Kathryn Hamm Publisher, GayWeddings Education Expert, WeddingWire
#WeDo
The Big Picture Why does today’s data matter more than yesterday’s?
B. Hunter Co.
1999
2013 Carly Fuller Photography
May 2015
Joint filing by same-sex couples after Windsor: Characteristics of tax filers in 2013 & 2014
You MUST be inclusive to be competitive
#WeDo
Assumptions Peripheral Vision Service
Assumptions (as in: try not to make them)
Live Happy Studio
The Real Story
‘Gay-friendliness’ & ‘customer service’ outranked ‘industry experience’ in importance to the couple Picture This Photography
GayWeddings.com Survey, 2006
Today’s Couples
#WeDo Lyndsy Garber Photography
The Post-Obergefell Year
123,000 Same-sex couples married
$102m In sales tax / local revenue
$1.58 billion Economic impact
Source: The Williams Institute
Same-Sex Couples avg WEDDING SPEND
$ 29,372 avg WEDDING SIZE
avg ENGAGEMENT
13 mo
100 WeddingWire Newlywed Survey, 2015
Ashlee Hamon Photography
WedInsights.com
Financial support from parents has increased, but… A majority of LGBTQ couples pay for all/most of ceremony/reception
84% LGBTQ Before 2013
74% LGBTQ After 2015
48% nonLGBTQ After 2015
Same-Sex Wedding Trends are Evolving
Single proposer scenario on the rise Elle Lily Photography & Videography
from
to
28%
53%
In-state weddings on the rise
Guest list size has grown
Family support on the rise, but‌
Fears of rejection persist
Range of Experiences Denial of services
“None of the justices of the peace we contacted would perform the ceremony.�
Range of Experiences Denial of services
Heteronormative language
“The most annoying thing is the paperwork we fill out for different vendors. It always says bride and groom.�
Range of Experiences Denial of services
Heteronormative language
Assumptions made
“Our jeweler assumed we were sisters getting matching engagement rings. Our dance instructor assumed we needed male partners to learn how to dance.�
Range of Experiences Denial of services
Heteronormative language
Assumptions made
Lack of response
“We had one vendor not return our emails and we did wonder if it was related to us being a same-sex couple.�
Experienced Discrimination Yes: 12% Not Sure: 13% No: 75%
Inclusivity is important in vendor selection
Percentage of couples who seek inclusivity
87% 49% LGBTQ (2016)
nonLGBTQ (2016)
Inclusivity and intentionality matter
#WeDo Trends Comparison Derek Chad Photography
SELF-IDENTIFIED SAME-SEX COUPLES WHO MARRIED IN 2014 & 2015 Remain much more comfortable breaking with traditionally defined gender roles.
Two Brides First dance
43%
Wear white
36%
Old, new, borrowed, blue
35% Irena Negrean Photography
Two Grooms First dance
Wear white Old, new, borrowed, blue
18% 2%
7% Clane Gessel Photography
Let Love Photography
Bri McDaniel Photography
Ashlee Hamon Photography
Six Hearts Photography
Analysis
No Surprise:
Derek Chad Photography
• Structural planning needs reflect assimilation • Ritual trends show variance • Legal elopements / out-of-state ceremonies in decline
Surprise! • Stories of refusal of service • NonLGBTQ couples who value inclusion continues to rise • Millennial couples report more fear of rejection than older cohorts Tres Jolie Photography
Peripheral Vision (go beyond your first glance)
• 29 magazines with 35 people • 62% featured a bride • 21% featured a bride & groom • 17% featured wedding imagery • 0% featured a same-sex couple • 2 people of color – less than 1%
Cean One Studios
#BridalRebrand “ Wedding Pros must speak to today’s couples, not yesterday’s brides. Rebranding is never easy, but it can be done.”
From “Brides” to “Couples”
Service (relationship, relationship, relationship)
Intro to Best Practices
#WeDo
It’s not enough to be ‘gay-friendly’…
You MUST be ‘gay wedding competent’
Gay Wedding Competent: • Understand who the LGBTQ community is • Understand what LGBTQ couples need • Understand how our experiences & legal options shape our choices
Tuan B & Co
‘Getting Your Terms…er…Straight’
LGBTQ: • • • • •
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer
Tuan B & Co
Lyndsay Undseth Photography
Contracts & Collateral
Projections
What to Expect • Average age of same-sex couples will decrease • Relationship trajectory will look more familiar • Customer service and industry experience will be required of professionals
What to Expect • Economic impact storyline will be revealed not projected • Question of religious freedom vs. civil rights will play out in court of public opinion & court of law
With Jim Obergefell at WeddingWire HQ