Ten Years of Love, Laughter, and a Little Bit of Showtunes

Some weddings make history. Others make Broadway-worthy memories. On March 7, 2015, Jim Morgan and Dan Stackhouse’s wedding did both. Ten years ago, Say I Do! LGBTQ Wedding Expo and OutRVA sponsored an LGBTQ wedding giveaway contest, offering one lucky couple the chance to win their dream wedding. Nearly 50 couples entered, sharing their love stories and what marriage equality meant to them (same-sex marriage was legalized in October 2014). Jim and Dan’s love story stole the show, winning them not just a wedding, but a place in Richmond’s history.

As their essay was read onstage, Dan melted into Jim’s shoulder, and Jim’s eyes filled with tears of joy and of pride. “We had been together for 17 years when we won, and one of my biggest hopes was to be legally married in my hometown.”

Fast forward a decade, and their wedding is still one for the books—equal parts fairytale, Broadway opening night, and Richmond love letter.

Like any good theater-loving couple, Jim and Dan knew how to set the stage. Four days before the wedding, in a stroke of last-minute brilliance, they decided to surprise their guests with a musical entrance. As they belted out a number from a Broadway show (keeping the song a secret from everyone), they finally exhaled, locked eyes, and truly took in the moment. And then, just as the applause settled, they turned around—to see 50 of their closest friends and family beaming back at them. “The love. Whew, man. Seeing your ‘people.’ It was beautifully overwhelming,” they reflect.

And the surprises didn’t stop there. Jim’s father’s toast, now a legendary piece of family lore, had everyone doubled over in laughter. “Dan is like a puppy,” he declared. “He comes into a room, tail wagging, wanting to meet everyone. My son, Jim, is like a cat. He’ll stand quietly to the side, looking at you as if to say, ‘You can pet me… if it will make you feel better.’”

Despite their grand wedding day, Jim and Dan keep it refreshingly real when it comes to anniversaries. “Occasionally (and embarrassingly), we’ve each gotten halfway through the day and gone, ‘Oh! BTW! Happy Anniversary!’” After 27 years together, it’s the small moments that feel like daily celebrations. But for their 10th? They’re jetting off to the Netherlands, blending their love of travel with a chance to help friends move abroad.

Last year, they marked nine years in an equally special way—performing a cabaret at Richmond Triangle Players, sharing their love story through song, and even recreating their wedding entrance. Because once a show tune couple, always a show tune couple.

A decade ago, Richmond was making history, and Jim and Dan were right at the heart of it. Their wedding wasn’t just about them—it was about showcasing a city that embraces LGBTQ love. “Being part of that moment when marriage became legal while highlighting Richmond’s talent and culture? We knew we were part of something very, very special.”

Over the past ten years, they’ve seen Richmond grow even more inclusive. “There was a time when people always felt the need to call it a ‘gay wedding.’ Now? It’s just a wedding.” When asked about Richmond’s growth as a gay-friendly city, Jim and Dan said “there’s no question in our minds that Richmond is more inclusive now. Organizations like Stonewall Sports have exploded in popularity in the last 10 years. Weddings like ours are an everyday occurrence. LGBTQ+ couples are walking hand in hand, not just in Carytown but in Short Pump or Mechanicsville. They are in the PTA of their kid’s schools.”

Did their wedding make a statement? “SO many people fought so hard for decades to afford us and others the privilege to get married. It feels a little weird to say our wedding made a statement. But hopefully, it moved the needle a bit.”

From that snow-dusted moment at Lewis Ginter to a decade of love and laughter, Jim and Dan’s story is a testament to a city—and a world—growing ever more welcoming. And like any great love story, theirs is far from over. Here’s to many more years for the happy couple!