The Perth wedding industry could be missing out on millions of dollars due to the continued non-existence of marriage equality in Australia.
Workers in the WA bridal sector, which might be better termed the “wedding sector” if gay marriage is legalised, say the industry will benefit from increased business if The Greens’ push for marriage equality is successful.
In 2012, there were estimated to be 2576 same-sex couples in Western Australia.
Given the average Australian wedding now costs almost $55,000 according to a survey done by Bride To Be magazine, upwards of $2 million could be injected into the industry if only 40 of those couples decided to tie the knot.
Some WA couples are already holding commitment ceremonies or travelling to get married in New Zealand, where marriage equality laws were passed last month.
Jenn Veza from The Original Wedding Company said the legalisation of gay marriage could be a huge boost to the industry.
“I don’t know the stats of how many gay couples there are but it would mean more people getting married,” she said.
“I think that gay couples would generally have a higher level of disposable income.”
Ms Veza said she doubted organising a gay wedding would create any challenges she had not already faced.
“They would require the same things, transport, venues, flowers… it would be no harder or easier,” she said.
“I’d love to have the chance to do a wedding for a gay couple.”
Ms Veza said she believed there would also be room for more businesses to enter the industry.
Nicole Mallett, editor of online wedding magazine Smitten said service providers could improve business and increase profits if gay marriage was legalised.
She predicted there would not be a huge need for business targeted directly at same sex couples as there would be little logistical difference between gay weddings and more traditional ones.
“Weddings are weddings,” she said.
“Same sex couples would use all the same service providers.”
“Some gay people tend to be more elaborate in their tastes, so it woud really open up the industry.
“Weddings are far more personality driven these days, people are incorporating themes and their personalities more often.”
She is currently looking for a same sex couple who are willing to have their commitment ceremony featured in the next edition of her magazine.
Ms Mallett said she supported marriage equality.
“We have to respect people. They fall in love with a person, whether that be a man or a woman,” she said.
Author: Aleisha Orr
Publication: WAtoday
Publication Date: May 7 2013