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Back when our team launched RainbowWeddingNetwork.com in September 2000, every New Year -in a long succession- brought the prospect of unpredictability and volatility with regard to LGBTQ+ marriage rights. That settled somewhat in 2015, with the passage of Obergefell vs Hodges, but here at the outset of 2025, things seem back to the times of high uncertainty. What's in store for our weddings and committed lives together this year?? Color palettes, cake flavors and gemstone symbolism seem to take a backseat... Yet it's important to remember that these things too, are important. We have to empower ourselves by claiming our own celebrations, and that includes not just a vision for a future of peace and equality, but also a sense of FUN, of indulging in considering current trends, and of cultivating inspiration.
Read on for a mix of Quick Wedding Planning Tips from couples, wedding pros, and our team here at RainbowWeddingNetwork. Enjoy considering all your options and the possibilities of creating Your Own Special Day, just as you want it to be!
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Remember that at the end of the day... if you’re married to the person you love, your wedding was a success. Minor details (and sometimes seemingly major ones!) might go wrong, but don’t let that distract you from what’s most important.
Layering Meaningfulness: Be sure to choose rituals and traditions that resonate strongly for each of you. Take time to craft your vows, either together or separately, with the help of your officiant or your bestie, and add in at least some personalization - even if it's simply a favorite quote or lyrics from a song. On the Big Day, consider carrying a small token in your pocket or tie it to your bouquet: your wedding rings and photographs will be with you forever, but another small keepsake that you can carry or later set somewhere special in your home is an added way to bring that feeling of Your Wedding Day back to life. Offer a small keepsake to your wedding guests that is similar: a small heart-shaped stone, for instance, that they too can carry the energy of your celebration with them into the future. -It's wonderful, and highly symbolic, to know that others are holding the vision of your union into the days ahead. You may find it comforting to lean on that from time to time.
Make sure you have a schedule for the day - a detailed timeline - and that anyone who is helping knows exactly where they need to be! Even if to you if seems silly to need to explain it, this way you have all your ducks in a row and no one can say you didn't tell them what to do or where to be! Share it with vendors, your wedding party, and family/friends who will be in formal photos. It's not "bridezilla" to want things a certain way, it's Your Day!
Sit down with your fiancee and talk about the top 3 weddings you've been to, read about or even seen in a movie, and what you liked most about them. Think about the rituals of the ceremony itself, the way the readings or the vows were included... think about the reception: the decor, the vibe, the level of interactivity for guests... Then prioritize your budget by what you recall as the most fun, meaningful and memorable.
Try and make some friends with other couples who are also getting married that you can talk with excessively about your wedding, bc only other people getting married care as much - your friends and family may not be as excited and want to talk about it as much as you do... and keeping the momentum alive is important: Find even a small tribe that you can chat it up with, to make the most of this fun and once-in-a-lifetime experience!!
Including Technology: Digital save-the-dates and invites are totally acceptable these days, and great budget savers. And even if you're eloping, consider using technology to capture the milestone: casual videos may become priceless later, and are a great way to share your special moment! Having a more formal celebration? Remember that VR and live-streaming are amazing options for your out-of-towners!
Be sure to envision the kind of ambience you want to create with your wedding: is it cozy and feelings of warmth and gathering together? Is it a hyped-up dance party? Is it a spotlighted focus on you and your partner? Is it a sentimental interconnection of family & friends? What adjectives describe your wedding: playful, spiritual, sentimental, bright, rustic, colorful, heartfelt, lively? Use these brainstorming ideas to build the priorities of what is not negotiable in your overall wedding plan.
Set your budget together and stick by it. You will be tempted by a lot (glowing foam sticks, fancy black envelopes, additional favors) but try and stick with your budget. Consider purchasing gently used items, there are TONS for sale online. Some decor items are even in really good condition at the local thrift stores!
Sustainability remains a top priority for many LGBTQ+ couples. From sourcing local and seasonal flowers to using eco-friendly decor and catering, couples are embracing green practices. Smaller, intimate weddings or “microweddings” continue to be popular, reducing the environmental footprint.
Prioritize the most important parts of the event (photographer, venue, food, dancing, number of guests, etc, whatever you value most) and spend your money on booking those areas first! Everything else is just details and can be done on a budget with some creativity and time - for example, budget most for photographer and venue/food, but DIY the florals, including having your wedding party people make their own bouquets after the rehearsal dinner!
Stay organized and keep taking small steps forward. Wedding planning is A LOT and can be very overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to take breaks.
Unique Entertainment Choices? Yes, please!! Couples today are thinking outside the box when it comes to entertainment. Drag performers, queer artists, and interactive installations are making weddings more vibrant and memorable. Karaoke sessions, live bands, dance instruction and even unique options such as magicians, interactive keepsake stations, emceed couples' bingo games and other ideas also continue to gain traction: whatever suits the couple's interests and helps to bring guests together! See RWN's recent article for further interactive ideas!
https://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/wedding-tips/unique-interactive-reception-ideas
Celebrating Chosen Families - Finding ways to include and honor our families of choice is vital to our community! From participation as attendants, with readings, mentions in toasts, or creating a special thank-you table with messages and photos, to announce just how important your loved ones are: all great ways to bring together and interconnect your special people. After all, LGBTQ+ weddings inherently highlight the importance of authenticity, inclusivity, and love. Make the most of this theme!
For more ways to connect with other couples and LGBTQ+ wedding pros, please visit our Tips & Articles page:
https://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/tips-planning
And consider joining RWN's lively FB group! Ideas & support abound! (Many of the above insights came from group members!)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LGBTQWeddings
