LAUNCH ISSUE
Julie McCrossin; Demonstrations and Marriage
Alex Greenwich; the next fight is Transgender Rights
Your guide to Wedding Planning
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special edition
AUS $12.50 ISSUE #1 : 2018 ISSN 2209-0657
ISSN 2209-0657
9 772209 065005
40 Years Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
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PICKING YOUR VENDORS
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AS MEMBERS OF THE LGBTI COMMUNITY WE NOW HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE THOSE WEDDING PROFESSIONALS WHO SUPPORT US, BUT HOW DO WE DEFINE SUPPORT, AND HOW DO WE PICK THE RIGHT WEDDING PROFESSIONALS TO AVOID AN UNCOMFORTABLE MISUNDERSTANDING OR EMBARRASSING SITUATION?
I know everyone is probably
S U PPORT
AS K A ND LI ST E N … CA R E FULLY.
celebrating the fact that marriage
There’s the physical support where
There’s a good chance many of your
equality is FINALLY here. We have
actions take place, people get involved
wedding vendors have been working
waited far too long for it. FACT. We
in the community and/or events and
in the industry for some time and they
have marched, protested and vocalised
a common fight is fought. Examples
could be considered experts in their
our cause until our voices broke like a
are: did the vendor march in marriage
field. When you ask questions, listen.
drag queen singing on Saturday night
equality rallies? Have they attended
It’s their turn to provide you with
at the Imperial Hotel! Now, we have a
any LGBTI fundraisers? Have they
information, their chance to make you
duty to select vendors and venues who
volunteered at any LGBTI support
feel comfortable and advise on how
have stood for marriage equality and
services? Have they donated to a
they would be there to work with you
marched alongside us in our protests.
LGBTI cause? Have they assisted the
on your wedding day. Listen to the
Whilst there are literally tens of
community in any way? If so, how?
language they use, the terminology
thousands of wedding professionals
Do you feel comfortable that they
out there the number who wish work
understand how you, as a same-
with LGBTI couples is greatly reduced.
sex couple, would want to celebrate
It’s now time to select those wedding
a wedding? Is there an assumption
A R E YO U B E I NG LE D U P T HE
by the wedding professional about
G A R D E N PAT H ?
your relationship and how it works?
There are a bunch of tactics that
(e.g. who wears the pants) Or do
anti-gay venues & vendors use to
deeply’ supported us.
they let you, unassumingly, tell your
avoid serving same-sex couples.
When it comes to planning YOUR
story? Ultimately, do you feel 100%
They can be harsh and up-front in
comfortable that your chosen vendor
the form of a straight out “No, we
will be able to understand you, your
don’t serve same-sex couples”. Then
partner, your family and your friends
there’s the more subtle approach
on your wedding day?
where they cannot confirm a date or
professionals who have over time, with actions and through visual representation, have ‘truly, madly,
wedding, here are our tips and questions to include when picking your wedding professionals. These can help you avoid an uncomfortable situation popping up in front of you or, even worse, your family and friends.
TOL E RA N CE VS CH A M P I O N You want to work with people who really want to make your big day special, not someone who tolerates you just for extra cash in their pocket. Select vendors who champion marriage equality through their conversations, through their actions, through support and through publicly declaring that support. Check out their webpage and social media channels.
and if they seem to feel uncomfortable talking about you or your partner, it might be time to move on.
even a booking because they already have a booking that day, and then the same with the next date you suggest and the next date. Finally, there’s the price hike where instead of the venue costing $5000 as per the norm, it now costs $10,000. I have even heard of one venue that agreed with marriage equality but the catering staff did not, which left them in a bit of a quandary. If you are becoming disparaged, move
E DU CAT I O N
vendor because it’s unlikely that a non-
There are a growing number of
supportive venue/vendor who hikes the
businesses that want to work with
price will be there to really support you
you on your wedding but have never
on your wedding day.
worked with a LGBTI couple. There’s
D IRECT ADVERTI S IN G Not all venues or vendors advertise
vendor but it will take more questions to really identify if they have the
Network that assist those businesses in understanding the LGBTI community and how to appropriately serve you on
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and it shouldn’t put you off a venue/
Masterclasses from The Equality
/
directly to the same-sex community
now a ground-breaking series of
your wedding day.
