12 LGBTQ+ Wedding Ideas to Reinvent Traditions to Fit Your Love Story

Your wedding is a time to express your beautiful, wild, intimate love story. What better way to do that than by reinventing traditions with LGBTQ+ wedding ideas that make sense for you? At Mountainside Events, we are a woman and LGBTQ+-owned wedding planning company passionate about helping same-sex couples celebrate their love authentically. Sometimes that means throwing traditions aside and getting creative for your ceremony and reception. Keep reading for 12 LGBTQ+ wedding ideas that’ll help you celebrate equality and inclusion throughout your entire celebration.

12 LGBTQ+ Wedding Ideas to Celebrate Your Love

1. Have a "Queer-Eye" Themed Bachelor or Bachelorette Party

The hit Netflix show "Queer Eye" has become a cultural phenomenon, focusing on self-improvement, positivity, and style. By incorporating this theme into your pre-wedding festivities, you and your wedding party can get makeovers and styling advice from LGBTQ+ fashion experts, just like the Fab Five. The experience will not only make you feel confident and stylish on your big day but will also be a fun bonding experience with your loved ones.

2. Host an All-inclusive "Love is Love" Weekend Celebration

Hosting an all-inclusive "Love is Love" weekend celebration is a wonderful way to celebrate your love with family and friends while creating an inclusive environment. The weekend can include events like a picnic in the park welcome party, the wedding ceremony and reception, and a farewell brunch. By having multiple events over the weekend, you can spend quality time with your loved ones with "all-inclusive" celebrations that create a welcoming environment for everyone, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.

3. Choose a Gender-Neutral Wedding Party

Choosing a gender-neutral wedding party is a great way to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone involved in your wedding. By assigning roles based on friendship rather than traditional gender roles, you create an equal and fair system that prioritizes meaningful connections over societal norms. This means you and your finacé can choose anyone to stand by your side on your special day, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. It also allows for greater flexibility in terms of attire, as the wedding party can wear outfits that reflect their personalities and styles.

4. Create a Charity Registry and Ask Guests to Donate to an LGBTQ+ Charity of Your Choice

Creating a charity registry and asking guests to donate to an LGBTQ+ charity of your choice is a beautiful way to celebrate your love while giving back to the community. This means that instead of asking for physical gifts, you can direct your guests to donate to a cause close to your heart. By choosing an LGBTQ+ charity, you create an opportunity to support organizations that work towards equality and inclusivity for all members of the community. It encourages your guests to learn more about the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the importance of supporting marginalized groups.

5. Incorporate Rainbow Colors in Your Wedding Attire, Decorations, and Invitations to Show Your Pride

The rainbow flag has long been a symbol of inclusivity and acceptance, and incorporating its colors into your wedding celebrations can create a meaningful and impactful message. One fun LGBTQ+ wedding idea is to design a personalized pride flag that includes colors and symbols that represent you and your partner's unique identities. Or have a pride flag custom embroidered with your names and wedding date!

6. Have a Gender-Bending Dress Code

Are you looking for a way to make your wedding day even more unique and memorable? Why not shake things up with a gender-bending dress code? Encourage your guests to break free from traditional gender roles and rock outfits typically associated with the opposite gender.

Who says guys can't wear dresses or girls can't wear suits? This dress code allows everyone to express themselves in ways that feel true to their personality, style, and gender identity. Plus, it can be a real conversation starter and lead to some hilarious photo ops. Whether you want to rock a tuxedo with a pair of stilettos or a ballgown with a bowtie, the possibilities are endless. So why not have some fun with your wedding and let your guests showcase their creativity and individuality?

7. Walk Down the Aisle Together to Symbolize Your Equal Commitment to Each Other

Walking down the aisle together is a beautiful and symbolic way to represent your equal commitment to each other. Traditionally, the bride walks down the aisle alone or is accompanied by her father or another male family member, symbolizing the transfer of ownership from one man to another. However, times have changed, and many couples are choosing to break away from these outdated norms.

Walking down the aisle together sends a powerful message that you are entering into this marriage as equals, committed to sharing your lives with one another. It's a beautiful moment that acknowledges the strength of your relationship and your respect for each other's individuality.

