In what's being deemed a forward stride for inclusivity in the nuptials industry, one Valley wedding planner is redefining love's big day. Ashley Dickerson is spearheading an expo aimed at making weddings a more inclusive affair. The Avondale Visitor and Conference Center will host the event, featuring dozens of small businesses, on Sunday, February 25 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dickerson, the powerhouse behind Married in Mocha, spotted a glaring omission in the market – inclusivity, particularly for people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. "Love comes in all different forms and hues," Dickerson explained to ABC15. She emphasizes the importance of a non-cookie-cutter experience, ensuring that couples feel "celebrated and honored and seen." The expo not only serves as a beacon of representation but also offers a leg up to local small businesses that might not have the clout to hang in the arenas of larger, pricier wedding expos.
Meanwhile, in Georgia, the debate about 'a la carte' versus all-inclusive wedding venues rages on. An all-in-one package at an all-inclusive venue, like Lilly Creek Farm, claims to save couples from the financial rollercoaster and stress monkey on their back. Proven by a cost-efficient, pre-set price tag, it covers everything from the setting to catering and decor, allowing for better budgeting and fewer unwelcome surprises. However, some lovebirds with a palate for personalization may balk at the thought of standardized nuptial bliss.
The dialogue around venue selection has grown more nuanced. Yes, an all-inclusive venue offers couples the reassurance of a professional team handling the minutiae, but it doesn't have to stifle creativity. “Most all-inclusive venues offer various packages, allowing you to customize certain aspects of your wedding,” according to a Lilly Creek Farm blog post. This hybrid model appears to offer the best of both worlds, melding customizability with the simplicity of a package deal.
For those smitten kittens planning their union, the choice between crafting their dream wedding A to Z or opting for an all-in-one fix boils down to personal preference. But whether it’s a wedding that paints outside the lines or one that checks off boxes in one fell swoop, these evolving options are painting a new picture of matrimonial planning; one with no shortage of choices, no matter the palette or spectrum of love.
