Colorful summer nature-inspired loft wedding in Chicago, Illinois

Ana and Natalie planned and designed their wedding, including many DIY aspects. Their caterer was the restaurant where they had their first date. The overall vibe of our wedding was an urban and industrial DIY with a lot of greenery. Ana and Natalie wanted it to be intimate so they could share the day with our closest loved ones.

Ana proposed to Natalie first in Central Park in New York City on August 26, 2017, and Natalie proposed to Ana in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on July 18, 2018. Natalie wanted to make sure that Ana also got her special moment.

What advice would you give to engaged LGBTQ+ couples?

One piece of advice that we would give to other LGBTQ+ couples would be not to be scared to talk to different vendors because we noticed that the majority of people that we met were so excited to be working with an LGBTQ+ couple.

Advice for vendors and venues working with LGBTQ+ couples?

We would say for them to also advertise that they serve LGBTQ+ couples. (For example, The Knot and Equally Wed have pro-LGBTQ+ badges, I just wish more vendors showed that badge and made it more noticeable.) And as well for many vendors, there are applications to fill out and very few of them had the option of partner and partner, bride and bride or groom and groom, most of them responded with the bride and groom only columns.

What challenges did you face as an LGBTQ+ couple planning your wedding?

One of the biggest challenges was being denied by a handful of officiants because we were having an LGBTQ+ wedding. One of the brides really wanted to be married in a family church, her mother reached out and asked if it would be possible but the priest did not allow it.

Did you encounter any pleasant surprises as an LGBTQ+ couple planning your wedding?

One of our pleasant surprises was the openness of the people we worked with. Erika, our officiant, was so open and helpful when it came to wanting to add our family traditions into our ceremony. She made it possible for us to have that tie into our wedding.