and breathe same-sex weddings, so
to same-sex couples that means they
it’s important to know that the people
have you in mind. They have thought
delivering the training are very much a
about how a same-sex wedding is
part of the LGBTI community. Ask your
different, they have most likely talked
wedding vendor/venue if they have
about language, they understand
been trained by The Equality Network
terminology and are welcoming and
or look out for this partner badge on
inclusive. Check out our directory to
their website.
for your day. www.equallywed.com.au
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between two LGBTI people who live
However, if they are directly marketing
/
The Equality Network is a partnership
your wedding day needs could be met.
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understanding to appropriately ensure
find the perfect wedding professional
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WHAT IS AN ON THE DAY COORDINATOR?
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is like a personal project manager who ensures your day runs smoothly.
confirmed. The coordinator will send out a run sheet to the vendors in the days leading up to the wedding so they all know exactly how they fit into your day and they will follow up with each of them the day before to make sure it’s all as it should be for you and your partner. An on the day wedding coordinator is with you throughout the day and night. They are there to keep the agreed timeline on track and to make sure every element in the ceremony and the reception happens as it should.
defer to the coordinator if they need assistance • Work with the photographer to organise family and the wedding party for photographs • Review table layouts and make sure place cards and wedding favours are set out as planned • Work with your MC to make sure
can have the unforgettable day and night of your life without having to stress over the coordination elements. The coordinator is usually the first person to arrive and the last person to
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wedding to make sure everything is
you have ushers then they can
someone else, you and your partner
/
suppliers and vendors before your
• Welcome and direct guests, or if
With everything being managed by
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They contact your venue and all your
A F E W TH I NG S T H EY D O I NCLU D E :
leave the venue – long after the last guest has departed! They ensure that the third-party supplier pack down goes off without a hitch and also make sure that no gifts or personal belongings have been left behind – yes,
they are across the run-sheet and
it really happens.
their role
As with the full-service wedding
• Ensure AV equipment is ready to go for speeches and video montages • Confer with the kitchen/venue staff about the progression and timing of the courses
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An ‘on the day’ wedding coordinator
planner, to avoid disappointment be sure that both parties are clear on the responsibilities of the on the day coordinator. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the differences between an on the day coordinator and a planner. Both have a valuable part in delivering your day – your way – without fuss, but the scope of each role is vastly different.
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MISTER MISTER AUTUMN/WINTER ADVICE Daniel Narvaez (www.whoismrmister.com)
Coming into the cooler months,
All the above being said, the more
not so tuxedo ‘Dizzy’ range which
texture and tone are our greatest
traditional form of dress should not be
incorporates tuxedo looks with more
ally. With the change in season
forgotten and a classic tuxedo should
contemporary silhouettes. Wearing
comes a great change in scenery and
not be too far from mind. Velvet jackets
shapes and designs in a more
environment, meaning we’re able to
in shades of blue, burgundy or even
contemporary way in combination with
experiment with richer colours and
green with a contrasting black trouser
fuller more textured fabrics provides us
fuller fabrics accompanied by design
is amazing. With a more daring trouser
with a more interesting and relevant
which can range from the traditional
option even being a blackwatch tartan.
outfit befitting of our time.
Mister Mister, an advocate of the
If we’re going to express ourselves
diverse silhouette, stylistically believes
through our dress we should be able
in putting together looks that will
to have a little bit of fun - after all
work throughout the year irrespective
bumping conformity is fun, right?
to the more contemporary. Textured wools in all shades of navy and grey are always an amazing choice, but we also are able to work with classic Prince of Wales’ and Glencheck’s which bring out amazing Houndstooth.
of the event. So we’ve created the
Green Suit: Mister Mister ‘Dizzy’ Shawl lapel tuxedo. Emerald green wool suit. Shirt: DÉCLIC Falter Print Shirt Shoes: Bally (Opposite) Velvet Jacket: Mister Mister ‘Machito’ peak lapel jacket. Midnight blue velvet. (Opposite) Pants: Grey check - Mister Mister ‘Dizzy’ peak lapel tuxedo. Grey micro-check wool suit. (Opposite) White Shirt: Institchu
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