8 Same-Sex Wedding Planning Do's & Don't for LGBTQ Couples
Unless you’re an expert, same-sex wedding planning can be quite a bit tricky to plan and articulate especially if you have a particular or singular style or theme in mind. Same-sex weddings are generally even trickier than regular weddings so it is useful to have a ‘do’s and don’ts’ list at hand just in case.
There can be any number of questions to solve like who should do the walking down the aisle, and who gets to wear what, and should there be separate seating for each spouse’s friends and relations?
Same-Sex Wedding Don’ts for LGBTQ Couples
- This may not seem terribly vital in the beginning but choosing wedding vendors that have experience with same-sex weddings is crucial. Not all vendors have done same-sex weddings and may not know how to cater to these unique events. Choose from LGBTQ-friendly wedding vendors to save yourself from inconvenience down the road.
- Wedding planners are not a must, there’s plenty of inspiration and guides online. And, if you’re doing a micro wedding or an intimate gathering you definitely don’t need to dish out extra money for a wedding planner.
- People may tell you weddings are the time to follow traditions. But same-sex weddings in 2022 are not about following the beaten path, but rather trail-blazing your own! So don’t follow the rulebook.
- Gatherings are generally curtailed due to Covid. So, make use of this to simply not invite people (like far-off relatives or ill-favored colleagues).
5. Bachelorette/ bachelor parties are not a must. If you’d rather save and spend all the money on the wedding itself (or maybe a glamorous after-party), go right ahead!
6. Don’t think you need to stick to dictated attire, you can both wear dresses, tuxes, or just about any formal wear you desire.
7. There are fewer rules about seating in same-sex weddings, genders don’t need to be divided into opposite sides and family and friends from both sides can mix.
8. Your own and your partner’s religious beliefs don’t need to take a back seat at the wedding. You can find willing officiants for every religion that are happy to participate in same-sex weddings.
What You Can And Should Do For Your Wondrous Wedding
- Do everything your way, follow your heart. What if you want daisies instead of pink roses and what if you want your wedding to be outdoors with your toes in the sand or the lush green grass of a meadow?
- You can both wear engagement rings and walk down the aisle (either together or one by one). Remember there are no rules etched in stone.
3. Your wedding is the perfect opportunity to bend rules so know that you can adjust the budget any way you like. Many same-sex couples use more than one outfit for the entire wedding day’s festivities so renting attire is a popular idea.
4. Rethink classic desserts like cake. You can have ice cream, petite pastries, donuts, just about any sweet delicacy you wish! This also solves the ‘figurines on the top of the cake’ conundrum.
5. Wedding stationery and invitations are another way to showcase your creativity. Eco-friendly and dynamic invitations can definitely be an option and you can have free rein with colors and fonts as well as hidden messages to special guests!
6. Hire a photographer who has worked with same-sex couples before and really knows how to weave a powerful story with his work.
7. Plan fun activities for your out-of-town relations and friends after the wedding for a grand send-off. It makes the whole event more heartwarming.
8. Symbolic acts like throwing the bouquet or tossing the garter or the wedding exit can all be improvised according to you and your spouse’s preferences with a true ‘throw caution to the wind’ vibe.
