Functions and Gatherings
Hey y'all! My name is Jake and I'm here to make all of your magical ass wedding dreams come true! I started Functions and Gatherings so that I could plan the most fun parties and do the gayest things all the time.
I don't have to tell you, dear Offbeat Wed Reader, that this industry is a normative swamp that doesn't leave a lot of space for those of us that are different. Well… we're going to take up all the space we damn well please!
My approach to weddings focuses on getting to know you and crafting a celebration that only incorporates the ideals and traditions that work for you, leaving behind the ones that don’t, and adding some extra sparkle along the way. Why seek vendors who “accept you” when you should be celebrated!?
How I cater to offbeat weddings
As a gender non-conforming, fat, neurodivergent, disabled human being, I can’t imagine working with anyone who wasn’t at least a LITTLE offbeat! Life is all about finding what brings you joy and doing as much of that as you can and I like to do just that. I like reading books about MAGK, a genre that I made up that stands for “Magic and Gay Kissing” and always love a book recommendation. Any chance I get to pop in to a thrift store I take, in hopes of expanding my collection of vintage Pyrex and other vintage serve ware. My personal style is very eclectic and I’m not afraid to make a statement! I have a a special love of fun earrings after many childhood years of playing dress up with my great-grandma’s clip-ons.
One of the parts of running this business that I take most seriously is relationship building. Networking doesn’t quite cut it for me. It’s so important that vendors are vetted if they’re going to get a full Functions and Gatherings recommendation. I want to know who is making rings that aren’t gendered, and don’t have size limits. Who is having conversations with their staff about pronouns? Which venues have dressing rooms that just… aren’t gendered!? Calling yourself inclusive doesn’t cut it if you’re not going to do the work to BE inclusive no matter how much you care about marginalized folks. I’m here to make sure you know everything I know about who we’re going to be working with so that you can be sure that you have the time of your life on your wedding day!
"Jake is professional, creative, innovative, punctual, has excellent intuition and common sense. He knows what you need before you even have to ask and takes care of the details without you even knowing it. You couldn't have a better planner who knows when to have fun, and when to get sh$@ done."
-Josh H.
Examples of my work
Rates
$$$ midrange
$$$$ upscale
Vendors, we want you in here!