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Even in 2021, it’s hard to find gender-neutral wedding songs, let alone a gender-neutral wedding playlist. The world is so binary, especially in the mainstream media. But you’re on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and as such, you want/demand/hope for something that is a bit more unique. As a transhuman, I want to help others find ways to celebrate their love and commitment together, while not feeling awkward as your first dance song plays, singing about a gender that neither you nor your partner identify with!
This playlist was built with pronouns, or the lack-there-of, in mind. As such, a significant amount of modern and even past songs are scratched off the list. These songs can be great for your first dance or even a dance with another significant other such as a parental unit!
However, as a wedding photographer, I’m also avoiding some popular songs because of their insane overuse at weddings. Sorry Bruno Mars, but today just simply isn’t your day. Uhm, if you chose this song, my deepest apologies. I’ve just been to way more events than you have, I guarantee.
But ignore my hypocritical ass, because I love the shit out of “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. Makes me choke up every time. I’m also a massive sucker for “Fools Rush In,” by any singer. That is probably my favorite and my skin is covered in goosebumps every time I hear it! It does mention, “men,” but I take it in abstract form. I’m sure you’ll find something to love on this LGBTQIA+ wedding playlist. These gender-neutral wedding songs are on repeat for me!
2020 was a challenging year, to say the least. But if there’s one thing that came from it, it’s the fact that couples didn’t let it stop them from vowing to spend forever together. When Hadley and Andrea’s 150-person wedding was canceled–rather than let it get them down–they opted for a Catskill mountains elopement at the Scandinavian Upstate Barn. And although their special day looked a little different than they envisioned, the two said “I do” in front of their loved ones.
We’re so thankful that Junebug member Par La Mer Photography was there to not only capture the beauty of the day but also played a part in planning the whole thing. What can’t our members do?
If planning a wedding during a pandemic taught us anything, it was to be flexible. We originally planned a large wedding for 150 people, but once it was clear that we couldn’t safely have the ceremony we dreamed of, we had to reassess and figure out what was important to us. Instead of postponing the wedding, we decided to elope, which meant planning a whole new ceremony that looked a lot different from what we initially envisioned. Rarely does anything in life go perfectly according to plan, so be flexible! It’s okay to make changes that might not align completely with your original vision as long as you stay true to who you are as a couple.
My father passed away from cancer not long ago, and I was struggling with the fact that he couldn’t be there to see us get married. Hadley–very thoughtfully–bought me a pin with his picture that we pinned to the boutonniere of my suit. He was with me for the entire ceremony, and it was honestly the best gift she could have given me.
Personalizing The Ceremony With Vows And A Unity Ceremony
We chose to do a unity ceremony using broken colored glass. During our ceremony, we blended the glass together to symbolize our union of marriage and two becoming one. We decided to ship the glass out and have an ornament made to commemorate our special day. We also chose to write our own vows. Writing our vows made our ceremony personal to the two of us by allowing us to have a special moment to speak directly to one another and truly celebrate one another.
A Catskill Mountains Elopement Full Of Moody Vibes
We have always been a non-traditional couple, and you can definitely see that in the alternative style of our wedding. We chose a moody color palette, textured florals, and a backdrop that brought our whole vibe together. We both wore darker colors that stood out against the crisp white of the barn and the muted colors of the winter mountains. We wanted our wedding to be bold and dramatic but have some boho elements throughout. We opted for big boho braids and earth tones for our wardrobe while also incorporating more dramatic fun pieces like Hadley’s pair of amazing rainbow glitter boots and leather jacket. We were married outside at sunset, and we decided to incorporate some of the vintage pieces around the barn into our ceremony to help bring the whole vibe together.
