Gay Weddings are Good for Business

Today, Governor Quinn of Illinois, signed a law legalizing civil unions.  This law will go into effect on June 1.

How will this change your business?

First of all, you need to decide whether or not you want to actively seek the civil union market.  This is a business decision, a marketing decision.  There are some people who believe that they will possibly lose business from more conservative straight clients if they proactively advertise or market their support of same-sex civil unions.  As a business owner, you need to decide whether or not you want to take that "risk."  If you would rather be passive, I respect that decision but if you want to be proactive, keep reading...

If you do want to proactively reach the civil union market, you  must first go through your website, marketing materials, contracts and forms and neutralize all language that implies there's one bride and one groom with bridesmaids and groomsmen.  You can do the same with photos.  You can also use the term "civil union" on your website, and say something along the lines of "Special Weddings can help with your wedding, civil union or party."

Then, you'll need to do some advertising and my top gay wedding directory suggestions are GayWeddings.com and SoYoureEnGAYged.com.

Then, you should do some heavy reading - and dig through old blog posts on this site www.GayWeddingInstitute.com and consider buying my book for couples!  My book just for you, vendors, will be out in the summer!

Are you hoping to work with any couples in Illinois planning civil unions?