Alaina Leary Lavoie

Alaina Leary Lavoie is an award-winning editor and journalist. She is currently the Communications Manager of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books and was the senior editor for Equally Wed Magazine from August 2018 to March 2020. Her work has been published in New York Times, Washington Post, Refinery29, Healthline, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Boston Globe Magazine, and more. In 2017, she was awarded a Bookbuilders of Boston scholarship for her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and advocating for an equitable publishing and media industry. Alaina lives in Boston with her wife and their two cats. You can find Alaina on Twitter and Instagram @alainaskeys.

Classic purple vintage wedding in Towson, Maryland two brides white tux white dress glittering brooch bouquet wedding party bridesmaids bridesman

Planning

7 ways for LGBTQ+ couples to incorporate their chosen family into their weddings

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 2 years ago 4 min read

Chosen families are just as important, if not more important, to many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, and we deserve to honor them at our weddings.

Simple, classy Georgia wedding with amethyst and aquamarine colors two grooms chair sitting

Real LGBTQ+ Weddings

Mashaun + Elvis: Georgia wedding with amethyst and aquamarine birthstone colors

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 2 years ago 2 min read

Mashaun and Elvis’s Georgia wedding was simple and non-traditional with a relaxed and celebratory reception. The wedding color scheme was inspired by their birthstones, amethyst for Mashaun and aquamarine for Elvis in March.

Engagement

Cozy in-cabin engagement photos in Manitoba, Canada

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

Kelsey and Kristin took their engagement photos in a cabin in Gimli, Manitoba, where they got engaged a few months prior.

Engagement

Modern winter resort engagement photos in Scottsdale, Arizona

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

The Scott Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, was the perfect setting for Kory and Nick’s winter engagement photos.

Real LGBTQ+ Weddings

Rainbow, flowers and sequins rooftop wedding in Washington, D.C.

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

Will and Joe had a colorful, fun rooftop wedding with lots of rainbow and sequins. The more sparkle and accessories, the better.

Inspiration

Colorful, whimsical wedding inspiration in Atlanta, Georgia

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

This wedding inspiration was based on bright, colorful, whimsical elements of a luxury spring or summer wedding in Atlanta, Georgia.

Destination Weddings

Romantic winter beach wedding in Barcelona, Spain

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

Tiziana and Tara chose to have a winter beach wedding in Barcelona, Spain.

Real LGBTQ+ Weddings

Intimate dinner party wedding with butterfly release ceremony

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 3 min read

Mark and John released butterflies during their wedding ceremony and then had a very intimate dinner party-style reception with guests.

Real LGBTQ+ Weddings

New Hampshire summer wedding at Mount Sunapee ski resort

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

Stefani and Nellie have a family history of going to Mount Sunapee, making it the perfect place to celebrate their marriage.

Real LGBTQ+ Weddings

Lakeside sunset fall wedding with fireworks sendoff

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

Andy and Brian decorated their fall lakeside wedding with pictures of famous popstars like Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.

Real LGBTQ+ Weddings

Romantic Christmas proposal in Lotte Hotel in New York, New York

Alaina Leary Lavoie, 3 years ago 1 min read

Marc surprised Keith with a Christmas-themed proposal in New York City, surrounded by holiday decorations and a guitar player playing their favorite song.