The value of the Inclusive Wedding Summit

I will admit that I am still on afterglow from last week’s Inclusive Wedding Summit. The energy in the room and the connections being made were infectious. The beauty of it all was the purpose of why the attendees were there.

From marketing to cultural education, the Inclusive Wedding Summit touched on the important question: “Why should I care?”

First off, whether you are interested in marketing to a particular culture or not, wedding couples are looking at your marketing materials. You may think they are wonderful, but if the couple does not read into your words or see themselves in your images you become just a name on a list. Both Alan Berg and Brian Lawrence touched on this important factor. If these potential couples of any race, ethnicity or religion are your potential clients you cannot ignore them anymore. It never was acceptable to just put an image or add some words to your materials and think you were building a connection. It’s real and it’s now to make the change and be a leader in your field in doing so.

Second, three major cultures were addressed: LGBTQ+. South Asian, and Jewish. That is a lot of culture just right there. You could focus on any one of these and build relationships and your business. It is quite vast to attempt to take them all on at once because it is about relationships, not numbers. This takes focus, time, and connections. The four speakers gave information on not just what was being represented but nuances. It was an opportunity to move towards the head of the class. You learned some of the “don’ts” as well as some of the “do’s.” Immeasurable value in a short span of time.

Lastly, being either in the physical room (the beautiful Hilton Hasbrouck Heights) or the virtual classroom showed to others that you care. You cared about the subjects, you cared about the speakers, you cared about the promoters and you cared about your business. Those present could see who else cared and made note. This is how connections are made, and relationships are built.

Kudos to Brian Lawrence and Brenda Ferrarini for a job well done.

It is early in 2025. The renewed movement to be inclusive has begun. Decide now that your business mindset will be inclusive, and then do the work to make it happen. There are couples waiting to award you with referrals. (Tip: it happens that way in cultures, not with billboards.) You’re leaving money on the table as you try to discover new methods of business. This one is waiting for you.

Lois Pearce, Master Wedding Planner, has served as the Director, Ethnic Diversity, and the current Vice President of Membership for the Association of Bridal Consultants. She is the author of Wedding Customs and Traditions: Historical Traditions to Incorporate into Modern Weddings. The book has over 30 chapters of ethnicities and religions and is a time saving cultural resource for wedding professionals and couples. She is available to help you with your marketing message to an inclusive audience.