops and cupcakes for amounts of $25 or more.

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Gee, give them an inch.....

- DrWho , Orange, 11/7/2013 23:24

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WOW Miguel, your comment shows you still seem to NOT get it. It doesn't matter that it's NOT a "Blow Out"..its the simple fact that you are publicly asking for money. You have spent a lot of money on your adoption process and that is to be commended and should be your primary financial focus. You are looking to provide a loving home for a child who needs it and i'm sure you will be great parents. You and your partner were strong supporters of the Marriage Equality Fight, as were my partner of 15 years and I. We now have the right to marry who we love and you asking for donations (however small) from the public just takes it to a point where its about the party (blow out or not) and NOT the fact that you can marry the love of your life. YOU made this public by putting it on a public website, the media just made it news and you did agree to do some of these interviews so you cant blame it all on the media. You made this about the wedding and not about the "marriage".

- rdiddy29 , Long Beach, United States, 11/7/2013 21:39

Click to rate Rating 16

Call it what they will....it's BEGGING.

- FSU-Su , Tallahassee Fl, 11/7/2013 20:22

Click to rate Rating 17

Low class and crass. It should be about the union and not the party. I'm thinking even a pot luck reception would be a teeny step up, but not by much.

- Chris , Los Alamos, 11/7/2013 20:08

Click to rate Rating 15

Users

- wyrinth , oxford, United States, 11/7/2013 20:01

Click to rate Rating 12

First off, we didn't speak to anyone aside from NBC regarding the funding, secondly its not a ' blow out wedding ' and if it weren't for the adoption process that we have been paying for the last year we wouldn't be in this situation. The adoption alone has been upwards of $15,000 in the last year. The acct wasnt made public up until the media picked up on it was it made news. If you wanted a story on us please contact us, but dont copy and edit the actual story. Thanks

- Miguel Topete , Long Beach, United States, 11/7/2013 19:44

Click to rate Rating 17

Tacky, very tacky..

- Nirad , Tacoma, 11/7/2013 19:21

Click to rate Rating 14

But with 'limited funds' they decided to give crowdfunding a shot and turn their big day into a reality. They also explain that they're in the process of adopting and have 'countless bills' to pay in anticipation of their first child. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If they can't afford a simple wedding, how are they going to afford adopting and then raising a child? - LyndaB , Naugatuck USA, 11/7/2013 15:08.....That stopped being an issue in America long ago, although I'll allow it is mostly on one side.

- Robert , Atlanta, 11/7/2013 17:40

Click to rate Rating 2

if they can't afford to pay for it then they should postpone it until they can, either that or not at all.

- Mexicanwhite , Guadalajara, Mexico, 11/7/2013 16:26

Click to rate Rating 33

- LyndaB , Naugatuck USA, 11/7/2013 15:08

Click to rate Rating 54

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