8 Same-Sex Wedding Ideas to Consider for Your Ceremony and Reception
Photo Credit: Captured Perspective Photography
Just like every couple is unique, so is every wedding. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to how a wedding should look. This is especially true for same-sex couples who want to break the standard wedding traditions and create a celebration that represents their love. At Mountainside Events, we are an LGBTQ+-owned wedding and event management company passionate about supporting all couples. We want to help bring your dream wedding to life, whatever it looks like. To start, here are eight of our favorite same-sex wedding ideas to help you plan the perfect LGBTQ+ wedding.
8 Same-Sex Wedding Ideas for LGBTQ+ Couples
Regardless of how you identify, we want to ensure your wedding is an extension of you and your love, whether that means keeping, skipping, or upgrading wedding traditions. If you’re looking for inspiration to get your creative juices flowing, consider these same-sex wedding ideas!
1. Walk Down the Aisle Together
Rather than having a family member walk you down the aisle, consider walking down together. This creates a beautiful moment where all eyes are on both of you. It’s also a very symbolic gesture, as you’re walking hand-in-hand toward your future and the start of the rest of your life together.
2. Decorate with Non-Gender Inclusive Signs
Nowadays, there are so many LGBTQ+-friendly wedding decor and signs available to create a space that speaks to your love. For gay or lesbian couples, this could include “Mrs. and Mrs.” or “Mr. and Mr.” signs and decor. For non-binary couples, this could consist of signage with statements surrounding the oh-so-very-true statement, “Love is Love.”
3. Ditch the “Sides” at the Ceremony
Rather than having a “bride” side and “groom” side for your ceremony seating, let guests sit wherever they feel most comfortable. Or, switch up this tradition altogether by having a circular seating arrangement. That way, there aren’t two sides–just one group of people coming together to celebrate your love.
4. Work with LQBTQ+-Friendly Wedding Vendors
Like Mountainside Events! Your vendors are involved in so many aspects of your wedding, so choosing vendors who support your union is essential. Working with LGBTQ+-friendly vendors will make the entire process more relaxed, comfortable, and enjoyable. Plus, when you work with a queer-owned wedding planner like Mountainside Events, you get to draw on our personal experience planning same-sex weddings!
5. Incorporate Pride into Your Wedding
There are so many pronounced and subtle ways to incorporate pride into your wedding decor. For example, you can choose the pride colors as your wedding colors and incorporate them into your floral arrangements, cake, table runners, place settings, and more for a vibrant and beautiful wedding. If you want to integrate pride in a more subtle way, consider taking some of your wedding photos with a pride flag, baking a rainbow wedding cake on the inside only, or using rainbow smoke bombs or confetti for an epic send-off photo after your reception.
6. Wear Whatever Makes You Feel Like YOU
There are no rules when it comes to what you wear to your LGBTQ+ wedding. Some same-sex wedding ideas include grooms wearing matching tuxes and both brides wearing the long, white gowns of their dreams. However, what’s most important is that you wear what makes you feel like you. That could mean ditching the traditional attire altogether and opting for something more edgy and modern. Or, adding a splash of color to the traditional outfits, with rainbow dress socks and ties or a rainbow-dyed vail.
7. Ask Your Guests to Participate in Celebrating Your Love in Color
Your wedding guests are the people who love and support you the most, so why not involve them in the pride of your same-sex wedding? Make your dress code pride-themed by asking guests to wear their favorite colorful outfits for your wedding. That way, even if you wear a traditional white gown or black tux, your wedding will still be colorful, thanks to your friends and family.
8. Put a Colorful Spin on Wedding Traditions
If you want to include traditional wedding customs, you can incorporate them into your wedding with a twist. For example, you can use a rainbow-colored ribbon for a handfasting unity ceremony, where the officiant ties the couple’s hands together. There are many ways to make your wedding unique to you, and these same-sex wedding ideas only scratch the surface.
Let’s Work Together to Make Your Same-Sex Wedding Unforgettable
In the end, your wedding is all about YOU and should capture everything unique and beautiful about your love. At Mountainside Events, our philosophy is For Everyone. For Every Occasion. We encourage all of our couples to express themselves through their wedding, whether that means breaking some traditions, adding extra color, or finding ways to incorporate LGBTQ+ pride into the ceremony and reception. There are so many ways to make your same-sex wedding special, and we’d love to be the ones to help you plan it. Contact us today to learn more about our LGBTQ+- wedding planning services!