14 Stories Client Packet

A visionary company for visionary couples. These are the stories that change the world.

What's your story?

Copyright 2011 www.14stories.com 617.942.1270

About the Team

14 Stories was formed in 2004 to support LGBT couples through their wedding production process. Nearly seven years later, we have worked with hundreds of LGBT couples to produce beautiful, memorable and deeply personal weddings. We provide comprehensive wedding and event production services including planning, �oral and event design, hair and makeup and custom stationery. We work alongside the area’s most talented and reliable vendors to ensure that each event is executed �awlessly.

The company prides itself on taking a professional, project-management approach to each event – keeping one eye on the big picture and the other on the all important tiny details. 14 Stories is a proud member of the LGBT community and actively supports organizations such as GLAD and HRC.

14 Stories is also committed to eco-friendly business practices and is the only Boston-area planner certi�ed by Eco-Beautiful Weddings.

Bernadette Coveney SmithBernadette is the visionary founder and President of 14 Stories. She is a nationwide same-sex wedding planning expert and is the author of the Weddings Rede�ned wedding blog and seminar series. She is author of the new book, Gay Wedding Con�dential: Adventures and Advice from America’s #1 Gay Wedding Planner. Bernadette has an undergraduate degree in �lm and an MBA and is a proud AmeriCorps alum. Her own gay wedding was July 3, 2009.

Jennifer Coveney-SmithJen is our Creative Director and �oral designer. She has been a part of 14 Stories since 2007 and single handedly implemented the new True Bloom division of 14 Stories. Jen’s background is in higher education and she has worked at numerous colleges in �nancial aid, residence life and student services.Jen’s attention to detail and exuberance for weddings is unmis-takable. She designed all the �owers for her wedding to Bernadette.

Lisette Murphy Lisette was invited by Bernadette and Jen to be the day-of wedding coordinator for their own wedding in 2009 and has enjoyed adding to the success of many 14 Stories weddings since then as our Design Associate. In this capacity, Lisette brings �air to 14 Stories events through her �ne art trained eye and sense of well-timed production and artistry. She also works under the Styling By Lisette moniker providing hair and makeup services for weddings around New England. In addition to her work in the wedding industry, Lisette has a life of �ne arts, theatre, television and video experience and can be found installing artful retail window displays, directing �lms and producing independent animations from her Jamaica Plain studio.

A visionary company for visionary couples. These are the stories that change the world.

What's your story?

Clos

ed C

ircle

Pho

togr

aphy


Our Project Management Approach

The Project PlanEach new client gets a customized project plan with tasks, deadlines and a division of responsibility based on the conversations had with the couple. This project plan is an ongoing document that is updated and uploaded as client needs change.

The Five ElementsEmotional: who to invite, how much to spend, who’s in your wedding party, coming outFundamental: who will marry you? when? where? what to wear? colors and themesLogistical: which hotel? which vendors? guest communica-tionDesign: stationery, �oral, rentals, linensWrap: tastes, touches, �nal details, guest numbers

Our GuaranteeAs much as we like to have fun, 14 Stories takes what we do very seriously. Making sure our clients are well taken care of is a priority to us. We guarantee the following to all our clients:

* We will listen more than talk.* You will work with vendors who are gay-friendly or gay-owned businesses and every vendor we work with will be pre-screened as such.* If you wish, we can refer you to gay-friendly or gay owned vendors in other industries such as: real estate, estate planning, medical, �nancial planning and more.* We will adhere to eco-friendly business prac-tices including recycling and composting, using recycled paper, using FSC certi�ed business cards and recommending vendors who share our values.* We will have a fully stocked emergency kit onsite with us on your wedding day.* We are fully insured. * We take our clients’ privacy very seriously and will respect any wishes you may have regarding the use of images from your wedding.* On your �rst anniversary, we will make a dona-tion to the charity of your choice as selected in your contract.

Clos

ed C

ircle

Pho

togr

aphy

Clos

ed C

ircle

Pho

togr

aphy


Press14 Stories has been featured in Improper Bostonian magazine, Boston Weddings magazine, the New York Times, the Boston Globe and CNN.com, among many others.

PraiseSome kind words from former clients:

“Chuck and I would like to thank you for everything you did to make our wedding the most wonderful day of our 25 years together. Once we decided to marry, I didn't know where to begin or what to do, but from the �rst time we spoke on the phone, I knew I was talking to the right person. I told you a little about us and what type of wedding I would like to have and you made it happen. I wanted a Church wedding you gave me 'The Old South Church.' I wanted a hotel where we would be treated with respect and dignity and you found the best location and got us a welcome cocktail party and awesome rooms. I wanted a restaurant and you got us one of the best restaurants in town. Two weeks later we saw they received an award for top chef.

