LGBTQ+ Inclusivity: Ways to Make Your Wedding Venue Queer Friendly
In today’s society, diversity and inclusivity are celebrated more than ever before. According to May 2024 research, both same-sex and heterosexual couples alike are embracing the joy of marriage. As a wedding venue, it’s a wise business decision to cater to all of the growing demand by warmly welcoming couples of all orientations to commemorate their marriage at your location. Cultivating an atmosphere of acceptance allows you to tap into an expanding market while promoting the beautiful unity that marriage represents.
While many wedding venues may aim to create a LGBTQ+ inclusive environment for all of their customers and guests, there are likely ways you could improve your efforts. Creating a queer-friendly wedding venue should ensure inclusivity, respect, and a welcoming atmosphere for all couples. Here are several items for wedding venues to consider in order to achieve this:
1. Use LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language
It is important to use inclusive language in both face-to-face communication and written materials, including emails, contracts, and marketing materials. Use gender-neutral language unless explicitly asked otherwise by the couple, and avoid terms like “bride” and “groom” in favor of “couple” or “partners.” This shows that your venue is considerate of your customers no matter what their identity is.
2. Lead with Curiosity
Many LGBTQIA+ couples may be eschewing traditions of all kinds or creating their own new traditions. Instead of assuming, ask questions of your couples and let them guide you with their vision of the big day.
3. Exhibit Diverse Representation
Showcase a variety of couples in marketing materials and imagery, including of LGBTQIA+ couples, and share testimonials and stories from LGBTQ+ weddings held at the venue. This shows the positive experiences that past couples have had at your venue. Aside from general imagery and content, you can also have an explicit statement on your website and other marketing materials that shows your support for the community. This is also a good option if you don’t yet have inclusive imagery and testimonials to use.
4. Consider Facilities and Amenities
Provide gender-neutral restrooms and suites for a gay-friendly wedding. Consider gender neutrality when decorating suites for couples and their parties and avoid explicitly naming these rooms the ‘bridal suite’ or ‘groom suite’.
5. Train Staff
Train staff on LGBTQ+ inclusivity, including inclusive language, understanding proper pronouns, and respecting all identities. Your staff is a direct representation of your venue. Ensure that they are educated about the unique needs and concerns of LGBTQ+ couples and any intentions, resources, and policies that you have regarding inclusivity.
6. Collaborate with Queer Friendly Vendors
Your reputation as a queer-friendly venue extends outside of your direct establishment. It is important to partner with LGBTQ+-friendly vendors and ensure they share your commitment to inclusivity. Once you’ve established these relationships, create and maintain a list of recommended queer friendly vendors that you can share with couples.
7. Apply LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Policies
If you don’t already have them, implement non-discrimination policies that explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity and ensure that these policies are clearly visible and communicated to all clients and staff.
8. Engage with the Community
A true show of your venue’s commitment would be participating in LGBTQ+ community events and pride celebrations and/or donating to or partnering with LGBTQ+ organizations. This is a way to not only support the community but also to make connections with other queer-friendly vendors and partners.
9. Allow for Appropriate Feedback Mechanisms
Lastly, it is important to be open to feedback to become a gay-friendly wedding venue. You may be unaware of something that is not sitting right with your clients or potential clients. While you may already be collecting feedback for all your events, creating a safe and anonymous way for couples to provide feedback on their experience is vital. Then, act on that feedback to continuously improve your venue’s inclusivity.
By adopting these practices, your wedding venue can create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all couples, ensuring that every wedding is a celebration of love and commitment without discrimination or exclusion.
