Planning a wedding can be a lil stressful for anyone. But for LGBTQIA+ couples, finding truly inclusive wedding vendors who genuinely support you and will celebrate your love can be a nerve-wracking experience. (Especially in these whack political times.)
The wedding industry still has work to do on inclusivity, but you shouldn’t have to deal with weird vibes or discrimination during what should be the most exciting time of your life.
As a wedding photographer who’s worked with lots of LGBTQIA+ couples, I’ve learned that there are many little things that can make photographing LGBTQIA+ weddings different. Like ditching gendered poses. Or photographing couples getting ready together rather than in separate rooms. Or understanding that certain traditions might need some shaking up to feel authentic to you (which is true for all kinds of couples!).
Whether you’re looking for an inclusive wedding photographer or a LGBTQIA+ wedding planner, you deserve wedding vendors that get you, support you, and celebrate the f*ck out of you two.
Here’s my unfiltered guide on what to look for to find inclusive wedding vendors who will make your experience the blast it should be.
The First Question: Ally or LGBTQIA+ Vendor?
First things first—figure out what kind of inclusive experience you’re looking for.
Do you specifically want to work with vendors who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community themselves? Are you cool with allies who are genuinely committed to inclusivity? Or maybe you want a mix of both?
There’s absolutely no wrong answer here! It’s about what makes YOU feel most comfortable on your wedding day.
(And this is purely my two cents, but as a straight ally myself, I recognize there’s something special about working with someone who just gets it on a personal level. So if you’re specifically seeking out queer vendors, that’s valid AF.)
The Inclusive Wedding Vendor Cheat Sheet: What to Look For
Here’s what to check when you’re trying to figure out if a wedding vendor is truly inclusive.
1. Scope Out Their Instagram Bio
This is literally the FIRST thing I check when I’m looking at other wedding vendors to recommend to my LGBTQIA+ couples.
INCLUSIVE VENDOR GREEN FLAGS:
- Pronouns listed (they/them, she/her, he/him, etc.)
- Explicit statements like “LGBTQIA+ inclusive” or “celebrating all love stories”
- Pride flags or rainbow emojis (a good sign, but probably not enough on its own)
INCLUSIVE VENDOR RED FLAGS:
- Only using heteronormative language
- No mention of inclusivity when it seems like they mention every other value
2. Peep Their Website Footer and/or Menu
The footer or menu might seem like a random place to check, but a lot of wedding vendors put their values there. Many even have dedicated inclusivity statements in the footer or menu extension. (That’s what I do.)
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR WEBSITE GREEN FLAGS:
- Mentioning memberships with inclusive wedding organizations
- Equal rights or non-discrimination statements
- Links to LGBTQIA+ resources or charities they support
3. Read Their About Page
The About page is where wedding vendors get real about who they are and what they value. And it can tell you SO much.
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR ABOUT PAGE GREEN FLAGS:
- Stories about working with diverse couples
- Statements about celebrating all kinds of love
- Mentions of inclusivity as a core value
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR ABOUT PAGE RED FLAGS:
- Only talking about “brides and grooms”
- Heavy religious language that feels exclusionary
- No mention of diversity or inclusion anywhere
4. Check Out Their Wedding Experience Page
If they have one, their Weddings page (or any kind of Services page) should make it crystal clear that they work with ALL couples.
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR SERVICES PAGE GREEN FLAGS:
- Gender-neutral language throughout (“couples” rather than “bride and groom”)
- Diverse imagery showing different kinds of relationships
- Explicit mentions of customizing their approach for each couple’s needs
5. Stalk Their Portfolio
If a wedding vendor is inclusive and has worked with a lot of LGBTQIA+ couples, they shouldn’t have one “token” queer couple they show over and over. So, check their Instagram, website galleries, and blog posts. And don’t forget to read their reviews! So many LGBTQIA+ couples will specifically mention when a wedding vendor made them feel comfortable and understood.
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR PORTFOLIO GREEN FLAGS:
- Multiple LGBTQIA+ couples featured throughout their work
- Good-ass reviews from other LGBTQIA+ couples
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR PORTFOLIO RED FLAGS:
- The one, same couple used in every “inclusive” marketing piece
- All their LGBTQIA+ work is segregated into a separate “diversity” section
6. Look at Their Language
Words matter, a lot. How wedding pros talk about couples and weddings says a lot about their mindset.
