Planning a wedding is a joyous occasion, and finding vendors who embrace and celebrate love in all its forms is just as important and can add an extra layer of joy to your special day. In Minnesota, you’ll discover a vibrant community of LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding vendors ready to turn your dream wedding into a reality.
If you’re a couple looking for an LBGTQ affirming wedding vendor that cares about you and your love story, this guide is all about LGBTQ+ wedding venues and vendors.
Inclusive Wedding Vendors
While the terms “LGBTQ-friendly,” “LGBTQ-affirming,” and “LGBTQ-inclusive” are sometimes used interchangeably, they have different meanings and I would love to go over them as we learn more about how to truly include the LGBTQ+ community:
- LGBTQ-Friendly:This generally means that a business or service provider is welcoming and open to serving LGBTQ individuals and couples. You will see this term used in Google listings and is the most used term in the industry. It’s a positive term and shows a basic level of inclusivity. The vendor is accepting of LGBTQ clients , however might not necessarily understand all specific LGBTQ experiences or needs.
- LGBTQ-Affirming:Being LGBTQ-affirming goes beyond being friendly; it involves actively supporting and validating LGBTQ couples and clients. It means this vendor has a deeper understanding and respecting of the unique experiences, challenges, and needs of LGBTQ individuals.
- LGBTQ-Inclusive:An LGBTQ-inclusive vendor actively incorporates education, practices, and language that explicitly include and acknowledge LGBTQ identities. They make sure LGBTQ couples are not just accommodated but actively integrated and considered through their company and staff.
Choosing LGBTQ+ friendly vendors ensures that your wedding team not only supports but actively celebrates your love. These vendors in Minnesota are committed to making your wedding day as unique and beautiful as your love story.
How to Find Inclusive Wedding Vendors :
You can find both inclusive LGBTQ+ vendors and active members of the community that are also wedding vendors . To narrow down your search you can first search online, looking for statements, hashtags and website directories. In Google and other specific wedding search directories, you will find a way to filter and find information on who owns the business and who do they serve. Starting by finding venues, photographers, or other vendors whose work you like and research their websites and social media presence.
Online Wedding Directories
In this digital era where we all do research online, directories play a crucial role in connecting couples with LGBTQ+ friendly vendors. Websites like Equally Wed, LGBTQ Weddings, and the Human Rights Campaign’s directory feature inclusive vendors who proudly support and serve the LGBTQ+ community. Use these platforms as a starting point to find vendors committed to celebrating love in all its forms.
Here are some of the wedding listings online you can find vendors:
- Equally Wed
- Gay & Lesbian Weddings
- LGBTWeddings.com
Social media platforms
Popular Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Reddit can be powerful tools for discovering LGBTQ+ friendly wedding vendors. You can find local LGBTQ+ wedding groups in facebook, following inclusive hashtags on Instagram or look for past threads in reddit to find couples sharing wedding experiences and recommend vendors who embraced and celebrated their love. This real-time, community-driven approach is a great way to make sure you’re getting current and authentic recommendations.
Reaching to vendors
When reaching out to potential vendors, don’t hesitate to ask questions about their experience working with LGBTQ+ couples, their commitment to inclusivity, and any specific services they offer . Vendors who are genuinely supportive will be enthusiastic for creating a wedding day that truly represents you as a couple!
Many times vendor’s websites and social media will have statements of inclusivity, badges or even emojis that communicate their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
When you look at a wedding vendor website and social media presence, it is a powerful tool to notice if they reflect different couples.
The wedding industry has made a lot of progress towards inclusivity in the last few years,and now many people will be more intentional about representation, however you will want to also look at the language used in their websites.
Looking at a vendor’s testimonials on Google, The Knot, WeddingWire, Facebook, and Yelp is a great way to to check out reviews from past LGBTQ+ couples!
LGBTQ Friendly Wedding Venues & Vendors
Most couples find a wedding venue first and and receive many recommendations from the venue that can help you narrow down your options ! As a wedding photographer, I’ve worked with lots of venues in Minnesota area – but here are a few of my favorite venues who support LGBTQ+ relationships.
- Machine Shop in Minneapolis, MN
- The Lowlands in Saint Paul, MN
- Bavaria Downs in Chaska, MN
- Quincy Hall in Minneapolis, MN
- Glass House
- MIA
- Green Acres event center
- Hutton House
- Day Block Event Center
- Science Museum of Minnesota
- Cannon River Winery
- Lumber Exchange Event
- The Van Dusen Mansion
- Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul, MN
- Creekside Farm Wedding & Events
- JX Event Venue in Stillwater, MN
- Legacy Hill Farm in Welch, MN
Minnesota LGBTQ+ Affirming vendors
I have created a a list of some incredible vendors I’ve worked with who celebrate LGBTQ relationships and weddings:
Food/Catering
- Marna’s Catering
- Crave
Planners
- Kahani Events
- Keyedupevents
- Dos Goats planning
Officiants
- Little Wedding Co.
Wedding Photographers
- Laura Alpizar Photography
- Life and Art Photography
- Andrea Wagner Photography
- Fox and Loon
- Danitza Photography
- Kadence Cruse Photo
- Alysa Lund Photography
- Julie Greer Photography
Elopement photographers
Videographres
- Mast Wedding Films
Desserts
- Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe
Hair & Makeup
- Warpaint International Beauty Agency
- Hair by Heidi
- Lady Vamp
Wardrobe
- The White Room
Floral Artists
- Revel and Flourish
-
Green Goddess Floral
- The cutting garden
In the Minnesota’s wedding scene, finding LGBTQ+ friendly vendors is more about connecting with individuals who honor and celebrate your love. By finding recommendations, researching online, and asking the right questions, you can find a team of vendors who are as excited about your wedding day as you are! Your wedding is YOUR celebration, and finding the right vendors ensures that the day is filled with authenticity, respect, and joy.
Would you like to work together? I can’t wait to hear about you: Contact
