Want to plan an LGBTQ+ wedding in Fayetteville? Here's your guide to affirming options.

Lexi Solomon, The Fayetteville Observer
·3 min read

Pride may only be celebrated one month out of the year, but options exist year-round for LGBTQ+ couples planning a wedding in Cumberland County.

According to the Rainbow Pages, a directory of LGBTQ+-friendly businesses in Cumberland County, more than a dozen local vendors and businesses can help LGBTQ+ couples create their dream wedding. The directory was created by Fayetteville PRIDE, a local nonprofit organization supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Businesses along Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville display Pride flags on Monday afternoon, June 21, 2021. LGBTQ+ couples in Cumberland County can choose from a variety of affirming vendors to plan a local wedding.
Businesses along Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville display Pride flags on Monday afternoon, June 21, 2021. LGBTQ+ couples in Cumberland County can choose from a variety of affirming vendors to plan a local wedding.

Here’s your guide to everything you need to know on planning an LGBTQ+-friendly wedding.

Flowers

Raeford Flowers & Gifts, 133 Harris Ave., Raeford, offers fresh and artificial arrangements and tuxedo sales and rentals, according to its Facebook page. The company is LGBTQ+-owned and operated and was a major sponsor of Fayetteville’s Pridefest on June 24, according to Fayetteville PRIDE.

On the web: www.raefordflowers.com

More on wedding planning: Don't get married at the jail: Here's how to plan a speedy & special Fayetteville wedding

Venues

Located at 223 Hay St. in the former Palace Hotel in downtown Fayetteville, the Rainbow Room is LGBTQ+-owned and provides a “unique and intimate” space for weddings, according to its website. The handicapped-accessible space offers a fully carpeted ballroom that can hold up to 96 people and features a separate space for food preparation.

On the web: rainbowroom.biz

Another LGBTQ+-owned venue, SkyView on Hay, is located at 121 Hay St. in the former BB&T building in downtown Fayetteville and features event space on all three floors. According to the venue’s website, SkyView’s wedding spaces include a ballroom and a garden terrace. The venue also offers event planning services and bar services. Wedding packages range from $3,800 to $4,000, according to the venue.

On the web: skyviewonhay.com

Churches

Several Fayetteville churches are LGBTQ+-friendly, according to the Rainbow Pages, including:

  • Crossroads Church of Fayetteville, 306 McArthur Road. For more information, visit connect2crossroads.com or call 910-366-3869.

  • Fayetteville Religious Society of Friends, 223 Hillside Ave. For more information, visit ncymc.org/fayetteville or call 910-323-3912.

  • Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1601 Raeford Road. For more information, visit holytrinityfay.org or call 910-484-2134.

  • Inclusive Impact Church, 2007 Ramsey St. For more information, visit tiic2002.org or call 910-758-1228.

  • Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fayetteville, 669 Country Club Drive. For more information, visit uucfnc.org.

  • United Ministries in Christ, 1015 Clarendon St. For more information, visit unitedministries.wixsite.com/mysite or call 910-302-6683.

Hair and beauty

  • Alice’s Beauty Den, 300 Craven St., Fayetteville, sponsored Pridefest on June 24 and offers hair services, according to the salon’s Facebook page. For more information, visit alicesbeautyden.com or call 910-527-3004.

  • Hair Alchemy by Lauren, 1411 Fort Bragg Road, Fayetteville, is LGBTQ+-owned and -managed and offers hair services at Foundations Hair Salon, according to its Facebook page. For more information, call 910-308-4109.

  • Heavenly Beautified by Octavia, 330 Eastern Boulevard, Suite 9A, Fayetteville, is an LGBTQ+-friendly salon offering natural styles, according to its Facebook page. For more information, call 910-593-9081.

  • Located in downtown Fayetteville, J. Co Salon & Blo Dry Bar, 417-B Hay St., is LGBTQ+-owned and -managed, according to the Rainbow Pages. For more information, visit jcosalonnc.com or call 910-401-3800.

  • Smiley Fades, 1916 Skibo Road, Fayetteville, is an LGBTQ+-owned and managed barber shop, according to the Rainbow Pages. For more information, visit kashthebarber.booksy.com or call 785-375-6138.

Photography

According to her website, Alyssa Joyce Photography is “completely inclusive” and offers wedding photography services ranging from $525 an hour for shoots up to 5 hours to $5,250 for 10 hours of wedding coverage. For more information, visit alyssajoycephotography.com.

Public safety reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Plan an LGBTQ+ wedding in Fayetteville, NC