• LGBTQ+ couples often personalize their weddings with meaningful traditions, like pride flag entrances or gender-neutral ceremonies, to celebrate their unique love stories.
• Emotional moments, like a first look or exchanging heartfelt vows, create unforgettable memories for couples and their loved ones.
• Stunning wedding locations, from Aspen mountaintops to Brooklyn rooftops, reflect the couple’s shared history and favorite places.

A Look Back on a Decade of Love

“Our photographer positioned us back-to-back on the stage where we would be saying our I do's,” share brides Juani and Claribel. “We were both nervous, excited, and in disbelief that this moment had finally come. As we waited for the cue from our photographer, the past 10 years of our relationship flashed before our eyes. When we turned around, it was a rush of emotions. We cried and held each other—both thinking, ‘She looks even more beautiful than I imagined.’”

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's resolutions rarely make it more than a few weeks, but these brides made one to last a lifetime. "At dinner that night, Wallace asked Gabrielle if she had any New Year's resolutions," the couple said. "Gabrielle replied that she needed to think about it. Once they got home, Gabrielle asked Wallace to come sit down and said she was ready to share her resolution. She'd put the ring between the couch cushions, and after fishing around for it for a few confusing seconds, gave a little speech and asked Wallace to marry her."

A Wildly Unique NOLA Celebration

“One of the key reasons we chose New Orleans was so we could have a second line parade,” says this couple, who wed in a wildly unique celebration in NOLA. “And it did not disappoint! Parading through the streets surrounded by family and friends was so surreal.” The couple’s grand marshal even rode a pink pegasus unicorn bike with a bubble machine.

A Sweet First Look

Even though this couple spent the afternoon exploring Charleston, South Carolina, and getting ready together with family and friends, they still decided to do an official first look. To pull it off, they separated just before to put on their wedding day ensembles and surprise one another.

A Meaningful Wedding Location

"Brooklyn is our home,” explains Lilla Goettler of her and Katie Hathaway's wedding location. “When we started dating, Katie lived in Gowanus, and we’ve never lived far from there since," Lilla says. After Katie proposed at the Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood in December 2017, the couple, naturally, decided to host their nuptials nearby.

A Stadium Celebration

After saying "I do" at Dodger Stadium, grooms Erik and Jonathan had a confetti-filled celebration to the tune of Elton John. “It was amazing dancing and watching our family dance up a storm on the pitcher’s mound and infield—on this special place where there have been so many historic Dodger victories," Jonathan remembers.

A Romantic Moment After the Ceremony

This couple married on an Aspen mountaintop on the most gorgeous spring day. We love this romantic shot of the sweet newlyweds bathed in the warm glow of the alpine sunshine.

A Walk Down the Aisle Together

Garrett Pinder and Peter Testori married on the steps of this historic home in New Orleans after falling in love with the city on a trip together. "We walked down the aisle together, which was a really special moment," says Peter. The couple even wrote their own vows: Garrett used quotes from some of his favorite authors while Peter infused stories of their relationship along with hidden meanings that only Garrett would understand. 

Footprints in the Sand

When it came to choosing a wedding location, Allison McNamara and Cassondra Kaeding had zero doubts. "We always knew we wanted to have a destination beach wedding and Tulum was always our top choice! We have been going since we first met and it’s one of our favorite places," they explain.

Sharing an Umbrella

When Christopher Van Es and Zachary Huey met through the Front Runners running club, there was some debate over who was chasing who—literally! About five years later, Chris proposed to Zach at the Palacio de Cristal in Retiro Park in Madrid. “Zach had previously lived in the city, and we’d been back together several times,” Chris says. “I selected the location to symbolically bridge the past with the present and future.” Naturally, they chose to wed in Spain as well.

Saying "I Do" Exactly One Year Later

After meeting on OkCupid back in 2009, Dan Koday and Yves Yakoubyan said "I do" at Weehawken Town Hall on December 26, 2018—exactly one year from the day Dan proposed in Paris. "Weehawken has the most adorable courtroom in the town hall," Dan says. "Even better: It's right near our house!" The mayor of Weehawken happened to be in town the day after Christmas, so he performed the couple's ceremony.

