Wedding planning should feel exciting, welcoming and reassuring for every couple. But for many same-sex and LGBTQIA+ couples, there can still be an extra layer of uncertainty when researching wedding venues and suppliers online. Before enquiring, couples are often quietly asking themselves:
- "Will we feel comfortable here?"
- "Will we be genuinely welcomed?"
- "Do they actually support couples like us?"
Those questions matter because modern couples do far more than simply browse pretty photos before enquiring. They research businesses across multiple platforms, compare information, check reviews, validate credibility and look for reassurance that a business aligns with their values before they ever make contact.
That's why we've introduced a new section across Guides for Brides listings called: "Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Couples".
This update forms part of our wider inclusivity project and follows the move of Pride Guide into the main Guides for Brides platform and Inclusive Weddings hub. Rather than keeping inclusive wedding planning separate, we wanted inclusivity to become a visible and integrated part of the wider wedding planning experience.
The new statement section gives businesses the opportunity to clearly communicate that LGBTQIA+ couples are welcomed, respected and celebrated within their business.
Why This Matters
Today's couples research wedding businesses across multiple platforms before making contact. They discover businesses through social media, Google, AI tools like ChatGPT, blogs and directories, then compare and validate what they find before enquiring.
Today's couples are increasingly research-led, searching across many directories and platforms, looking for businesses that feel trustworthy, transparent, emotionally aligned with them and easy to work with. For LGBTQIA+ couples, signals about your inclusivity naturally becomes part of that vetting process too.
A visible Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Couples statement can instantly provide reassurance during the research stage and help couples feel more confident reaching out to your business.
Authenticity matters here too. Couples do not expect corporate language or performative messaging. In fact, the most effective statements are usually the ones that feel simple, human and genuine. A short statement that honestly reflects your business values and approach will often resonate far more than something overly polished.
It can also help businesses appear within relevant inclusive wedding searches, landing pages and editorial content across Guides for Brides.
What Should a Commitment Statement Include?
There is no single "correct" way to write your statement. The best statements feel honest, natural and specific to your business.
You might include:
- A clear message that LGBTQIA+ couples are welcomed and celebrated
- Details of your experience supporting same-sex or LGBTQIA+ weddings
- The atmosphere or customer experience you aim to create
- Your values as a business
- Reassurance that all couples and guests will feel respected and comfortable
Think about the questions couples may be trying to answer when reading your listing and prepare your statement to help reassure them.
Examples of "Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Couples" Statements
Example 1
At [Business Name], we proudly welcome and celebrate couples of all genders, identities and sexual orientations. We believe every wedding should feel authentic to the couple at the centre of it, and we are committed to creating a warm, inclusive and supportive experience for every client and guest. Love is love, and we are honoured to be part of your celebration.
Example 2
We're proud to have experience supporting same-sex and LGBTQIA+ weddings and understand how important it is for couples to feel genuinely welcomed throughout the planning process. The [Business Name] team is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive and comfortable environment where every couple can celebrate in a way that feels true to them.
Example 3
Inclusivity is incredibly important to us at [Business Name]. We welcome all couples and believe wedding planning should feel exciting, safe and free from judgement. Whether you're planning a large celebration or something intimate and personal, our team is here to support you and ensure your wedding reflects your relationship, your personalities and your story.
Example 4
We proudly support LGBTQIA+ couples and are committed to creating a wedding experience where everyone feels seen, respected and celebrated. Our approach is always people-first, and we work hard to ensure every couple feels comfortable, supported and genuinely welcomed from the first enquiry through to the wedding day itself.
How to Add Your Statement on Guides for Brides
To update your listing:
- Log into your Guides for Brides Business Hub
- Click "Edit Advert" in the left hand menu
- Locate the section titled "Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Couples"
- Add your statement
- Save and republish your listing
Keeping your listing updated is increasingly important not only for couples, but also for visibility across search engines and AI search tools. Detailed, accurate and structured listing content helps platforms better understand your business and surface it within relevant searches.
For more help and guidance, read our Listing Optimisation Guide
Need Help Writing Your Statement?
If you're unsure how to write your statement, ChatGPT can be a great starting point, but the quality of the output will depend heavily on the information you give it.
The best statements feel authentic to your business, not generic or overly corporate. Before running the prompt, take a few minutes to properly complete each section with honest, specific information about your team, values and customer experience.
ChatGPT Prompt Template
Write a natural and welcoming LGBTQIA+ commitment statement for our Guides for Brides listing.
The statement should:
- match our brand tone of voice
- sound human and authentic
- be under 2,000 characters
- avoid bullet points
- explain how we support and welcome LGBTQIA+ couples
- focus on the experience couples can expect
- only include genuine information provided below.
Business name: [BUSINESS NAME]
Business url: [BUSINESS URL & GUIDES FOR BRIDES LISTING URL]
Brand personality: [TONE OF VOICE]
Why inclusivity matters to us: [VALUES]
How we support LGBTQIA+ couples: [APPROACH / EXPERIENCE / ACTIONS]
How we want couples to feel: [WELCOME / SAFE / CELEBRATED / RELAXED]
Anything else to include: [OPTIONAL eg. NOTABLE AWARDS, OTHER RESOURCE LINKS, REVIEWS]
Please write the statement as if it is directly from our business.
Building a More Inclusive Wedding Industry
This update forms part of a much wider long-term inclusivity project across Guides for Brides, focused on helping more couples feel represented, welcomed and supported throughout wedding planning.
We know there is always more work to do, and we're committed to continuing to evolve, listen and improve alongside both couples and wedding businesses across the UK wedding industry.
