So You're EnGAYged, A Gay Wedding Blog

I closely go through each application to our vendor list. I had a question for Marie Tyler Wiley about hers, so I gave her a call, and ended up on the phone for close to an hour! She had me rolling on the floor laughing while telling me all about how much she loves what she does. An officiant in Connecticut, Marie specializes in seaside weddings, and was voted the #1 wedding officiant in CT three years running!

How did you get into doing what you do?

I became a Justice of the Peace because of the clod of a JP who married my husband and me a thousand years ago. Seriously…if it took 30 seconds that would be pushing it. To the point: I have never remembered to this day…ever having said…“I do”…that’s how fast the JP was…We then walked around Manhattan for the next 45 minutes w/me questioning my husband…”Are you SURE WE’RE MARRIED????”

He was like…”yeah…I guess so…he said we were”. Duh!

At that moment, way back then… I decided…I would never, ever, let another bride go thru that mini horror show. That’s no way to be married and that’s why I am fanatical about weddings. My mission is to make sure your entire experience, not just my part , the ceremony …is stress free and is full of fun, joy and laughter!!! I’m really good at those three things!!! :) (more…)

As soon as I saw the work of Kelly McCormick, owner of Green Stem Designs, I knew I had to interview her for So You’re EnGAYged! I know how eager our readers are to invest in woman-owned and green-friendly small businesses.

Please tell us a little bit about your business.

Green Stem Designs is an Eco-Friendly floral design studio serving all of New England. With edgy appeal and innovative arrangements, we can set the standard of excellence that reflects your values and creates spectacular memories. Green Stem Designs prides itself in being a Green-Friendly, Woman Owned and Operated, New England-based Small Business.

How did you get into doing what you do?

I was living in Hollywood, working 16-hour days in film and television production. Although it’s a glamorous industry, I didn’t feel completely satisfied with my position behind the scenes because it didn’t afford me any artistic outlet. A unique opportunity arose when my then girlfriend’s sister asked if I could do her wedding flowers. Although I wasn’t a designer she knew I was creative and able to interpret other people’s artistic vision. I was very flattered and gladly accepted the challenge. Designing flowers for her wedding was when I realized I had finally found my medium in flowers. Three months later I was enrolled in a floral design program at City College in San Francisco.

How is your business “pro-gay”, or how have you changed your business to be gay-friendly?

Well for starters I am an openly gay woman, and my partner assists me with all aspects of my work from the conception to finishing the bouquet with a ribbon. We are a team and she is integral to Green Stem Designs.

In regards to my clients, I never put them in a box, gay, straight or otherwise. Green Stem Designs customizes each event because everyone’s celebration of love deserves gorgeous flowers. (more…)

When Clayton Austin emailed me about giving away a wedding photography package with So You’re EnGAYged because he was so excited about what we are doing, my jaw dropped. His work has a vintage and fashion edge to it that reminds me of a 1940’s Vogue spread. Ok- Yes, I’m smitten. He was talking about how love is just this incredible thing that makes him giddy when his partner gets him diet coke instead of flowers. I couldn’t agree more and am so excited to announce the Clayton Austin. Love. Stories giveaway:

The Winning Couple Receives:

• (8) hours of continuous coverage
• (1) Photographers
• (1) “Day After” OR “Day Before” Portrait session
• (1) 10×10 30 side coffee table style album
• 300 hand edited images on DVD
• On line gallery for viewing
• Rights to print

To Enter:

• Comment on this post with your name, email in the form(which will not be published), and your love story and how you have persevered against all odds
• Optional. A link to a website, blog, twitter, facebook with photos of the two of you. Show us who you are!
• The contest will close Thursday, September 24th at midnight.
• So You’re EnGAYged and Clayton Austin. Love. Stories. will pick 3 couples after September 24th that readers will then have two weeks to vote for their favorite couple.

Rules:

• This contest is open to all couples, regardless of sexual orientation.
• Wedding can be located anywhere!
• Airfare from San Antonio, TX (if applicable) and hotel with a minimum of 3 nights stay will be provided for by the lucky couple
• Couple must be willing to let Clayton Austin. Love. Stories. and So You’re EnGAYged use photographs on blogs, websites, and other promotional material.

“Love is not two people looking at each other, but instead two people looking together in the same direction”. Those are the words that I too will speak to the love of my life just a few months from now during a private ceremony witnessed by our closest friends and family. When Kelly asked me write a small blurb explaining why I wanted to do this I sat in front of a blank computer screen for what must have been more than an hour. I’m not a writer by any stretch of the imagination. But what I do know is love. I know what it looks like because he yells at me when I leave wet towels on the bathroom floor and laughed at me when I cried on the “The Notebook”. He surprises me with a twelve pack of Diet Coke just because he can. Diet Coke is WAY better than flowers in my book. Of course he also yells at me for the leaving the empty cans around the house. He gets me. I get him. It’s a great life. So why would I do this you ask? Because I am inspired by beautiful things and nothing in this world is more fantastically beautiful than two people who against all odds have dug down deep in order to find the immense courage to choose love. Everyone has a a love story to tell. My name is Clayton Austin and I can’t wait to hear yours!

Clayton Austin even looks killer in front of the camera!