Redefining Bridal

It's no secret that wedding content tends to lean very heteronormative. So much of the vocabulary is gendered, and applies to a woman, marrying a man. As an inclusive editor in the wedding space, this is something that is constantly top-of-mind as I create content, and for the first several years of producing Love Inc., I refused to use the term “bridal” because of its gendered connotation.

For years, the term “bridal” was off-limits in my work. The word itself, dripping with gendered implications, seemed too narrow to represent the full, vibrant spectrum of love stories I wanted to celebrate through Love Inc. It was a conscious decision, one that aimed to challenge the status quo and push for a more inclusive vision of matrimonial bliss. But, as is often the case in the journey toward inclusivity, enlightenment can come from the most unexpected of moments.

Picture this: a photoshoot day, buzzing with the usual creative chaos, a backdrop for what would become a pivotal moment in my editorial journey. One of our models, a cisgender male, stepped out in an Ines Di Santo dress that could only be described as breathtaking. As he moved in front of the camera, embodying the essence of elegance and joy, he uttered a sentence that would stick with me: “I hope I look like this on my wedding day, I feel so bridal!” It was a simple expression of emotion, yet it struck a chord deep within me — why shouldn't he? Bridal should be a feeling, not a gender.

That moment of revelation was the catalyst for a new editorial vision. It inspired me to embrace “bridal” in its truest form: not as a label tied to gender, but as a state of being, a universal feeling of joy, anticipation, and celebration that anyone can experience, regardless of their gender identity. This led to the conception of a fashion editorial that would visually break down these barriers, featuring two models, one male and one female, each reveling in their own “bridal” moments amidst the elegance of a dress salon.

Bridal is a feeling, not a gender.”

This project was more than just a photoshoot; it was a declaration of our commitment to inclusivity, a testament to the power of listening, learning, and evolving. The stunning visuals of models Rain Batingana and Vernon Jordan captured at The One Bridal in Brooklyn, brought to life through the styling genius of Krista Roser and the photographic artistry of JJ Ignotz, were not just images. They are statements, vibrant declarations of love's diversity, and a celebration of the beauty that comes from embracing every individual's right to feel “bridal.”

As we unveil this photoshoot, it's a reminder of the journey towards inclusivity, a path that demands continuous reflection and adaptation. It's about challenging the norms, questioning the traditional, and, above all, celebrating love in all its forms. This is the essence of what we strive to do, and it's a mission that excites me every day. After all, love is too vast to be confined, and “bridal” is a feeling that knows no bounds.