Celebrating Love: How to Have an All-Inclusive Wedding

June brings the refreshing touch of summer but also the vibrant celebrations of Pride. It is a time of unity, recognition, and support for the LGBTQ+ community. This year, as we acknowledge the immense value of diversity and inclusivity, we want to address the need for strong allyship in the wedding industry.

With this in mind, we invite you to plan a truly all-inclusive wedding. Read more and learn how these wonderful celebrations, steeped in tradition, can evolve to honor love in all its forms while serving as meaningful platforms for supporting and raising awareness for the LGBTQ+ community.

Understanding Pride Month

Pride Month is commemorated every June, honoring the 1969 Stonewall riots that many believe catalyzed the decades-long fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. These riots were a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, paving the way for organized activism that would change the course of history.

Pride Month is a time for joy, love, and affirmation of all identities and expressions. But why should we care about Pride Month, especially when it comes to planning and attending weddings?

Pride Month is not just a celebration; it is a potent reminder of the struggle for equality, acceptance, and recognition that the LGBTQ+ community has faced and continues to face. By understanding the significance of Pride Month, we become better allies. Moreover, weddings are all about love, a universal emotion that knows no bounds - not of gender, sex, or identity. As such, weddings are intrinsically connected to the essence of Pride Month.

Recognizing this, we can ensure that weddings are truly inclusive and comfortable for all, celebrating love in all its glorious forms.

The Role of Allyship in Weddings

Allyship, at its core, is the active practice of empathy and advocacy. It means actively working to ensure equity and inclusion for marginalized and oppressed groups. In the context of weddings, being an ally signifies creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It's vital for allies to create inclusive experiences that everyone can genuinely enjoy.

How to Create Inclusive Celebrations

When hosting a wedding, or any celebration, as an ally, one of your key goals should be to create a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for all your guests, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. Here are some practical ways you can ensure this:

Mindful Language: From the invitations to the ceremony script, your choice of words matters. Embrace language that does not presume gender. While the term 'bride' and 'groom' may be fitting for your event, the broader language used throughout the wedding should reflect the spectrum of identities, experiences, and love present amongst your guests. This minor change can make a significant difference in making everyone feel included.

Inclusive Ceremonies: Traditional wedding customs often involve gender-specific roles. Consider modifying these traditions or creating new ones that allow for participation irrespective of gender. This promotes a sense of equality and inclusivity at your event.

Comfortable Environment: Make sure your venue is accommodating to everyone. If possible, provide gender-neutral restrooms and create a dress code that allows guests to express themselves authentically.

Educate Your Vendors: Often, wedding vendors might not be well-versed in the nuances of inclusivity. As an ally, you can take the initiative to discuss these considerations with them, ensuring they're prepared to create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued.

Seating Arrangements: The traditional 'bride's side' and 'groom's side' seating can feel isolating for some guests. Consider opting for open seating, allowing guests to choose where they would feel most comfortable.

Acknowledging Relationships: If you're acknowledging relationships during the ceremony or speeches, make sure to do so in a way that respects all forms of partnerships. For example, rather than only mentioning married couples, broaden the acknowledgment to include all committed relationships.

Weddings as a Platform for Support and Awareness

Weddings, at their core, are a celebration of love and unity. They can also be thoughtfully crafted to become an influential platform for social awareness and support. Here's how:

Thoughtful Toasts: Speeches and toasts are common at weddings. These moments can be utilized to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. For example, a toast can be made to celebrate love in all its forms and to honor the struggle and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a subtle yet impactful way to raise awareness.

Inclusive Dance Floor: Often, traditional wedding dances are divided along gender lines. Consider opening the dance floor with an inclusive invitation, stating that everyone should dance with whomever they feel comfortable with. It's a simple act that shows respect for all forms of love and identity.

Inclusive Readings: If your wedding involves readings, consider incorporating works by LGBTQ+ authors or texts that celebrate love's diversity. This inclusion not only shows support but also enriches the ceremony with diverse perspectives on love.

Charitable Registry or Favors: Consider integrating a charity component into your wedding. This could be done through a donation registry, where guests can donate to an LGBTQ+ cause in lieu of, or in addition to, traditional gifts. Alternatively, for wedding favors, consider giving a small donation in each guest's name to an LGBTQ+ charity, and providing a note explaining the donation.

Supportive Vendors: By choosing vendors who openly support the LGBTQ+ community, you can ensure your investment goes towards businesses that align with your values. This also gives you a chance to recommend these vendors to your guests, extending the impact beyond your wedding day.

Conclusion

As a venue dedicated to celebrating love and unity, Felton Ranch wholeheartedly supports the LGBTQ+ community and is proud to stand as an ally during Pride Month and beyond. We firmly believe that everyone should be able to express their love freely and authentically, without fear of discrimination or prejudice. We recognize that this is a continuing struggle for many in the LGBTQ+ community, despite the progress made, but we want you all to know that we are committed to being part of the solution.

But allyship isn't just about what we do within our grounds - it's about contributing to the broader movement for equality. As we celebrate Pride Month, we invite you to join us in taking actionable steps to support the LGBTQ+ community. This could be through supporting local LGBTQ+ businesses, donating to organizations that work for LGBTQ+ rights, or simply educating yourself about the issues the LGBTQ+ community faces.

Love is the universal language that binds us all. Let's ensure that every voice, every color of the rainbow, is heard, appreciated, and celebrated. Together, we can create a more inclusive, accepting world - starting with the way we celebrate love at our weddings.