A Personalized Outdoor Ceremony

Meaghan Garland and Kiyomi McCloskey wrote their own vows for their New Jersey wedding, with Meaghan’s including a piece about how their relationship symbolized the yin-yang relationship. She said, "Similar to the yin-yang, though opposite in nature, its components are complementary: Neither is superior, and one cannot exist without the other. The key to this existence and to our marriage is balanced energy."

A Sunrise Ceremony

“The ceremony was held in the morning with the rising sun glinting off the mountains, which created a magical setting,” says Jeremy Woolf of exchanging vows with Christopher Slye. “We chose a morning ceremony to celebrate our favorite time of day. It is a special and spiritual time for us, when we like to enjoy nature and quiet conversation.”

An Emotional Vow Exchange

This couple exchanged personalized vows that left them tearing up as they spoke about the day they first met. We may not know what they're saying, but their emotions are communicated loud and clear.

A Party Until the End

"No one wanted to stop hanging out at night," share brides Cammie Scott and Taryn Arnold of their California wedding. "After the after party, we headed back up to the villa and within minutes, everyone was in the pool. I’m not sure what time we finally snuck away to lay in bed and giggle about our perfect day."

A First Kiss in the Desert Sun

This Mesa, Arizona, wedding is just breathtaking, and how sweet is this first kiss? We love their rustic altar, which blends perfectly with the natural elements of the desert.

A Gender-Neutral Episcopalian Ceremony

For their Charleston, South Carolina, wedding, Emily Lambert and Emerson Hemperley took elements of an Episcopalian ceremony, made it gender-neutral, and added personal readings. "We worked closely with our officiant to create a ceremony that felt like us," Emily says. "The best part was the reading of Lin Manuel Miranda's poem 'Love Is Love Is Love.'"

A Celebration 17 Years in the Making

Jarrad and Michael Duggan-Tierney have a chance encounter in Tasmania to thank for the start of their romance. Since then, Jarrad and Michael have celebrated plenty of life milestones together, even welcoming a son, Reid, in 2010. But it wasn't until 2018 that the famous dads—known as "the real dads of Melbourne"—got engaged. For their wedding, the couple landed on a May 11, 2019, date, giving them plenty of time to plan a celebration that was more than 17 years in the making.

Tears of Joy While Surrounded by Family

Family was central to this couple's Arizona ceremony: Jason and Philip's sisters officiated the proceedings and their grandparents, who were unable to travel, watched on FaceTime. After, the newlyweds walked up the aisle to a ukelele cover of “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. “We were crying, our sisters who officiated were crying, and pretty much everyone in the audience was crying tears of joy,” Jason says.

A Heartfelt First Dance

For their first dance, brides Chelsey and Alyssa chose "You & Me” by Dave Matthews Band. “I totally lost it,” said Chelsey about the moment the tune began to play. “When that song first came out in 2009, Alyssa and I used to dance to it all the time, alone at home. Our relationship was still very much a secret. I never thought then that someday we’d be able to be dancing, in front of everyone we know, at our wedding.”

A Celebration Full of Pride

"We did a pride flag entrance instead of bubbles or rose petals because our community makes up so much of who we are and we are so proud to be in it," shares bride Kate Austin at her New Jersey wedding.

A Custom Detail

Bride Sarah Sulsenti had custom embroidery in her wedding dress that highlighted the love between her and her new wife. "It was super important to us to have a part of who we are shine through the biggest moment of our lives, through people who love and support us and were there to share our special day," she shares.

The Moment Following "I Do"

In the moment of their first kiss as newlyweds at their vineyard wedding, “I felt loved,” Andrea says. “It was like reaching a pinnacle in a way. You work hard at planning an event such as this and think of every detail—but, in the end, it is just an opportunity for everyone who loves us to witness our love for each other.”

