23 Wedding Ceremony Ideas for Same-Sex Couples

People Standing on Beach in the Shape of a Heart

Photo: Marc Millman

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Wedding Ideas for Gay and Lesbian Couples

Planning a wedding as a same-sex couple can come with unique challenges, from finding LGBT-friendly vendors to choosing a suitable cake topper to navigating wedding customs that may not feel like a good fit. Many same-sex couples are redefining wedding ceremonies and tailoring traditions to suit them. For example, you don't have to have traditional "bride" and "groom" sides at your wedding. Have guests circle around you or even make a heart, like grooms John Henry and John did here.

From walking each other down the aisle to planning outfits for bridesmaids and bridesmen or groomsmen and groomswomen, browse our gallery for more nontraditional wedding ceremony ideas for gay and lesbian couples. And remember: It's your day. There are no rules and expectations. Only love.

Photo: Abie Livesay

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Or Have a Crowd

Grooms Luke and George didn't have sides at their wedding. Guests stood, concert-style, watching them exchange vows up on a stage.

Photo: Gatlinburg Wedding Center

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Go Traditional

Husbands Brett and Mike had a traditional chapel ceremony in the Smoky Mountains at Chapel at the Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. If you're looking for an LGBT-friendly vendor, especially a religious venue, look for the Human Rights Campaign's blue and yellow equal sign logo on the vendor website. Some sites display a rainbow flag. That's a great way to know before you call when booking.

Overhead Shot of Two Women Walking Down Aisle in Museum Lobby

Photo: Ian Borgerhoff

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Think Outside the Chapel

Brides Julia and Amber had their ceremony in a natural history museum. We're obsessed with the ornate molding and gorgeous tile floor.

Table Full of Traditional Champagne Flutes With Pom Pom Swivel Sticks

Photo: Abie Livesay

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Or Have a Cocktail Hour

Grooms Luke and George had champagne flutes waiting for guests as they arrived for the wedding. Guests sipped on bubbly, cocktail-hour style, during the ceremony.

Two Women Kissing at a Dinner Table Lined With Candles

Photo: Linda Arredondo

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Or Have a Dinner Party

Brides and Charlotte and Gina integrated their ceremony and reception with a luxe dinner party. We love the long dinner tables with dramatic lines of candles. It's easy to create yet incredibly elegant and dramatic.

Two Men With Two Boys and One Girl Standing on a Cliff By Ocean

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Make It a Family Vacation

Husbands Scott and Tony and their three children had a small wedding ceremony in Hawaii to celebrate their history together and make their union legal. They kept the ceremony casual with coordinated Hawaiian fabrics, leis and flip flops for the whole family.

Two Women In Locked Arms Walking Down Aisle

Photo: Ian Borgerhoff

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Walk Each Other Down the Aisle

Shake off the idea of one person walks down the aisle while the other waits at the end. Same-sex couples are making their own rules. Brides Julia and Amber walked down the aisle together, with a bouquet each.

Two Men Holding Hands Dancing Down the Beach

Photo: Marc Millman

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Dance Down the Aisle

You don't have to walk down the aisle. Grooms John Henry and John danced down the aisle to "I'm Coming Out."

Two Grooms Hugging Their Moms on the Beach

Photo: Marc Millman

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Walk With Family Down the Aisle

The traditional dad-walks-bride-down-the-aisle doesn't work for everyone. You don't have to have anyone walk you. Or give you away. You could walk yourself. Or you could ask a family member or friend to walk you down and give you away, too. And if you want, a little bit of both is OK, too. Before grooms John and John Henry danced down the aisle together, they had their moms walk them down halfway. It gave them a special moment to share together before the big ceremony.

Photo: Abie Livesay

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Match Your Outfits

George and Luke wore matching black tuxedos with gold accents: bow ties, watches and gold-tipped shoes.

