I attended a seminar over the weekend with Bernadette Coveney Smith, President of 14 Stories Gay Wedding Institute. I’ve been following her on twitter so I knew she was the expert on planning gay weddings, but meeting her and talking about planning same-sex weddings with other Vermont wedding pros was seriously cool and long overdue.
Over 10 years ago I started designing flowers for civil unions (our old school version of the gay wedding before same-sex marriage passed in 2009!), but hearing from Bernadette made me feel even more “ready & able” to advise couples on unique traditions that are specific to a modern day LGBT wedding. We were introduced to new traditions that many of us who attended the seminar agreed would be welcome replacements to some old wedding traditions that we think could be retired! {For example you won’t be hearing “When A Man Love A Woman” played anytime during the reception!}
Bernadette spoke about a “triumphant energy” that a same-sex couple feels when they are pronounced legally married that resonates with me now as I write this. We still have a long way to go until there are equal marriage rights across this country for all citizens and that makes Vermont a unique and special destination for all weddings.
I appreciate that Bernadette made the trip from Boston to Stowe to educate us on what’s happening in the gay wedding scene and how we can better serve our clients. Visit gayweddinginstitute.com to learn more about 14 Stories.
Check out one of my favorite weddings, Andy and Laura, Part 1 here and Part 2 here! I love their bold color palette and fabulous details.
This centerpiece includes pin-cushion protea, orange mokara orchids, delphinium, hot pink roses, ‘fiesta’ spray roses and a gerbera daisy.
