Weddings Redefined

LGBTQ Destination Weddings in Puerto Rico

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 15:24:00 GMT

My partner, Heather, and I just returned from a wonderful stay at La Concha Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We were excited to check out this resort because one of their employees, Nidymar Boscano, recently became Gay Wedding Institute certified and we knew that San Juan specifically and Puerto Rico, in general, need tourism support. We wanted to give back to an island that we feel is being neglected by our government.

This trip was my first time truly exploring San Juan. La Concha is located in Condado, an area of San Juan with beautiful warm, soft sandy beaches and wonderful restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. But truly, there’s no need to leave the hotel to dine, because the restaurants and pools on the property are spectacular, with locally sourced, fresh cuisine. We simply loved staying here. We stayed in in Ocean Tower Suite with a beautiful balcony overlooking the Caribbean (and the adult-only pool) and a generous, well appointed kitchen. From the moment we arrived at La Concha, the service was outstanding. And most importantly, we always felt comfortable being open holding hands and being ourselves on the property and throughout San Juan.

La Concha has some beautiful spots for weddings of all sizes, and their weddings team is very experienced with destination weddings in general and same-sex weddings specifically. We know that their experience, coupled with our training, will ensure that all LGBTQ couples have an amazing time at this resort.

Because Puerto Rico in a U.S. territory and thus does not require passports for Americans, and is a direct flight away from many U.S. cities, it’s an outstanding choice for LGBTQ couples seeking a super LGBTQ-friendly beach destination and affordable destination wedding venue. In San Juan and at La Concha, you can have it all - and we did. We explored Old San Juan and the history of the fort, La Morra. We visited the local beach / gay beach and we ate (and drank!) our way through the city. The live music is fantastic. The piña coladas are abundant and the people are kind and joyful. Here are some of the beautiful photos of La Concha.

LGBT Destination Weddings in Puerto Vallarta

Fri, 23 Dec 2016 15:49:00 GMT

This month, my partner and I visited the Almar Luxury Suite Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We knew that PV was a very popular gay destination, but neither of us had been before despite having traveled to many other parts of Mexico. We didn't quite know what to expect but we were greeted at the airport and brought to this spectacular property with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean from every suite. Almar is a straight-friendly LGBT resort, and this was also our first time staying at such a place. As an LGBT resort we were greeted with rainbow cookies and guava juice at check-in. The rainbow cookies were an adorable touch.

We stayed in a one-bedroom jacuzzi suite with two balconies featuring incredible sunset view views. The suites are all new as the property is technically still under construction with about 40 rooms currently available and another 50 available in the coming few months. Everything is brand-new in the space. The kitchen is high-end. There is plenty of space in the suite for entertaining and there are even two bathrooms with L'Occitane amenities.

After we explored our suite, we made our way down to the Mantamar Beach Club which is owned by Almar. Because Almar is tucked up in the hill you either have to walk downstairs to the beach club or take their shuttle bus. The beach club is extraordinary. First of all, the food and beverages are great. Many of the chairs on the sand have umbrellas and there are tons of beautiful cabanas for reservation at both the beach and pool areas. The service is wonderful, full of kind and lovely servers who really enjoy serving the LGBT guest. The infinity pool has a swim up bar and three Jacuzzi tubs. Mantamar is available to Almar guests and it's also available to the general public with a day pass.

While we were there, we saw a wedding ceremony wedding reception set up in the restaurant. This reception had 49 guests who took over half of the restaurant which was set up in a semi-private way. We spoke to a number of the staff who informed us that weddings can be set up as a full buyout, on the beach, in the restaurant and any number of configurations. We think this is a great option for gay destination weddings.

Almar and Mantamar are amazing destinations for a luxury wedding for the gay traveler. The sunset from this particular part of the world is absolutely breathtaking. The shades of color that the sky turns are out of this world and something we won't soon forget.

Destination Weddings Insights in Passport Magazine

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 04:00:00 GMT

We were honored with our friends at Passport Magazine asked us to share our insights on destination weddings for their current gay destination weddings issue. We love planning destination weddings as it's a unique way to show off the diversity of our world and all of the exciting places that we can travel. Some of our favorite destinations (as you can see in the article) include Puerto Rico, the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao and of course, Provincetown, Massachusetts where we've worked many times. Ptown may not seem like a destination but for many people it sure is and it remains one of the most popular places for gay and lesbian couples to get married. Couples may also consider Mexico as the all-inclusive resorts of Riviera Maya are very LGBT-friendly, and Puerto Vallarta has been a top gay tourist destination for decades.

