What is a gay wedding

Planning a wedding is always an adventure, but for LGBTQ+ couples, the process can come with a few unique twists. Traditionally, the bride walks down the aisle, escorted by her father, who gives her away to her soon-to-be husband. This signifies how the two have joined as one, as the wax can never separate.

So, what are some of the unexpected differences when planning a gay. Many couples will keep the melted wax as a beautiful memento from their wedding. At the end of the ceremony, as they leave, they jump over a broom together, holding hands.

Many gay wedding traditions and rituals stem from heterosexual wedding traditions, but with a twist. Couples often keep the jar of sand to remember their wedding and the vows they made to each other, as the sand cannot separate once mixed.

Depending on how tall the candles are, the wax will melt and mix by the end of the ceremony or reception. 10 Gay Wedding Traditions and Rituals Since it wasn’t legal for gay people to get married in the United States untilLGBTQ couples have been creating their own traditions and rituals.

The two colored grains of sand can make for a beautiful combination, and the couple often shakes the jar to completely homogenize the sand, signifying their unity. Despite ongoing obstacles and opposition, the recognition of gay marriage has paved the way for countless couples to openly express their love and commitment to each other through wedding ceremonies.

But when you’re planning a same-sex wedding, you get to rewrite the rules to fit your love story. The broom has decorations added by friends and family and signed with love, making it a wonderful keepsake from the wedding for the couple.

Discover essential do’s and don’ts, etiquette tips, and ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ love with respect and authenticity. For this ritual, each partner has a bag or jar of one colored sand. The ring warming ritual is immensely powerful and moving for LGBTQ couples who may have faced adversity for loving each other.

Many gay wedding traditions and rituals stem from heterosexual wedding traditions, but with a twist. The meaning behind jumping over the broom can be especially meaningful to LGBTQ couples who have traveled a long and hard road to be able to get married.

Planning a gay wedding comes with its own set of considerations and challenges, from navigating family dynamics to choosing LGBTQ+-friendly vendors.

Gay Wedding Rituals Explained

As they pour, the sands mix, and the officiant usually recites a passage about two becoming one. The two candles are different colors and sit in the same bowl or plate. This ritual has a long history, but gay couples are bringing it back. This jump represents the couple sweeping the past away to start a new life together.

The wedding rings are given to the guests at the beginning of the ceremony. Many traditions are rooted in heteronormativity—think the bride being "given away" or the groom giving a speech. They pass them around and whisper their wishes, prayers, and goodwill for the couple into the rings.

One of the most popular unity ceremonies done at gay weddings is the sand mixing unity ceremony. Handfasting is a common wedding ritual in many cultures, including Celtic, Wiccan, and Pagan. Gay wedding traditions also highlight the LGBTQ community and the value of marriage equality, as these couples have been oppressed for so long.

Wedding experts address common questions from LGBTQ+ couples about the etiquette of planning a same-sex wedding, including who pays, what to wear, and how to choose a new last name. Because gay weddings have only recently been allowed, many couples like to perform a unity ceremony to express their love and devotion to one another.

At the same time, they each pour their sand out into a new jar together. At the beginning of the ceremony, each partner lights a tall candle. This unity ritual is similar to sand mixing but is a much slower and more beautiful process.

You can let these ideas inspire you and do something slightly different, or use one of these lovely ideas to highlight your commitment to one another. Planning or attending a gay wedding?