Creating a LGBTQ+ Friendly Wedding Venue: Tips for an Inclusive Experience
The wedding industry is evolving, reflecting a beautiful expansion of love and commitment. With more couples than ever embracing marriage across all orientations (May 2024 research), wedding venues have an incredible opportunity to truly celebrate all love stories.
Ready to elevate your venue’s inclusivity and truly welcome every couple? Cultivating a queer-friendly space is about more than just intention; it’s about creating an environment of profound respect and genuine welcome. Consider these actionable strategies:
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 proactive approach not only demonstrates respect but also helps couples feel immediately seen and comfortable, fostering trust from the first interaction.
2. Lead with Curiosity
Many LGBTQIA+ couples may be eschewing traditions of all kinds or creating their own new traditions. Instead of imposing traditional narratives, open a dialogue. Ask about their vision for the ceremony, reception, and even pre-wedding traditions. This builds trust and ensures their day authentically reflects their unique journey.
3. Exhibit Diverse Representation
Showcase a variety of couples in marketing materials and imagery, including 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.
Beyond just imagery, consider short video testimonials or a dedicated ‘Love Stories’ section that explicitly highlights LGBTQ+ weddings. An explicit statement of support, even a simple ‘We proudly celebrate all love stories,’ can be a powerful first impression for couples researching venues.
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’.
For instance, ensure your ‘getting ready’ suites are designed and referred to in a gender-neutral way (e.g., ‘the North Suite,’ ‘the Garden Room’) rather than assuming a ‘bride’ or ‘groom’ will occupy them. Clear signage for gender-neutral restrooms is also crucial.
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.
Regular, ongoing training is key. This isn’t a one-time workshop but an embedded part of your staff development, covering topics like pronoun usage, microaggressions to avoid, and how to respectfully address any unique requests or concerns from LGBTQ+ couples.
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.
This curated list of vetted vendors not only streamlines the planning process for couples but also reinforces your venue’s commitment to a fully inclusive experience, from photography to catering and entertainment.
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.
Display these policies prominently on your website, in contracts, and within staff handbooks. This transparency not only protects your venue but also assures couples of your unwavering commitment to a discrimination-free environment.
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.
This active engagement isn’t just about marketing; it demonstrates genuine allyship and allows your venue to truly understand and serve the diverse needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
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.
This could involve anonymous surveys, dedicated feedback forms, or a designated point of contact for sensitive concerns. Regularly reviewing and acting on this feedback is paramount to continuous improvement and maintaining a truly inclusive space.
Ready to ensure your venue is a truly welcoming space for every couple? By embracing these practices, your wedding venue will not only thrive in an expanding market but, more importantly, become a cherished destination where love in all its forms is celebrated without discrimination or exclusion. Start implementing these changes today and watch your venue flourish.
