Service providers are attending workshops to learn about the special needs and preferences of LGBTQ people, everything from wedding attire and use of inclusive language in wedding vows. "They are increasingly assimilated into the mainstream market," said Kathryn Hamm, LGBTQ+ education expert at The Knot Worldwide, which owns The Knot and WeddingWire, two leading online wedding services companies.Īt the same time, the industry has adapted. I'm booking more every year," she said.Ī number of wedding services providers interviewed by Reuters estimated 1% to 6% of their annual revenues now come from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer people.
Celebrations have kicked off around the world to mark the protest considered the beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement.įor Carla Ten Eyck, a Hartford, Connecticut-based photographer, the segment of her business involving same-sex couples has grown steadily each year since the court ruling. Same-sex unions and other LGBTQ rights may have taken even longer to come to pass but for the Stonewall uprising in New York 50 years ago this month when patrons of a gay bar fought back against police harassment. The landmark decision opened up a fresh stream of business for the caterers, bakers, florists and venue operators who serve those wanting to tie the knot. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution provides same-sex couples the right to marry. Quirky wedding cakes are just one of the ways in which the $76 billion a year wedding industry in the United States has embraced and adapted to same-sex couples in the four years since the U.S. While rainbow wedding cakes remain in high demand, Bailey prefers using rainbow as a decorative accent rather than the focus of the cakes she makes.
"You don't need to dye your cakes," Bailey said, referring to the rainbow symbol of diversity that has become an emblem for LGBTQ people. While Bailey believes every couple should take pride in expressing themselves through their wedding cake, she draws the line at making her creations overwhelmed in rainbow colors. She recently made a square layer cake with black piping for a gay male couple who wanted something different than the traditional round cake with gold piping that is served at most straight weddings. June 24 (Reuters) - Kimberly Bailey, owner of The Butter End Cakery in Los Angeles, loves taking wedding cake orders from LGBTQ clients because their design requests are often more creative than straight couples. We've compiled a few of our fave inclusive topper styles because all those sweet upcoming nuptials need a cake topper that celebrates #loveislove.Same-sex unions and other LGBTQ rights may have taken even longer to come to pass but for the Stonewall uprising in New York 50 years ago this month Whether they're humorous, whimsical, or tastefully elegant, the final touch to your wedding cake should reflect the to-be-wed couple's personal style. These totally customized-and not to mention, darn cute-toppers take the cake when it comes to celebrating equal love. Laser-cut silhouettes add a dose of the fresh and contemporary to classic tiers, while personalized, sculptured mini-mes put a new, romantic spin on the traditional. Although there are still strides to make in marriage equality, LGBTQ+ couples have been finding ways to get creative with the old-school wedding tradition, choosing playful, modern, and romantic toppers for their wedding sweet treats that wholly represent them. The classic bride and groom mini-statue that has sat on top of countless cakes has gotten a more inclusive makeover over the past few years-from a figurine of a pretty pair of brides to two dashing miniature grooms-all thanks to the Supreme Court's ruling that gay marriage bans are unconstitutional and to more states legalizing same-sex marriage. Even the prettiest wedding cake with all of its sugared flowers and fondant piping can feel a little incomplete without the topper tradition.