Gay Weddings are Good for Business

Research, advice and tips on the business of gay and lesbian weddings from Bernadette Coveney Smith, the nation's leading gay wedding expert. Bernadette is owner of 14 Stories, the first company in the U.S. to plan legal gay weddings.

Gay Weddings at The Special Event

Bernadette Coveney Smith - Friday, January 08, 2010
I'm really honored to have been selected to speak at The Special Event Show.  This national conference covers all kinds of events, not just weddings, and my presentation, "Traditionally, at a Gay Wedding..." is part of the Wedding Trends track.   We are flying to New Orleans tomorrow for a few days of R&R before the Show.

I'm thrilled to be co-presenting with my real-life spouse and partner in crime, Jen Coveney-Smith.  The workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 12 from 10:45am-12:45pm in room 335.  Gay weddings are different and we'll talk about the hows and whys during the presentation.

I really hope you can make it, but if not, would be thrilled to meet you at some point during the week.  Jen and I will also be at the Wedding Luncheon on Wednesday and the Welcome Event Wednesday night.  Jen's the tall, outgoing strawberry blonde and I'll be the slightly awkward and dorky one standing next to her.  :-)

Are you planning to attend?



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Gay Marriage Comes to New Hampshire

Bernadette Coveney Smith - Monday, January 04, 2010
I'm thrilled that gay marriage is legal in New Hampshire as of January 1.  For those couples for whom civil unions were not enough, the state will now legally marry same-sex couples

What does this mean for vendors?  To start with, it means more business.  More engaged couples = more money.  Gay weddings are different, of course, so you'll want to make sure you're up to speed with your marketing materials, knowledge of the laws, and contract language.  

You're going to want to strike a delicate balance between reaching your current (likely heterosexual) market and this new market.  You'll want to do this in a way so you offend no one.  There's a learning curve so you can start by familiarizing yourself with some of the concepts I've posted about in the past:

I'll presenting a workshop to wedding vendors in New Hampshire on Tuesday, February 2 at the Highlander Inn in Manchester.  If you'd like to learn more, you can register right here.

What have you done to prepare yourself for gay marriage in New Hampshire?



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Washington Post Mention

Bernadette Coveney Smith - Monday, December 21, 2009
I was so pleased yesterday to see the Washington Post's article about how wedding industry vendors are preparing to reach the gay and lesbian wedding market.  I was interviewed by the Post last week for this story.  You can read the article here.

My additional thoughts:
  • DC officials have projected a $22 million increase in the economy in three years, due to gay weddings - but the prestigious Williams Institute estimates the amount at $52 million.  I'm not sure where the DC figure comes from but would love to learn more.
  • GayWeddings.com and OutVite.com are great resources for both couples and vendors.  GayWeddings.com is a great place to advertise and planners should familiarize themselves with the invitation line available there and at OutVite.com.
  • I'm familiar with the Kimpton properties in Boston and some other cities and they are fabulous.  Gay couples like them because they have a great inclusive diversity policy.  They are also pet-friendly and have a wine hour every evening.  They are a great option in the contemporary luxury hotel category because of their inclusiveness and boutique feel.  
  • You can read more about the dangerous Defense of Marriage Act here.



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