Meet the Team
Bernadette Smith's Story
I’ve always been a romantic and an idealist, though I am totally an accidental wedding planner. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am very passionate about ensuring that my clients (and other same-sex couples) have the most positive, supportive experience while planning their wedding. Being a wedding planner is just as important to me as being a gay wedding advocate and educator.
I grew up in the Hudson Valley in New York, went to college in Boston, traveled a lot, lived a few other places, then landed back in Boston for years, which is where I started 14 Stories. My wife Jen, son Patrick and I live in New York City now and are so happy to be in my home state now that same-sex marriage is legal here.
Jen says that I have a nerdy streak and am obsessed with details. So true. I have apps for choosing colors and figuring out the number of catering staff for a 200 guest wedding. I have CAD software that tells me what size dance floor will fit in your space. I have my files backed up and backed up some more and in ten seconds I can pull up your photographer’s contract from my phone or my iPad.
I love my gadgets but I also love my clients and I know our weddings are both breathtaking and fun. I love seeing how our couples click, hearing their nicknames for each other and learning how they make decisions as a team. I love hearing the stories because those stories inevitably become part of the wedding experience we create for guests.
I also love Bravo TV shows (especially Top Chef), traveling for work and for fun, dining out and taking family adventures. I wrote a book Gay Wedding Confidential, built the country's first gay wedding planning app, and am the expert blogger on TheKnot site Gay.Weddings.com and also the Huffington Post. I’ve been featured on the Today Show, CNN, in The New York Times, Travel and Leisure and Brides magazines and interviewed on NPR and I regularly speak about gay weddings around the country.
The Stories of Our Team
Jen Coveney-Smith is my wife and the 14 Stories VP and floral designer. Although Jen is not involved in the day to day operations of our firm, she is involved in all strategy and marketing and also provides floral design for some of our smaller weddings. Jen also can be seen running around behind the scenes on your wedding day (we're a great team!) Jen has a great passion for ensuring our clients have the best possible customer service experience when working with us. Jen is obsessed with making things beautiful, whether it's our home (always full of candles and flowers and music is always playing); our son's nursery or the artfully arranged flowers at your wedding. My favorite thing about Jen is her huge, positive personality - she is a fabulous Leo - and is truly the kind of person who lights up a room.
Andrew Altenburg joined us in 2011 as our New York Wedding and Marketing Coordinator. Andrew has been managing events for the past 16 years, creating and overseeing fundraising events for the LGBT community around the country. In Los Angeles he produced dozens of events for Aid for AIDS and L.A. Shanti. In New York he’s worked with over 60 LGBT non-profits, including the Anti-Violence Project and the LGBT Center, raising funds and raising awareness at his Wednesday night grassroots Bingo event. Over the years he’s worked with the Dramatists Guild of America, the Waldorf Astoria, Trinity Church, Brookhaven University and many others. An out and proud gay man and ordained nondenominational minister, Andrew has devoted his adult life to making the world a happier place for the LGBT community.
Jen and I invited
Lisette Murphy to be the day-of wedding coordinator for our own wedding and she did such a great job that we brought her on board as a Design Associate and lead in our Boston office. In this capacity, Lisette brings flair to 14 Stories events through her fine art trained eye and sense of well-timed production and artistry. She also meets with prospective couples to get to know their own stories. Lisette 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 fine arts, theatre, television and video experience and can be found installing artful retail window displays, directing films and producing independent animations from her studio.
Janet Benzan Duval has been with us since 2009, as our go-to Justice of the Peace in Boston, officiating dozens of our clients' marriage ceremonies. Janet is now working with us to coordinate elopements. She frequently is with couples through the often stressful process of obtaining the marriage license, coordinating flowers, cake and photographer and up until and including the marriage ceremony. Janet brings to us a strong customer service background, having been a longtime Delta Airlines employee. She is a native Bostonian and can tell you just about everything you could ever want to to know about this great city!
Ki Williams is part of our New York team. Ki has been a event assistant with the company since 2009 when he assisted with weddings throughout New England. He is a graduate of Suffolk University, with a degree in public relations. He has a great eye for design and detail and we (and our clients) love his extraordinary customer service skills - which he honed while working for years at Abercrombie & Fitch. Ki is incredibly thoughtful and professional and a fun and dynamic part of the 14 Stories team. In his free time, he enjoys exploring his new city!
Victoria Smith is part of our New York team as our Events Intern. Victoria, a student at Macaulay Honors College in Manhattan, has a great eye for aesthetics and is a quick thinker. I admire how much of a go-getter Victoria is and how motivated she is to help us grow our New York office. Since she’s been on board, Victoria has been responsible for vetting New York vendors to ensure they meet our high standards for referrals and identifying unique and unusual venues for fabulous New York weddings. Victoria will also be assisting on site with us as an Events Assistant.
