One recent report says allowing same-sex marriage in South Carolina could bring around $16 million in revenue to the state and many say a lot of that money would go to the Grand Strand.
"We would have had our wedding here in South Carolina and I'm sure we would have spent a lot more,” said Tommy Starling.
Starling, who lives in Pawleys Island, was married in California in 2008.
He and his husband met 20 years ago in Myrtle Beach.
They waited nearly a decade before getting married, hoping the state's laws would change, he says after awhile they could not wait any longer.
"Once our daughter was born we realized we needed to do something sooner to protect our families,” said Starling.
He says his wedding was small with only about ten people in attendance and it cost $2,000, but if they were able to have their dream wedding they would have spent a lot more.
"We couldn't have asked for any place better to have our wedding than in the state of South Carolina where we spent our lives and raised our children,” said Starling.
Starling is not alone.
Thousands of people across the country, both gay and straight look to spend money on their weddings right here along the Grand Strand.
"On average, I get probably five calls a day of brides that want to come to Myrtle Beach,” said Santana Leroy.
Leroy is a manager with Myrtle Beach Destination Weddings.