"Look into your eyes, and the sky’s the limit!"

When Marc and Daniel got engaged and realized they wanted a wedding planner I was thrilled to get the call.  While the legality of same-sex marriage doesn’t seem to be threatened and gay weddings are a common occurrence, we all must remember that wasn’t always the case.  And Marc Solomon is one of the reasons why.  He was one of the driving forces behind the organization Freedom to Marry, and he also authored Winning Marriage which outlines the entire movement.  Personally, I know that I wouldn’t have my current career without people like him.

In searching for venues together, they told me they were “chillaxed homosexuals” who wanted to celebrate the life they were now sharing in the borough of Brooklyn.  This wedding was going to be less about centerpieces and more about them, the movement they had been a part of, and the guests who would be on hand to celebrate.  We landed on having the ceremony at the Wythe Hotel and reception at the Brooklyn Winery.

This wasn’t just any ceremony.  Not only did their dog Salvy walk down the aisle as ring bearer, but It was almost a who’s who of the marriage equality movement.  It was officiated by Evan Wolfson, the founder and president of Freedom to Marry.  Their friend Mary Bonauto, read passages from two major court cases affirming the freedom to marry, both of which she argued.  These were Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in 2003 and Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. Adding to this was the incredible live clarinet played by Eric Umble.

As guests departed the ceremony and arrived at the reception, they were instantly greeted with the made-in-house varietals that make the Brooklyn Winery so special.  As Marc and Dan were introduced to their guests they executed a choreographed dance by Josh Green to “I Got Lost in His Arms” by Jonathan Groff. After DJ Lady Crumbcake of Sugartown Industries kept the crowd moving for this cocktail-style reception, and when the winery put out their multiple food stations they did not disappoint.  Nine Cakes provided three tiers of deliciousness, and upon cutting the grooms had requested “Helpless” from Hamilton.  I had just worked with the singers of their first dance and cake-cutting choices, so it was thrilling for me to surprise them with a congratulatory video message from Phillipa Soo and Jonathan Groff. 

"If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it.” 

View the full gallery here.

View video highlight here.

View the story in the Advocate here.

Ceremony Venue: The Wythe Hotel

Reception Venue: The Brooklyn Winery

Ceremony Musician: Eric Umble

DJ: Sugartown Industries

Photographer: Justin McCallum

Videographer: Daniel Robinson

Choreographer: Josh Green

Cake: Nine Cakes

Floral: L’Oasis

Lighting: Universal Light and Sound

Favors: NuNu Chocolates

“In our perfect park, made of flecks of light and dark.”

Two creative grooms and a strong desire to boldly paint their love story for their guests?  I couldn’t have asked for a better couple than Ryan and Alek to be the first official wedding of Jason Mitchell Kahn and Co.  After touring several venues, we landed at the newly renovated Second Floor in Midtown.  With exposed brick, industrial ceilings, a retractable roof and phenomenal in-house catering, it’s only a matter of time before this place develops a waiting list.

The design inspiration came from their love of the arts, travel and the era of the Speakeasy.  On the long wooden dining tables, we created table runners out of old sheet music, and then topped them with a mix-matched spread of apothecary bottles in varying heights and colors that each held taper candles; arrangements in bud vases by The Arrangement NYC; and a fun mix of all the rental props I could get my hands on such as vintage cameras, trophies and books.  Above every table we installed Edison bulbs to dangle at different lengths.

The escort card table was composed of individual telegrams informing guests which significant location in Ryan and Alek’s life they’d be sitting at.  There was also a vintage typewriter so guests could leave a wish for the grooms.  The wall of windows at the venue overlooks a courtyard with a giant screen. When Ryan and Alek recessed after saying “I do,” the screen activated with a firework display and a message of congratulations in both English and Spanish.  All of this fun was accentuated by the live music of the Melanie and the Bianco Martinis, the spinning of DJ Steven Paul, and captured by GT Modern Creations on video and one of my favorite photographers Laura Marie Duncan.