Wherever you want to go for your destination wedding, 14 Stories can take you there. We always have our passport ready and our unique expertise not only in destination wedding planning but also in places where LGBT couples can safely travel, provides you with the best combination of peace of mind and logistical expertise. Check out the article below for some additional insights.

A Private Home in Provincetown

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 05:00:00 GMT

Jillian and Emily hired us to plan a very special wedding at Jillian's mom's home in Provincetown's west end. Planning a wedding at any private home brings many logistical challenges, considerations like parking, tents and restrooms. Planning a wedding at a private home in Provincetown for 70 guests is even more complicated with details like tenting a limited amount of dock space and figuring out seating for everyone. But the home was impeccable and stunning, providing amazing views of the bay.

The house provided great space for cocktail hour and dinner and although there was no room at the house for the ceremony, we fixed that by easily arranging for the ceremony at the Pilgrim Monument, sitting high above Ptown with soaring views. The guests traveled to and from all wedding events via trolleys which gave them the beautiful tour of Ptown and made the experience extra special. After the ceremony, Jillian and Emily hopped in a pedicab and rode around town to Flyers Boat Rental. Aren't these pictures adorable? Then they traveled from Flyers to the reception by boat making their grand entrance on the beach next to the house. I've never had such a special grand entrance!

The Party Factor band was incredible. They rocked all night and truly did an amazing job setting the stage for an entertaining evening.

This was a really beautiful wedding, made all the more remarkable by the intimacy of the venue and the special meaning that came with having it there. What an extraordinary wedding, and what a beautiful couple.

Enjoy the terrific photos by Lisa Rigby.

A Wedding at the Red Inn

Thu, 07 Jan 2016 05:00:00 GMT

Steven and Richard, who live in Los Angeles, hired us to plan four days of parties in Provincetown, Massachusetts as part of their wedding celebration. The 100 guests joined us from all over the world beginning on Thursday for welcome reception at the Harbor Lounge, followed by a clambake at Crown and Anchor on Friday, and then the wedding itself on Saturday at The Red Inn, and finally a closing brunch at Victor's on Sunday.

These four parties were full of great details and lots of laughter. Most of these guests had never been in Provincetown before so it was an extra special treat for them to explore this tiny arts community at the edge of the continent. Steven and Richard chose a nautical theme for their wedding. The design was carried through on their aisle runner which then became a sign-in board for their guests and will be framed in their home as artwork. The design was also on their wedding invitations and stationery, on the artwork in their flip-flop station, and all other printed materials.

The Red Inn is a very special place and one of our favorite venues in which to work. Its unparalleled views and exquisite food make it a really spectacular wedding option. We held the ceremony on the west deck and brought in these amazing battery operated chandeliers provided by SocialLight. As the night wore on we danced under the tent and brought out surprise guests: two aerial acrobat performers dressed as sailors who put on a very special show for the guests. The groom's and their guests had an awesome time concluding with the bouquet toss at the end of the night.

Enjoy the beautiful photos by Kate McElwee.

A Wedding in the Pines

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 20:48:00 GMT

Chris and Jeff live in Manhattan but hired us to plan a three day wedding celebration at one of their favorite places in the world: the Fire Island Pines. Planning a wedding in Fire Island is no easy feat, especially considering that there are no roads and no cars! Every rental item, every guest and every vendor had to come over to the island by ferry or freight. Planning a wedding in the Pines truly requires having a great team and knowing all the right people to call, but is so worth it. The views, nature elements and sense of community are unrivaled.

After a spectacular welcome reception on Friday evening, complete with a surprise fireworks display (a gift from Jeff to Chris), we were so exited for Saturday. The ceremony was held on the beach at Coast Guard Walk. As the guests approached the ceremony space, they were offered flip-flops to change into, then greeted with champagne and a fun handkerchief featuring a quote from the Jess Glynne song "Hold My Hand" (the recessional song). The ceremony itself was beautiful and we were blessed with perfect weather.

Immediately after the ceremony, the grooms walked the beach and the guests walked back up the boardwalk to Whyte Hall, the theater space that was transformed into a beautiful reception area. Chris and Jeff are casual, fun guys and they wanted a wedding that reflected that. We brought in Cocktail Caterers who created an extended cocktail party menu, starting with hors d'oeuvres and followed by a wide variety of small plates. We had plenty of seating and plenty of activity and entertainment for the evening but made sure to keep guests moving and out of their seats. We wanted Whyte Hall to feel intimate and warm and brought in beautiful lighting to create this coziness. We also incorporated the groom's favorite colors, orange and purple, throughout the printed materials and decor.

