7 Tips to Help You Plan an LGBTQ Wedding!

Working with LGBTQ couples over the last 6 years has taught me a lot about queer weddings... and one thing's a given - We do them OUR way!

It's thrilling and inspiring to witness the creativity and resourcefulness that comes from the queer couples I've had the joy of working with! Queer people don't seem to feel as bound by traditions, or as influenced by their families needs over their own!

So here's 7 tips to help you plan a fun, affordable, memorable, queer (lgbtq) wedding!

By Renee the Celebrant (MC & DJ)

1. Forget everything you've seen at other weddings (unless they were queer weddings ;-) Get creative, add fun activities, find ways for your chosen family to connect, ask loved ones to contribute their skills (there's lots of talent in our community), DIY, and enjoy the creative process

2. The only ESSENTIAL element to a legal wedding is a celebrant, so ensure they're someone queer or an ally (yes, cheap celebrants have been known to pronounce 2 women as 'husband and wife' *cringe*

3. Choose your favourite queer (or ally) vendors and book them early (12+ months) so you don't miss out! Ask them for their recco's on other vendors, we all know each other <3 . The big ticket items are - venue, celebrant, photographer, food, booze, entertainment (music and performances) The rest are add on's and not essential, stick to your budget!

4. If you're feeling loved-up, spontaneous & want to save money, there are some really cool, queer, micro-wedding packages around - like Flash Romantics (which includes tattoos!) You literally just rock up and they plan it all for you! (this one is great for introverts who don't all the attention on them). The first rule of eloping, don't tell people you're eloping!

5. Assess what you really want (as a couple) for your wedding day and stick to it - are your people dancers (if not, don't spend money on a DJ). Do you really need cake AND dessert? Is the idea of 100+ guests overwhelming? Do you need to factor in time-out throughout the day? Is wearing a suit/dress really YOU or could you be more comfy and affirmed in what you wear? Would your people enjoy a theme?

6. Find a queer venue that has lots of elements included eg. Proper sound system, decor, plants/florals, bar/service, infrastructure, event manager (hiring these things can quickly add up)

7. If you wouldn't invite someone over to your home for dinner, then you don't need to invite them to your wedding out of obligation. Save your money, keep your guest-list small, and save your energy for the people who deserve it! Use digital invite services rather than paper/print (unless of course you have a penchant for print ;-)

Image: Ceremony by Charlie at Flash Romantics