Are you ready for the YES vote?

The results of the postal vote have come in as a yes! This is going to change our industry massively. But are you prepared for the impacts of the yes vote?

We are about to go through an economic boom in our industry! This is win-win for us- people who love each other can get married, and in doing so, they will support our industry. Since the results were announced, our enquiry rates have already seen an increase. Same-sex couples are already starting to plan their weddings!

A huge 91% of our suppliers are behind same-sex marriage and support it fully, so many of you would have already been working towards being prepared should the current laws change. And now that it’s looking to be changed prior to Christmas, we want to give you some tips on how you can make changes and prepare yourself for the new laws.

So if you need some tips on making your business more inclusive, there are three main points to consider:

1. Update your imagery:

Be sure to show diversity in your image gallery. Any person of any gender or orientation should be able to visit your gallery feel represented and accepted. This is crucial, as our recent trip to the Wedding MBA in Las Vegas taught us, over 50% of LBGT people fear rejection when planning their wedding. To them, it’s like coming out every single time to each supplier they consider. The couples coming across your storefront, website or social media need to know immediately that you support equality.  If you don’t have these images, you need to work on getting some!

2. Language:

Updating your website copy, blogs, email templates and any other text, to gender-neutral terms, like couples, newlyweds, spouses, partners, you and your partner, etc. And not only your language for the couple themselves, but also for the bridal party- they may not be bridesmaids or groomsmen. The couple may have bridesmen, groomsmaids, flower boys, etc.

 3. No assumptions!

Don’t assume anything- ask the couple how they would like the wedding to go in relation to your services, and what traditions (if any) they would like to uphold. You also need to ask how they’d like to be referred to if you’re not sure in terms of their pronouns. Ask them anything that you need to know for your service to be perfectly tailored to them as a couple.

There are our top tips for getting ready for same-sex marriage to become legal for wedding suppliers. If you have any more tips, please leave them in the comments below!