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!!! :)

After I became a JP I then followed that up by becoming a minister. JP’s cannot officiate in every state…Ministers can. So either way…I am legal everyday!!!

What do you wear when you’re doing what you do? :)

Unless my couples request that I wear simply a dress or dress to match…I normally wear my “robe” it’s winter white w/a tiny royal blue piping. It’s very pretty and simple.

What do you love about what you do?

OMG…what is there NOT TO LOVE???!!! :) Marrying couples is such an honor and being a part of their lives on such a special day is beyond wonderful. You know….I always say about/to my couples…” It’s all about YOU”…and then my friends say…’yeah right…it’s so about you and what you get back out of marrying people” and that’s true. I just adore what I do. I meet THE greatest people on earth! :)

Tell us about working with gay couples.

As Popeye says…”I yam…what I yam! :)” I love all people and I don’t care what color…what race…what anything…anyone is. In my eyes…everyone is equal and deserving and everyone deserves to be loved!!!!

Do you have a favorite “moment” that happens while you’re doing your job?

Ah…this is a great one…Okay…first off…I love meeting the couples and seeing their enthusiasm for each other…that is sooooooooo much fun. Then…getting to know them is great…but…I guess the ” moment ” comes when I come to marry them that I am sooooo excited for them…the day before and the day of…it’s ridiculous…I am always feeling like…”OMG…I wish I was getting married” and then I remember…Oh yea…I already am and love it! :)~..

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.

What do you love about what you do?

Getting to know my clients and helping them to realize their vision is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Taking natural materials and creating interesting, unique, eco-friendly and of course beautiful floral décor brings joy to my life and others.

Do you have a favorite “moment” that happens while you’re doing your job?

Delivering the flowers to my clients is one of my favorite moments because of the anticipation, surprise and excitement. This is when I usually get hugs.

Can you tell us more about going “green”?

Yes! I create beautiful floral designs using organic, local, in season and sustainable grown flowers, plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables when available. I’m a green-friendly florist trying to tread a little lighter on the planet one petal at a time. My tag line is: “Think globally and blossom!”

I’ve chosen to be eco-friendly not because it’s easier or in fashion but because it’s the responsible and right thing to do. I live my personal life this way so it was an easy decision to continue this in my business practice.

Rave and picture time!

“Kelly and Green Stem Designs created floral arrangements, boutonnieres, corsages, bouquets and constructed a Chuppah for our Commitment Ceremony. Kelly was able to be both sensitive to my partner and my needs or desires, while remaining creative and daring in her execution. Her organic style was pure and breathtaking. Since our event was mostly outside, she was able to match the colors, theme and feeling of our day to her creation. She also assembled a skilled and professional team to complete the job. I highly recommend Green Stem Designs and Kelly McCormick’s work for any design or event where you need a professional.”
- March 16, 2009 (Therese Bogan ?hired Kelly as a Floral Design for a Gay Wedding in 2007)

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!