Lessons Learned from a Decade of Same-Sex Weddings...Lessons Learned from a Decade of Same-Sex...

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ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2013 14 STORIES

Lessons Learned from a Decade of Same-Sex Weddings PRESENTED BY BERNADETTE COVENEY SMITH APRIL 2014

Civil Unions don’t make the grade •  Most states with civil unions now have

full marriage equality •  Civil unions provide no federal benefits •  Same-sex couples spend 3x more on

weddings vs civil unions. •  76% of those receiving civil unions or

domestic partnership had no reception or spent insignificant funds on their wedding

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Gay Weddings are Historically Smaller and Less Expensive

•  only 5% have more than 200 guests, 23% have 100-200.

•  4% of each of our populations (straight and gay) are spending $96k+

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Gay Men spend less than lesbians. Older couples spend the least

•  Lesbians spend 15% more than gay men

•  Couples now engaged are spending 32% more than those currently married

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There are many differences between traditional straight vs gay weddings – most of which involve a lack of tradition – and

especially among gay men

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Please tell us which of the following wedding traditions you used.

Female same-sex couples are far more likely to follow wedding ceremony traditions than male same-sex couples

Male Same-sex Couples

Female Same-sex Couples

36%  

35%  

32%  

27%  

19%  

18%  

18%  

17%  

16%  

15%  

47%  

58%  

57%  

44%  

18%  

19%  

22%  

35%  

12%  

19%  

Rehearsal dinner

A first dance together as newlyweds

Gift registry

Having formal, posed photos during cocktail hour

Other

Ring Bearer

A formal, announced dance with one or both moms/dads

Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

Receiving Line

Flower Girl

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Female same-sex couples are far more likely to follow wedding ceremony traditions than male same-sex couples.

Male Same-sex Couples

Female Same-sex Couples

13%  

10%  

9%  

9%  

8%  

7%  

6%  

6%  

3%  

2%  

42%  

15%  

7%  

29%  

46%  

23%  

8%  

5%  

11%  

9%  

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Line dances such as the Electric Slide

Charity registry

Wedding Shower

Wearing white

Not seeing each other before the ceremony

Throwing rice/birdseed/confetti/other

Stomp on a glass (Jewish tradition)

A bouquet toss

A garter toss

8 8

The wedding party has it easy How many people were in your wedding party (i.e. bridesmaids,

groomsmen, etc.?) (Total for both partners)

Among Married, CU or DP

We did not have a wedding party

1 2-3 4-5 6-7 8+

30% 3% 30% 15% 9% 14%

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•  62% of engaged LGBTs have the support of their parents

•  47% of married LGBTs do

Our parents are getting better

There’s no need for gender roles 78% of gay men and 59% of lesbians enter the ceremony together

holding hands

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Quality matters more than community •  Just because someone’s gay doesn’t mean they are good at their

job! •  Only 46% really care about hiring LGBT. Personality is most

important, followed by experience and portfolio

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On a scale of 1-5, how important was the following when selecting a wedding planner or professional to

assist you with the ceremony? Among Married, CU, DP or Engaged

% Rating 4 or 5 on 5 pt. scale 5 = Very Important

79%  

67%  

53%  

46%  

41%  

35%  

Personality  of  the  wedding  professional  

Professional  has  history  of  assis3ng  same-­‐sex  couples  

Por9olio  of  the  wedding  professional  

Professional  is  part  of  the  LGBT  community  

Referral  from  a  friend  or  family  

Professional  adver3ses  in  the  LGBT  media  or  at  LGBT  events  

One quarter experience discrimination when planning

We ordered our wedding invitations from a website and received a

response saying that the owners were Christians who do not approve of same sex relationships. They said

that they would not refuse our order, but would donate all proceeds to an

ex-gay organization.

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The original hotel we were going to have our reception at canceled after we went in for the tour. The hotel wedding concierge we had been working with suddenly wouldn't return our calls. Finally he told us they had booked another event on our date and couldn't host our reception. They refunded our deposit,

but we had to reprint our invitations because of the change.

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U.S. Anti-Discrimination Laws

HI

AK

FL

MI

ME

NY

PA

VA WV

OH

IN IL

WI

NC TN

AK

MO

GA

SC

KY

AL

LA

MS

IA

MN

OK

TX

NM

KS

NE

SD

ND

WY

MT

CO

ID

UT NNV

AZ

OR

WA

CA

VT

NH

MA

NJ

DE

DC

CT

RI

Language matters.

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an average of 70% of same-sex couples find this very important

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BRIDE'S INFORMATION: First Name: _________________________________ Last Name: ________________________ Address/P.O. Box: _______________________

City: ______________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ____________ Telephone (include area code): ___________________

Email: ______________________________________________________ GROOM'S INFORMATION: First Name: _________________________________ Last Name: ____________________ Address/P.O. Box: _________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ____________ Telephone (include area code): ___________________ Email: ______________________________________________________ THE CEREMONY: Ceremony time: ___________ AM/PM What time should the photographer arrive? ___________ AM/PM Facility Name/Location: ___________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ____________ Telephone (include area code): ___________________ How many are in the wedding party: ____________ Maid/Matron of Honor's Name: First Name: _________________________ Last Name: _____________________________ Best Man's Name: First Name: _________________________ Last Name: _____________________________

Try these inclusive terms.

Brides and Grooms Couples All couples Sweethearts Sweetie Newlywed Spouses Partners Wedding Couple

It’s a big, diverse community and that’s reflected in our weddings…

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Keep in touch! Facebook: @bernadettesmith @14stories Twitter: @gaywedding @14stories Pinterest: @14stories Instagram: @14stories www.14stories.com www.GayWeddingInstitute.com

THANK YOU

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