Books, Love, And A Lot Of Diy At This Queer Wedding

The photography credits for this event go to the talented The Pic Chick. Additionally, we’d like to acknowledge our offbeat partners, Melodie and Taylor, who helped make this event a memorable one. As for the details of the gathering, it took place at City Park Pavilion in Denver, Colorado, USA on October 10th, 2021.

Our DIY queer wedding at a glance:

As we envisioned our wedding, we aimed to create an atmosphere where loved ones could celebrate with us, share in our love story, and feel genuinely welcomed. For me, a crucial aspect was ensuring that I felt beautiful and authentic on my special day.

To achieve this, I channeled my inner queer elf queen, donning a bold look that included dark lipstick, a gold crown of laurels, a leather jacket and ballgown, and custom gold Converse shoes to keep my feet and back comfortable throughout the night.

Inspired by our desire for inclusivity, we opted for an Adventuring Party instead of traditional bridal parties. This allowed us to celebrate with nonbinary friends and use terms like ‘bridesfolk’ and ‘groomsfolk.

‘ My bridesfolk proudly wore emerald green attire and carried lanterns, while my shield maiden-of-honor sported gold. To commemorate the occasion, we gifted her and our best man replica swords inspired by Lord of the Rings and Zelda.

As a crafty bride, I took on numerous DIY projects to personalize our wedding. From designing custom invitations with my Cricut machine to creating a vintage postcard guest book and decorating a mailbox like UP’s, every detail was carefully curated.

Each table featured a unique theme, accompanied by an LED-filled vase containing silhouettes from the corresponding story. I even drew our welcome sign myself.

Floral arrangements were another labor of love, with my best friend and I sourcing flowers from Trader Joe’s and arranging them the day before. Through thrift shopping, crafting, scouring Facebook Marketplace, and more, we brought our whimsical vision to life. The result was a joyous celebration that exceeded all expectations.

Tell us about the DIY queer wedding ceremony:

As we exchanged our vows, we wove together elements from diverse religious beliefs and our celebration of queer love. The outdoor ceremony took place on the lawn outside our venue, where a friend skillfully managed sound using an iPad and rented equipment. Our flower girls, ring bearer, and bridesfolk walked in to a cover of ‘For the Dancing and the Dreaming’ from How to Train Your Dragon 2 by The Hound + The Fox.

I made a grand entrance to ‘Danielle’s Wings’ from Ever After, accompanied by both my mom and dad – a first-time fanfare experience that I could quickly grow accustomed to! We chose our readings carefully to convey a specific message about who we are and what we believe in. As a bisexual woman marrying a man, it’s easy for people to assume we’re straight or that I’m no longer bi because we’re married.

We wanted to emphasize that this was a queer wedding, especially since I’ve faced homophobia from family members in the past. We selected our readings thoughtfully to highlight our values and identity. One of our LGBTQ+ friends delivered an excerpt from the SCOTUS marriage equality decision affirming the beauty and validity of all marriages. Another reading, ‘Don’t Hesitate’ by Mary Oliver, a queer and religious poet, was a poignant reminder that love knows no bounds.

Our third reading, 1 John 4:7-12 and 16-21, emphasized that true love for God is expressed through loving the people around us. My dad, a minister, delivered a sermon about serving others and empowering each other in our marriage. We then shared vows we wrote for each other before repeating traditional marriage vows. My husband’s vows were particularly touching, as he affirmed our trivia team skills and celebrated the mundane details of our life together.

I framed my vows as one final letter to my future husband, thanking him for loving ‘my feminism, my queerness, my stubbornness, and my mind.’After exchanging rings and sharing a kiss, we exited triumphantly to ‘Just Like Heaven’ by the Cure, followed by our Adventuring Party. Since I wasn’t changing my name or using ‘Mrs.’, we had my dad announce us with our preferred terminology: ‘Presenting for the first time as husband and wife, Ms. Melodie MyLastName and Mr. Taylor HisLastName.

‘A pro tip from our experience is to designate a friend with a good phone to capture your ceremony on video, even if you can’t afford a professional videographer – it’s a wonderful keepsake.

What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding?

Hiring a day-of-coordinator was a game-changer for our wedding planning experience. With hundreds of hours invested in DIY projects, I found myself consumed by stress and anxiety. But once we brought in a professional, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Their expertise and calm demeanor made all the difference, allowing us to relax and enjoy the process. And let’s be honest, having someone with years of experience handling the logistics was priceless.

My husband, initially hesitant to spend the money, now agrees that hiring a day-of-coordinator was one of the best decisions we made. Additionally, crafting a wedding ‘mission statement’ helped us stay focused on what truly mattered to us. By defining our values and priorities, we were able to make intentional decisions that aligned with our vision. Whenever doubts crept in or external pressures tried to sway us, we referred back to our mission statement to ensure we remained true to ourselves.

This exercise proved invaluable in preventing unnecessary stress and keeping our wedding planning on track.

DIY queer wedding vendors:

The photographer behind the stunning wedding moments was The Pic Chick. As for the day-of-coordinating, Flourish Event Company ensured everything ran smoothly. The bride’s beauty was elevated by Rollers & Rouge’s expert work on her hair and makeup. Her dress, from David’s Bridal, was a showstopper, paired with Converse All-Star 70s shoes that added a touch of whimsy.

The mibridalveil from Etsy added a romantic flair to her overall look, while the floraljewelry also from Etsy took center stage as her tiara. The ceremony and reception took place at City Park Pavilion, where guests enjoyed QDoba’s catering. Sweet treats were provided by Voodoo Doughnuts. Meanwhile, the groom looked dashing in his suit from Dillard’s, complemented by a tie from HandsomeandLace on Etsy.

Audio rentals came courtesy of Guitar Center, and Trader Joe’s flowers added a pop of color to the decor. Lanterns from IKEA brought a warm ambiance to the space, while AveryJewelry on Etsy provided the wedding rings. Finally, invitation supplies were sourced from Cut Card Stock.

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