We Need To Talk About Inclusivity & Diversity in the Wedding Industry
Inclusivity and diversity is our next big mission for Most Curious. We’ve spent 10 years shaking up the wedding industry by breaking down outdated traditions and rules, aesthetics and attitudes about what a wedding should be like and look like.
BUT there is still much more work to be done in the world of weddings. In the last decade we have created a thriving platform and exhibition for wedding inspiration and with that, comes great responsibility. And so, we intend to use it : inclusivity and diversity is something important to us.
A word from the Founder Becky Hoh-Hale
We have a huge way to go in representing diverse communities in both the shows and the content we create as a brand. If you glance around a Most Curious show past and present, it certainly smacks of ‘stuff that cis, hetero white people do’ and I will be the first one to admit that. We’ve always been open to diversity, and made some gestures towards it - but that is not enough. The invitation has alway very much been there, but it’s time to actively and pro-actively promote this. We now need to make real, visible, meaningful strides to promote inclusivity and diversity in our shows, our brand and beyond.
As a person of dual heritage, I do have a multi layered relationship with identity, and have had a tiny window into what it is to not fit in, to not completely belong, but ultimately I am cis, heterosexual and fairly white-presenting so my experience is privileged and still narrow. Making these commitments holds us accountable and ensures everyone who works with us is also an ally to the work.
We intend to listen to, and work together with diverse voices and communities to ensure that everyone feels seen and welcome at Most Curious. This is so important. Although I wish we would have done more previously, I’m really excited to ring the changes going forward.
I know this work will be ongoing, it will not be a box that we tick and move on, it’s a mindset that must be present and holistic in everything that we do. To normalise diversity, to not be tokenistic, to make the ripples to encourage bigger changes to happen. We are ready. We are ready to hear things we maybe don’t want to hear, we are ready to feel uncomfortable, we are ready to learn.
Here is our Statement of Commitment going forward, and the actions we plan to take to fulfil them. This remains a permanent fixture on our site and will be reviewed regularly.
MCWF Statement of Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Representation
January 2020
We commit to reviewing this statement on a yearly basis.
We aim to create a wedding fair and community that respects and welcomes diversity.
No individual or couple will be unjustly discriminated against. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination because of age, disability, gender, pregnancy, race, religion, belief, sexuality.
At Most Curious Wedding Fair we are committed to developing equality, diversity and representation and will do this by :
Guiding exhibitors to take steps towards greater diversity and inclusion - we have created a digital inclusivity guide and have shared with all our exhibitors. In the future our guide and policy will disseminated from the outset when exhibitors apply to exhibit at the show.
Reviewing our recruitment to welcome more diverse team members to ensure true inclusion, internally as well as externally - will commit to attending courses and training our staff to explore the practical steps for employers point of view to make this happen.
Taking positive action to address any under-representation of particular communities at our events and in our marketing campaigns - We will ensure that this is a mindset going forward, and to mark our commitment we will be creating an inclusivity focused campaign celebrating diverse couples in summer 2020, aiming to raise the standard for ourselves and other people in the wedding industry.
Consulting with diverse communities, groups and individuals to inform our work going forward - We aim to work with a range of diversity consultants from different communities. We will keep an open conversation going on the issue as a whole and also putting together a working group of people from a broad set of backgrounds to gather constant input
Using our platform to champion diversity and widen representation in the industry Instagram is our greatest tool, so always ensuring diverse representation is key. This means not just images of hetero-normative, cis, white, couples getting married. We will be ensuring we use inclusive language and actively seek out suppliers and ideas for weddings, that cater for something other than this narrow view of identity. Also take responsibility in creating our own content that allows people from all walks of like to see people that look like them in our imagery and our message.
Consider accessibility of our venues and take measures to support those with access needs Always make sure there is disabled access to our events now and going forward, consider sight, hearing and sensory issues at every possible stage in planning. Commit to communicating event accessibility clearly to all attending.