[image: Val & Sarah]
A few weeks ago I made the decision to practice what I preach and go a bit further with keeping Capitol Romance a place that is open, accepting, and resourceful for ANY couple in the Washington, DC metro area. It was always a goal of mine to feature couples of all ages, shapes, sizes, and sexual preferences, but it wasn’t until a late night conversation over pizza with a fellow wedding vendor, where I realized that just featuring diverse couples only goes so far. What about the vendors they see in the blog posts? What happens if a same-sex couple loves the style of a photographer I am in essence promoting by accepting to feature their work, only to find out after an inquiry, that the photographer does not have an LGBT-friendly business.
That is not ok here. Call me naive – but I guess until that late night conversation, I assumed that vendors submitting to this blog were down with my view points. I thought I made my views known enough. I figured, why would a non-LGBT friendly vendor even want to be on Capitol Romance when we so clearly preach love for all? But then I went to the Say I Do Expo this past spring and one of the attendees mentioned how a photographer I was running a discount with, was not open to her and her partner.
I was embarrassed. I stuttered out an apology, mortified, and was a bit mystified at what to do next. But, I knew I had to do something.
So then came that late night pizza conversation, where among other constructive criticism, I finally learned that it was better to have content on this site that 100% reflected my vision, beliefs, and goals for this blog, then to just have enough content to be able to blog every day.
This has been tough. I used to have enough content to plan out my posts 2-3 weeks out, now I am lucky if I have enough posts for a week out. Sometimes I am still thinking of, or finding content for the day before. Now that I am committed to vetting every submitting vendor, the process is slower, and the submissions are thinner. I have had some awkward email conversations with non-LGBT friendly vendors and I am sure my blog has losts some readers too. Blog posts have been a bit late on certain days, and some days there is no content at all.
But so what? Who cares? I don’t. This blog was never started so that I could have a well-oiled wedding blog machine, with overflowing content planned months out. This blog was started to HELP people … ALL people and help change the notion of the DC wedding scene.
So while content might be a bit thinner and my submitting vendors pool might have shrunk. I don’t care. I am committed to making this blog a place for all couples to get inspiration and resources to plan the DC wedding they want to have, no matter their beliefs or sexual preferences.
34 comments
Bree,
i love you and i love your commitment… We are in the business of love… that is all
Tim <3 Feelings mutual. You know I got nothing but love for you :)
Proud of you as you stand by your convictions and beliefs!
Thank you mom – that means so much to me :)
You. Go. Stand by your beliefs and stick with them. It takes guts to do what you do. I’m proud of you and I’m also proud to be a LGBT-friendly vendor!
Hell yes! To all of this. So happy we met way back when Wendy :) Appreciate your kind words and awesome support!
You go, girl. Very proud of you and hadn’t realized how much it had had an impact on your blog content. Proud to be one of your vendors and a friend!
<3 So thankful to have you and have met you. Thank you Katie!
Love is love as far as I am concerned! Rock on Bree!
Can i get an AMEN!
Bree, this is why I love you & Capitol Romance SO much. It might be harder to take that time to certify that everyone is pro-equality, but it is so, so worth it, and you are awesome for doing it!
<3 xo
Yay Bree! I also didn’t realize this would so adversely impact your submissions / content…
Me neither – but I’d say I turn down half the submissions I’ve gotten since the switch!
You’re awesome Bree. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thanks Stephen :)
I heart you + your blog so very much and am truly thankful to be a part of it. Love is love! <3
I heart you too Serena! Your support from the beginning has been nothing short but amazing!
Stick to your guns. Your blog is a nice breath of fresh air.
Thank you Jess :) appreciate that!
Thank you, Bree, for standing up for your viewpoints and for taking this important step. I’m so sorry that your work and your output has to suffer for it, but it’s people — allies — like you taking actions in their own personal sphere of influence that’s going to make such a difference in the long run. In the short run, I will continue to read your blog with delight, regardless of how many posts or what time they go up. My Maryland wedding next year will have all sorts of little Capitol-Romance-influenced touches, I’m sure. Thank you.
Ashlee – woo girl you are making those tears come back to my eyes! Thank you for this comment and for reading Capitol Romance :) And please share your wedding next year (Congratulations!!) – I cannot wait to see it!
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Stay true to your vision lady…it’ll pay off. As Jay Baer says in his book called Youtility….”help not hype”…keep being helpful….forget the hype! :)
#Truth. Thank you Ash’Leigh – it’s certainly good to say that to myself every now and then.
I’m proud of you Bree! Didn’t realize the change would have such an effect on content, but glad you’re following through. Keep up the good work :-)
<3 Doodle - thank you :) love you!
And for this and many other reasons you will continue to be one of my favorite bloggers!!
I’m blushing!! Thank you so much Liz :)
This is awesome. As a person in a heterosexual relationship I would not have even considered the topic of non-LGBT friendly vendors (had they not expressly stated as much to me), but this post definitely made me think twice about the vendors I select. It’s offensive to think these businesses would even consider rejecting customers based on sexual preference. It’s good to know I can come to your blog for LGBT friendly recommendations. It’s the little things that will help make a big change.
Thank you Robin! It slightly mystifies me too that people even consider rejecting them based on this. Hopefully one day that will change!
Surely the lull in content will only be temporary. Your feelings to support all couples are shared by many of us. You ROCK!
You rock!!! :)
Thank you Sarah :) <3