Love Knows No Boundaries- LGBQT+ Weddings

Arranging a wedding is a significant event in anyone’s life, but it can be even more difficult for couples of the same sex as they often face some unique challenges.  Increasingly, many countries around the world have legalised same-sex marriage amid a steady advance in rights for LGBTQ+ people. Still, opposition remains strong in many other nations particularly those within the Middle East.  As of 2024, same-sex marriage is legal in 37 countries, including most of the United States, Canada, and the majority of the United Kingdom. In recent years, the legalization of gay marriage in many countries has led to more and more couples choosing to tie the knot.  However, the laws and requirements vary, so it’s essential to research and understand the various same-sex marriage laws in your chosen location before planning your wedding.

Some countries or states will require a waiting period or health checks before issuing a marriage license. In some cases, even, same-sex couples may face discrimination or challenges when trying to plan their wedding. It’s important to understand your legal rights and gain legal advice if necessary. By understanding the legal issues surrounding gay marriage, you can ensure that your wedding day is a joyous and stress-free occasion.

Weddings can be emotional and stressful times for family members as well as friends, and not everyone will be supportive or happy about your decision to get married. You must communicate with your family members and handle any unsupportive reactions with care.   Enabling family members to express their thoughts and concerns, may prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts.   Handling this with care, empathy and patience may create a more supportive and positive environment for the wedding.  Importantly, it is however still crucial that you remain firm and clear about your decision to get married – you could enlist the help of a neutral third party, such as a therapist or mediator, who can help set boundaries if necessary to protect your emotional wellbeing. By communicating openly and honestly with family members and handling any unsupportive reactions with care, you can create a more positive and supportive environment for your wedding day.

In this blog we hope to give you a complete understanding of how to plan your special same-sex wedding, touching on topics of legal issues, budget, themes, attire and much more. We hope that it will provide plenty of ideas on how to plan a memorable and joyous day.

Deciding on the style of wedding you want to go for, is one of the first steps in your planning process. There is a plethora of options available for you to choose from – traditional, destination, intimate, themed and many more.  With each of these come several other considerations like your venue, your budget, the guest lists, suppliers and finer details, which will impact the decisions you make. 

The cost of a wedding can vary widely, depending on the type of wedding you choose. Setting a budget for your wedding as early as possible is essential to ensure that you don’t overspend and create unnecessary stress. The cost of a wedding can vary widely, depending on various factors, such as the type of wedding, guest list, and location. Setting your budget and keeping to it, will ensure that you can have a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. Remember, the most important part of your wedding day is celebrating your love with your partner and loved ones.

Selecting the people who you want to stand by your side supporting you on your wedding day is an important decision. Your ‘chosen crew’ will play a significant part in your big day, from assisting you with your plans along the way,  as well as standing by you during the ceremony.  Don’t be afraid to ‘be you,’ when it comes to your squad – having a ‘Man of Honour’ is just as relevant as a ‘Maid of Honour’, or equally Bridesmen and Grooms Maids as your wedding supporters would work just as well.  Remember, your wedding party should be made up of people who you trust and who will support you on your special day. By selecting the people who support you and your choices, will ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly.

Finding the right wedding suppliers is essential to ensure that you feel understood, listened to and supported in your choices. From Wedding Coordinators to Caterers, Photographers to Venue Decorators and Entertainers to Vehicle hirers - they all have the expertise and experience to handle the logistics of the wedding day while providing guidance and support throughout the planning process. Everyone plays a crucial role in creating your perfect day, so ensuring your day is everything you’ve dreamed of.

When it comes to selecting your wedding attire it is essential that you and your partner feel confident and comfortable on your big day. The wedding attire is not only a reflection of your personality and style

but also sets the tone for the whole aesthetic of the wedding.  Whatever you choose whether it be an androgynous style outfit, a suit or a dress, it is essential that it makes you radiate on your day.  Remember, your wedding attire should reflect your style and preferences. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and choose something that truly speaks to you and your partner.

Wedding stationary is an essential piece of the wedding planning process, and undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable aspects is choosing your wedding invitations so you can start sharing your joy with others. Invites for a same-sex wedding aren’t all that different from any other wedding and with your main details confirmed, it’s time to create your wedding invites and send them out to your loved ones. Invites can be any style you want, so don’t limit yourself to the ‘traditional’ themes, and don’t be afraid to design your own and have them printed online, if you feel that suits you more. It is your opportunity to provide your guests with essential information about the future wedding day and set the tone for the overall aesthetic of the wedding.  

The wedding ceremony is the heart of the wedding day, where couples publicly declare their love and commitment to marry each other. It’s an opportunity to share your love story with your guests and celebrate the mutual importance of your relationship.

Choosing a wedding officiant is an important decision. They play a significant role in the marriage ceremony and set the tone for the overall vibe of the wedding day. You must arrange to meet with the officiant in advance to discuss your vision for the ceremony and to ensure that you develop a good rapport before your big day.  Getting a feel that they share your values and beliefs, will make it easier to incorporate personal elements into the ceremony.  By choosing the right officiant and writing your meaningful vows, you as a couple can create a wedding ceremony that is personal, meaningful, and reflective of your love and commitment to each other.

Once you have completed your nuptials, it is time for you to ‘let your hair down’ at your reception and dance the night away!!  This is a time for celebration and festivities, where couples and guests can relax, chat, dance, and enjoy good food and drinks.

The first dance is a special moment created for couples to share with the world and their loved ones. Consider a song that has personal meaning to you and your partner. Choosing the perfect song allows the lyrics to reflect your relationship while it can also set the tone for the rest of the reception.  If dancing is going to be a significant part of your reception, make sure your chosen song is easy to dance to and make sure that you get plenty of practice for your first dance before the wedding day!

The honeymoon is a time for you as newlyweds to relax and celebrate your union and new life together. It allows you to relax and unwind after the stress of wedding planning.  Right now, the world seems to be divided into countries where gay people are welcome and those where they are not,  and feeling anything less than totally welcome at your hotel on any holiday, especially a honeymoon, is unacceptable.   In recent years, huge strides towards LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance have increased, which means there are now plenty of honeymoon spots that are open and welcoming. It’s a chance to experience new cultures and destinations. From beautiful beaches to vibrant cities, there are plenty of fantastic LGBTQ+ inclusive honeymoon destinations for you to explore from Curaçao to Cape Town, Bueno Aires to Phuket and Amsterdam to Mykonos to name but a few, there are plenty of options available if you do your research. Venturing out into the world for the first time as Mrs & Mrs or Mr & Mr, you may find the first reactions you receive to your new status on your honeymoon, will leave a lasting impression on you for your future holiday expectations.

It’s important for couples to keep in mind that every wedding is unique and that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to plan your wedding. By staying true to yourselves and your values, you can create a wedding day that reflects your own personalities, interests, and love for each other.

In conclusion, planning your day can be a complex and challenging process, but with the right mindset, resources, and support, it can also be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience. We wish you the best of luck as they embark on this exciting journey together.