It was a true joy to see all the planning details come to life. But what was more fulfilling was helping them navigate the emotional journey of this wedding.  Alek’s parents are divorced, and not long before the date, his father expressed he would not attend as he doesn’t support same-sex marriage.  But his step-mom did come, and we figured out a way to include her alongside Alek’s mom and grandmother in the processional and have a mother-son dance with all three.  The ceremony also included a group sing-a-long of The Rainbow Connection.  I think all the lovers and dreamers had chills.

The best part of night was facilitating the separate surprises they planned for one another.   Ryan compiled a video of wishes from all of Alek’s relatives in Mexico who couldn’t attend, and after it played he transitioned into a choreographed flash-mob with his groomsmen.  Alek led a group number from Ryan’s favorite musical Sunday in the Park with George.  As he lined up their closest friends and family with parasols to recreate the famous Seurat painting, I was overcome with how fitting the lyrics represented their wedding journey.

“White. A blank page of canvas. His favorite. So many Possibilities.”

View the full gallery here.

CURTAIN UP!

Here it is boys.  Here it is world.  Here’s Jason Mitchell Kahn and Co.

Last month I officially launched a dream of mine that’s been in the works for years: my very own company dedicated to everything I want to do with my career. Beyond making campy references whenever possible, my goals are quite diverse. I landed on the name Jason Mitchell Kahn & Co. because I liked the sound and nod to showbiz. I’ve divided it into three categories: Events, Stories, and Lifestyle.

As weddings are what I love, they’ll comprise the majority of my event division, but I’m through accepting limits, cause someone says they’re so. (Too much?)  I’ve cried tears of joy watching a gay boy living his best life at his Bar Mitzvah...so maybe that’s another calling.  If I feel passionate about a project and can put my heart into it then deal me in.  I’m even producing my first runway show this summer for Men’s Vows Magazine during the first Aspen Summer Holiday!  More to come on that later . . .

I’ve published two plays, The Boys Upstairs and The Red Box, along with the first Gay Wedding Guide: Getting Groomed, but I have so many other stories to tell. I’m currently working on a TV series about weddings, begun a new play, started my first kids book, and a memoir with my sister. I even have a killer outline for Big Business 2, my favorite 80’s movie of all time. But I digress...point being, with the launch of my own company, I’ll finally have the time to focus these words onto paper, and I couldn’t be more excited to share them with you.

While this initial post is to share my company’s vision, I’ll be covering a plethora of topics (all with my sense of humor) in the weeks to come.  The number one question I get asked as a wedding planner is “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen at a wedding?” To be honest, I never have a great answer. Either I’ve been very lucky with the type of clients I’ve attracted or my own lack of interest in Bridezilla behavior has resulted in very smooth sailing. Instead, I’d love to focus on sharing the best and most meaningful stories with you.  I find tremendous beauty in watching my couples overcome the challenges they face. In the first two weddings I’ve done this year, I had a groom whose father refused to attend because he didn’t accept gay marriage and a bride who lost both her parents in the same year.  I want to share these first-hand stories, as well as inspiration, style, and anything you may want my opinion on.  I want to hear from you!

I love having a diverse clientele and planning weddings for all types of couples. I’ve learned a lot since authoring the first and only wedding planner for gay grooms.  Even with all of the progress made and gay marriage no longer being a niche concept, the wedding industry predominantly revolves around brides and heteronormative trend.  This is why I’m developing a lifestyle division. And it’s not intended just for same-sex couples, although if you google gay cake-toppers you’ll roll your eyes like Anderson Cooper! I’ve experienced tremendous joy in hearing from female readers who discovered Getting Groomed and preferred it to the other options marketed towards them. I have several ideas, and If you feel there’s something missing from the market I’d love to hear from you. 

In closing let me raise a glass:

Here’s to new ideas and passion.

Here’s to a Trump-free future

Here’s to the good times and bad times.

AND HERE'S TO YOU!

Your Story. Expertly Told. With Love.

J.M.K.