how to approach your wedding venue with lgbtq+ inclusivity feedback (& template email)

Photo by Chloe Mary Photography, taken of Rebel Love Directory venue The Giraffe Shed

Here's how to provide your wedding venue with LGBTQ+ Inclusivity Feedback:

It's great that you want to help your wedding venue become more LGBTQ+ inclusive! Providing constructive feedback can be a positive experience for both you and the venue, helping to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all couples/lovers. Here are some steps you can follow to approach them effectively (make sure you read until the end for a template email you can send to your venue):

1. Prepare Your Feedback:

• Reflect on your experiences and identify specific instances where the venue could improve its inclusivity.

• Think about both positive and negative aspects to ensure your feedback is balanced.

• Gather suggestions or examples of best practices from other venues or resources.

2. Choose the Right Time and Medium:

• Arrange a meeting or send an email to the venue management. Choose a time when they are not too busy to ensure they can give your feedback their full attention.

• A face-to-face meeting or video call can be more impactful, but an email is also a good option if you prefer.

3. Start with Positivity:

• Begin your feedback by expressing appreciation for the venue and mentioning what you loved about their service. This sets a positive tone and shows that your feedback is coming from a place of wanting to help, not criticise.

4. Be Clear and Specific:

• Clearly outline the areas where you felt the venue could improve its inclusivity.

• Use specific examples and explain how these instances affected your experience.

5. Offer Constructive Suggestions:

• Provide practical suggestions on how the venue can improve. For example:

- Training staff on using correct pronouns and inclusive language.

- Creating contact forms & booking forms using gender neutral language.

- Displaying inclusive signage and materials.

- Creating gender-neutral/non gendered toilets.

- Offering options for diverse ceremony formats and setups.

- Ensuring all marketing materials reflect diversity.

6. Highlight the Benefits:

• Emphasise the positive impact that becoming more inclusive can have on their business. Inclusive practices can attract a wider range of clients, enhance their reputation, and create a more welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

7. Offer Resources:

• Share resources or recommend training programs that can help the venue improve its inclusivity. Websites, articles, and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups can be valuable sources of information and support.

8. Be Open to Dialogue:

• Encourage the venue to ask questions and engage in a dialogue about your feedback. Be open to discussing your experiences in more detail if they are interested.

Sample Email Template:

Subject: Feedback and Suggestions for Enhancing LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

Dear [Venue Manager's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My partner(s) and I recently booked your venue for our upcoming wedding, and we are very excited to celebrate our special day at such a beautiful location. We have had a wonderful experience so far and truly appreciate the efforts of your team.

We would like to offer some feedback and suggestions on how the venue can become even more inclusive and welcoming for LGBTQ+ to-be-weds. During our planning process, we noticed a few areas where inclusivity could be enhanced:

1. Staff Training: Providing your staff with training on using correct pronouns and inclusive language can make a significant difference. It ensures that all guests feel respected and valued.

2. Inclusive Signage: Adding inclusive signage and materials around the venue can create a more welcoming atmosphere. This can include signs for gender-neutral/gender free toilets and inclusive language in your marketing materials.

3. Diverse Ceremony Options: Offering options for diverse ceremony formats and setups can help cater to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ couples/lovers. This can include flexibility in traditional roles and customs.

We believe that these changes can not only improve the experience for LGBTQ+ lovers but also enhance your venue’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place for all celebrations of love. If you are interested, we would be happy to share some resources and connect you with training programs that can assist in this process.

Thank you for considering our feedback. We look forward to continuing our planning with you and creating a memorable wedding day at your venue.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

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Approaching your venue with thoughtful, constructive feedback can make a real difference. Your input can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment, ensuring that all couples/lovers feel welcome and respected on their special day.