Unfortunately, many things in the wedding industry are not very inclusive, whether that be for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, those who speak other languages, those with disabilities, and more. The industry is (hopefully) starting to take a turn for the better, but until then, here is a list of things that couples, vendors, and guests can do to make weddings more inclusive.
Hire vendors that are both LGBTQIA+ friendly and accessible.
Hiring vendors that are LGBTQIA+ friendly, regardless of if you and your partner are a part of the community or not, can be very important to any guests who are a part of the community. Many things you see in the wedding industry are still very gendered and say "bride and groom" for example, when that excludes groups of people and can make you or your guests feel not represented.
It is also important to find the right vendors for guests who have a disability, including any of those in a wheelchair and who cannot use stairs, those who get overstimulated very easily, or those who have other restrictions. Letting your vendors know about anything in advance can really help to make sure all guests can have fun and feel welcomed!
Use a translator or an ASL interpreter for your ceremony.
If you have guests attending your wedding who need a translator to be able to attend the ceremony, this could be a great way to include them and make them feel like they are valued by you and your partner.
If you decide to have a dress code, make that inclusive of both gender and financial situation.
If you are opting to have your guests follow a dress code, avoid saying things like, "Men wear ___ and women wear ___." There are other ways to word dress codes, or to just have your guests follow a color to wear. Also, not everyone has the finances to purchase outfits for a wedding, so avoiding very detailed and picky about what guests wear in order to be inclusive. There are ways to have dress codes without excluding others!
Discard gender roles in your wedding.
Having diverse wedding parties and mixed-gender wedding parties is such an easy way to be more inclusive! There is no reason why wedding parties need to be just one gender and everyone wearing the exact same thing other than the fact that it's "traditional" (which we're moving past)! Other things like ring boys and flower girls do not have to be followed, you can have whoever you want do what you want on your day!
Ask your guests about anything you need to know to make the day better for them.
Whether this be food allergies, light sensitivities, or just other information they feel like you should know, this can be great for your planning and make them feel loved.
Use inclusive language.
Especially on things like invitations and place cards, being inclusive in your wording and how you address people is very important! This tip can be especially important for venues, because it's traditional to have a "groom's room" and a "bridal suite," even though that's outdated and excludes groups.
Although not all of these things should have to be said, it's great information to keep in mind. You want your guests to be happy and have a memorable day at your wedding as well. I intend on making a list of LGBTQ+ friendly vendors, but until then, any couples planning or needing advice on inclusivity can come to me with questions! :)
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