8. Choose an Officiant Supportive of LGBTQ+ Rights

Choosing an officiant who is supportive of LGBTQ+ rights is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your wedding day. A supportive officiant can help create an inclusive, respectful ceremony that truly celebrates your love.

They can work with you to craft a ceremony script that reflects your values, beliefs, and unique personalities and ensure all elements of the ceremony are welcoming and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, including language and rituals that may traditionally exclude or marginalize members of this community. By choosing an officiant who supports LGBTQ+ rights, you also send a powerful message to your guests that your wedding is a safe and welcoming space for all.

9. Write Vows that Reflect Your Unique Love Story and Personal Beliefs

Traditional wedding vows can be beautiful, but they may not always reflect the unique love story and personal beliefs of LGBTQ+ couples. That's why many couples choose to write vows that are more inclusive and reflective of their relationship. Writing your own vows allows you to express your feelings in a meaningful and personal way while also setting the tone for the rest of your marriage.

It's an opportunity to share your values, beliefs, and dreams for the future with your partner and your guests. It also allows you to acknowledge the unique challenges and experiences that come with being part of the LGBTQ+ community while also celebrating the strength and resilience of your love.

10. Have a Custom Cocktail Menu that Features Drinks Named After LGBTQ+ Activists or Icons

This is one of the most fun LGBTQ+ wedding ideas, and we have lots of ideas for ways to bring it to life:

You could serve a Harvey Milkshake, a cocktail made with vanilla ice cream and bourbon named after pioneering gay rights activist Harvey Milk.
Or how about a Sylvia Rivera Sangria, named after transgender activist and Stonewall veteran Sylvia Rivera, made with red wine, brandy, and fresh fruit?
You could also offer a Bayard Rustin Martini, named after the openly gay civil rights activist who helped organize the March on Washington.
Or a Marsha P. Johnson Margarita, named after the iconic trans activist and Stonewall veteran who famously threw the first brick at the Stonewall riots.

Not only is it a fun and creative way to celebrate LGBTQ+ history, but it's also a great conversation starter and adds an extra layer of personalization to your wedding day.

11. Hire a Queer DJ or Band to Provide Entertainment for the Reception

Hiring a queer DJ or band to provide entertainment for your wedding reception is a great way to create a fun and inclusive atmosphere that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. A queer DJ or band will have a deep understanding of the music that has been important to the queer community throughout history and can play songs that reflect this, as well as current favorites.

From disco classics to modern pop hits, a queer DJ or band can keep the dance floor packed all night long with music that gets everyone up and dancing. Plus, they can help create a welcoming and inclusive environment by playing songs that are important to the LGBTQ+ community and avoiding language or themes that might be offensive or marginalizing.

12. Offer Guests Favors that are Inclusive and Celebrate Diversity

If you're looking for a fun and inclusive way to thank your guests for being a part of your special day, consider giving wedding favors that celebrate diversity! Rainbow-colored items are always a popular choice, whether rainbow flags, sunglasses, or even rainbow-colored socks. You could also offer pins or buttons with messages of love and acceptance or personalized hand fans with a message of thanks that also double as a practical accessory on a hot day. These favors not only make great keepsakes that your guests will cherish long after the wedding is over, but they also send a powerful message of inclusivity and celebration of diversity.

Bring Your LGBTQ+ Wedding Ideas to Life with Mountainside Events

Planning an LGBTQ+ wedding can be an exciting and unique experience, but it can also be challenging to bring your vision to life. At Mountainside Events, we understand that every couple is different, and we're here to help you create a wedding day that truly reflects your love story and values.

From custom cocktail menus to inclusive entertainment options, we specialize in creating LGBTQ+ weddings that are personalized, meaningful, and unforgettable. Our team of experienced planners is dedicated to making your wedding planning process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, so you can focus on celebrating with your loved ones. So why not bring your LGBTQ+ wedding ideas to life with Mountainside Events? Contact us today, and let us help you create a beautiful and inclusive day that celebrates diversity, love, and equality.