A wedding is an unforgettable experience in the lives of lovers that, among other things, requires thorough preparation. And when you consider that most wedding traditions are more suited to the "Bride and Groom" couple, gay newlyweds-to-be may have difficulties with planning. We've answered the top questions LGBTQ+ couples may have when preparing for their big day.
Should We Invite Non-Supportive Family Members To Our Wedding?
This is a difficult moral choice for a couple, especially when the parents of the newlyweds insist that all relatives be invited to the ceremony. But remember, a wedding is a celebration of love, and you should have those around you who are supportive and sincerely wish happiness for your couple. You don't need to invite someone just for them to be there. It's your celebration and it's up to you to decide who will be by your side on this important date. Talk to your parents and politely explain your opinion. Tell them how you feel and that this day is very important for your couple, that's why you want to see only the closest and most caring people at your wedding.
Who Pays For the Wedding?
Hetero newlyweds face this problem as well. Traditionally, the bride's parents pay for the wedding. But this custom is becoming a thing of the past. Now there are no established rules, so both hetero and gay couples are free to determine who will bear the wedding expenses. There are three options. Parents pay for everything, the couple themselves, or the newlyweds-to-be and family pay together. Which one to choose is entirely up to you.
How Do We Know If Vendors Are Okay With a Same-Sex Wedding?
Society is progressing. Unfortunately, LGBTQ couples are still facing discrimination in wedding planning. According to the Gay Wedding Institute, 20% of LGBTQ+ couples faced discrimination when preparing for their weddings – and fear of it also existed among many more same-sex newlyweds. And since not all people are tolerant, you will have to make an extra effort to find someone who is willing to work on a same-sex wedding. You can use dedicated online platforms that feature gay-friendly services (you may try equallywed.com, pridezillas.com or weddingwire.com). If you want a particular wedding pro but don't know if they are willing to work with an LGBTQ+ couple, check out their social media. Look at photos from weddings they've organized: there may be same-sex ceremonies among them. Pay attention to the way they talk on their blog. Do they address hetero couples directly? Is their language neutral? After all, you can text them personally and make sure this person is okay doing a gay wedding.
