RONY TENNENBAUM's "Same-Sex Marriage" Rings Bring New Trends

RONY TENNENBAUM, ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND THE NEW WAVE OF ‘CONTEMPORARY” DESIGN WORK, BRINGS A NEW TREND TO THE WEDDING JEWELRY MARKET

New York, NY - The landscape of the bridal jewelry market has been experiencing an incredible shift in recent years. While traditional designs and classic solitaire diamond rings have flanked the showcases for generations, there is a movement toward new and contemporary.  This shift is greatly attributed to the surge in same-sex marriages flooding the country.

With over 70% of the LGBT community living in states that allow marriage equality, the demand for modernized wedding jewelry designs is imminent.  Trend setters in their own right and early adaptors to modernizing ideas and contemporary styles, same sex couples are a new audience who just gained access to the wedding industry and they are paving the way to modernizing it.

Rony Tennenbaum, whose powerhouse designs have been celebrated for more than 25 years by the LGBT community, is one of the driving forces behind this new wave of “Contemporary” design work and at the forefront of this new bridal jewelry trend.

 The New York based designer – has created collections of engagement and wedding rings that reflect the latest fashion trends, yet still incorporate everything that is timeless and classic about bridal.

Voted one of the Innovators of 2015 by InStore Magazine, Rony Tennenbaum and his brand are rapidly expanding across the nation reaching a new generation of jewelry consumers. 

Tennenbaum's collections are created to think "outside the box", be fresh and innovative ideas, but have surpassed far beyond just the LGBT market. 

While the LGBT wedding market continues to grow and to rally mainstream retailers around its customer – even the venerable 178-years-old Tiffany & Co recently featured a gay couple in its new ad campaign – the so-called “alternative bridal” has taken a new definition. If the basic rule is there are no rules, clichés are certainly passé.

Tennenbaum has seen a fast growth in demand for his unique collections. In June of last year, Seattle-based Ben Bridge Jeweler, owned by Warren Buffett’s holding company Berkshire Hathaway Inc., began carrying jewelry by Rony Tennenbaum, and recently added three more West Coast locations. 

This past September, Tapper’s added his collection to all 3 of its Detroit locations.  Expanding recently into 4 new markets, Tennenbaum is now located in: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia and Washington. 

The Tennenbaum brand represents a growing movement in bridal jewelry fashion that pays attention to the individual storytelling.  Tennenbaum’s contemporary Wedding Jewelry designs mirror the new tastes and desires of modern wedding customers privileging the sentimental over the traditional – more than being different it’s about showcasing your personality and individuality.

Rogers & Hollands Jewelers Expands Into the LGBT Market

Rogers & Hollands Jewelers Expands Into LGBT Market By Adding Rony Tennenbaum Wedding Jewelry to their Bridal cases in Two of their Chicagoland Locations

Chicago, IL – With marriage equality making major strides across the country, the burgeoning same-sex wedding industry is attracting a wide range of companies with years of experience in the wedding business. 

One of the largest family owned jewelry chains in the States, Rogers & Hollands, is expanding its demographic reach and marketing to include the LGBT community by adding a new wedding jewelry collection created to celebrate marriage and equality. 

The premier jewelry chain, which operates several stores throughout the Chicagoland area and throughout the Midwest, has just announced the addition of Rony Tennenbaum’s Jewelry collection to its bridal cases in both its Woodfield Mall location in Schaumburg, and in downtown Chicago’s Water Tower Place stores.

With stores across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri and Wisconsin, Rogers & Hollandsbelieves that adding the Rony Tennenbaum collection will allow them a wider outreach and include same-sex couples as part of their all-inclusive accepted family of consumers.

Rony Tennenbaum Jewelry has been sending a strong message of inclusiveness to the LGBT community for almost a decade.  As a wedding jewelry designer for over 25 years, Tennenbaum’s unique wedding and engagement ring styling is built with fashionable timeless features and driven by a strong sense of sentiment.  Tennenbaum recognized the lack of attention the LGBT community was receiving in wedding jewelry and designed his brand to showcase high end designs beyond stereotypical rainbows and triangles. 

More than just a designer, Tennenbaum understands the need in educating a generation of retailers as well as consumers who are facing new traditions and etiquettes.  His outreach to the community on “The New Etiquettes of the Rainbow” is a step in teaching both retailers and consumers about the new options in wedding jewelry etiquette.  He also consults about making educated purchases.

As these etiquettes are being written by the LGBT community, visionary retailers such as Rogers & Hollands are seeking outTennenbaum’s expert understanding in the culture, tastes and needs of the LGBT community, as well as the jewelry and diamond worlds.

Already distributed in states such as: Connecticut, New York, Illinois, Florida, Washington and Virginia, Tennenbaum is thrilled to be adding his line of wedding jewelry to the Rogers & Hollands chain. In his opinion, the stores already have a strong loyal following and the outreach to include the LGBT community will only strengthen their foothold as a bridal destination.

At the helm of his brand, Tennenbaum is not only breaking the mold with his designs, but is also using his expertise and message behind his jewelry to be in the vanguard of a new generation of jewelry consumers, and taking with him any pioneers who wish to join forces with him and his message on the journey.

