APA formatted Cover Page An abstract A full research proposal with the following clearly identifiable sub-headings: Introduction (approximately 0.5 pg)Problem Statement with relevant statistics (appr

Literature Review

Barratt, B. (n.d.). The Woman Leading The Way To A More Inclusive Wedding Industry. Forbes.
Barratt (2019) highlights the efforts of a key figure in promoting inclusivity within the wedding industry. The article emphasizes her role in challenging traditional norms and advocating for greater diversity in bridal offerings. While the article focuses on individual action, it lacks a comprehensive analysis of systemic barriers that perpetuate exclusivity in the industry. My research will expand on Barratt's work by investigating how larger institutions in the wedding industry can support long-term inclusive practices across various sub-sectors, from bridal gowns to photography.

Fortich, E. (2024, October 11). The Importance of Inclusivity in the Wedding Industry. Wedding Business Hub.
Fortich (2024) underscores the growing importance of inclusivity in the wedding industry, exploring how diverse representation can lead to a more equitable marketplace. The article presents an economic argument for inclusivity but does not dive deeply into how wedding planners and bridal services specifically can incorporate inclusivity into their offerings. My study will contribute by providing actionable strategies for bridal service providers to adopt inclusive practices, particularly in offering a wider range of services that cater to underrepresented groups.

Hoo, F. S. (n.d.). The Bridal Industry Makes Slow Strides in Inclusivity Across the Board. Fashionista.
Hoo (2019) offers a critical perspective on the bridal industry’s slow progress toward inclusivity. The author discusses various brands' efforts to broaden their size ranges and highlight more diverse models but points out that many challenges remain. Hoo’s article primarily addresses fashion and marketing strategies, leaving a gap in how other sectors of the industry—such as makeup and hair services—can integrate inclusive practices. My research will build on Hoo’s findings by exploring the inclusivity of bridal beauty services, especially for brides from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Keene, M. (2019). A Practical Wedding. Da Capo Lifelong Books.
Keene (2019) provides a practical guide for couples looking to create inclusive and personalized weddings. The book touches on some aspects of diversity, but it mainly focuses on the bride and groom’s perspectives, not necessarily the broader industry practices. Keene’s work will be foundational to my research, as it provides insights into the desires and needs of brides seeking diversity, but my work will extend this by analyzing how bridal service providers can meet these needs in a way that fosters inclusivity within the industry as a whole.

Ruchika Tulshyan. (2024). Inclusion on Purpose. MIT Press.
Tulshyan (2024) examines the broader implications of purposeful inclusion, offering strategies for organizations to incorporate diversity into their frameworks. While this text is more focused on organizational policy and corporate structures, it provides valuable insights into how inclusivity can be systematically integrated into industries. My research will apply Tulshyan’s principles to the bridal industry, specifically investigating how businesses in the wedding sector can purposefully integrate inclusivity in their service offerings and customer engagement.

Ruiz, H. (2022, July 18). Wedding Industry Inclusivity: Creating Diversity Through Photography - hellenacedeno.com.
Ruiz (2022) focuses on the role of photography in representing diverse couples and creating a more inclusive wedding industry. While the piece touches on the importance of diversity in wedding photography, it lacks an exploration of other aspects of the wedding experience. My research will complement Ruiz’s work by investigating how all visual and non-visual aspects of the bridal experience can be made more inclusive, from wedding dresses to vendor representation.

Schreiber, D. A. (n.d.). Futures Thinking and Organizational Policy, Volume 2. Springer Nature.
Schreiber (n.d.) discusses the application of futures thinking in organizational policy, which can be adapted to examine how the wedding industry might evolve to be more inclusive. While the focus is broad, it provides theoretical frameworks that could apply to wedding industry policies. My research will apply Schreiber’s theories to explore future trends and policies in bridal services, particularly in addressing the needs of diverse couples and individuals who have been historically marginalized.

Sofia. (2020, June 18). Creating Diversity in The Wedding Industry | Styled By Sofia. Styled by Sofia.
Sofia (2020) provides a detailed look at how diversity is currently being embraced in the wedding industry, particularly focusing on styling and planning services. While the article discusses diversity in terms of clients, it does not address how industry professionals can be trained to serve diverse clientele. My research will expand on Sofia’s findings by developing a framework for inclusivity training for bridal service providers.

Williams, K. (2023). One Size Does Not Fit All: Inclusivity and Diversity in the Wedding Industry. Rock N Roll Bride.
Williams (2023) critiques the "one-size-fits-all" approach that has dominated the wedding industry for years, calling for more diverse representation across all wedding services. The article highlights various examples of brands embracing inclusivity but stops short of discussing how smaller businesses can make inclusive practices a core part of their service offerings. My research will fill this gap by offering small and independent bridal service providers specific recommendations for fostering inclusivity in their services.

