A wedding is a celebration of love and commitment, with couples from all walks of life pledging their devotion to one another. 

As wedding professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that every couple feels seen, heard, and authentically represented by our businesses. In our diverse world, it is more crucial than ever that we foster an inclusive and welcoming environment that celebrates those who have been historically underserved by the wedding industry.

Inclusivity goes beyond mere acceptance. It means not only recognizing but celebrating the differences between every couple and our communities. It means encouraging a safe environment where every couple—regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background, or ability—can feel truly welcome and supported. By embracing inclusivity in the wedding industry, we can ensure that each and every couple can make meaningful memories that will last a lifetime.

As wedding professionals, we have the incredible opportunity to contribute to a more just and inclusive society, one beautiful wedding ceremony at a time.

Provided that your intentions are genuine, cultivating an inclusive environment as a wedding professional is relatively easy. Here are a few steps you can take to offer a welcoming environment for all of your clients.

1. Understand The Importance of Inclusivity

Though touting a diverse and inclusive wedding service can be a boon for business, it should be done for the right reasons. First and foremost, it is a matter of respect and fairness. As an institution, marriage has not always been accessible to every couple. By embracing diversity and providing an inclusive environment, you—as a wedding professional—are recognizing that love comes in all forms. 

When you make the commitment to provide all of your clients with a welcoming environment, it greatly expands your customer base and fosters positive word-of-mouth, as couples share their positive experiences within their communities.

2. Showcase Diversity in Visual Materials

A great way to demonstrate your company’s pledge to serve clients from all walks of life is to showcase diversity in visual materials, such as in advertising or promotions. That being said, it’s essential to do this mindfully. Avoid tokenism—which is using representation solely for financial or social gain—and ensure that you are always being genuine with your intentions.

To paraphrase a saying often used by the disabled community, “nothing about us without us.”

Don’t showcase inauthentic styled shoots featuring things like able-bodied models pretending to be in a wheelchair or heterosexual models posing as an LGBTQIA+ couple. This is not true representation, as the people you are hoping to represent… aren’t actually there. The best way to showcase diversity in the wedding industry is by taking photographs of real couples. If they are your clients, even better! 

3. Use Gender-Neutral Language When Communicating

Showing a commitment to inclusivity should go to the core of your brand, affecting even your day-to-day interactions with your clients. One of the best ways to do this is to do away with outdated, gendered terms in both your online and in-person communications. By swapping terms like “bridal party” out for terms like “wedding party,” you are acknowledging that not all of your clients may subscribe to traditional, societal norms and letting them know that you respect that.

Use gender-neutral language in your website content, contact forms, and contracts. However, you should add a spot on forms that allows clients to identify their pronouns. This way, you are able to communicate with your customers using their correct pronouns, which should be considered the bare minimum when it comes to being respectful and inclusive.

4. Collaborate With Other Inclusive and Diverse Wedding Professionals 

Creating an inclusive wedding business also means actively seeking out and collaborating with vendors who share the same values. By establishing a network of diverse and inclusive vendors, wedding businesses can offer couples a broader range of choices that align with their specific cultural or identity-based preferences. This collaboration helps create a more comprehensive and authentic wedding experience, enabling couples to celebrate their love in a way that is true to their individuality.

5. Educate Yourself and Your Staff

Additionally, it is crucial for wedding businesses to educate their staff and vendors about the significance of inclusivity. Training sessions for inclusivity and diversity can help raise awareness about unconscious biases we may hold, provide guidance on respectful and inclusive language, and enhance cultural competency. By fostering a knowledgeable and empathetic team, you can provide personalized experiences that are respectful to every client.

Even more, wedding celebrations look different in every culture and religion. When you educate yourself and your staff about the intricacies involved in these varying types of ceremonies, you are able to better serve a wider client base.

6. Always Keep an Open Mind

Being truly inclusive means that you are always learning. You are always seeking out new ways to make your clients feel safe and respected, whether this be in the form of inclusivity training sessions or simply listening when presented with unfamiliar ideas. Allow yourself to be corrected when you make a mistake and don’t be afraid to correct your staff should they make one, too.

If your heart is always in the right place, your appreciation for your clients and their love will always show.