Two Women Holding Hands Walking Down Street

Photo: Ian Borgerhoff

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Or Just Match the Color

Brides Julia and Amber both wore white wedding dresses but showed off their own personalities with different silhouettes and styles.

Two Men Holding Hands and Kissing at the Beach

Photo: Marc Millman

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Wear Different Colors

Grooms John Henry and John wore suits in different soft, neutral colors to go with their beach wedding.

Photo: Linda Arredondo

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Rock Black Dresses

Brides Charlotte and Gina had a formal dinner party as their ceremony with evening gowns fit for the red carpet. This allowed them to step outside traditional silhouettes for wedding dresses and rock more modern styles like a peplum.

Photo: Linda Arredondo

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Or Rock a Tuxe

Any bride should remember that a dress is not mandatory. It's your day and you get to wear what makes you feel like you. Brides Gina and Charlotte changed into tuxedo jackets and suit pieces after their ceremony. They look just as fabulous in these outfits as their black dresses.

Two Men Holding Hands and Walking in the Woods Under Pergola

Photo: Gatlinburg Wedding Center

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Go Casual

It's your day! Wear jeans if you want. Husbands Mike and Brett have been together for more than 20 years. Their marriage renewal ceremony this past year was non-fussy and relaxed, keeping the focus on their history and journey together.

Photo: Abie Livesay

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Or Go Funky

Have I said it's your day yet? Don't feel confined to traditional colors or fabrics. Be bold and show off your personalities. Grooms Luke and George changed into funky, glitter blazers for their New Year's Eve wedding reception.

Two Brides Standing With Bridal Party of Men in Suits and Women in Dresses

Photo: Ian Borgerhoff

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Mixed Bridal Party

Many same-sex couples have both bridesmaids and brides-men. Or groomsmen. Or grooms-women. Finding outfits that suit every body type and person--and in the same color--can be tough. Black and white is a classic and easy combo for a bridal party with men and women.

Two Grooms Standing With Wedding Party of Women With Gold Evening Gowns

Photo: Abie Livesay

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Use One Color to Unify Wedding Parties

George and Luke used gold for their wedding party. Everyone got to wear something unique that fit them best, but the metallic neutral pulls everything together.

Two Grooms and Groomsmen Jumping in the Air at the Beach

Photo: Marc Millman

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Or Have a Color Palette for More Options

Give your wedding party a palette of colors. Grooms John Henry and John wore neutral suits, so they invited their wedding guests to wear bold, bright colors instead.

Gold and Silver Painted Shells With Words Taped Inside

Photo: John Henry Watson

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More Than Just Vows

Grooms John and John Henry had family and friends write down what they loved about the couple and words that described them. These words went into metallic shells and guests took turns reading the words during their beach wedding.

Photo: Abie Livesay

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Twist on Traditional Phrases

If lines like "You may now kiss the bride." aren't exactly how you want to end your ceremony, you could have your guests send you off. Grooms Luke and George had guests give cheers with champagne.

Three Couples Celebrating Their Marriage

Photo: Abie Livesay, Ian Borgerhoff and Linda Arredondo

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I Now Pronounce You United in Marriage

Just remember: There are no rules. And there are no expectations. Only love.

23 Wedding Ceremony Ideas for Same-Sex Couples

Wedding Ideas for Gay and Lesbian Couples

Or Have a Crowd

Go Traditional

Think Outside the Chapel

Or Have a Cocktail Hour

Or Have a Dinner Party

Make It a Family Vacation

Walk Each Other Down the Aisle

Dance Down the Aisle

Walk With Family Down the Aisle

Match Your Outfits

Or Just Match the Color

Wear Different Colors

Rock Black Dresses

Or Rock a Tuxe

Go Casual

Or Go Funky

Mixed Bridal Party

Use One Color to Unify Wedding Parties

Or Have a Color Palette for More Options

More Than Just Vows

Twist on Traditional Phrases

I Now Pronounce You United in Marriage

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