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

1. Invite all singles (not just ladies) to the dance floor for the bouquet toss.
2. Send invitations to full names instead of “Mr. and Mrs.”
3. 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?
4. Don’t force opposite gender pairings walking down the aisle. Mix it up!
5. Address name cards by name instead of Mr. and Mrs.
6. Skip the “Marriage is between a Man and a Woman” line in your ceremony.
7. 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.” 
8. For the reception, have the MC switch “Ladies and Gentlemen” to “Everyone” or some similarly non-gendered language. 
9. Switch “Bridesmaids” and “Groomsmen” to “Wedding Party.”
10. Ask venues to switch out “Bridal Suite” and “Groom’s Suite” signage.
11. 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!