The institution of marriage is a long-standing one, though the driving force behind marriage has evolved a great deal through the centuries. With such an old practice comes a great deal of wedding traditions, and not just the ones your grandparents talk about. Unfortunately, the rigidity of something as old as civilization?as well as something deeply rooted, for many people, in religion?can be quite staunch. These traditions can be alienating to couples who many not adhere to each and every ?wedding rule? their family holds near and dear; this notion is especially true for LGBTQ+ couples.
Many wedding practices fall under a heteronormative categorization: the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father to the waiting groom, the father of the bride gives a speech at the reception, the bouquet toss precedes the garter toss?the list goes on. Whether or not you and your beloved are dealing with familial, friend, and vendor problems based on your sexual preferences, these wedding-day details that many couples take for granted can be confusing to navigate. Below are some suggestions on adapting some of the most common traditions for queer weddings. Your Wedding Party
Selecting the people who will stand up with you at the altar is incredibly special. While some prefer to forgo a traditional wedding party?an increasingly popular option among modern couples?others want their best pals right there beside them. Mixed-gender bridal parties are a great option for any couple, but som...