Based in Long Beach and intending to serve Los Angeles and Orange Counties, OutWed will be an entirely digital business that intends to connect same-sex couples to LGBT-friendly vendors for their weddings.
Founders Scott Heidegger and Sal Flores want to distinguish, however, the fact that this is much different than a simple gay-friendly directory, such as the one offered by The Center. OutWed uses digital marketing strategies to help hone the needs of and the direction towards which couples want to take their nuptials.
“I’ve been in the online space for over 20 years and mobile space for 10 years,” Heidegger said. “I’ve seen the changes digital access to information has made throughout the years. New technology has enabled digital outlets to become more engaging and focused on providing individually tailored opportunities for members and customers. The biggest difference in what OutWed offers is that we use new marketing solutions—such as social media, geo-location searches, electronic request matching, online marketing, and other forms of both offline and online marketing—to take what most sites offer as a static directory type service and turn it into something dynamic.”
The experience will apparently be interactive so that the service can better match customers with specific vendors while also providing vendors with possible leads. This customer-business/business-customer model fosters both the consumer and the provider, akin to a matchmaking site a la weddings.
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Though Heidegger notes the “great need for individuals to have that ‘touch and feel'” sensation, OutWed’s larger purpose is to simply be the starting point rather than overall planner.
“Every couple is different and wants a wedding that is special, one that uniquely celebrates their love,” Heidegger said. “OutWed is proud that we can play even a small part in making that happen. ‘Love Who You Love’ is not just a tagline—it’s the reason we created OutWed.”
Flores and Scott both plan on eventually taking the service nationwide should the endeavor prove fruitful locally.
OutWed plans on officially launching in November. For more information, visit their Facebook page or their website.
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