Overall, you brought this all together, kept us informed and in the loop everyday. It never could have done it without you two and it was all done by emails, phones calls and text messages. It's hard to believe you brought this together with just one 4 hour meeting when my partner and I �ew into town on a layover 2 months before our actual wedding day.

We can never thank you enough for making our wedding day happen without a glitch. God knows I was a nervous wreck. I couldn't have done it without you. God Bless you and Jen for being more than just wedding coordinators - we felt like you two were like long time friends and truly took care of us. Love you guys and will always be grateful. Our door is always open to you.”

Chuck and RickLos Angeles, CA

"I just wanted to drop you an email now that we’re home and say thank you again. I will apologize in advance because I am about to just gush about the entire wedding process. When we �rst reached out to you back in September, we had no clue what was in store for us as far as what decisions we’d need to make, the people we’d meet, or what our wedding would ultimately be like. With our lack of wedding experience, we weren’t even sure what a wedding planner did completely. What we found out last weekend was that you are a PRO!!

You took the time and e�ort to line up vendors that you

thought would work best with us and, not only did they make our wedding absolutely perfect, but we found them to be such a good �t, we’re actually missing our interactions with them.

I know a lot of couples must say ‘Oh our wedding was perfect in every way’, but I honestly feel that way. From the time we got into MA and started kicking into wedding mode on Thursday, every-thing went so smoothly. The license process was a breeze and the hair and makeup trial was a blast. I can’t believe I am the one saying that since it’s hair and makeup.

I am a worrier by nature and found I didn’t have one worry Saturday because I knew y’all had it covered. The wedding itself was amazing and perfect, full of tears and laughter, and Du� and I agree that we both have never felt so much love as we did that weekend. People consistently commented that it was a ‘classy’, ‘romantic’, ‘fun’ wedding. If you are ever down this way, please let us know. We’d love to stay in touch."

Kathy and Du�yWillow Spring, NC

"We cannot thank you enough for all your help in making our special day a perfect time. You really made a di�erence and allowed us to have a worry-free wedding. From applying for the license, to your recommendations on �orist, musicians, photogra-pher, rabbi, and all that was involved with the venue, etc., your �rst-class services provided exactly what we needed. Your profes-sionalism was evident from day one, making sure everything was addressed and no detail or follow-up was omitted. Bernadette, thank you again."

Neil and JanAtlanta, GA

Kat H

empe

l


First things �rst – make a guest list. The number of guests you invite determines your budget and therefore every-thing else. When you’re thinking about which friends and family to invite, keep in mind that this is your special day and you should consider only inviting those who will share your joy and be happy to celebrate with you and your partner.

* Make your guest list! * Build your wedding budget * Identify attendants, ushers, etc * Hire a wedding planner to help you with the vendor selection process * Compare facilities for ceremony, rehearsal and reception sites * Meet with o�ciant o Wedding Date o Time o Site

* Set up gift registry * Choose a theme to be integrated throughout the wedding (color theme, or something more speci�c like an ocean theme) * Compare Vendors and Resources and set aside money for deposit checks o Compare caterers o Bakers o Florists o Entertainment o Photographers o Hair and Makeup artists o Rental party services for chairs, tents, etc o Hotels for wedding room block

* Select Your Wardrobe o Select partners’ and attendants’ clothing o Encourage mothers’ clothing choices to coordinate with wedding, if desired

* Schedule an Engagement photo shoot with your photographer

* Choose Your Stationery o Select invitations and Save the Date cards, if you are using them o Address and stamp envelopes and mail Save the Date cards o Select stationery for thank you notes

* Tackle the Following Tasks o Address and stamp envelopes and mail invitations o Decide music for wedding and reception o Con�rm �ower orders, rose petals, confetti, etc o Choose location and guest list for rehearsal dinner o Choose a �nal menu with caterer o Con�rm wedding cake �avors o Choose gifts for all attendants o Choose wedding favors o Purchase your wedding rings o Arrange transportation for wedding party o Schedule hair and makeup trials o Arrange for ceremony mic and sound system, if necessary

before the wedding:6-12months

2-3months

The Wedding Planning Checklist

before the wedding:


1month before the wedding:

* Make the Following Arrangements o Get �oorplans of venues o Decide on seating arrangement for reception o Con�rm hotel accommodations and honeymoon tickets o Determine places for partners to dress o Determine places for attendants to dress o Apply for and pick up marriage license