A Jungle-Inspired Wedding

Reflecting on his jungle-inspired wedding in Barcelona to his love, groom Oscar said, "It seems like anything that isn't a 'traditional' wedding is imperfect, but the truth is that love is perfect even if it's different than what you're used to." How heartwarming is that!

Well-Outfitted Grooms

We still can't get over how stylish these guys looked at their campground nuptials. Who says you have to wear a plain, solid-colored suit on your wedding day?

Happy Tears During Emotional Vows

Just like this tearful bride (crying happy tears, of course), these clearly emotional vows have us reaching for the tissues. The city skyline in the background adds to the dramatic moment.

A Joyful Moment

Anthony and Roberson's New York City wedding was truly full of moments of sincerity and joy. “When Roberson’s father—who was a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, a Republican, and Southern Baptist deacon—said that love comes in all forms and that he welcomed Anthony into the family wholeheartedly, everyone who was intimately aware of how hard coming out was for Roberson immediately started crying," the couple reflects on the day's speeches.

A Group Father-Daughter Dance

At their warehouse wedding in Portland, Maine, both brides took a spin on the dance floor with their dads to "My Girl" by the Temptations. "We danced with our own dads, then danced with our fathers-in-law toward the end of the song," said bride Allison. "Our families have been so supportive of our relationship since day one, and we were so lucky to have them by our sides on our wedding day."

A Tearful Moment

Groom Jules shed a few tears as his closest friend gave a speech at his reception dinner. His new husband Mark was there ready to provide a comforting kiss.

A Scenic Wedding After Two Proposals

Before these two brides celebrated their wedding in Colorado, Roz proposed to Lauren while camping at Cathedral Lake near Aspen. About six months later, Lauren decided that it was her turn to pop the question. She and Roz were at their favorite neighborhood bar in Denver, sitting outside and enjoying a drink. "I'd convinced the gas station across the street to put 'Roz, Marry Me' on their sign—it took her forever to notice," said Lauren with a laugh.

An Emotional Realization

At the first look for their San Francisco wedding, one of the grooms “Robbie got teary-eyed,” the couple recalls. “It was special because it was the first time we were with each other wearing the tuxedos outside of a fitting environment. With us looking our best, it hit us that what we had been planning for over three years was actually happening.”

A Tender Embrace

This embrace captures so much love in one tender moment. The forest trees in the background make it seem like a scene from a fairy tale.

A Candid Moment Between Grooms

A candid moment between these grooms embodies everything we love about weddings: food, friends, laughter, and love. The overflowing bookshelves only adds to the storied romance.

A Celebration of Pride

“We wanted our wedding day to intentionally center around and celebrate queerness as an extension of our love for each other and our queer and trans friends and family who filled the dance floor,” share Kirsten and Nicole of their art museum nuptials. “Many of our guests commented on how the wedding felt so full of love and celebration, and there is no greater compliment to us.”

A Sweet Moment at a Rustic Wedding

If this isn't the definition of happiness, we don't know what is. Country artist Shelly Fairchild and her bride Deborah DeLoach chose a glamping site in Colorado for their intimate wedding, where just the two of them, plus their dog and officiant, were present.

A Beautiful First Dance

Melissa and Alayna shared their first dance to their favorite song from The Greatest Showman, “A Million Dreams,” at their Minnesota wedding. “We both sang to each other the entire time,” Alayna reminisces. “I was completely mesmerized by Melissa during our entire dance. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her.”

A Celebratory Kiss

This rooftop wedding was bursting with just as much color and life as the grooms tying the knot. The pink sashes symbolizing their union, and the bevy of bubbles surrounding them only adds to the splendor.

A Groundbreaking Celebration

We love how celebratory this photo is. When Aditya Madiraju and Amit Shah decided to have their traditional Hindu wedding in a temple, they didn't know just how much of an effect it would have on the LGBTQ+ community. But when their wedding photos ended up going viral, they realized just how groundbreaking their celebration was.

An Adorable Getting-Ready Moment

These grooms opted to get ready for their wedding together—and we're so glad they did. How sweet is this photo?

