“If event professionals could be more inclusive and caring in their intake forms, that would take a lot of the stress off the couple and clients,” says Kirsten Ott Palladino, editorial director and cofounder of Equally Wed*, an online LGBTQ+ wedding magazine and directory, and author of Equally Wed: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding. [Editor’s note: Leary is currently a senior editor at Equally Wed.] “Of course, you’ll want to be gender-neutral in your description of the couple, leaving off bride, groom and any other gendered words, as well as asking what pronouns your clients use.” She explains that asking for clients’ pronouns accomplishes two things: For one, you find out how to address them, and it also signals that you’re a space where nonbinary and gender-fluid people can feel comfortable.
