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The Inclusive Wedding Alliance (IWA), offers educational resources to allies in the wedding and event industry. The IWA welcomes professional wedding and event creatives that are in 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 IWA welcomes you.
Become an Ally today, and start building your inclusive business practices.
In the wedding and event industry we must learn the appropriate language to talk about LGBTQIA+ couples to better understand the history and the 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 inclusively aware to LGBTQIA+ couples. As allies in the wedding and event industry, we must establish standards for LGBTQIA+ couples across different cultures, and acquire resources to support and uphold those standards by being aware, authentic and accountable to our couples.
For LGBTQIA+ Couples, the Inclusive Wedding Alliance provides a free digital guide of Inclusive Wedding & Event Creatives.
Simply complete our Couple Request form.
Prefer the word “marriage” to be used when planning their wedding, instead of “gay-wedding.”
Live together an average of seven to nine years before getting married.
Pay for the wedding themselves, and have a higher combined income than straight couples.
Want to know BEFORE THEY SPEAK WITH YOU that you are inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Use a friend or family member to marry them.
Keep their attire a surprise until their wedding day (lesbian woman).
Interested in learning more?
Awareness, Authenticity and Accountability
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 LGBTQ+ couples navigating the wedding planning process. After the landmark victory of Obergfell v. Hodges in 2015, same-sex couples were guaranteed their constitutional right to marry in all 50 of the United States. Of course, this decision was followed by a series of challenges from local government and private business owners, making wedding planning difficult for queer couples who were still denied services around the country. Which still 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 National Gay Wedding Association 2019-2022 has withdrawn its nonprofit status effective 10-31-2022. The NGWA broke ground on the word "inclusive" in the wedding and event industry. The NGWA put inclusive awareness front and center with it's Inclusive Awareness Conference in January 2022. The first ever all LGBTQIA+ panel of inclusive speakers, leaders and influencers with one main topic, inclusiveness! Also the NGWA's Online LGBTQIA+ Wedding Expo created a safe place for couples to meet and gather wedding information. NGWA members were able to virtually engage with couples while delivering wonderful presentations on "Five-Tips" of advise for LGBTQIA+ couples.
Seven years in the making, The Inclusive Wedding Alliance is here!
Life is a journey of many seasons with many pieces of life you learn along the way. I'm so excited to share more soon.
Get ready!
Ric Simmons - Inclusive Wedding Alliance - The best is yet to come in 2023!
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Creating Wedding Allies For LGBTQIA+ Couples Worldwide.
Educating wedding and event professionals by sharing inclusive business practices to elevate a higher level of service to LGBTQ+ couples.
Let's make a difference together!
Wedsure Wedding Insurance
Wedding & Event Insurance
We think it's important to support inclusive awareness and advocate for LGBTQ+ couples and wedding professionals by showing support for LGBTQ+ Associations.
La Venta Inn
Palos Verdes Estates, California
Wedding & Event Venue
La Venta is an all-season, full-service venue for the ultimate ocean view wedding. Nestled in the hills of Palos Verdes Estates, La Venta is famous for being the first structure built on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. La Venta overlooks the Pacific Ocean with an incomparable panoramic view. With its picturesque Spanish villa architecture and gardens filled with lush flowers, succulents rose bushes, and palm trees, our venue creates the perfect backdrop for your historic private estate wedding.
Renegade Wedding Dresses
Houston, Texas
Nontraditional Wedding Dresses
We stand for: Authenticity Embracing traditions that matter to you Creative ownership of your celebration.
Inclusivity Celebrating lives lived authentically means embracing all inspired to-be-weds. We delight in serving all sizes, cultures, and loves.
Dogwood Gatherings
Cary, North Carolina
Wedding Planner
Wedding days can get crazy with caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, make-up artists, hair stylists and more buzzing in and out. It's easy to lose focus of the most important things: family, friends, dancing, and love. Let us take away the stress of the happiest day of your life so you can laugh with your wedding party, have moments alone with your family, and enjoy your first day as a married couple.
Mon Amie
Costa Mesa, California
Bridal Salon
WE WORK WITH DESIGNERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. For over 43 years, Mon Amie Bridal Salon has served as the West Coast’s most elegant and premiere bridal salon. Our boutique presents brides with an unparalleled selection of bridal gowns. With in-store boutiques, we are able to showcase an assortment of European Designers as well as Plus Size selections. The Mon Amie Alterations team is on hand to complete your wedding day look. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you into our salon.
Oh So Purdy
Bakersfield, California
Event Planning and Coordinating
Anyone can follow a timeline or speak to a vendor but that’s not what makes a great event. It takes dedication and an intentional approach. The fast-paced nature of event planning is what I live for at OSP. When things change (and we know they do), I respond with a level head and a game plan.
With more than a decade of wedding, corporate and social event planning experience under my belt, you can count on me to execute your event with energy and humor too – so you can focus on having a good time.
Nearly Wed Coaching
Denver, Colorado
Wedding/Premarital Officiant
The wedding industry and the institution of marriage have a long history of exclusion and lack of representation of the LGBTQIA+ community. Here at NearlyWed Coaching, we have your back! Your wedding is about your love and what makes your relationship unlike any other! We believe in the importance of inclusion and are committed to supporting and affirming couples of all sexual orientations, identities, and gender expressions.
PHOX Weddings and Events
Austin, Texas
Wedding and Event Planning
We are a Central Texas based full service coordination and planning company! We are comprised of industry professionals with years of event experience who are dedicated to making your unique wedding or event one that you'll love and remember for years to come.
The Fives Hotel
Playa del Carmne, Mexico
Resort & Event Hotel
Discover the allure of the Mexican Caribbean at The Fives Beach. Create your own mix of gastronomic experiences, cultural activities, entertainment, and many other ways to enjoy and unwind for an event you won't forget.
LP Creative Events
Denver, Colorado
Event and Wedding Planner
Whether you have been dreaming about your wedding day for a long time, or just started, we can jump in and make all your wedding dreams come true - even the stuff you didn't think was possible. Let's be BFFs through the wedding planning process, and get ready to have a built in cheer squad for the rest of your life - because we've got your back through everything! If you envision your day being stress free, then you'll love your emergency utility belts that are filled to the brim for any need. We're here so YOU can have a magical day.
Victorian Belle Weddings
Portland, Oregon
Wedding Venue
The historic Victorian Belle Mansion was built in 1885 as a wedding present from David Cole to his new bride, Amanda Laura Boone, great-granddaughter of frontiersman Daniel Boone. Constructed of lumber milled entirely on the property, the original building cost came to $8,000, a large sum in those days .Cole was a ship captain who later owned a chain of local hardware and lumber stores. The house is said to be one of the first in Portland to have running hot and cold water, central heating, interior electricity, and a windmill-powered water pump. The house now holds historical artifacts from the 19th and early 20th centuries: antique furniture, art, vintage photographs, lithographs, and much more.
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