Volunteers kick off Pride with free 'Vegas style' weddings for LGBT couples
Pride rang in early this year to the sound of wedding bells in the Twin Cities, after a group of community members banded together on Saturday to provide 15 LGBT couples with free weddings.
Former wedding photographer Kelly Wilson first issued her appeal February, seeking volunteers to help host free ceremonies for LGBT couples and bring "some joy to my community". Within a short three months, over $4,000 was raised, and the number of volunteers grew to 50 people, who helped organize and run Saturday's event.
The group, now known as Do'Gooders MN, not only volunteered their time but also provided resources, including funding for each couple's wedding cake, rings, personal photographers, and more.
"I just wanted to help others have exactly what I have, which is a wonderful legal marriage. And once you are legally wed, it can't be undone," Wilson said. "It started as kind of a joyful way to show resistance about what's going on with our community."
Having been happily married to her wife for the past 12 years, Wilson was spurred into action by President Donald Trump's return to office and the slew of orders at the federal and state level targeting the LGBT community that have since followed.
"There are multiple states that right now are moving resolutions through their system to go to the Supreme Court to ask them not to let marriage equality exist," Wilson told Bring Me The News. "The Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage would be legal in all 50 states in 2015.
"That's a huge deal when it comes to health care and making choices about family planning, and making choices about whether somebody dies. Tons of rights come with a legal marriage. So I felt very compelled to help people get ahead of the curve."
Instead of a simple "mass wedding," Wilson and her Do'Gooders conducted the weddings "Vegas style" at Salem Lutheran Church, with each couple having their private 45-minute ceremony amongst invited family and friends, officiated by Ramsey County judges, such as Sara Grewing.
"When there were people in the community looking to get married, I was always happy to help out," Judge Grewing told Bring Me The News. "So, regardless of their story or background, if I can be a part of celebrating families and joy, I like to do so."
Among the happy couples able to get married on Saturday were Katie and Erica Jackson, who have been together for five years. The two celebrated not only their union but also the blending of two families, with Erica's two children being part of her bridal party.
"We actually have plans to get married in Hawaii in October, but we had some very legitimate concerns that by then it won't be legal anymore," Katie said. "We saw this opportunity and explained our situation. They very joyfully welcomed and embraced us, it's wonderful."
Erica explained just how important this event was not only to them as a family, but to the community as a whole.
"Community is the most important thing we have, and is a thing we have to support. So it is very important not just for us, but for everyone in the community," Erica added.
While the wedding event may be over, Wilson and her Do'Gooders are not planning on stopping their work anytime soon, with Wilson saying she plans on incorporating the group and becoming a nonprofit.
"We're going to continue doing good in Minnesota," Wilson said. "I wouldn't be surprised if another wedding is in our future, but right now we're just focusing on this one, and then we're all going to take June off and catch our breath."
"Not every community might be the community you feel comfortable helping, but if you can't help them, don't hurt them," Wilson added. "Let people live and support those that you can support, and get involved because when you get involved, you have community, and when you have community, you can face things."
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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