14 Stories

Greg and Michael from Kelly Guenther Studio on Vimeo.

Here's the rundown of same-sex marriage laws in the three new states:  Delaware, Rhode Island and Minnesota:

Delaware

• first date to apply: July 1, 2013 
• Waiting Period: 24 hours after license is issued
• Witnesses: 2
• Blood Test: None 
• Divorce Decree Required: Yes
• Fee: $50 for state residents; $100 for non-residents
• Where to Apply: Office of the County Clerk of Peace

Rhode Island

• first date to apply: August 1, 2013
• Waiting Period: None
• Witnesses: 2
• Blood Test: None 
• Divorce Decree Required: Yes
• Fee: $24
• Where to Apply: City or Town Clerk's office in the city where the marriage will take place

Minnesota

• first date to apply: August 1, 2013 
• Waiting Period: 5 business days after license is issued (can be waived with a court order)
• Witnesses: 2 
• Blood Test: None 
• Divorce Decree Required: Yes
• Fee: $40 or $110, depending on if you've taken premarital education classes 
• Where to Apply: A County Registrar's office

Since the laws are rapidly changing (yay for Delaware, Rhode Island and Minnesota, not to mention some new countries), I'm going to resurrect some of my old how-to style blog posts.  This one is an oldie but a goodie: how to get your parents excited about your gay wedding.

After discovering that the sky didn't fall in one year of civil unions, the state of Delaware went full in for marriage equality.  The law goes into effect on July 1 and existing civil unions will convert to marriage.  Love this marriage equality momentum!

We were thrilled to be asked by Next Magazine to give the rundown of some amazing locations in New York City for gay weddings.  Gay wedding planning in New York is super fun in the right venue...check out this article to read more about my top picks.

PS - one of our clients was in the same issue, for the engagement story.  Read about Brian and Toby's engagement here.

I'm happy about this for two reasons:  1) because civil unions protect LGBT families, period.  And 2) because civil unions pave the way for full marriage equality (see Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and hopefully soon Illinois and Delaware).

Congratulations, Colorado!

If you know me, you know that one of my favorite LGBT organizations is the Family Equality Council.  I'm Vice Chair of their annual New York City fundraiser, Night at the Pier.  Yesterday, this year's event raised nearly $800,000 for this amazing organization which advocates for equal treatment of all families.  Here's a photo from Monday night with Jen and Edie Windsor, of The United States v Windsor.  It was an amazing and inspiring night and I'm honored to be part of such a fabulous organization!

As you know, our company was founded in New England and we still have a Boston office.  We are proud that now, all 7 New England states support marriage equality!  Welcome, Rhode Island - we can't wait to start planning some amazing Newport gay and lesbian weddings. Newport is one of the most beautiful and charming cities in the U.S. and has some absolutely beautiful wedding venues, such as Bel Mer.  Bring on the Newport gay weddings!  We can't wait.  Congratulations to the LGBT couples of Rhode Island.

The Financial Times did a little profile on me recently - check it out below with the accompanying story

Many of you are probably on the edge of your seat this week as the U.S. Supreme Court hears two marriage equality cases, one affecting Proposition 8 in California which banned marriage equality there, and the other affecting the horrific DOMA law signed by President Clinton in 1996.  

I've been doing a bunch of interviews about marriage equality and the business of gay weddings and am really excited about this week.  Jen, Patrick and I attended a rally tonight, wore red and although we couldn't make it down to D.C., I've been as inspired as I was back in 2004 when I founded 14 Stories. 

This is a top secret photo from back in the day...circa 2004 or so!  Not the most flattering photo of me but it was amazing to be a part of history in the making, just as it is in 2013!