Chris and Jeff's dear friend, Sam Griffin designed all of the stationery materials you see here as well as officiated the very meaningful and moving ceremony. He really was an amazing addition to the celebration. Congratulations to Chris and Jeff for an extraordinary wedding weekend in the Fire Island Pines and thank you so much for having us be your planner. Check out the beautiful photos below by Thompson Photography Group.

Travel Guide: The W Hotel in Ft Lauderdale, Florida

Sat, 27 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite hotels in Florida is the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. I've stayed at this property a number of times but my favorite experience was certainly staying in their WOW Suite (of course!). My two bedroom, two bath suite had an enormous Atlantic-front wrapraround terrace on which I was very tempted to throw a party. The views are absolutely incredible and the terrace was larger than my New York City apartment.

Throughout the rest of the property, Atlantic views can be seen as well but us I especially like the bar area where you can step outside and enjoy fire pits and ocean views simultaneously. The W Fort Lauderdale has a chic, contemporary aesthetic which makes it extremely attractive for a modern wedding. There are numerous wedding venue locations throughout the property including some which have of course the amazing Atlantic views. As beautiful as the property is, it's actually undergoing a major facelift this year and will further enhance the design-driven experience.

In January, I conducted a training for the property a few months ago all about same-sex weddings and they are going to be great advocates for you and take great care. They now understand gay wedding etiquette, gay wedding traditions and much more. Additionally the W Hotel hosted the Love is Love the event where nearly 100 same-sex couples were united in marriage in a sunrise ceremony. There's no doubt that this W is doing all it can to earn your trust and your business. They have a lot to offer and we can't wait to bring you there to see for yourself!

Travel Guide: The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Florida

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMT

In January we were invited by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Naples, Florida to train their staff on same-sex weddings. While we were down there doing the training we were also treated to a stay at the hotel and were able to experience the finest of what the Ritz-Carlton has to offer, including their exceptional spa, pool, beach, restaurants and club level.

The aesthetic of the hotel is classic Ritz Carlton, very chic, warm and inviting. And of course the Ritz-Carlton service experience is as extraordinary as you would come to expect. People remembered our names and requests and treated us with complete respect and care throughout our stay. Additionally we felt very comfortable at the property as a same-sex couple and there were no issues being publicly out at any time during our stay.

This property is an extraordinary location for your same-sex wedding. Ceremonies can be held on the beach or they can be held by the pool. The restaurants on the premises are exceptional. The sunset from the property overlooking the Gulf Coast is amazing. I highly recommend this property especially now that the entire sales and events team is really prepared to serve you well, understand same-sex wedding traditions and trends, and being an amazing advocate for you throughout your wedding planning process.

14 Stories plans weddings throughout the world and can take you to the Ritz-Carlton Naples for a beautiful gay destination wedding. We also know great teams of wedding professionals in nearby Tampa who will be the perfect creative partners for your wedding. We love this place and know you'll love it, too.

Travel Guide: The W Hotel in Vieques

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMT

As you may know, 14 Stories offers an exclusive wedding planning experience for same-sex couples at the W Hotel in Viques, Puerto Rico. Our package with them includes plenty of wedding planning hours to ensure your wedding at this extraordinary property goes off without a hitch. The W property is chic, contemporary and offers just a touch of beach-glam. Its soaring ocean views from nearly every corner of the property will remind your guests that they are on vacation and allow them to relax and enjoy their whole weekend experience with you.

One of my favorite parts of the W is the initial welcome that happens right at the airport. There's a special W Vieques lounge where you are brought and greeted upon arrival. There, you can enjoy some refreshments and immediately feel like you're being pampered. Your guests will love this touch at the beginning and end of their trip.

Whether your wedding is for 20 or 200, the W has a space on property that will work. One of the things I love best is the variety of venues around the property so that there's truly something special for every couple. We love working at the W and can't wait to bring you there.

Travel Guide: The Breakers in Palm Beach

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMT

We stayed in the Imperial Suite at the Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida and had an amazing experience at this property. The Breakers is a historic, Italian-Renaissance hotel located on Palm Beach with sweeping views of the Atlantic. It's one of the most extraordinary hotels in the entire country.

As you drive up to the property you can immediately tell that the architecture and design is unparalleled. As you walk through the lobby and experience the architecture of the property your eye is drawn to the incredible detail work and extraordinary care that the team does to maintain this beautiful aesthetic. Our stay in the Imperial suite was absolutely exceptional. This is truly one of the nicest suites in which we've ever stayed in in any hotel in the world (and you can imagine that we've stayed in some exceptional properties). The balconies overlook the Atlantic and provide dramatic views that any couple would be thrilled to wake up to.

