Glamorous 1920s themed wedding with an epic drag reception

Nathan and Christopher had a glamorous 1920s themed winter wedding in Seattle, Washington, with a reception filled with fun drag performances. Their first dance was to “Save Me” by Queen.

What advice would you give to engaged LGBTQ+ couples?

If we could give advice to any LGBTQ+ couples who are thinking about getting married, the one thing we would say is to think about what the even is. Many people come from families who don’t support their LGBTQ+ family members the way they want, others might have overbearing parents who might try to run the show.

It is your wedding. It is also a celebration with your closest friends and family. For some, maybe that doesn’t include your blood relatives, for others maybe they’re the only ones there. For Chris and I, our families are integral parts of our lives and we would not have been able to sustain our relationship in the military without them. So when we set to planning the night, we tried to come up with the best party that everyone could enjoy, without having to sacrifice who we are. We ended up having the drag queens meet the Mormons and they loved it!

Advice for vendors and venues working with LGBTQ+ couples?

The advice we would give to vendors is to simply treat the event like it is: Two people getting married. Don’t act all awkward because you don’t know how to say “bride and bride” or “groom and groom” or whatever. If you have questions, ask, clear the air and move on. You’re a vendor. You’re being paid to be a professional. Act like it.

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

The most pleasant surprise for us was the amount of love and support we received from our friends and family. Everyone says that they’ll be there for you, or that they wouldn’t miss it for the world. But when push comes to shove, you find out who really means it. We had friends and family members fly from all over the country, drive for days through winter snow storms just so they could share a very special evening with us.

One of my concerns, especially growing up LDS in Utah, was that my relationship would always be regarded as something temporary or “just a phase.” My family has been so incredibly supportive and loving of Chris and I. Our wedding was really a culmination of all those years of doubt and pain just flowing away. Chris’s family was amazing as well. Leading toasts, and cheering all through the night, they kept the party going!