Glam As You Are: Behind the Scenes of Our Signature Concept

At HONEY, we’ve always believed that events aren’t just about pretty details - they’re about stories. Glam As You Are™ was ours: a love letter to queer joy, community magic, and creating the kind of space we always wished existed.

And it wasn’t just another Pride party. It was something different: a safe, elevated space for people who don’t always feel at home in traditional Pride settings. Think elevated cocktail vibes, intentional design, live music, and room to breathe - no beer tents, no shoulder-to-shoulder chaos. Just authenticity, inclusivity, and glamour.

The Wins

• 50 guests came through the gates

• $2,500 raised for Grand River Pride

• 5 major media hits, including Global News (five-minute live interview), CTV Kitchener (on site), 91.5 The Beat, Xtra and Cambridge Today

• 50+ community partners rallied with raffle donations, décor, and in-kind support

• People said they felt called to our event - that they finally saw a space for themselves in Pride celebrations. For many, it was either their first or their favourite Pride event they’d ever attended.
  

And And none of it would have happened without the vendors, the artists, the raffle donors, the storytellers, the photographers, the DJs, the small businesses who showed up hard for our very first go at this.

Our Creative & Event Dream Team

• Under the Whispering Pines

• Confetti and Co.

• DIY Workshops

• Flower Treasures

• Autumn Artistry Makeup and Hair

• Vivid Hospitality

• Judy Nguyen Photography (Represented by Carly Kratzer Photography)

• Honey House Photography

• Katie Nelson Photography

• Liz Nicole Photography

• Picture Us Photobooth

• Em Rowsell 

• Noah Vella aka DIVAA 

• Balloon Bouquets

• Productions and Events

• Thunderstorm Productions 

• Honeyballoons.ca
  

The Glam Guide Contributors

• Teal Street Skin + Esthetics

• Fuzzy Peach Beauty Boutique

• NJR Beauté Studio

• Cara Bonita Aesthetics

• Foxy Box Wax Bar

• Cocoon Apothecary

• Sparkle Beauty Company

• Hair by Faraz
  

Raffle Legends

• Willibald

• Aura-La Pastries and Provisions

• The Walper Hotel

• Smile Tiger Coffee

• The Yeti Café

• Cyclone Spin Studio

• The Friendly Society

• Reid’s Chocolates

• The Art of Home

• Amar Bhuee Keepsakes

• The Witty & Co.

• Head in the Clouds Spa

• Fedora Media

• Disko Coffee

• NJR Beauté Studio

• CHAR’D

• The Branches Yoga

• Ben LaRiviere Photography

• Cowboys and Angels

• Grand River Rocks

• Indulgence Studio

• Den 1880

• Vincenzo’s

• Bodega Rose

• Hair by Faraz

• Spinco Waterloo

• The Truth Beauty Company

• The Other Bird

• The Sugar Cube

• Bohemian Bird Florals

• F45 Training

All of this happened in year one with no big-name sponsors, no rainbow washing, and no brand machine. Just two members of the LGBTQIA+ family leading with clipboards, a wild idea, and a whole lot of community belief. People trusted the vision and backed us with time, money, décor, and energy because they recognized this was something missing in our community.

The Challenges

• Grassroots beginnings: This first year was entirely out of pocket, which meant we had to be wildly crafty and resourceful to bring the concept to life.

• Purpose questions: Was it a Pride event? A fundraiser? Something entirely new? That uncertainty made pitching harder, but also highlighted how fresh and needed the idea was.

• Bandwidth: With HONEY in full swing on weddings and styled shoots, layering in a brand-new event stretched us, but proved we could handle complex, multi-layered activations.
  

The Takeaways

1. Lead with the why. From the beginning, Glam As You Are had a clear purpose - to create a safe, elevated Pride space for those often left out of the usual scene. It was more than just a party. It was about building community and connection, proof that when we come together with intention, we can create spaces where everyone feels welcome.That clarity gave us traction fast.

2. Community is everything. Our first year was powered by pure belief - vendors, donors, and guests rallied behind the vision without hesitation.

3. Grassroots has power. Even without corporate backing, storytelling and community support made something big enough to land national media.

4. Aligned growth is next. As we move forward, we’re excited to welcome corporate sponsors who align with our values to help scale Glam As You Are while keeping it authentic and intentional.
   

What’s Next

This is only the beginning. Next year, Glam As You Are will return, bigger and bolder. We’re planning to:

• Partner with more LGBTQ+ creatives and local organizations to deepen the impact

• Secure sponsors who align with the vision so we can scale while keeping it authentic

• Grow into a ticketed event series that continues to give back to Pride initiatives

• Elevate design and interactivity so every guest leaves saying, “I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
  

Glam As You Are is more than a party. It’s proof that when people believe in a vision, even with no blueprint or proof of concept, they can help build something extraordinary.

And that’s exactly what HONEY is here to do.