Planning A Gay Wedding Shower: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a gay wedding shower is a fun and exciting task, and there are no hard and fast rules anymore. The most important thing to keep in mind is what the engaged couple wants. It's also important to make your guests feel comfortable. You can plan a modern couple's shower by inviting all of the couple's friends and families regardless of sex. Once the couple is on board, pick a date and decide on the time of day, the time of year, and the location.

Choosing a date

When it comes to choosing a date for a gay wedding shower, there are no hard and fast rules. However, it's important to pick a date that works for everyone involved, including the couple and their guests. It's a good idea to choose a date in advance of the wedding or commitment ceremony, and to give guests at least six weeks to respond to their invitations, especially if they are travelling from out of town.

When deciding on a date, it's also important to consider the time of year and the location of the shower. For example, if you're planning an outdoor event, you may want to choose a date during warmer months.

It's worth noting that, unlike traditional bridal showers that tend to be women-only, a gay wedding shower can be a modern "couple's shower", with all of the couple's friends and family invited, regardless of sex. With this in mind, it's important to check in with the couple and get an idea of what they would like, as well as making sure that all guests feel comfortable.

Deciding on a location

When it comes to deciding on a location for a gay wedding shower, there are no hard and fast rules. The most important thing is to keep in mind what the engaged couple wants. It's also important to make your guests feel comfortable.

You could host the wedding shower at your house, or in a private room of a favourite restaurant. If you're inviting a lot of people, you might want to consider a bigger venue.

If you're planning a big event, it's always a good idea to check in with the engaged couple to get an idea of what they would like. You could also encourage the couple to register with a network of gay-friendly vendors, who will donate some of the proceeds to benefit the gay community.

When you're throwing a wedding shower for a gay couple, it's also important to keep in mind people's preferred gender pronouns when preparing the guest list and when seeing them in person.

Finalising the guest list

When preparing the guest list, it's important to keep in mind the engaged couple's preferences and make sure that all guests feel comfortable. This includes being mindful of people's preferred gender pronouns when addressing invitations. It's also a good idea to give guests at least six weeks to respond, especially if they are travelling from out of state.

To ensure that the guest list is finalised and that everyone invited feels welcome, it's a good idea to check in with the engaged couple and get their input. This can include asking about their preferred gender pronouns and if there are any guests they would like to invite who may not typically be included in a wedding shower.

By involving the couple in the guest list finalisation process, you can create an inclusive and enjoyable celebration that reflects their unique style and celebrates their love.

Sending out invitations

When it comes to sending out invitations for a gay wedding shower, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to finalise the guest list with the help of the happy couple. Unlike traditional bridal showers, which tend to be women-only, a gay wedding shower is a "couple's shower", so be sure to invite all of the couple's friends and family regardless of sex.

Once the guest list is finalised, you can start sending out the invitations. You can choose to send them by regular mail or electronically, but be sure to give guests enough time to respond – at least six weeks is recommended, especially if people are travelling from out of state.

When preparing the guest list and invitations, it's also a good idea to consider people's preferred gender pronouns. This has become increasingly common, and you may even see it in people's email signatures. By including this information, you can make your guests feel more comfortable and respected.

Finally, encourage the couple to register with mainstream wedding registries at department and specialty stores, as well as online with networks of gay-friendly vendors, such as the Rainbow Wedding Network. These vendors will donate some of the proceeds to benefit the gay community.

Picking a theme

When it comes to picking a theme for a gay wedding shower, there are no hard and fast rules. The most important thing is to keep in mind what the engaged couple wants and to make your guests feel comfortable.

If you're looking for some inspiration, you could consider a theme based on the couple's favourite place, like a recent holiday destination or where they're getting married. For example, if they're getting married in Cape Cod, you could have a Cape Cod-themed shower with food and beverages to match. You could even have a cornhole tournament with a stencil and spray paint to put anchors or crabs on the boards to fit the theme.

Another idea is to have a photo backdrop with a themed background for guests to take photos in front of. This could be something as simple as a welcome message for the couple with both of their names, propped up on a table or easel, or leaned against a wall.

You could also incorporate a rainbow theme, with decorations and favours in the colours of the rainbow to celebrate LGBTQ+ love and pride.

If you're feeling creative, you can even DIY your own decorations and signage with some poster board and paint or a chalkboard and chalk. This is a great way to add a personal touch and make the event unique to the couple.

Frequently asked questions