Make Your Wedding Website More LGBTQIA+ Inclusive
Is your business LGBTQIA+ Inclusive?
If so, what are you doing to make clients feel fully welcome? What steps can you take to align your actions with your allyship?
Love looks lots of different ways, yet in the wedding industry, gendered language has been a part of everything we do. That’s why as wedding professionals, we must vow to provide safe and welcoming event experiences because ALL people deserve to be seen and celebrated.
LGBTQIA+ clients need to see that your business is affirming because couples don't know if your business is safe. Saying your business is "LGBTQ+ Friendly" isn't enough--SAFE and fully accepting should be the norm. These changes are not just for marketing; these changes are critical because harm continues to happen to the LGBTQIA+ community including discrimination and violence.
Even though the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples, gay couples, and LGBTQIA+ couples can legally marry nationwide, it's still an act of courage to get married in the LGBTQIA+ community. The reality is that there's a chance that LGBTQIA+ couples may not be safe or welcome and couples can end up heartbroken or in tears from encounters with vendors who are not affirming. As business owners, we have the power to create loving spaces where ALL couples are welcome.
We all have blind spots, but we have work to do in the wedding industry. (That’s why you’ll find 2 educational opportunities below to help with the work!)
For starters, Consider the following as you aim to be more affirming to LGBTQIA+ couples:
Modify language on inquiry forms and in sales copy. Use “couples" or “clients", not "brides and grooms”.
Representation matters. If clients don't see themselves in your portfolio, they may not feel safe!
Ask for pronouns. Use pronouns.
Remember that pronouns are not "preferred"; they “are”. More on pronouns here.
Don't assume--ex. 2 women getting married might or might not wear a dress/dresses. Ask questions instead of making assumptions.
Being more affirming is a positive for everyone—ALL of your customers.
Diversity is good for your business overall.
There are ramifications to not affirming.
LGBTQIA+ couples still get turned away or "ghosted" by vendors.
Gay vendors still get fired or not hired simply because of their sexual orientation.
Start with adding a diversity & inclusion statement to your site.
If you’re feeling stuck when it comes to making your business more inclusive, check out these Educational Opportunities in March:
Click Here to register for The Importance of Pronouns with Addison Smith on Monday, March 22. LGBTQ Awareness Education provides businesses, civic or religious organizations and individuals with the knowledge to improve customer relations, foster understanding among co-workers and group members, and forge stronger ties with the LGBTQ Community. (This is a FREE event.)
Click Here to register for Make Your Wedding Business Website More Inclusive, on March 23. Join Taylor de la Fuente of Lemon Tree Editorial and Altared in this 1-hour class that will help you amplify the inclusivity of your wedding business. (Admission is just $15.)
Resources on Inclusivity and LGBTQIA+ Wedding Planning:
Crystal Lily Creative is a black, female-owned photography, branding, and inclusivity consulting brand, based in Los Angeles, California; serving creatives worldwide.
Chanda Daniels, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been celebrating marriage equality since 1999 because Weddings Belong To Everyone!
Equally Wed has been providing inspiration and tips for planning your gay wedding.
Love All The Days Jordan Maney provides planning and relationship advice for LGBTQIA+ couples, based in San Antonio, Texas.
Once Upon A Vow Daniela and Karla are bi-lingual wedding officiants who believe LOVE IS LOVE and know that you deserve a fun, heartfelt, personalized ceremony that celebrates your journey and genuinely reflects what matters most to you.
You can always seek out local LGBTQIA+ education and Pride Centers to be an ally and an advocate in your community.
Want to suggest a resource we should add? Reach out at connect@wevavt.org
We can all do better together.
The Wedding and Event Vendor Alliance is committed to an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits unlawful discriminatory practices, including harassment. Therefore, WEVA expects that all relationships among members, employees, members of the Board of Directors, and leadership is free of explicit bias, prejudice and harassment.