Top 5 LGBTQ+ Friendly Wedding Destinations Around the World
Happy Pride Month!
Since gay marriage has been legalized in many countries around the world, the marriage market is expanding. Many seasoned event and wedding planners are setting their sights on a new specialization: LGBTQ+ weddings.
There’s demand for a well-informed wedding planner who is respectful and supports non-traditional ceremonial processes. But couples don’t just want a good planner. Clients look for a wedding planner who can connect them to reliable vendors to bring their dream wedding to life. Even if same-sex marriage is legal in a particular area, you still need to do your research to find vendors who have the same values.
Thankfully, we’re going to help you out in one aspect of the planning process. Keep reading for a list of LGBTQ+ friendly wedding destinations around the world!
Symbolic ceremony vs. legal wedding
While most couples seek a legally-binding marriage, others are happy with a symbolic ceremony.
It all depends on your client’s own personal arrangements and choice destinations. Unfortunately, there are many countries that have expressed laws forbidding homosexuality. That means crossing off popular wedding destinations like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, where one could risk their safety being openly gay. Meanwhile, other countries such as Thailand don’t lawfully recognize same-sex marriages, but do allow same-sex marriage unions to take place.
If your clients have or are planning to legally wed beforehand, they may just be seeking a symbolic ceremony overseas. This option is often taken by same-sex couples who want to be 100% certain that their marriage is recognized at home once all is said and done. Another benefit to this route is that they will have more destinations available to them to choose. That’s because many countries are LGBTQ+ friendly even if their laws are still outdated.
The Caribbean
As we mentioned, some countries in the Caribbean forbid any expression of homosexuality. But if your clients are set on wedding in tropical paradise, there are other countries that fit the bill, even within the same area! Countries treated as municipalities of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for example, can perform legal-binding same-sex marriages.
For a relaxing resort-experience, choose Aruba. The first island in the Caribbean to legalize same-sex unions, many LGBTQ+ friendly resorts exist around the island. Our pick? The Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is a popular choice. Other destinations in the Caribbean worth mentioning include Saint Thomas & Saint John of the US Virgin Islands and Riviera Maya in Mexico.
Canada
Same-sex weddings were legalized nation-wide in Canada back in 2005. As such, you can find many destinations from coast-to-coast that are seasoned in same-sex wedding planning. For something a little different, head east to the Maritime Provinces. In Nova Scotia, many churches offer same-sex marriage services.
To take advantage of what this pleasant province has to offer, head to Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital. This water-front city carries a charm unlike any other Canadian city. If your clients want a true Haligonian experience, why not get hitched at sea? The Tall Ship Silva sails to the front as the most unique wedding venue in the city!
Here’s a peek at what a wedding on-board would look like!
New Zealand
One of the adventure-capitals of the world, New Zealand is on many couples’ bucket lists. Since 2013, many same-sex couples have flocked to New Zealand to marry in a truly dramatic fashion. Plus, helicopter tours are common in both the north and south islands! Whether your clients want to land at the foot of a glacier or the top of a mountain, they have plenty of options.
Heliworks, based in Queenstown, has exclusive landing rights to key landmarks. You’ll want to book with them if you’re working with thrill-seeking couples!
Spain
Cap Rocat in the Balearic Islands, Spain is splendid in its historical significance. A former military fortress, this coastal venue has been carefully restored, transforming it into a hotel and national heritage monument. The cherry on top is that the project lead by Antonio Obrador received the Europa Nostra Award! This venue blends seamlessly in with its natural surroundings, give its visitors experiences in historical buildings and nature’s landscapes, and is a popular luxury wedding destination.
Worth noting is that legal, civil ceremonies in Spain are between couples where one (or both) is a legal resident. If your clients are citizens or legal residents in Spain, the ceremony will only be symbolic. Make sure your clients know to “seal the deal” ahead of time in their home country!
South Africa
If your clients are adventurous and crave a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Africa, they’d have to be a bit careful. Some African countries such as Egypt and Morocco condemn same-sex marriage and penalties can include long prison-sentences. But that doesn’t mean all countries aren’t LGBTQ+ friendly in this expansive continent.
Same-sex marriage became legal in South Africa in 2006, becoming the first and only African country (thus far) to legalize gay marriage. While Seychelles is often the most well-known of LGBTQ+ friendly countries in Africa, same-sex marriage is still illegal. However, many LGBTQ+ couples still flock to Seychelles to enjoy a symbolic ceremony. If your clients are looking for a truly luxurious wedding, rent Fregate Island Private—yes, they can rent their own private island for their wedding!
What other amazing wedding destinations should be on this list? Let us know!
Hello. We are a same sex couple and would like some information on planning . We will be getting married in the United States but wanna have the ceremony in Spain. Is that something you can help us with? Steven and Quamaine
Thank you
Hi Steven,
Thanks so much for reaching out, and our apologies for the delayed reply. To clarify, we’re an event/wedding planning school that helps teach and certify aspiring and working planners alike – however, we are not a company of event/wedding planners for hire. We apologize for any inconvenience this poses for you!
However, we can absolutely provide some tips and recommendations to assist you and your partner for – what sounds like – a destination wedding!
To find a planner, our top recommendation would be to use Google and search for specific keywords along the lines of:
-“Destination wedding planner near me”
-“Destination wedding planner in [insert city/town]”
-“LGBT-friendly destination wedding planner near me”
-LGBT-friendly destination wedding planner in [insert city/town]”
From there, you’ll be able to see the professional wedding planners near you who can assist you in organizing a wedding ceremony in another country. Importantly, make sure that whoever you’re interested in, you look at their website, their available services, their reviews, their social media, and their professional portfolio. Then from there, come up with a list of questions you’d like to ask them – and then reach out and ask to schedule a consultation with them! 🙂
Also, we have a few other blog articles that may help you during the wedding planning process:
1) https://www.qceventplanning.com/blog/2021/02/6-secrets-for-destination-wedding-planning-on-a-budget/
2) https://www.qceventplanning.com/blog/2020/06/finding-the-right-vendors-and-suppliers-for-your-destination-wedding/
3) https://www.qceventplanning.com/blog/2020/10/destination-wedding-planning-pros-and-cons/
4) https://www.qceventplanning.com/blog/2020/02/the-dos-and-donts-of-destination-wedding-planning-couples-edition/
5) https://www.qceventplanning.com/blog/2019/05/destination-wedding-planner-answers-5-most-asked-questions/
6) https://www.qceventplanning.com/blog/2017/03/destination-wedding-planning-101/
7) https://www.qceventplanning.com/blog/2022/10/hiring-a-wedding-planner-everything-you-need-to-know/
We hope this helps – and we wish the best of luck to you and your partner! <3
Sincerely,
The QC Team