Many couples planning their wedding have been looking for how to make their wedding gender-neutral. Having a gender-neutral wedding is a great way to be an LGBTQIA+ Ally and to make sure all of your guests are comfortable and having fun.
If you are planning a wedding and looking for ways to make all of your guests, including anyone who is gender non-conforming or gender non-binary, more comfortable, here are a few things you can do.
Ways You Can Make Your Wedding a Gender Neutral Wedding
- Invite all singles (not just ladies) to the dance floor for the bouquet toss.
- Send invitations to full names instead of “Mr. and Mrs.”
- Ask your venue if they have a gender-neutral bathroom option. If not, is there a gendered bathroom you could make gender neutral for your wedding?
- Don’t force opposite gender pairings walking down the aisle. Mix it up!
- Address name cards by name instead of Mr. and Mrs.
- Skip the “Marriage is between a Man and a Woman” line in your ceremony.
- Be pronounced “married” instead of “husband and wife.” Ask the officiant to say “You can now kiss each other” instead of “You can now kiss the bride.”
- For the reception, have the MC switch “Ladies and Gentlemen” to “Everyone” or some similarly non-gendered language.
- Switch “Bridesmaids” and “Groomsmen” to “Wedding Party.”
- Ask venues to switch out “Bridal Suite” and “Groom’s Suite” signage.
- Add some LGBTQ or gender-inclusive music into your playlist.
If you are looking for more support on LGBTQ terms, here is a handy glossary!
What other ways can we work to make weddings more gender-neutral?
Check out some of Tia’s wedding photography work with LGBTQ couples here!
