We recently connected with Jove Meyer and have shared our conversation below.
Jove, appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?
When I first entered the wedding industry in 2008, marriage wasn’t even a legal right for me. Yet, there I was, pouring my heart into making other people’s weddings an authentic reflection of their love, their story, and their personalities. I vividly remember standing by the dance floor, ready to cue the DJ for the couple’s first dance. The emotion in the air was palpable, and as they swayed together, so in love, the song playing moved me to tears. In that moment, I realized that this beautiful celebration — something I so deeply believed in — was not something I could participate in myself. And it was all because of who I love.
It hit me like a ton of bricks that the country I was working so hard for was not practicing liberty and justice for all, but only for some. That realization was a turning point for me. As marriage equality passed in some states, and then federally in 2015, I thought about how far we had come, but I also saw how much further we had to go. Even though it was now legal for us to marry, the wedding industry itself was still behind — still very bride-focused, with so much work to be done to make it inclusive.
That’s when I took action. I created a presentation, and for two years, I traveled across the country with The Knot, speaking to industry professionals — for free — to educate and inspire them to build businesses that are truly inclusive and supportive of queer couples. I knew we had to show up. I also created an ally pledge, something that vendors and clients must read and sign before working together. It’s a commitment to stand against hate and discrimination in all forms, and to only collaborate with those who share the same values.
This pledge has become a tool for other businesses to use, and I’m proud to see it being adapted widely. It’s a simple yet powerful way to demonstrate that small businesses can make a big impact and be loud in their support for equality. It’s an honor to work in an industry that celebrates love, and it’s my mission to ensure that love is celebrated for everyone.
Jove, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My first job in high school was at the local balloon and flower shop in my hometown, and that’s where I learned the fundamentals of design and how to run a business. I spent my days creating balloon arches for grand openings, races, birthdays — really any celebration you could imagine. From there, I transitioned into hospitality, working in restaurants as a server, manager, and eventually a trainer.
When I moved to New York City in 2008, my best friend got engaged and asked if I could help plan her wedding. At the time, I had never planned a wedding before, but I said yes anyway. I drew on every skill I’d gathered — from my attention to detail to my obsession with organization — and created the wedding of her dreams. Fast forward 17 years, and I’ve planned and designed over 200 weddings, earning recognition as one of the top wedding planners by Harper’s Bazaar, The Knot, Brides, Wed Vibes, and many more. Our work has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, and countless other publications.
Halfway through my career, I found myself gravitating toward design in a deeper way. I started with event design and soon ventured into interior design. What began with my own apartment grew into designing a hotel upstate, a house on Fire Island, and more.
But beyond the bold, colorful work we create, there’s a bigger mission at the heart of everything we do: making the wedding and event industry more inclusive. We’re committed to celebrating LGBTQ+ couples and encouraging everyone to be their true, authentic selves while embracing and honoring who they are. That’s what drives us every single day — creating a space where love is celebrated, in all its beautiful forms.
We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.
I sold Norsdale, a property upstate that was designed for group accommodations. After purchasing it, we completely renovated, re-designed, and re-branded it — and then decided to sell. My partners and I quickly realized that anyone can renovate and flip a property, but creating a brand and building a property that’s truly in demand is where the real value lies. And that’s exactly what we did.
When we sold Norsdale, we didn’t just sell a building; we sold the entire business. We sold the full Norsdale brand — everything from the website and social media to the bookings and the strong relationships we’d cultivated with nearby wedding venues. The true value was in the brand itself, not just the physical property, and that distinction allowed us to stand out and secure an incredible price.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I started sharing my work online, and while a few people showed interest, things really began to take off when I started pulling back the curtain on how a wedding or interior project truly comes to life. From the blank canvas to the load-in, the setup, the installations — and all the moving parts that come together to create the magic. People loved seeing something fresh and different. It wasn’t just about the end result; it was about showing how we take all these pieces and make them into something unique.
My brand has always been about being colorful, fun, bold, and most importantly, YOU. Our work stood out in a sea of weddings and interiors that often felt repetitive — the whites, off-whites, and golds. In a world of sameness, we were that breath of fresh air, and we leaned into that wholeheartedly. So, I started sharing even more of it, embracing the boldness that sets us apart.
I also began sharing more of my personal life. As the owner and creative director, people were naturally curious about who I am, so I leaned into that too. Now, I share my work life and my personal life online, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I think it’s important to be social on social media, not just to receive but to engage and connect. I reply to every comment because, for me, it’s about building real relationships and fostering a community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jovemeyer.com/
- Instagram: @jovemeyer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoveMeyer1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovemeyer
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weddings-ish-with-jove/id1080006890
Image Credits
Amber Gress
Allan Zepeda
Forged in the North
Chellise Michaels
Paco and Aga