Though it only lasts for a few hours, planning a wedding takes a long time. Getting engaged is cause for celebration. However, you need to also jump right into the work in order to capitalize upon your emotional momentum. For many same-sex couples, knowing how to start the planning process can be difficult. One of the best ways to feel confident in your wedding planning abilities is knowing what mistakes to avoid. Consider these common same-sex wedding planning mistakes and learn what to do to stay on track no matter what. 

Don’t Feel Tied to Tradition

Right off the bat, it is important to address the discomfort same-sex couples can feel about trying to fit into a traditional wedding mold. Since these events have long been designed for the needs of heterosexual couples, it makes sense that you wouldn’t want to include certain rituals or terms. For example, two men may not want to refer to members of the wedding party as bridesmaids since no bride is involved. Freeing yourself from the notion of tradition early can make the process a lot more flexible and enjoyable.

Don’t Hide Your Beliefs

Many religions don’t have the best track record when it comes to being favorably viewed by the LGBTQ community. While public opinions have changed dramatically over the years, there are still plenty of people with narrow ideas who use religion as a way of justifying hateful speech and actions. However, you don’t want to assume the worst when it comes to your wedding. If getting married in a church is important to you, then find a church that happily conducts same-sex weddings. This is your special day, so don’t hide your beliefs out of fear of backlash. 

Don’t Hire Bigots

Weddings are very expensive events. Since couples are usually working with a strict budget, it’s understandable that a majority of decisions are based around affordability. Unfortunately, solely considering price can obscure some vital bits of information. Many business owners exhibit bigoted or prejudiced points of view. While they might take your money, you may not want to patronize businesses that don’t fully respect who you are. Exercising caution with vendors can help you see who actually stands in your corner. 

Many same-sex couples these days are opting to patronize only LGBTQ-friendly vendors. Not merely allies of the community, either. In order to help other members of the community with their weddings, couples are putting money into businesses owned and operated by LGBTQ individuals. 

Don’t Forget To Breathe

Planning a wedding can be stressful for even the most patient and understanding of couples. Since you’re working with a hard deadline and trying to make magic with a set budget, you may forget to stop and breathe every now and then. To avoid a total emotional meltdown, you absolutely want to pace yourself and take a break whenever you find yourself feeling a bit tense. It might be difficult to pry yourself away from the to-do list, but the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to your health and wellness.

Don’t Neglect Your Partner

Finally, don’t forget the whole reason you’re tying the knot. Putting your relationship on the back burner to plan for a wedding is like putting the cart before the horse. Take time away from planning to have little date nights, go on trips, and engage in activities that have nothing to do with nuptials. Commit to some fun and see how it helps to relieve feelings of anxiety and stress as your wedding looms closer.

You’re bound to make a few mistakes when planning your same-sex wedding. This doesn’t mean you can’t try your hardest to avoid the biggest setbacks. The more you know, the easier it’ll be to put together a celebration that perfectly reflects how you feel about your partner.