Zola. (2023, June 30). Supporting Inclusivity and Diversity in the Wedding Industry. Zola.com.
Zola (2023) discusses various ways that wedding planners and vendors can support inclusivity, including through expanded size ranges, inclusive marketing, and diverse vendor pools. This article offers a comprehensive overview of inclusivity within the wedding industry but lacks an in-depth analysis of how these initiatives are being received by brides from diverse backgrounds. My research will investigate the effectiveness of current inclusive practices, focusing on the experiences of brides who are part of historically underrepresented groups.

The wedding industry, particularly bridal services, has traditionally catered to a narrow demographic, often leaving marginalized groups such as people of color and plus-size individuals underrepresented and underserved. As societal attitudes shift toward inclusivity and diversity, the bridal industry is slowly beginning to recognize the need for change. This literature review seeks to examine how diversity and inclusivity are currently addressed in bridal services, identify gaps in existing research, and highlight the areas where further study is necessary. By analyzing current scholarship, this review will provide the foundation for future research on creating a welcoming space for all brides.

This literature review is guided by the following research questions:

1. What strategies have been implemented in the bridal industry to promote diversity and inclusivity?

2. How do bridal service providers address the needs of marginalized and underrepresented groups, including racial minorities and plus-size individuals?

3. What gaps exist in current scholarship regarding inclusivity in bridal services?

4. How can bridal service providers and the broader wedding industry create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all brides?

The bridal industry has been criticized for its lack of diversity in marketing, products, and services. Many research studies have examined the representation of different racial and ethnic groups in bridal marketing materials, noting a historical trend of limited visibility for people of color. For instance, studies such as those by Hoo (2019) and Barratt (2019) argue that while the fashion industry at large has made strides toward diversity, the bridal segment has been slower to adapt. Hoo (2019) specifically highlights how bridal designers have made slow progress in expanding size ranges and incorporating diverse models in their campaigns.

In contrast, Williams (2023) and Fortich (2024) stress that while size inclusivity has seen some improvements—such as brands offering plus-size wedding gowns—challenges persist. Many bridal shops continue to offer a limited selection of sizes, often with less fashionable options for plus-size brides. Furthermore, racial and ethnic diversity in bridal offerings is still far from comprehensive. Williams (2023) points out that while certain designers have taken steps to be more inclusive, many others continue to cater primarily to a predominantly white, thin demographic.

These sources suggest that the bridal industry’s shift toward inclusivity is in its early stages. However, there is a significant gap in understanding how bridal service providers can expand inclusivity beyond clothing and marketing. My research will build upon this by exploring how services such as bridal beauty, planning, and photography can integrate diversity and inclusivity, particularly for brides from marginalized backgrounds.

The issue of racial and ethnic inclusivity in the bridal industry is another critical area of research. Barratt (2019) and Keene (2019) both note that the industry has historically been exclusionary to brides of color, with limited representation in advertising and few options tailored to their unique needs, such as specific hair and makeup styles or culturally appropriate attire. The experiences of Black, Latina, and Asian brides are often overlooked, despite their significant presence in the bridal market.

Keene (2019) emphasizes that Black and Latinx brides, in particular, often face challenges finding beauty professionals who can cater to their skin tones and hair textures. This lack of service can be alienating for brides of color, who may feel like their wedding experience is not being catered to in a way that is culturally sensitive. Schreiber (n.d.) similarly underscores the systemic nature of exclusion, noting that the wedding industry’s lack of diversity is rooted in long-standing cultural norms that prioritize whiteness and Eurocentric beauty standards.

My research will extend these findings by exploring how bridal service providers can better address the needs of brides from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. I will also investigate how cultural competence training for bridal professionals can help bridge these gaps.

While existing research has provided valuable insights into the state of inclusivity in bridal services, several gaps remain. For one, there is little research on the intersectionality of inclusivity—how race and size intersect to create unique challenges for brides from marginalized communities. Additionally, much of the existing literature focuses on bridal attire and marketing but overlooks other critical service areas, such as hairstyling, makeup, and photography.

Furthermore, much of the existing research centers around larger wedding companies and designers, with little focus on small or independent bridal businesses. Sofia (2020) and Zola (2023) both mention the importance of inclusivity, but there is limited discussion on how smaller vendors—such as local bridal salons or photographers—can implement inclusive practices.

My research will address these gaps by expanding the focus to include smaller, independent bridal service providers. It will also consider the intersectionality of inclusivity, offering a more comprehensive look at how multiple forms of marginalization impact the bridal experience.

The bridal industry has made significant strides in addressing diversity and inclusivity, but substantial gaps remain, particularly in the areas of racial and ethnic representation and size diversity. While existing research has highlighted the need for broader inclusivity, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on how bridal service providers can integrate inclusivity across all areas of their offerings. My research will build on these foundational studies by offering actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive wedding industry, focusing on a wider range of services and vendors. This research will provide a critical foundation for future work on inclusivity in the bridal industry and help pave the way for a more diverse and welcoming wedding experience for all brides.