Gay Weddings are Good for Business

Research, data, advice and tips on the business of same-sex weddings from Bernadette Coveney Smith, the nation's leading gay wedding expert. In 2004, Bernadette opened 14 Stories, the first company in the U.S. to specialize in planning legal same-sex weddings.

Nontraditional Family Structures

Bernadette Coveney Smith - Monday, October 25, 2010
There was a great article in the Boston Globe recently about nontraditional families. "Johnny has two mommies - and four dads" explores the ramifications of the various methods LGBT individuals and couples build families.  I met a couple recently where one of the partners is parent to several young children being raised with two dads, a gay male couple.  The two sets of couples each raise the children and amicably share custody.  There are no "step-parents".  This is what's normal to them.

Since having kids is usually complicated for LGBT folks, such situations are far from unusual and these situations are different from kids of divorce whose parents remarry.  Naturally, there are legal issues - the law only recognizes two parents - but this can also affect the dynamic in a gay wedding!

Some things to think about if you find yourself working with such a client:
  • will there be some kind of unique unity ritual during the ceremony?
  • will other sets of parents be part of the wedding party?
  • are there some additional formal family dances during the reception?
Whatever the case is, you've got to be flexible, open minded and roll with it all when it comes to these couples and families.  You will surely hear things you've never thought of or heard of before.  If you're curious, ask open ended questions.  If you feel the need to make assumptions, keep you mouth shut so you don't accidentally offend anyone.

Have you ever worked with an LGBT couple with a blended family?





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