06/02/2025
We love Pride - AND - quietly creating inclusive events beyond just Pride month is what we know makes this world a better place.
When it’s entrenched in the details, sometimes we forget to talk about it. It struck me during a recent staff training, when a new (and incredibly thoughtful) team member asked how we address couples in our communication. I hadn’t even thought to include that note… because of course, couples are couples. Clients are clients. The people standing up with them are wedding parties. We meet everyone exactly where they are, and we celebrate exactly who they are. But you know what? It deserves to be said.
Inclusion is in the way we address emails.
In the way we honour pronouns.
In the way we don’t assume attire.
In the way we call it styling instead of hair and makeup so it’s thought of for all.
It’s in our anti-harassment policies.
In our non-gendered bathroom baskets.
In our timelines that say wedding party.
In how we consider public safety.
In our trauma-informed guest communication.
It’s in our donations to q***r events.
Inclusion is in the details, not just the rainbow… AND you better believe we’ll be dancing down the street with our Pride flags not once but twice this season. 👯♀️🎉
We’re here for it all.
In 2022 (second slide), I had one of my favourite event moments to date, sitting down with the students at .vanier via to talk honestly about how non-inclusive this industry can be, how we can build safer, more joyful spaces on purpose, and how they can be part of that change.
I got to tell them the things I wish someone had told me:
– That you can actually make a living designing experiences that centre inclusion, art, identity, and joy – aka the things they were already doing as volunteers.
– That you don’t need to “fit in” to succeed, you can reshape the space.
– That this industry doesn’t just need you, it’s better with you in it.
Here’s to the reminder: this work isn’t JUST about performative allyship or rainbow decor in June & July. It’s about structure, policy, access, and joy.
To all our 2SLGBTQIA+ couples, clients, team members, vendor pals, friends and family:
Happy Pride y’all 🌈
- Sara