Bernadette Smith, President of It’s About Time Events, runs a business and blog dedicated to producing beautiful, meaningful and memorable events that are a vehicle for social change. It’s About Time is the nation’s first business specializing in the planning of legal gay and lesbian weddings. Bernadette has planned over 70 weddings!
What do you love about what you do?
My clients. I meet so many wonderfully diverse and interesting couples. It’s a joy to be invited into their lives as they are planning a once in a lifetime experience. I also love the variety of tasks and projects that are part of the job description of a wedding and event planner – everything from contract negotiation to event design and emotional support. The variety is fun and keeps me on my toes.
How did you get into doing what you do?
My company is the only company in the country that specializes in planning legal same-sex weddings. We were the first and remain the only company with this niche. I opened my business soon after same-sex marriage was legalized in Massachusetts in November 2003. I was open for business a few months later and the first legal same-sex weddings in the US happened on May 17, 2004.
Event planning had always been a part of my job description for other organizations and the rallies opposing same-sex marriage in late 2003 and early 2004 provided me with the inspiration and motivation to offer a wedding planning service to same-sex couples.
What do you wear when you’re doing what you do?
Day of event, I wear a business suit. In meetings I typically wear nice jeans, an oxford and a blazer.
Tell me about the industry, and why it’s hard out there for same-sex couples.
Weddings are still a very heterosexist industry and part of my job is to be an advocate for my clients – not only helping them with logistics and details but with personal decisions and ensuring their continual comfort level.
I have worked many gay weddings and the thing I am continually telling clients is that this is their opportunity to have a wedding that reflects their own values, personality and style. This is about them, not about anyone else, and there are no traditions they must adhere to. They can create their own traditions.
Do you have a favorite “moment” that happens while you’re doing your job?
Two favorite moments:
1) When I am taking clients on venue visits in the very early stage of planning and they walk into a space, look at each other with wide eyes and know they’ve found the place in which they’ll marry. They always get giddy with excitement. It’s fun.
2) The wedding ceremony. That’s what it’s truly all about – the ceremony, the legitimization and legalization of their relationship. I love ceremonies that are very personal, officiated by someone who knows the couple and speaks in a very heartfelt way.
Rave time!
“This will be our easiest thank you card to write because we have no shortage of great things to say about you! You were a dream to work with – fun, chill, yet professional enough to get stuff done and crack the whip when needed. We both decided that our wedding was the funnest we’d ever been to, 100% awesome.” – Tina and Ariadne
“Thank you so much for assisting us in bringing our dream of getting married to a reality. We got so many compliments from family and friends on the wedding and we owe it all to you! The whole day was wonderful and well planned – thank you for all your hard work!” – Joan and Cecilia
“Rest assured that I’ll be recommending you to anyone who needs a planner. We’ve been telling everyone how thrilled we were with the way things went off, and how we know that wouldn’t have happened without you. All the STRESS of the event went away, because it was so clearly under control. Thanks again.” – Tim and Cooper
