Same-sex couples shopping for wedding services felt suppliers had failed to target gay couples when promoting their services, although the law permitting civil unions was passed last year.
With this in mind, organisers from the Phoenicia Hotel in Valletta decided to organise a two-day event, specifically targeting same-sex couples who are planning their civil union ceremony as well as their honeymoon.
Being dubbed Malta’s first LGBT wedding fair, the event will be held next month and some 45 exhibitors will showcase their work as well as offer information on their different wedding and honeymoon packages.
While organisers insist all couples are invited, the exhibitors will mainly be promoting same-sex wedding services and products.
The exhibitors – caterers, cake companies, florists, dressmakers and photographers – have been thoroughly vetted by the organisers, who wanted to make sure that they are all ‘gay-friendly’ vendors.
“We have organised wedding fairs before and for some time we were taking it for granted that such fairs were for everyone. But it wasn’t the case. It soon became quite obvious that many exhibitors were only promoting their work with male-female weddings in mind,” said the organisers Chrystelle Doublesin and Rob Bruno.
Same-sex couples often ap-proach them, unsure whether the exhibitors will help them plan their day. “These couples would ask us whether the exhibitors would work with them. It was quite evident that there was a need for something more specific.
“Like all previous wedding fairs, we will be celebrating love and everyone is welcome to visit, but for this event in particular, we have ensured that the exhibitors taking part make it clear they cater for all couples.” People have been asking for such an event for years, and since the organizers announced the fair, they have received requests for information from the UK, Ireland and Germany.
Some gay couples said they felt there was no need to pigeonhole a wedding event for LGBT couples, but Malta Gay Rights Movement coordinator Gabi Calleja said she had received no feedback.
MGRM legal advisor, human rights lawyer and activist Dr Neil Falzon said: “The event is being regarded as purely a business activity and no positive or negative stance has been taken.”