Miguel Thompson
2011-04-19 01:15:41 UTC
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20482918,00.html
Chely Wright Says Yes to the (Wedding) Dress
By Eileen Finan
Monday April 18, 2011 05:35 PM EDT
In the midst of planning an interfaith, same-sex wedding, country
singer Chely Wright says she's all about tradition, right down to the
gown.
"It will definitely be a wedding dress," she says. But there's a
complicating factor in that fiancée Lauren Blitzer will also be
wearing white.
"When two women get married, you want the dresses to coordinate, so
we've been showing pictures to each other," Wright, 40, told PEOPLE
after a Nashville Film Festival screening of Wish Me Away, an
autobiographical film about her decision last year to come out.
One tradition they'll do without? "We're not wearing veils we both
like our hair too much!" she says.
Wright met Blitzer, an activist for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender communities, only 14 days after the singer came out. Their
wedding is to take place Aug. 20 at the Connecticut home of Blitzer's
aunt (the state recognizes same-sex marriages).
"We're old fashioned in that way we want to be legally married,"
says Wright, who currently lives with Blitzer in New York City.
Because Blitzer is Jewish and Wright is Christian, their outdoor
nuptials will be performed by both a rabbi and a reverend, and the
celebration will feature barbecue from New York's Blue Smoke.
"Lauren's idea not my influence!" Wright is quick to point out. "I
don't even eat meat!"
There will also be a deejay, not a band. "Bands at weddings make me
nervous," says Wright. "Sometimes they're not great, and I'd be going,
'Ugh, that doesn't sound right.' So we're going to play all the
campiest, cheesiest songs you can think of 'Vogue,' 'You Shook Me
All Night Long.' "
A Country Snub?
Though the guest list will include more than 200 people, its unlikely
many will be from Nashville.
Since Wright declared her sexuality last year, she has received
support from some in the country music community, including Faith
Hill, who sent "a really beautiful email celebrating my coming out
saying, 'I'm proud and happy for you,' " says Wright.
The singer also notes that Brad Paisley, whom she dated for several
years while she struggled with her sexual identity, made a "very nice
donation" to her Reading, Writing and Rhythm charity for musical
education.
On the other hand, Wright says she has yet to be invited to any
industry events since her big announcement. "My first performance on
the Grand Ole Opry was in 1989, and I was kind of an Opry darling,"
she says. "I'd be called to perform at least every 10 weeks, until my
coming out. Since then, I've not heard a peep."
Chely Wright Says Yes to the (Wedding) Dress
By Eileen Finan
Monday April 18, 2011 05:35 PM EDT
In the midst of planning an interfaith, same-sex wedding, country
singer Chely Wright says she's all about tradition, right down to the
gown.
"It will definitely be a wedding dress," she says. But there's a
complicating factor in that fiancée Lauren Blitzer will also be
wearing white.
"When two women get married, you want the dresses to coordinate, so
we've been showing pictures to each other," Wright, 40, told PEOPLE
after a Nashville Film Festival screening of Wish Me Away, an
autobiographical film about her decision last year to come out.
One tradition they'll do without? "We're not wearing veils we both
like our hair too much!" she says.
Wright met Blitzer, an activist for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender communities, only 14 days after the singer came out. Their
wedding is to take place Aug. 20 at the Connecticut home of Blitzer's
aunt (the state recognizes same-sex marriages).
"We're old fashioned in that way we want to be legally married,"
says Wright, who currently lives with Blitzer in New York City.
Because Blitzer is Jewish and Wright is Christian, their outdoor
nuptials will be performed by both a rabbi and a reverend, and the
celebration will feature barbecue from New York's Blue Smoke.
"Lauren's idea not my influence!" Wright is quick to point out. "I
don't even eat meat!"
There will also be a deejay, not a band. "Bands at weddings make me
nervous," says Wright. "Sometimes they're not great, and I'd be going,
'Ugh, that doesn't sound right.' So we're going to play all the
campiest, cheesiest songs you can think of 'Vogue,' 'You Shook Me
All Night Long.' "
A Country Snub?
Though the guest list will include more than 200 people, its unlikely
many will be from Nashville.
Since Wright declared her sexuality last year, she has received
support from some in the country music community, including Faith
Hill, who sent "a really beautiful email celebrating my coming out
saying, 'I'm proud and happy for you,' " says Wright.
The singer also notes that Brad Paisley, whom she dated for several
years while she struggled with her sexual identity, made a "very nice
donation" to her Reading, Writing and Rhythm charity for musical
education.
On the other hand, Wright says she has yet to be invited to any
industry events since her big announcement. "My first performance on
the Grand Ole Opry was in 1989, and I was kind of an Opry darling,"
she says. "I'd be called to perform at least every 10 weeks, until my
coming out. Since then, I've not heard a peep."