Finding wedding vendors who are not only inclusive but also proud to be openly gay remains a challenge for many couples and lovers. In fact, this is a problem that a small faction in the wedding industry has been grappling with for years (which is one of the reasons we started Equally Wed in 2010). The Big Queer Wedding Show aims to address this issue through an intimate, curated vendor event held in Toronto.
Opening for the first time on Sunday, April 26, 2026, this inaugural show is curated by photographer duo Christella Morris (she/her) and Kristen Carson Travis (they/them) of Lavender Menace Photography. Their concept focuses on connecting queer mostly married people with vendors who share their identity. So it’s not just vendors who are affirming the alliance.
the pattern they kept hearing
Morris and Carson Travis say the idea came directly from conversations with their own customers.
“We kept hearing the same refrain over and over and over again,” Morris says. Couples and lovers said vendors canceled at the last minute after learning they were gay. Others had trouble finding openly gay vendors.
After hearing this so many times, they started to wonder if even vendors who identify as queer don’t necessarily represent themselves that way. We also thought that a specially designed event to introduce these vendors might be helpful. The Big Queer Wedding Show is their attempt to find out.
What is the show?
The show, set at Two of Hearts Chapel (190 McCaul St.), a gay-owned wedding venue in Toronto, is intentionally small-scale. The approximately 20 vendors, all queer-owned or operated, will be split into two ticketed shifts: 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Each shift draws approximately 45 to 60 participants.
Morris and Carson Travis tracked down vendors across Ontario and sourced them themselves. We then vetted each one through surveys and social media and website reviews.
“We strive to create a space where queerness is the rule rather than the exception,” Morris says.
Vendor lineup
This program covers a wide range of categories. These include photographers, emcees, florists, caterers, hair and makeup artists, musicians and entertainers, wedding planners, venues, counselors, costumes and accessories, wedding cakes, and more.
Some of the vendors confirmed so far include:
The Wedding Apothecary is a wedding planning service run by Pratishtha (she/her). She identifies as queer, bisexual, and asexual and has over 10 years of live event experience. She focuses on affordable pricing and wheelchair-friendly venues with no wedding tax increases.
To the west of Young Studio is photographer Shannon’s (her) documentary-style studio. The bisexual photographer works with couples who want to break with convention. She describes her approach as bold and colorful.
Based in Hamilton, Jenifer Boyce Photography is a gay-owned studio run by Jen (she). Using gender-neutral language as a baseline, she photographs gay couples, BIPOC families, and polyamorous partnerships.
Lez Eats is a lesbian-owned catering business run by Hayley (her). Based in Creemore, she serves the Greater Toronto Area and offers flexible menus and transparent pricing.
Talk With Kai offers sex-positive, trauma-informed therapy from Kai (they/them), a queer and non-binary therapist. Kai offers sliding scale virtual sessions for individuals and couples across Ontario.
A complete vendor list is available at: thebigqueerweddingshow.com.
programming
In addition to vendor consultations, the event will also feature performances by burlesque artists, drag queens, and brass bands. Vendors will also be introduced through a 70s-inspired game format called Pitch & Hitch, instead of the standard elevator pitch. As a result, attendees can meet vendors without any pressure before hitting the floor. Pronoun pins are available at the door.
The venue is at ground level and fully accessible. It also features two wide garage doors to increase entrance width.
During the midday break between shifts from noon to 2 p.m., vendors will be invited to participate in educational panels on queer marketing, practicing inclusivity, and building a queer economy.
Morris said the long-term goal is to foster an ongoing community of queer wedding vendors who can collaborate and support each other beyond the show itself.
What participants are looking for
Ticket holders fill out a short survey at the time of purchase, indicating which vendor category they require and where they are in the planning process. Morris said the responses showed a consistent theme.
“Most people are looking for vendors who are more than just ‘allies.’ Because when working with gay people planning weddings, even allies often require a lot of education and support, which for us both feels like extra emotional labor.”
Still, both Morris and Carson Travis identify as queer and describe themselves as “late to life.” They say perspective is important when it comes to investing in creating explicitly queer spaces. Still, they acknowledge that they work in an industry that still does not adhere to cisgender, heterosexual norms.
The Big Queer Wedding Show will be held on Sunday, April 26th at Two of Hearts Chapel, 190 McCall Street, Toronto. Tickets are available below thebigqueerweddingshow.com. 
All photos courtesy of Lavender Menace Photography.
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Source: Equally Wed – LGBTQ+ Wedding Magazine and Wedding Vendor Directory – equallywed.com
