What's the difference between same-sex marriage and a gay wedding? Is one more correct than the other? In marketing materials, what phrase should I use - those or commitment ceremonies, civil unions or something else?
A marriage is just that, a civil institution with certain protections and benefits. The marriage can happen at City Hall. But we're in the business of weddings. When I'm speaking about public policy and laws, I use the term same-sex marriage or gay marriage. When I speak about the celebrations, I call them weddings.
For your marketing materials, if you want to indicate that you are excited to support and work with same-sex couples, you should first think about the demographics and reality of your service area. For example:
- If you are based in New Jersey or work with couples from there, civil unions (which are legal in New Jersey) is an appropriate phrase.
- If you are based in a state where gay marriage is legal (Vermont, DC, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Iowa, Connecticut), using the phrases LGBT weddings, gay weddings or same-sex weddings is appropriate.
- If you are based in a state where none of the above applies, commitment ceremonies would be the most accurate term. Commitment ceremonies are a non-legal celebration of a relationship.
Some phrases which I'd advise you not to use:
How are you planning to market your business to engaged gay and lesbian couples?
- alternative lifestyle
- alternative wedding
- holy union
- If you use civil unions, commitment ceremonies or LGBT/same-sex/gay weddings, you'll be safe and non-offensive.
- If you use rainbows, pink triangles and other gay symbols, you'll be seen as cheesy.
- If the photos on your website are very hetero-centric and don't reflect your modern attitude towards gay weddings, then your use of any of those phrases won't sell much. The photos tell the story.
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