Creating Your Own Traditions: How LGBTQ+ Couples Are Redefining the Wedding Day 🌈
Weddings should reflect your love story — not someone else’s rules. At Ivory & Beau, we’re always celebrating the incredible creativity, courage, and authenticity of LGBTQ+ couples who are rewriting what a wedding can be (and not just during Pride Month).
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all ceremonies
More and more couples are ditching outdated expectations and building something personal, meaningful, and true to them. And honestly? We’re here for it.
Whether it’s skipping gender roles, walking down the aisle together, or turning your bouquet into a rainbow homage to your journey — LGBTQ+ couples are showing us all that the best weddings are the ones that break the mold.
Why Break the Mold?
For many queer couples, the traditional wedding format just doesn’t feel right. That’s because a lot of mainstream traditions were built around heterosexual, gendered norms that don’t leave room for individuality or authenticity.
But when you remove those expectations? You make room for something way better: a wedding that’s about love, not labels.
Planning your wedding as an LGBTQ+ couple means you get to ask the real questions:
What feels true to us?
What do we actually want?
What traditions do we want to keep, reimagine, or leave behind?
And when you give yourself that freedom? Magic happens.
Real Traditions, Reimagined by Real Couples
Here are just a few of the ways LGBTQ+ couples are beautifully redefining what it means to say “I do”:
💍 Getting Ready and Walking Down the Aisle — Together
Why do a reveal at all? And who says one person has to wait at the altar?? Many couples choose to get ready together, for a more intimate experience. Additionally, walking in hand-in-hand, meeting in the middle, or skipping the aisle walk altogether feels more private and personal.
💐 Gender-Free Wedding Parties
Say goodbye to “bridal party”, let alone “bridesmaids” and “groomsmen.” Today’s couples are choosing wedding parties that reflect their closest people, no matter their gender — often calling them “I do crews,” “person of honor,” or skipping titles altogether. Our iconic couple Ray & Trey decided on having wedding ballerinas- talk about a changement in the game!
✨ Ceremony, Your Way
From writing custom gender-neutral vows to having a friend officiate, LGBTQ+ couples often take ceremony structure into their own hands. This allows space for cultural or spiritual elements, community support, and deeply personal touches. Such examples could be literally tying the knot in a Handfasting fashion, setting up the ceremony seating in a circle around the couple, rather than two sides to create an aisle, or (my personal favorite) Viking Wedding Sword Exchange, where you trade blades along with wedding bands!!! Your wedding photos will literally slay.
👗👔 Wear What You Want
There’s no “right” outfit. There’s only what makes you feel confident and seen. We’ve worked with brides in suits, grooms in gowns, non-binary folks in florals — and every combination in between. Not a fan of heels? Wear your combat boots, your bunny slippers, or just go plain ol’ barefoot! Veil not your thing? We’ve seen BREATHTAKING Pagan headpieces that make a statement. Obviously, it’s too hot down here in the South to wear a full knight’s armor - sigh - but you can pry my sword from my cold, dead, hands.
🎨 Queer Design Details
Some couples bring subtle nods to their identity through color palettes (hello, Pride pastels and bold florals), signage, music choices, and even signature cocktails named after meaningful milestones in their journey. Some couples even decide to have their theme colors match their Pride flags (for example: two brides with dark orange, orange, light orange, white, pink, dusty pink, and dark rose as their color palette!)
How Ivory & Beau Shows Up for LGBTQ+ Couples
We’re more than a bridal shop and floral design team — we’re a safe, affirming space for all love stories.
Here’s what that looks like in action:
We ask for pronouns and use inclusive language during every consultation.
We celebrate diverse expressions of style and help you find a dress (for those who want one!) that fits your vision, not someone else’s expectations.
We design florals that reflect your vibe — whether it’s romantic, wild, bold, or subtle — and we love incorporating meaningful symbolism, like the colors of your flag or your story.
We create a judgment-free space where you can be fully yourself.
Because your love deserves to be celebrated — loudly and authentically.
From Us to You
If you're dreaming of a wedding that feels like you, this is your sign: you don’t have to follow a script. You can write your own.
And we’d be honored to help you do it.
Whether you're just starting to plan or deep into details, we’re here to walk with you, support your vision, and help your love bloom in full color.
📺 Watch our new YouTube video featuring one of our own LGBTQ+ vendors sharing how they envision creating their own traditions — from breaking the aisle rules to rocking the looks that made them feel radiant.
👉 Ready to plan your day your way? Reach out to us to book a consultation. We can’t wait to meet you 🌈
VENDOR CREDITS
[RAY + TREY] Photography: Laura Cate Photography ; Venue: Hotel Bardo; [BRITTANY + CHARLENE] Photography: Megan Kuhn Photography; Venue: Whitfield Square Gazebo; [ZACH + JOSH] Photography: Bronston Photography ; Venue: Ships of the Sea Museum