For more information visit: 

www.RonyTennenbaum.com

Editorial: Choose Love

by Bo Sellers

Realizing I was a lesbian a short six months ago, I’m still dealing with the repercussions of  coming out. Technically, I was never closeted because as soon as I realized I was gay, I felt a weight off my shoulders and was overwhelmed with joy, so I began telling my closest friends and family members. About two months ago I came out publicly on Instagram. Granted it’s not the most traditional approach to updating people of your sexuality, but judging from the various conversations I've had with friends and family over the last few months, there really is no right way or right time...

I’ve always done things the best way I know how, which is through humor. I’ve laughed with a lot of people about my revelation, making jokes to enable a certain level of comfort for everyone privy to my newfound sense of self. But the truth is, it’s not a joke and I refuse to laugh at it any longer.

I’m gay.

When I first came out, I told people I was “bi but preferred women.” I’ve realized now it was a safety-net I allowed myself. Still coming to terms with my own preferences, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was feeling, but since most people need a label to understand something, I gave them one.

It’s been extremely difficult to handle everyone’s reactions. I’m crying about it much more than I ever imagined, but coming from super conservative southern foots, with multiple pastors in my family, it’s definitely going to be an uphill battle. It hurts to hear my love referred to as a “sin” or a “phase.” I’m also learning that people are discussing it behind my back, which is interesting as no one will bring it up in conversation with me unless I do. I never thought I would hear my own sister say “I don’t know if I’d ever come to your wedding. I can’t condone it” has been one of the biggest smacks in the face.

This wasn’t the topic I planned on discussing for my first article on “All Things Lesbian,” but it’s important to me, and if it helps even one other person feel less alone with their own struggle, than I’ve accomplished my goal.

I can’t broach this topic without also mentioning the extreme support I’m receiving from old and new friends I never expected to be there for me. I’m choosing to focus on the positive people in my life and remind myself how blessed I am for them.

Although we may feel like it at times, we aren't alone in this world. We are all highly connected and need to continue to love and support one another.  Fear and hate are no matches for love. By loving everyone, even in my darkest moments, I hope to prove life is worth living and all what we choose it to be.  

Choose happiness. Choose love.

Announcing the First Annual Los Angeles Same-Sex Wedding Expo!

PRESENTED BY FRONTIERS MEDIA

NOVEMBER 10^th AT THE LAAC

  

Los Angeles, CA - Frontiers Media, Southern California’s most recognized brand in the LGBT market, presents the Los Angeles Lesbian & Gay Wedding Expo, produced by LGBT film and television producer/director and gay rights activist JD DiSalvatore.

The full-day event, hosted by the newly remodeled, century-old historic Downtown Los Angeles Athletic Club, will set the stage for a one stop wedding shop for couples on November 10 from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

This first-ever major expo of its kind is poised to be biggest West Coast celebratory event since California became the 13th U.S. jurisdiction with legal same-sex marriages.

“Now that gay marriage is finally legal in California, we wanted to come up with a way to support gay and lesbian couples planning for their special day,” said Frontiers Media Publisher David Stern, “And promote Southern California as a wedding and honeymoon destination.”

A carefully curated selection of over 50 LGBT-friendly elite exhibitors covering the entire spectrum of wedding preparations will be represented all under one chic and elegant roof.  

A distinguished panel of wedding industry tastemakers and professional experts from the travel, event planning, jewelry, real estate, legal, catering, retail and floral fields will offer couples the exclusive opportunity to get one-on-one advice, choose favorites from high-end collections and find the unique and trendy resources they need to plan their own memorable, timeless ceremony.

Since the end of DOMA, the nuptials industry has been experiencing a nationwide commercial explosion, as same-sex weddings have now become a booming US industry. 

American weddings are a $51 billion industry that employs nearly 800,000 people, according to the market-research firm IBISWorld. Same-sex marriages are expected to create a financial boom for the wedding industry in California. A study conducted by The Williams Institute, UCLA estimated that LGBT weddings would generate $290 billion of new spending in California.

"We're actually at the epicenter of history now with the LGBT movement, and after all the fighting we've done for just our equal rights, I still have to pinch myself every day that we have this:  marriage.  For those of us old enough to remember Stonewall, Act Up, the AIDS crisis, Prop 22, Prop 8... to stand here today and realize we have overturned DOMA, overturned Don't Ask, Don't Tell and slowly but surely are getting marriage rights across the country...I'm not going to lie, it brings tears to my eyes,” says event producer JD Disalvatore.

This unique event, without any other equivalent in Southern California, opens the doors for select gay-friendly local and national businesses seeking to effectively court the influential power of the LGBT audience.

Attendees will have the chance to win several exclusive raffle items, including a 4 night, penthouse honeymoon package courtesy of Maui Sunseeker (www.mauisunseeker.com), and a bachelorette party VIP package from Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend.

As the LGBT Wedding Industry continues to exponentially thrive, couples still seek help for their Big Day. The Los Angeles Lesbian & Gay Wedding Expo, already expected to draw thousands, is a must-attend event, not only for same-sex couples planning their dream weddings but also for any and all corporate and small business supporters committed to reaching loyal LGBT audiences and their allies.

Tickets are $25 for VIP which includes a complimentary gift bag and a hosted bar hosted by Premiere Events, or General Admission at $10                                                                                 

Tickets can be purchased online at: http://lagayweddingguide.tix.com