The Inclusive Wedding Alliance (IWA) - Exclusively for wedding and event professionals elevating inclusive business practices in the wedding and event industry. For LGBTQIA+ couples planning their wedding or special event, the Inclusive Wedding Alliance is your source for wedding and event services certified in "Ten Steps To Inclusive Practices" by the Inclusive Wedding Alliance.
The Inclusive Wedding Alliance is setting the standards of inclusiveness for LGBTQIA+ couples in the wedding and event industry by establishing standards of inclusive education and information.
The Ten Steps To Inclusive Practices - A Vendor's Guide To Setting The Standards is part of every Alliance Ally membership. It's the core foundation of the Inclusive Wedding Alliance.
Ten Steps To Inclusive Practices is a step-by-step educational subscription program focused on ten areas of inclusive awareness.
The wedding and event industry must learn the appropriate language to use when working with LGBTQIA+ couples to better understand the history and evolution of the LGBTQIA+ community. We must reimagine the institution of marriage by understanding and educating ourselves about genders, pronouns, and the importance of being aware of inclusively when working with LGBTQIA+ couples. As allies in the wedding and event industry, we must acquire knowledge to support and uphold inclusivity standards that allow us to be aware, authentic, and accountable to LGBTQIA+ couples. Setting the standards with consistency and leading by example.
The Inclusive Wedding Alliance welcomes wedding and event creatives invested in learning and implementing inclusive business practices for LGBTQIA+ couples. No matter where you are in your awareness and understanding of inclusive business practices, the Inclusive Wedding Alliance has a place for you.
Become an Ally, Ally Partner or Ally Sponsor today.
Take the Alliance & Pledge (Step #10) and get listed in INCLUSIVE magazine's 2023 Wedding Directory & Guide.
INCLUSIVE magazine is published monthly by the Inclusive Wedding Alliance.
For LGBTQIA+ Couples, the Inclusive Wedding Alliance invites you to enjoy, INCLUSIVE magazine. (coming February 2023)
of Americans express a positive outlook about same-sex marriage being legal. Compared to 89% in Spain.
of religious “nones” say same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
of Americans say they know someone who is transgender or who goes by a gender-neutral pronoun.
of Americans say it’s extremely or very important to use a person’s new name if they are or have transitioned.
countries and territories have enacted national laws allowing LGBTQIA+ couples to marry.
of Americans say forms and online profiles that ask about a person’s gender should include options other than “male” and “female”.
Interested in learning more?
Join The Alliance Today!Born out of the personal experience while planning his own wedding, Ric Simmons, the President and Founder of the Inclusive Wedding Alliance (IWA) began his journey in 2015 speaking out about the need for more inclusive education in the wedding industry and the need for inclusive resources for LGBTQIA+ couples navigating the wedding planning process. After the landmark victory of Obergfell v. Hodges in 2015, same-sex couples were guaranteed the constitutional right to marry in the United States. This decision was followed by a series of challenges from local governments and private business owners, making wedding planning difficult for queer couples who were denied services around the country. This continues today.
Living in Texas at the time, Ric started “My Texas Gay Wedding” and eventually expanded to a national platform with “My Gay Wedding.” Soon realizing that despite the excitement from wedding vendors who wanted to implement inclusive business practices, there were very few resources available to make that possible within the wedding & event industry. The National Gay Wedding Association (NGWA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, answered the call to become the go-to source for wedding vendors and event professionals in search of LGBTQ+-specific resources and education on implementing inclusive business practices.
The NGWA broke ground on the word "inclusive" in the wedding and event industry. The NGWA put inclusive awareness front and center with its Inclusive Awareness Conference in January 2022 which featured the first-ever all-LGBTQIA+ lineup of inclusive speakers, leaders, and influencers covering one main topic: inclusiveness. The NGWA's Online LGBTQIA+ Wedding Expo created a safe place for couples to meet and gather wedding information. NGWA members were able to engage virtually with couples while delivering meaningful and informative presentations featuring "My Five Tips for LGBTQIA+ Couples.” The National Gay Wedding Association 2019-2022 withdrew its nonprofit status effective 10-31-2022 to better serve its constituents.
Seven years in the making, The Inclusive Wedding Alliance is here! Educating allies worldwide through its Ten Steps To Inclusive Practices - A Vendors Guide To Setting Standards, which takes wedding and event professionals on an educational journey about understanding inclusiveness. Once completed, vendors are asked to submit their "Alliance & Pledge" for a free listing in the 2023 IWA Inclusive Digital Directory. An invaluable resource for LGBTQIA+ couples.
Like-minded, educated, and loving wedding professionals that are creating a safe resource for LGBTQIA+ couples.
293,000 same-sex marriages.
Same-sex weddings have boosted economies
by $3.8 Billion.
Same-sex weddings support 45,000 jobs.