A First Dance as Husbands

So much love for these grooms during their first dance as husband and husband. Just imagine how romantic it was with Amy Winehouse’s cover of “No Greater Love" playing in the background!

Leaving It All on the Dance Floor

Nothing pulls at our heartstrings quite like overwhelmingly emotional moments like this. Brides Jen and Taylor hug each other tightly after completing their first dance to “Danny’s Song” by Loggins and Messina. A picture is worth a thousand words, but this one conveys all the happy feelings like no other.

End of the Evening Bliss

At their San Francisco wedding, these two grooms kicked back and enjoyed a private moment in a bathtub after their spontaneous first dance. "We never did any lessons beforehand or discussed the logistics of how it would play out,” they admit. “When the DJ called us up, we already had our buzzes and were rejoicing in the company. But, when the music started and we began dancing, we both immediately started singing, laughing, and smiling—we had so much fun. It was unique to us: It wasn’t a sappy precious moment, but more of a display of the love, laughter, and fun our relationship represents. The whole crowd joined in; it was a movie moment.”

An Intimate Dance

The morning after their Malibu wedding, grooms Jeffrey and Jonathan returned to their venue in their pajamas. “We walked in and it was empty. They had reset everything and were getting ready for whatever their next event was in that space,” the duo recalls. “Suddenly, out of nowhere, Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’ came on! In our pajamas, we went right to the dance floor, and danced to the entire song again—this time just the two of us—in the exact same spot we had danced our first dance only hours before. It was like out of a movie or fairy tale—pretty incredible and magical.”

An Epic After-Party

“No matter what happens, stay true to yourself,” bride Andrea advises other couples when looking back on her wedding day. “We knew what we wanted from the beginning, and we did not let go of what was important. In the end, what we were left with was the feeling of love that surrounded us—that feeling is what we will hold on to for life.”

An Electric Ceremony

Jules and Mark's Netherlands wedding included a ceremony they would never forget. "Walking down the aisle and the moments before were life highlights," reflects Jules. "My Dad started crying seconds prior and as we walked down the aisle, everyone whooped and cheered, and I punched my bouquet in the air. The energy in the room was unexpected and electric. People were sobbing, screaming with joy, applauding. It was a moment I don’t think any of us will ever forget. Even the catering staff were crying and they didn’t know us!”

A Meaningful First Dance

At their Napa wedding, brides Erin and Erin swayed to “Simply the Best” by Tina Turner in the style of Noah Reid. “We asked our wedding band, Vybe Society, to learn our first dance song, and they did such an amazing job,” the two gush. “The female artist sang it as well, which was a special touch as we are a same-sex couple.”

An Intimate Stroll

These grooms had extremely tender moments together during their portrait session. “That part was so special, and we are so grateful for our amazing photographers who captured those moments," they share.

A Dance Floor Moment

Actors Jason Gotay and Michael Hartung had a special fashion moment at their reception. "During the dance party portion of the evening, we planned a costume change and reveal to surprise our guests. Styled by Stephanie Tricola, we made an entrance in matching “Groom” t-shirts that said 'Just' and 'Married' on the back of each one, with Jason appearing in pants from Zadig & Voltaire and Dr. Martens combat boots and Michael tearing up the dance floor in a tulle skirt from David’s Bridal," share the couple. "Michael’s grandmother provided jewelry to accessorize our looks. Our entrance was choreographed to 'End of Time' by Beyoncé, naturally, and it was a definite highlight of the evening."

A Moment Between Two Timeless Grooms

"Our first look was incredibly special," share grooms Michael and Javi at their Puerto Rico wedding. "We were both surprised by what we had picked to wear (and slightly relieved that they matched). But, it was special to be by ourselves and to have that moment be captured."

A Post-Ceremony High-Five

We bet we know what these brides were saying as they high-fived post-nuptials: "We did it!" The playful moment was just a precursor to the sheer fun spotlighted at their Los Angeles wedding.

