Creating a gender-inclusive wedding space is really easy. Like, really, really easy.
If you’ve got guests at your wedding/elopement, or there will be people you’ve paid to be there and help bring aspects of the day to life (a photographer, servers, band, etc.), then it’s true that there might just be someone, or some people, who identify outside of the gender binary in attendance.
So, we’ve popped together a few ideas for you, some things to consider, when planning your wedding celebrations. Things that’ll help encourage a space that inclusive of all genders. A space that’ll be safe for those you love who might identify as trans, nonbinary, or gender expansive.
FORGET GENDERED WEDDING EVENTS
A hens night for just the ladies, a bucks party for just the boys – boring! There’s a pretty high chance your favorite people are of mixed genders, so the parties you throw before the main event should be too.
Need a more inclusive name for a pre-wedding party? Just throw a batch party, or a ‘I’m getting married’ celebration.
ADDRESS YOUR INVITATIONS INCLUSIVELY
This one is really simple – just use names on your invitations.
There’s no need to include titles like; Mr, Mrs Mx, etc..
We’d suggest popping the names in alphabetical order too – super inclusive.
SAY GOODBYE TO THE GENDERED LANGUAGE
Bridal party, bridal suite, etc. – only some weddings have a bride, and since when should the wedding day only be about the bride anyway?
Words like ‘wedding party’ and ‘wedding suite’ are super simple things to change which means everyone is included, regardless of their gender identity.
HAVE FLORALS FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS THEM
Why can’t men hold flowers? Florals are for everyone.
Wedding florals don’t just have to be in the form of a bouquet either. Sure, you could have a floral boutonniere, but you could also have florals in the hair (including beards) or florals attached to your attire creatively, like over the shoulder.
DON’T ADDRESS CROWDS AS ‘LADIES AND GENTLEMEN’
..because there might not just be ladies and gentlemen in the room – the employed people who are working your wedding day/night included.
‘Friends and family’, or something as simple as ‘hey, everyone’ are far more inclusive.
HAVE GENDER-NEUTRAL BATHROOMS AVAILABLE
Personally, we still can’t understand why gender-neutral bathrooms aren’t available everywhere, especially at an event like a wedding.
Ask your venue to remove any gendered signage, or to cover it up with something more inclusive.
DANCE WITH WHOEVER YOU WANT TO DANCE WITH
It might be a tradition for men to have their first dance with their mothers, and women with their fathers, but we say throw that tradition right out the window and dance with whoever you want to.
Maybe you only want a first dance with your new spouse, maybe you don’t want to dance at all.
You do you, whatever feels right.