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR LANGUAGE GREEN FLAGS:
- Gender-neutral terms like “partners,” “couple,” “nearlyweds,” or “to-be-weds”
- Forms that have options beyond “bride” and “groom”
- Inclusive language around wedding traditions and roles (like “wedding suites” instead of “bridal suites”)
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENDOR LANGUAGE RED FLAGS:
- Calling wedding parties “bridesmaids” and “groomsmen” by default
- Referring to all wedding outfits as either “dresses” or “tuxes”
- Forms that force you to identify as a bride or groom
7. Check Their Venue Details
Finding an inclusive wedding venue is mega important since your venue sets the tone for your entire wedding experience (and you absolutely should be comfortable in the space you’re getting married in).
INCLUSIVE WEDDING VENUE GREEN FLAGS:
- Gender-neutral getting-ready spaces (not just “bridal suites”)
- All-gender restroom options
- Willingness to adjust venue stuff to suit your needs
- Explicit non-discrimination policies posted on their website or shared on their Instagram
(If you’re specifically looking in the Pennsylvania area, I’ve rounded up some kick-ass LGBTQ-friendly wedding venues in Maryland and Pennsylvania that I personally love working with!)
If You’re a Wedding Vendor Who Wants to Be Inclusive, You Can Do These Things ASAP!
Wedding industry peeps, if you’re reading this thinking “wait, am I doing enough to make ALL couples feel welcome?”—here’s your quick-and-dirty checklist to make it obvious you’re inclusive:
- Add your pronouns to your bio and email signature
- Audit your website and forms for gendered language (ditch “bride/groom” for “partners” or “couple”)
- Showcase diverse couples throughout your portfolio
- Include an explicit inclusivity statement on your About page and in your website footer
- Use gender-neutral terms in your packages and services
- Join LGBTQIA+ wedding directories
- Consider your intake questions and make sure they work for ALL couples
- Be prepared to advocate for your couples with other vendors if needed
Inclusive Wedding Directories
When it comes to using “inclusive” wedding directories to find inclusive wedding vendors, I just want to give you a heads up that not all wedding directories take inclusivity seriously. Some directories let anyone who can pay join so the wedding vendor signing up may not be inclusive and not have realized they’re joining an “inclusive” wedding directory.
A great tip is to look for ones that are outspokenly LGBTQIA+ friendly or have lots of support from queer communties.
Here are some directories that do put in the work to make sure their vendors are truly inclusive:
- Equally Wed Pro – Vendors have to complete LGBTQIA+ inclusivity training before being listed (not just pay a fee)
- Dancing With Her – Focused specifically on women and non-binary couples, with a careful vetting process
- Love Inc. – Vendors sign an equality pledge
- Black Gay Weddings – The name alone attracts wedding vendors who are 100% cool working with black LGBTQIA+ couples
Another killer tip is to ask your local LGBTQIA+ community center for recommendations. They usually know which businesses are LGBTQIA+-approved. And once you find one inclusive vendor you click with, ask them who else they love working with—we tend to know each other!
Inclusive Wedding Vendors in Pennsylvania
As a Pennsylvania-based wedding photographer who works with LGTBQIA+ couples, I’ve got local recs for wedding vendors I know are inclusive. (And if you know someone, or are someone, who wants to be added to this list, email me or message me on Instagram!)
Inclusive Wedding Venues in Pennsylvania
LGBTQIA+ friendly wedding planners for Pennsylvania couples
Other LGBTQIA+ inclusive wedding vendors in Pennsylvania
- Luvd Up DJs
- Woodland Floral DesignCo (florists!)
- Farmacy Cafe and Catering
- Mash Up Look (wedding makeup!)
If You’re Looking for an Inclusive Wedding Photographer Who’s a Fierce Ally…
I’d love to be one of the wedding vendors who helps make your celebration special AF. As someone who’s constantly learning, listening, and showing up for the LGBTQIA+ community, I promise your love story will be celebrated exactly as it should be. Check out my wedding photography services and let’s chat about how I can capture some fun, real, and colorful photos of you and your peeps jamming out on your wedding day.
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