Memo Pad: Astronauts Star in Vuitton Ads... Same-Sex Wedding Celebrations...

WEDDING CELEBRATIONS: Six years ago, The New York Times’ Weddings & Celebrations section of Sunday Styles — variously described in pop culture as “the single woman’s sports’ pages” and the “mergers and acquisitions pages” — began including announcements of same-sex marriages (or civil unions, domestic partnerships, commitment ceremonies, as available). On Tuesday, to mark Pride Month, the Times Co.’s GLBT & Allies Affinity Group is hosting about 200 people at the Times building for a cocktail party, having invited all the gay couples featured on those pages. Expected guests include actress Cynthia Nixon, City Council speaker Christine Quinn and former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey. Conservatives may see in this more fodder to rail at the liberal New York Times, though Geraldine Cowper, who works at the Times on fashion and jewelry advertising and is a volunteer on the affinity group, said the goal was to mingle and build community rather than engage in politics. — Irin Carmon