Consumer’s View: Shopping for a Same Sex Celebration
By Tamar Prager and Arielle Freedberg -- Gifts and Dec, 3/1/2007 11:38:00 AM
Registry
We registered for gifts at Bed Bath and Beyond, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Fortunoff and Bloomingdales. Upon meeting two women, oftentimes the salespeople seemed confused and unsure how to negotiate the registering process. After the initial bewilderment, we were usually met with a professionalism and courteousness. Some asked basic questions such as “What is a commitment ceremony?”
Most of the store registries accommodated same sex couples by using the words “Partner One” and “Partner Two.” These sites, however, only used the word “wedding” instead of providing for an option like “commitment ceremony.”
Un-Inviting
The first store we went to provided no options for two women or two men; everything was geared toward a heterosexual wedding. Ultimately, we chose to design our own invitation using the work of a good friend who is a graphic designer.
Be Happy for Us
We decided on some of our vendors based on past experiences/exposure to them at other events and weddings. Because of the personal nature of ring shopping, we were careful to choose a vendor we felt would be sensitive to the uniqueness of our relationship. We did not wish to deal with insensitive remarks and misunderstandings when looking for rings.
Our ring shopping was definitely the most positive shopping experience surrounding our wedding. We were made to feel comfortable and at ease from the very beginning. It was obvious that the vendor was truly happy for us when he wanted to take our picture for his photo collection of clients. It was clear to us that our union was being celebrated just as a straight couple’s would have been.
Conversely, there were a few unpleasant experiences wherein we were made to feel like the vendors were doing us a favor by working with us….as if we needed to be grateful to them for making an exception for gay clients. When we noticed that a store owner was truly happy for our union, it made us genuinely excited, and allowed us to enjoy the experience.
We would love your feedback!
-
Consumers to Spend $14 Billion on Easter
Mar 28, 2007 -
Hearts, Flowers and… Iguanas?
Feb 7, 2007 -
Target Donates $2 Million in Decorated Trees
Dec 21, 2006 -
Fewer Cash Bonuses; More Time Off
Nov 22, 2006
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
