Inclusivity in the wedding industry – some thoughts on what us vendors need to do!

The UK wedding industry is renowned for its elegance and tradition, yet I believe, as many others do, that there remains a significant gap in representation and inclusivity. As we move towards a more diverse society, I believe it’s essential to recognise and celebrate everyone who makes up the fabric of modern weddings, and put more focus on inclusive weddings as vendors.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity

Weddings are a beautiful expression of love and unity, often steeped in cultural traditions and rituals. However, the mainstream wedding industry tends to overlook the rich tapestry of cultural practices that many couples wish to incorporate into their big day. From vibrant Indian weddings filled with elaborate ceremonies to traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, there’s a world of diversity that deserves more attention. I think it’s key for vendors to educate themselves on various cultural wedding traditions and customs, and consider this in initial consultations to help couples feel represented and honored, and use every opportunity to learn and grow ourselves! Imagine starting a consultation and being able to discuss the significance of a chuppah in Jewish weddings or the importance of the mehendi ceremony in Indian weddings. It not only makes couples feel represented and honored but also enriches the wedding experience for everyone involved.

Embracing All

Another area where the wedding industry often falls short is in catering to all body types. The pressure to fit a certain image can be overwhelming for brides and grooms, particularly when bridal fashion predominantly showcases a narrow range of sizes. Every couple deserves to feel beautiful and confident on their wedding day, regardless of their size.

Thankfully, wedding dress designers and retailers are beginning to recognize this need by offering a wider range of sizes and customizable options. But let’s keep the momentum going! Promoting body inclusivity by featuring diverse models in marketing materials can make a world of difference. It’s all about ensuring that everyone feels fabulous and celebrated on their special day.

Recognising All

The traditional wedding narrative has long been dominated by heterosexual couples, often sidelining LGBTQ+ couples and their love stories. Inclusivity to me means acknowledging and celebrating all forms of love, and ensuring that wedding services are accessible and welcoming to everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Inclusive language is a simple yet powerful tool. Using terms like “partner” instead of “bride and groom” in marketing materials and consultations can make a significant difference. Additionally, vendors should educate themselves on the needs and preferences of LGBTQ+ couples to provide a supportive and respectful service.

How can we as wedding vendors continue to support inclusive weddings – 

1. Education and Training: We need to seek out resources and training on cultural competency and inclusivity – empowering ourselves to serve a broader range of clients with respect and understanding.
2. Representation: We need to try as much as possible to feature diverse couples in marketing materials, and try to ensure others can see themselves reflected in the services offered
3. Collaboration: Trying to work with diverse teams of vendors can provide valuable insights and expertise

As vendors we shape a lot of the language and dialogue around weddings – and we need to do more, I know I do – but just as with sustainability we just need to make ourselves more aware, grasp opportunities to work with new and different couples, and try to make small changes to change the norms. 

For more info, Rock My Wedding do a great job of trying to ensure their content is inclusive, and put light on inclusive weddings; read more here!

At Wildflower & Willow everyone is truly welcome – I’d love to continue to learn while giving you the bloody best florals ever – get in touch now and let’s chat!