Tips & ideas for same-Sex Weddings
We LOVE love and we love celebrating love! Our couples often tell us how our passion for what we do shines through in the ceremonies we deliver. Now that Australia has marriage equality we couldn’t be happier!
If you like the idea of having a Celebrant that loves performing same-sex weddings, and genuinely cares about creating and delivering the kind of ceremony you envisage, be it a simple ‘legals only‘ style wedding or something grander, we would love to chat! Contact us now to confirm availability.
Ceremony with Celebrant Jamie Eastgate at Old Government House.
Ceremony Options
Marriage equality has opened the wedding world up to a whole new variety of options within wedding ceremonies. As traditional gender specific roles become obsolete, wedding ceremonies are becoming more progressive, relevant and meaningful for both same sex couples, and also for progressive opposite sex couples who may also like to include some of the modern options outlined here in their wedding ceremonies.
Here we cover some of the many exciting options available to all couples:
Processional (or arrival) options
Traditional: Partner 1 waits at the head of the aisle as Partner 2 walks down the aisle towards them.
Alternative Option 1: Partner 1 and Partner 2 arrive and walk down the aisle together.
Either accompanied by parent/ parents, their ‘wedding party’ or simply just the 2 of them.
Alternative Option 2: Partner 1 and Partner 2 arrive via side aisles and meet in the middle together. Note: The venue would need the capacity to accommodate side aisles, or additional aisle ways on either sides of the guests chairs.
Alternative Option 3: Partner 1 is walked down the aisle by a parent/ parents/ family or friend and takes their place at the front with the Celebrant, then Partner 2 is walked down the aisle by a parent/ parents/ family or friend and joins hands with Partner 1 on arrival.
Alternative Option 4: Partner 1 and Partner 2 are present to greet guests as they arrive, then simply gather with the Celebrant at the ceremony area, then the Celebrant invites the guests to gather or be seated. This option removes the formality of the processional for the partners.
It’s also an option worth considering for those that feel particularly nervous about the prospect of walking down an aisle.
Your Wedding Party
Your wedding party, or wedding squad who may be referred to as the bridal party when two brides are tying the knot, or two grooms sometimes like to refer to them as their grooms party.
We often use the term ‘wedding party’ to remove gender labels and cover all couples.
It’s your day so feel free to have fun and get creative with their titles, Groomsmaids, Bridesmen, Brides Angels etc.
You don’t have to pick a ‘Best Man’ or ‘Best Lady’ you may prefer to assign them all Best Men or Best Girls. This also gives you the freedom to equally delegate all the traditional ‘best man’ duties between the wedding party.
Where to Stand
Choose which side each of you would like to stand on (you may need to rock paper scissors this!). Let your celebrant know which side each of you will be stood on, so if they are present, they can assist with ushering your direct family to the same side that you will be stood on if you like.
Note: There was once a time where each partner’s family and friends would be seated on their ‘side’ nowadays most couples are happy to simply have the front row reserved for family members on their side, and request the Celebrant announces that the remaining guests can be seated on either side.
Hence the wedding sign “Pick a seat not a side, either way it’s for a bride”
I now pronounce you….Consider how you would like to be introduced at the end of the ceremony.
Option 1: Choose who’s last name you will both take
Option 2: Keep your current last names
Option 3: Opt to double barrel each of your last names together
Option 4: Ask your celebrant to introduce you as ‘husband and husband’ or ‘wife and wife’ and you can always decide on the above at a later date if you wish.
Note: You are not required to change your last name when you marry, and your last name doesn’t automatically change when you wed.
In summary, feel free to get creative. It’s your day so make it truly yours and do whatever feels right for you both.
Two Blushing Brides Wedding ceremony styled by Brisbane Wedding Decorators
Head to our blog to view more same-sex weddings with Brisbane City Celebrants
Special thanks to Studio Impressions Photography, Blank Canvas Photography, and Studio 60 Photography for these images of same-sex weddings performed by Jamie and Cara of Brisbane City Celebrants.
Brisbane City Celebrants would love to be the Celebrant for your wedding.
Contact us now to confirm availability for your special day.