Wedding tips for same sex couples

Wedding planning can be stressful, and it can be a bit off-putting when a lot of the online advice is written for bride and groom ceremonies.

Whilst your preparation and planning will be much the same as any other wedding event, there are a couple of specific points you may want to consider for same sex couples. Here are our top tips for same sex couple weddings.

Let go of gender traditions and do it your way

Bride, groom, bridesmaids, the best man – there are a lot of old fashioned gender roles that are associated with weddings. The last thing you want to do is try to follow this in a way that does not feel natural to you. Don’t be afraid of dropping the gender associations made with the wedding party, and to have whoever you choose as best fit to share your special day.

Choose how you want your ceremony to be

Most traditional weddings have the groom waiting at the altar while the bride walks down the aisle. There are plenty of other options that you can do, if neither you or your partner are keen to do the common thing. For example, you could consider:

• One person walks down the aisle, and the other follows
• Walk down the aisle together
• Neither of you walk down the aisle and be ready at the front when your guests arrive

If you’re a bride, start thinking about your outfit early

It’s easier for men to shop for wedding suits than it is for a bride to shop for a dress. There are plenty of beautiful and fabulous options for women who don’t want to wear a traditional wedding dress, however it will make life easier if you and your partner can decide on your outfits sooner than later – especially as you’ll want these to look complimentary together for the photos. Browse Pinterest and online blog sites for inspiration.

Have open conversations with your celebrant

It’s a new thing for celebrants in Australia to be wedding same sex couples, and all of their training was with opposite sex language and terms. Be clear with your celebrant about how you both want to be referred to and introduced on the day. It’s especially important that you have a comfortable and open relationship with your celebrant, to ensure your day is as stress free and happy as possible.

Don’t be afraid to be creative and have fun

It’s a happy and exciting occasion, don’t be afraid to make jokes and have some cheeky humour to your day. If you’re nervous, this can be the best way to lighten the mood and keep you more relaxed. There are plenty of cute invitation and style ideas on Pinterest that are fun for same sex couples, don’t be shy to get creative!