7 things to consider when planning a same-sex wedding
June is Pride month! Unbelievably, same-sex weddings are fairly new in the UK, having only become legal in 2014, so for LGBTQ+ couples planning their big day, it's about doing what feels right for you as a couple.
Lisa Forde, wedding expert and founder of stationery favourites Tree of Hearts, said: "A wedding is all about celebrating your special love for one another so if anything that is deemed a 'wedding tradition' that doesn't make sense to you or feels outdated then you can simply ignore it. "The only part of a wedding you have to do is the official wording of the vows if you want to make it legal, everything else after that is up for personalisation. Everything from the first dance and cutting of the cake to the bouquet toss can be changed to suit your personality and budget, so be creative and have some fun with it. You never know you might just create a new LGBTQ+ wedding tradition that other couples enjoy for years to come."
1. Get around traditional gendered wedding roles The well-known, traditional wedding party goes – bride, groom, best man, maid of honour, ushers and bridesmaids. These are really gender specific roles and they don't really represent a lot of marriages in 2022. A lot of same-sex weddings have a mixture of male and female attendants instead. Without the classic labels though you'll need to make sure everyone in your party knows what is expected of them. If you've not called anyone your 'best man' or 'maid of honour' then you'll have to make sure someone is arranging your hen or stag do, likewise when it comes to speeches.
2. Combine your pre-wedding celebrations If you have a lot of friends and family in common and mix in similar social circles, you might want to combine your ‘stag’ or ‘hen’ dos to avoid inviting the same people to two events. Combining parties can be a lot more fun too. You’re getting married to your other half so they’re probably the person you most love to party with anyway!
3. Embrace the rainbow If white isn't your colour or seems a little bit conservative to you then have fun with colours instead. Go as bright and bold as you fancy with your outfits and wear what you feel comfortable with. The same goes for your wedding decor - at same-sex weddings it can be fun to go with a rainbow theme as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride too.
4. Walking down the aisle If you can't decide who will walk down the aisle and who will wait at the top, or simply don't like the idea of sticking to this tradition, then don't. There are plenty of other options including walking down the aisle together, walking down the aisle one at a time with a parent or friend to "give you away" (give you support) or neither of you walking down the aisle and just being there in the ceremony room to greet everyone on your guest list.
5. Changing your name In typical wedding traditions, the bride takes the groom's surname, and although many modern hetrosexual couples are choosing to go against this 'rule' in today's world, the question of who takes whose name after the big day is one to consider when planning your nuptials.You could either mesh the two names together to create a completely new name that's special and unique to you, double-barrel your names or just keep your own names to mark your individuality.
6. The speeches The traditional speech line-up goes: father of the bride, groom and best man. But more and more couples are mixing this up in the 21st century - you can have as many or as few speeches by different members of the wedding party as you like. Regardless of who talks, remember to ask your wedding party to keep them short and entertaining so they don't go on for too long and you don't bore your guests.What about a joint couple speech at your same sex weddings if you're both feeling brave enough to do some public speaking?
7. Do what makes you happy The general rule when planning any wedding is to put yourself and your partner first - try to block out the noise coming from family members or friends and instead focus on what you want and what you enjoy.Want a pizza van instead of a three-course wedding breakfast? Do it! Want to set off fireworks as you share your first kiss as a married couple? Do it!
Speed up bridal prep with Coco & Eve's newest release
Lots of brides want that perfect glow on their big day and, in the run up to your wedding there's lots to be getting on with, so anything that can be made quicker and easier is a massive plus. Coco & Eve's newest release is perfect for a busy bride-to-be. Designed to eliminate the harsh scrubbing and over-exfoliating of the skin to remove leftover tan, giving you more time to focus on those wedding prep plans that need your time and attention. This scrub removes tan in just 60 seconds and leaves the skin prepped for a fresh application.
READ ARTICLE
Free Wills Month: Six things engaged and married couples should know about writing a will
Getting married is an exciting time, with plenty to plan and look forward to. While writing a will might not be top of the wedding to-do list, it's an important step in making sure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected if the unexpected happens. Free Wills Month gives people aged 55 and over the opportunity to write or update a simple will for free with a participating solicitor in selected locations across the UK. But you don't need to wait until you're 55 to make a will. Getting married, buying a home or starting a family are all good opportunities to think about how you'd like to protect your loved ones.
READ ARTICLE
Don't Leave Your Old Pensions Behind: A Wedding-Day Financial Checklist
With National Pension Tracing Day approaching on 25th October, millions of workers across the UK could have thousands of pounds in lost pension savings from previous jobs without even knowing it. As couples prepare for their big day and build a new life together, pensions are often the last thing on the wedding planning checklist, yet they are one of the most important pieces of your shared future. According to newly published research from the Pensions Policy Institute, there are an estimated 3 million lost pension pots across the UK, holding a staggering £18.7 billion. With the average UK worker changing employers 12 times over their career, losing track of old savings has become an easy trap to fall into.
READ ARTICLE
From ‘I do’ to ‘we own’: Five tips for newlyweds getting mortgage-ready
The wedding bells have rung, the honeymoon is over and married life is getting underway. For many newlyweds, the next exciting milestone is finding a place to call their own. Whether you've been renting, living separately or staying with family before tying the knot, buying your first home together is a big step. But just as planning the perfect wedding comes with its challenges, navigating the mortgage market and getting onto the property ladder as a newly married couple can bring its own set of hurdles. Tanya Elmaz, managing director of intermediary sales at Together, shares his five top tips for newlyweds looking to make their property dreams a reality.