* Get Ready for Trial Runs o Break in shoes o Check �nal �ttings on clothing for the partners o Write announcement for paper o Attend pre-wedding showers and parties

* Con�rm and Notify o Verify number of wedding guests and make multiple copies o Inform caterer of �nal number and any special dietary needs

* Print! o Design and print a program booklet for ceremony o Design and print menus for each table o Design and print place cards for each table

weeks2

* Prepare a full day of schedule and con�rm vendors * Make Final Preparations o Pack for honeymoon o Spend at least one quiet evening with respective families o Make decisions and purchases about personal touches – votives in bathrooms, rose petals, etc. o Designate someone to transport gifts and �owers from the reception o Designate someone to pin personal �owers o Buy guestbook o Write a speech or thank you words, if desired

* Lay out partners’ clothing * Pack toiletries * Make out �nal checks to the o�ciant, musicians, DJ/band, photographer, caterer and any other vendors due a �nal payment * Put aside envelopes for tips for catering sta�, muscians, o�ciant, drivers * Attend rehearsal dinner

1week

1daybefore the wedding:

before the wedding:

before the wedding:


theday

of

after the wedding:

the wedding:

* Get dressed * Let your wedding planner distribute the checks; manage the �ow; answer all questions; place the place cards, menus, and favors; and do all setup and cleanup!

* Mail wedding announcements, if you use them * Write remainder of thank you notes * Live, love, laugh and be happy!

Closed Circle Photography


Estimate of Wedding Costs

The costs of a wedding can add up quickly, so to avoid any major sticker shock, 14 Stories has prepared a list of prices for the Boston area. Please note that the prices generally start at these amounts and go up from there:

BAND:$3000+

CAKE:$3.75/slice+

CATERING (food & sta�):$100/person+

FLORAL:$75/centerpiece+

INVITATIONS:$6.00/each+

DJ:$800+

OFFICIANT:$125+

PHOTOGRAPHER:$2000+

RECEPTION SITE:$2000+

VIDEOGRAPHER:$2000+

Other Possible Expenses:

* Accommodations for out of town guests * Alcohol

* Decorations * Flowers for attendants and family

* Gratuities for bartenders/waiters/drivers * Marriage License

* Photography Albums * Rehearsal dinner

* Rental of Church or other ceremony space * Rental of tent, linens, tableware, tables, chairs, porta-

potties etc * Rings

* Save the Date cards * Transportation for yourselves and out of town guests

* Valet parking * Wardrobe

Green Weddings


Planning a green or organic wedding need not be a sacri�ce or a compromise of your vision. It's actually quiteeasy to be green. Here are a few tips:

ClothingHemp wedding gowns used to be hideous – but now there are actually many stylish options. Check outgetconscious.com/gownindex.html for some ideas for your gown and bridesmaids dresses. Consider a

wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses than can be worn again. Consider repurposing a mom’s wedding dress.

VenueThere are many hotels and other venues in the Greater Boston area that are energy-e�cient, use

environmentally friendly products, have comprehensive recycling programs and minimize water, waste andtoxins. Other spaces charge a rental fee that support e�orts to preserve beautiful places.

Invitations and StationaryEco-friendly invitations exist – partially-recycled paper is fairly easy to �nd and it's even possible to order paper

that's plantable with embedded seeds. Minimize the use of stationary by eliminating save the date cards,ceremony programs and place cards.

Food and DrinkBeyond the obvious – organic food, cake, beer and wine – you can simply consider local ingredients.

Massachusetts has many local farms that supply the �nest restaurants and caterers, and locally grown foodalways tastes better. There are several local cake bakeries that will use only organic ingredients.

DécorOrganic �owers can be tricky to �nd but locally grown �owers are great, too. Use �owers that are in season

that do not need to be transported from around the world (orchids are extremely popular but come to us fromAsia, for example). Ask if your �orist will rent vases or if they have any made from recycled glass.

Also consider table linens made of organic cotton, silk or recycled materials. Use beeswax or soy candlesinstead of the standard petroleum variety. Skip favors for guests – they won't even notice – or, better yet,

instead make a donation on behalf of each to a local nonpro�t organization and indicate so with a card at eachtable. If you do want to leave a favor, consider tulip bulbs, saplings, organic chocolate or another sustainable

option.

TransportationCut down on transportation costs and its environmental impact by having your ceremony and reception at the

same location, or within an easy walk.

Tell Us:617.942.1270

[email protected] www.14stories.com

What’s your story?

Documents

14 Stories Client Packet