Calming Vows

At their intimate Connecticut ceremony, couple Jen and MC felt a moment of calm as their officiant read their pre-written vows. Jen adds, "I just remember standing across from MC, as Julie read our vows, and feeling the calmest I’ve ever been. As someone with lifelong anxiety, I’ve never experienced anything like it. It was magic.”

A Magical First Dance

Sarah and Amy held an intimate celebration in Alberta, Canada with only 10 of their friends as guests. “Our first dance was in the middle of the forest, surrounded by our closest friends, with ‘Harvest Moon’ by Neil Young playing in the background,” the couple remembers. “It felt so magical and romantic."

A Beautiful Ceremony

The personalized vows from Megan and Gretchen's Beverly Hills wedding were full of emotion. Megan wrote, “Let us always remember we are not meant to be perfect, we are meant to be whole. We will have long hard days, but we will never have them alone. Where you are is where I belong.” In her vows, Gretchen said, “I’m here with all the versions of you I’ve met over 10 years of vacations, date nights, and business plans. And even if the point of life isn’t just to be happy, I am, down to the bones.”

An Emotional First Look

“Our first look was unforgettable,” Heather remembers of her Texas wedding. “As Kelly waited on the expansive balcony of the hotel suite, she played a song that means so much to us as a couple, ‘Grave’ by Thomas Rhett. I was so nervous when I walked out to meet her, but when I tapped her to turn around, she had the sweetest look on her face as she saw my dress for the first time. We laughed, hugged, and cried as our family and friends looked on from inside the suite.”

Taking a Break Together

Two grooms share a sweet moment on a hammock after exchanging their "I do's" so soak in the joy of their new marriage.

A Tissue-Worthy Moment

Tears arrived as couple Sydney and Snoop shared the vows they wrote for each other at their Atlanta wedding. "They mostly centered around our feelings about each other, how we met, and how we plan on making this marriage last forever," explains the couple.

Showing Off New Rings

This totally cool couple chose to take their vows solo at a Brooklyn home while zooming with their loved ones, but that didn't take away from the romance. We love this shot of them showing off their rings together.

Breaking the Glass Together

This shot of two grooms breaking the glass together at their Jewish wedding is quite momentous—an inclusive take on an age-old tradition. Check out their proud families completely enthralled in the act.

A Bike Ride Through the English Countryside

We're so glad someone captured this adorable moment between two grooms as they leisurely bike through the English countryside. The Oxfordshire location is more than just beautiful, though; it's also symbolic. Londoners Nathan and Chris went on their first getaway there in 2015 and returned for their nuptials years later on the exact same weekend.

A Statement-Making Portrait

We know you're probably focused on the sheer love and happiness on these brides' faces as they gaze into each other's eyes, but this romantic shot also makes a statement. Notice one bride's "love wins" tattoo.

Making Music Together

This whimsical couple shook tambourines while their guests followed along at their Miami Beach wedding. Isn't love just making music together, after all?

A Celebratory Tequila Shot

Because toasting with Champagne is a little too traditional, these brides embraced their tropical seaside locale by taking a tequila shot together to celebrate their love.

A Tender Getting-Ready Moment

These NYC brides wore matching bridal robes and hair accessories while getting ready together. We adore this shot of them sharing a sweet kiss before parting ways to put on their wedding dresses (which neither of them had seen on the other yet!).

A Happy Dance

First dance photos capture the sweetest moments between newlyweds. We're getting choked up over the elated look on this bride's face while she shares an intimate dance with her new wife at their Chicago wedding.

Toasting to Love

These two brides made a toast to love at their glam-inspired wedding reception. Just take in the heartwarming smiles on their faces as they say "cheers!" to a beautiful life together.

Flying High

These groom's love traveling so much that they modeled their wedding theme as a celebration of the iconic '60s jet era. Their proposal was equally jet-set, taking place on the last night of a trip when JJ told his now-husband that he wanted to travel with him forever. Even their centerpieces were created from vintage postcards and boarding passes they'd collected over the years.