The days of commitment ceremonies held in LGBTQ community centers have passed. Same-sex marriage is slowly rooting itself in American cultural norms. For same-sex couples, this is an affirming signal of burgeoning acceptance. Acceptance brings more choices. Why not explore same-sex wedding destinations that offer more than amenities or vacation value and that honor your combined spiritual beliefs?
It is important to prioritize your well-being by researching the safety quotient of each location you consider. You don’t want your celebration to be disrespected by a slur from a homophobic onlooker. You can check LGBTQ guides, such as gaytravel.com or ElGeeBe.com for safe destinations. Using these sources may give you peace of mind.
Then get on with the fun. A destination that supports your religious or spiritual beliefs may lend a sense of belonging to your wedding experience. Whether your beliefs are similar to or divergent from your partner’s, you can find a novel venue that honors you both. These three unique destination ideas may help get the conversation started for you and your partner.
1. Mixed Belief Systems
Maybe your partner is Jewish, and you practice an eclectic combination of Eastern spiritual traditions. It may work to seek out a destination that is known for its pluralistic position on religion and spirituality.
One example is the Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by renowned Hindu teacher Paramahansa Yogananda. The spiritual center is intended to unify Eastern and Western traditions and nourish the hearts and minds of all visitors. The Lake Shrine location in Los Angeles is known for its wedding ceremonies, from intimate garden settings to lavish celebrity soirées. The lake, temples, meditation garden, and waterfalls provide meaningful ambiance for your ceremony. The center will furnish a non-denominational minister to help you realize your vision.
2. Out-of-This-World Weddings
If you or your betrothed hold atheist or agnostic beliefs, consider a science-themed wedding. Chicago’s iconic Adler Planetarium puts you and your beloved at the center of the universe, as it should be on your big day. Choose an intimate ceremony against the dramatic night skyline or start married life with a bang–as in the Big Bang. Imagine you and 500 of your closest friends on a cobalt-blue odyssey through all of time and space in one of the Adler’s expansive domed theaters.
Adler event staff will help you design and cater your cosmic day for up to 1200 guests. A planetarium wedding offers a unique non-sectarian environment to complement any tradition. If you’re the science lover and your partner is Catholic, mix it up and bring in an adventurous priest to officiate the perfect eclectic celebration. Check your church’s position on sanctioning weddings performed outside of the church. Flexibility is growing with the increasing interest in contemporary wedding ideas.
3. Church Destinations
If one or both of you hold traditional religious beliefs or attend church or synagogue, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that organized religion is slowly embracing same-sex couples in their congregation and on their wedding altars. A same-sex wedding sanctioned by a church or synagogue can offer a powerful and validating experience.
The world-renowned Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Manhattan began welcoming same-sex marriages in 2013, two years after New York legalized them. Destination weddings don’t get much more majestic than St. John’s, the largest cathedral in the country. A broad range of venues are available in the cathedral complex. The endless arts and cultural opportunities for extending the celebration make New York a promising option for your church-sanctioned marriage.
Traditionally, destination wedding venues are chosen for their physical beauty, vacation value, and fun factor. Same-sex wedding destinations that embrace your combined spiritual values can accomplish all three goals while honoring your unique bond.