MONTREAL -- Daniel Gross and Steven Goldstein made some history this weekend when their wedding at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts became the first same-sex union to be listed in the weddings section of The New York Times.

"Ten years ago, none of this would have been possible," Mr. Goldstein said during the ceremony Saturday night, "and for some, this journey took many years. But now we are all here. Dreams do come true."

Rabbi David Steinberg of Temple Beth Israel in Plattsburgh, N.Y., conducted the ceremony and reminded the guests that "all of this is legal and binding."

"They have built a Jewish home together," he said later of the couple.

"They lead a Jewish life, and they've just had a Jewish wedding. I think it absolutely strengthens the Jewish community."

Just over two years ago, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the rabbinical organization of Reform Judaism in the United States and Canada, granted official recognition to same-sex relationships and ceremonies.

Yesterday, Mr. Goldstein and Mr. Gross bused their 180 guests to Lake Champlain, Vt., where a judge officiated at their same-sex civil union. Vermont is the only U.S. state that recognizes same-sex unions and has done so since July 1, 2000.

Quebec passed similar legislation in June.

But why did the couple go to Montreal for the religious ceremony?

"We couldn't find anything that was sufficiently fabulous," Mr. Gross said.

"We thought it would be wonderful to do the civil piece in Vermont, but to have all our guests travel to Montreal, to such a world-class city, where people would be excited to come."

Mr. Gross and Mr. Goldstein have visited the city 12 times over the past year to prepare for the wedding.

"We really have become honorary Montrealers," Mr. Goldstein said. "We love your city."

"Every hotel, vendor, caterer has treated us with respect, with more than tolerance," Mr. Gross said. "It's like an embrace."

With the Gay Games coming to town in 2006, the proximity of Vermont and the city's natural allure, Mr. Goldstein is convinced that Montreal is about to become one of the world's leading destinations for gay and lesbian tourists.

"I think Montreal, over the next few years, will be a shining example of what being a leader in equality can do for a city, country, or province economically," he said.

The New York Times announced its plans to begin publishing announcements of same-sex commitment ceremonies along with its wedding announcements on Aug. 18.

Gay and lesbian couples featured in the paper will be selected by editors under the same criteria used to choose the weddings: the newsworthiness and accomplishments of the couples and their families, the newspaper said.