Gay wedding cards that don't suck...

[blue_lotus13]

B* and I are going to a gay wedding in September, and I decided to go on a little hunt for a card today. B* suggested that I get a non-gendered card, but I was quite curious to see what sort of cards were available for same-sex weddings. On Monday, I explored the shops on the Drive, and only found cards at one shop. Unfortunately, these cards were mostly for lesbian couples.

Today, I ventured over to Davie Street where I was disappointed with the selection at Little Sisters. Once again, they had a few cards, but mostly for women. There were actually more cards for heterosexual couples that gay ones in the store as well as a big Pride flag card that said, "Love" on it.

Another store on Denman had the same cards, but a bigger selection of them. I realized that all the same sex cards were made by Raindrop cards , a locally based company. The cards are handmade, and have quilling on them. They're really pretty, but each card costs $10, which is more than I usually spend. One of the cards reads, "For the brides" and another "For the grooms." Do same sex couples really want to be known as brides or grooms? I felt a bit baffled by this assumption.

Another card read, "For the Newlyweds, Justly married," which seemed a bit too political for me. I realize that it's an important act, but I think it's more important to focus on the actual wedding and commitment and the people themselves during that day instead of politicians.

At the Vancouver Public Library gift shop, where I buy a lot of my cards, I saw a card with two suits which read, "You suit each other perfectly, Congratulations." It's not a bad idea, but that card is so cheesy that I need crackers to go with it.

Part of the problem is that in general, I find wedding cards really cheesy or saccharineThey're usually somewhat stereotypical, focus on the bride, and not on the couple's relationship, which is what the wedding should be about.

I didn't buy a card today, but I might shell out the money to support Raindrop cards since they seem to be the only people in the area catering to the gay market. To be honest, I was a bit surprised by this. Gay marriage has been legal in British Columbia for over 2 years now, and there is a large gay population. I know that the number of gays and lesbians who choose to get married is not that high, but I was still surprised by the lack of cards.

Therefore, take note. If you or anyone you know makes cards, there's a niche market that is not being tapped right now.

(For the sake of interest, I also looked up gay wedding cards online and also found some gay wedding cards online at Two grooms and possibly at Gaymart

Comments

[zocalo.livejournal.com]

wow you're the field expert on this! :) I haven't even been to a gay wedding myself! But I am disappointed to hear that you didn't find much at Little Sister's. After all, it is supposedly our flagship gay bookstore/mecca. And really, why just lesbian cards? Maybe businesses think that 'promiscuous' gay men don't get married but lesbiands do?

crackers with the card sounds good! lol I hate cheesy, saccharine cards too but for some reason I think I'm not as picky as you here. Not sure why.

[applehangover.livejournal.com]

This might sound obvious, but have you tried your hand at making cards? You can buy blank cards and envelopes at some craft stores and create whatever you like. I've been making cards because I find a lot of the store-bought ones don't say what I want to say.

[blue-lotus.livejournal.com]

I make my own Christmas cards every year, but I really wanted to see what was out there and available. My hand is full of eczema, so no crafting for me right now. Maybe in the future I'll create my own gay card line.

[kelly-yoyo.livejournal.com]

Do same sex couples really want to be known as brides or grooms?

I'd say if they're getting legally married they're probably okay with the bride or groom lingo, and it's probably same to assume it wouldn't offend.

When we were planning our wedding I liked to say, "Two brides, no waiting."

[blue-lotus.livejournal.com]

I was hoping that either you or alyx would post on this. I guess I just never thought about the terms before, so when I saw the card, I was a bit surprised.

I was also hoping that you would post so I could give you this late breaking news on Mr. Reeves.

http://www.mixedmediawatch.com/index.php/archives/2005/08/keanu-dating-diane-keaton/

[kelly-yoyo.livejournal.com]

Wow! Diane Keaton deserves him. Keanu doesn't date celebrities though, so I'm highly sceptical.

[brdgt.livejournal.com]

Plus, so many wedding cards are like "congratulations on starting your new life together" and every gay wedding I've been to is a couple who have been together for years and years, they're not just starting out, unless you mean just starting retirement!

[starfishchick]

Definitely a good niche market to get into!

[astronautical.livejournal.com]

that was my thought! it sounds like there might be good demand!

[angharad.livejournal.com]

This probably means I suck for not getting cards for the weddings (one of my cousins, a great-uncle-in-law, and my sister) I've been to. Stupid etiquette.