There are numerous numerous wedding locations where you can have your ceremony and reception throughout the property but none are more extraordinary, in my mind, than the Circle Ballroom which is a nice size for 100-200 guests. The wedding team at this property know the property inside and out and have planned some very elaborate parties! I led them in a short training to help prepare them for same-sex weddings and know they'll do a great job with yours. We can't wait to bring couples here to experience the Breakers service. Your whole friends and family would enjoy every second of your gay wedding on this property.

Travel Guide: A Destination Wedding at the Viceroy Riviera Maya

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMT

We just returned from a spectacular stay at the Viceroy Hotel in Riviera Maya. This adults-only resort with just 41 guest villas is private luxurious for couples looking for an exclusive, intimate experience. When you first arrive, there's no traditional hotel lobby. There's a beautiful covered seating area where the concierge greets you and tours you around the property, bringing you to the villa for discreet check-in. Our concierge, Natalia, first brought us to the spa where the shaman performed a Mayan cleansing ritual to welcome us to the jungle where we'd spend the next three days.

Our 1700 square foot villa featured an amazing terrace with private pool, outdoor shower and lounge. The inside had a luxurious rustic feel with a gorgeous soaking tub, walk-in-closet and five piece bathroom. We loved the privacy of our terrace and came home one evening to beautiful lanterns placed around the pool for a very romantic ambiance.

The food on property is fresh and delicious and the service was extraordinary throughout and not a single person (staff or guest) made us feel uncomfortable as we held hands and were clearly a couple. We experienced all of the property including the beach, the pool, the spa and each of the restaurants. Laura Reyes is the contact for destination weddings on site and she described an upcoming buyout for a gay client where the grooms are hosting the ceremony and cocktails on the beach, followed by dinner under the open-air Coral Grill restaurant and surrounding the pool area. That couple is bringing 150+ guests and the overflow will stay at adjoining properties. It sounds like an amazing affair and we can't wait to bring a gay destination wedding to this property!

Hudson Theatre Wedding

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:28:00 GMT

This video of Brian and Toby's wedding at the Hudson Theatre does a great job of showing off the creativity and artistry involved in our weddings. We love the opportunity we get to tell our clients' stories through their wedding. Enjoy!

Toby and Brian's Broadway Theatre Wedding

Sat, 14 Feb 2015 05:00:00 GMT

Toby and Brian share a love of the theatre so it was only fitting that their wedding be on stage on Broadway, at the beautiful landmarked Hudson Theatre, right in Times Square.

We used the grooms' engagement story (the proposal happened on the love locks bridge in Cologne, Germany) as a theme. We built a replica of the bridge as a design focal point for the wedding, and had guests names and table numbers engraved into the locks as seating assignments. It was a beautiful way to share the story of Brian and Toby.

Enjoy a preview of wedding photos below from their spectacular Hudson Theatre and check out even more here. Photos by Kelly Guenther Studio.

Love is Love Event at the W Ft Lauderdale Hotel

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 23:03:00 GMT

One of my favorite hotels in the country is the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On February 4, I was invited to visit the hotel and facilitate a one hour training for the catering sales staff, the general manager, and other team members. The training covered all aspects of same-sex weddings, to ensure this hotel is totally equipped to be great advocates for the LGBT clients, and understand the latest trends in same-sex weddings. The team was very enthusiastic and excited, and I love this beautiful property. It's going to be a great destination for same-sex couples.

The next day the hotel was one of the sponsors of the Love is Love event, hosted by the Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. This event featured Lance Bass and his husband Michael as ambassadors, while I was an ambassador representing the W Hotel. About 100 same-sex couples married that day in a beautiful sunrise ceremony. Although the ceremony was supposed to be on the beach, the threat of rain brought us indoors. It was still a beautiful morning, regardless. It's always a pleasure being around same-sex couples who are finally waiting for the right to legally marry. What an honor to be there that day, and represent the W Hotel as an ambassador. Thanks to the W for being a great advocate of marriage equality, and for inviting me to participate in this wonderful event.

Rachel and Sarah's Wedding at the Liberty Warehouse

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 05:00:00 GMT

Rachel and Sarah share many passions: social justice, judaism, queer culture - and Brooklyn! So it was only fitting that we planned their wedding at one of Brooklyn's most spectacular venues, the Liberty Warehouse.

Rachel is from New Orleans, so we even had a traditional NOLA style second line in from cocktail hour to dinner. The brass band led the way and we went directly into the first dance. This was one of the most fun weddings we've ever planned and it was a joy to be a part.

Enjoy a preview of some of their photos by Araiza and a more complete set of photos here. Cake by Cake Alchemy.