Making your wedding business website inclusive

It's a constant source of amazement to me that in 2025, so many wedding industry websites STILL refer to 'the bride and groom'.

We've come a long way since 2005 when same-sex partnerships in the UK were legalised (followed by marriage in 2013), and today it's an absolute no-brainer that not every wedding has a bride and groom.

So why do so many wedding business websites still use gendered and non-inclusive language?

Photo: Jess Bailey on Unsplash

Weddings are utterly steeped in tradition, but many of those traditions don't sit well in today's society, and are quite rightly being pushed back on. (Think being 'given away' by a father, only the men getting to make speeches, the list goes on...) 21st-century couples getting married are erasing any 'traditional' part of a wedding that they don't want, and creating a day that's much more reflective of them as a couple.

As a wedding vendor, it's your job to ensure couples feel welcome from the very moment they land on your website or social media profile. And the way to do this is in the language you use.

Because language has power. So using gender-neutral, inclusive terms and not making assumptions about how a wedding will look and sound goes a long way.

It's about appreciating not every couple and not every wedding will be the same, and ensuring that people who want to work with you don't feel like you're trying to put them into a pre-conceived box of how a wedding 'should be'.

If you think of your wedding business website as your digital home, you want it to be inviting for all couples. Using inclusive and accessible language and practices is like a lovely welcome mat – you're making it even easier and more comfortable for people. And that's only ever a great thing!

As always in posts like this, I don't profess to have all the answers and knowledge, and I'm always learning myself. If you feel I've got something wrong or something needs updating, please email me to discuss it. The idea of this post is to be a useful jumping-off point to consider inclusivity on your wedding business website, and some simple tweaks you can make to help all your visitors feel welcome.

Start with a language audit

A great way to start thinking about inclusivity is with a language audit. Go over all your written touchpoints: your website is the biggie, but there's also social media, digital and printed brochures, newsletters, business cards and emails. Check to see the language you're using, and where this needs to be amended. You could also ask a buddy in the wedding industry to have a look so there's another set of eyes on it.

On any forms or contracts, add a space where people can put their pronouns. Ditch any mention of 'bride's name' and 'groom's name' and swap them out for something like 'Your name' and 'Partner's name', or 'Partner A' and 'Partner B'.

Always ask, never assume

Once you've got your written language sorted, consider the language you use when you meet couples in person and how you can avoid making any assumptions. For example, ask them what names they'll be using during the wedding and in their married life. Do they want to be known as Mr and Mrs, or use the terms husband or wife? Yes, they might want to go down that path, but then again they may not: it's always, always best to ask.

Never assume a woman is changing her name. If you want to know, phrase the question as "Will there be any name changes?" and not "Are you taking your husband's name?"

Other assumptions to avoid are who proposed to who, that women will have female attendants and men will have male attendants, and that it's a bride will be carrying a bouquet.

Gendered wedding terms to amend

Want to know what language you can use as an alternative to gendered wedding terms? Here are some to start you off.

Bride or groom ---> partner/nearly-wed

Bridal party ---> wedding party

Bridal bouquet ---> bouquet

Bridesmaids or groomsmen ---> attendants

Bridal suite/grooms room ---> wedding room

For a fantastic comprehensive list of inclusive alternatives, check out this post by photographer Shannon Collins.

Language can be deeply ingrained, and it can be hard to overturn traditions. But we all have a duty to make sure we're using language that doesn't discriminate, assume or offend people. Yes, it can take some thought, but it makes a massive difference to ensuring all couples feel welcome and comfortable – which is surely what you want as a wedding professional.