This Isle of Skye elopement was rich with emotions as high as the mountain ranges where the couple exchanged “I do’s”. From the hand-crafted and personalized rings to the handwritten messages from loved-ones—no detail was short of amazing. Angela and Mark couldn’t take their eyes off each other—even surrounded by views as beautiful as the Quiraing. Humanist celebrant Rona Burstow tied the couple’s stories together and tailored the ceremony to celebrate their uniqueness. These Scottish lovers traded a typical champagne toast for some Kraken rum from the Quaich—a Scottish traditional two-handled cup which you share to symbolize two becoming one.
Photographer The Caryls captured the intimate moments that are sure to make even a few couples trade their large previously planned wedding for a meaningful and intimate elopement. Below is what The Caryls had to say about capturing this powerful celebration.
The Carlyls’ Take On The Isle of Sky Elopement
Angela and Mark’s dreamy Isle of Skye elopement in Scotland encapsulates everything that makes our hearts sing about Scottish elopement weddings. Ange and Mark have never been the traditional types, so running away just the two of them, to have an adventure on the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Skye felt like the perfect way to exchange their vows and to celebrate their love. Angela’s parents had chosen an elopement wedding themselves, so they were on board with the idea from the start – and Mark’s family were super-supportive of their plan too.
As the Isle of Skye is renowned for its beauty, it can get quite busy with tourists, so we picked a stunning elopement ceremony location away from the crowds and with the most incredible view. As photographers, we have witnessed so many ceremonies, but Ange and Mark’s was one of the most personal and moving that we’ve ever had the honor of being a part of. We were in tears behind our cameras.
The Couple:
Angela and Mark
The Wedding:
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Rings Hand Crafted With The Couple In Mind
Mark designed Ange’s engagement ring with the help of a local jeweler in Yorkshire. It was made from the stones of his late grandmother’s ring. The aquamarine is so striking, unique, and chosen to match the color of Ange’s eyes. The same jeweler made both the wedding rings and was heavily involved in the design process. Mark had Ange’s handwriting engraved on the inside of his ring, too.
Only Wedding Advice From The Couple: Elope
Elope! Only joking. But remember to stay focused on the two of you. That’s what matters. It’s old advice but it’s true – consider what will make you happy. Don’t let anyone convince you of what you need and don’t worry about tradition if it doesn’t suit you. That’s long gone we say! The other thing is to spend your money on the things that will last. Rings and photographs – they are what you will keep forever.
Vows As Powerful As The Views
The vows! Standing amongst the epic scenery of the Quiraing and opening your heart to the person you love was very surreal. Ange was so overwhelmed that at one point she couldn’t remember the mere five words she had to repeat during the ceremony! The emotions were so powerful and real.
Involving Loved Ones In An Elopement
As our families and friends couldn’t be there we asked them to write a letter or card for us to open on the day. We sat in The Bosville having a drink and reading all these beautiful messages from our favorite people—it was like they were there with us. We just felt so loved. Our families also surprised us with a video of them all dressed up, each in their respective countries and homes, having a drink and giving us a wedding day message – it was so emotional. We were absolutely blown away!
Congratulations to Angela and Mark on their beautiful Isle of Skye Elopement! If these sweet moments, captured by photographer The Caryls, have you dreaming of eloping but you don’t know where to start—we’ve got you covered. Check out the ultimate elopement planning checklist that will kick-start your planning process and make it a breeze.
From the groom’s vibrant suit choices to the towering Utah red rock views—there was no detail overlooked in this Goblin Valley elopement ceremony. Photographer Dallin and Cienna Photography assembled a talented team of wedding professionals that worked together to pull off an elopement that was full of trendy fashion and intentionality.
The floral arrangements by Brims and Blooms, paired with the groom’s pop of color suits, brought life to the muted Goblin Valley, Utah desert backdrop. Dallin and Cienna Photography captured the intimate and powerful details of this elopement that is sure to influence couples looking to forgo the traditional wedding ceremony route.
This colorful and stylish Goblin Valley elopement demonstrates the importance of hiring talented wedding vendors. With trusted wedding professionals come magical stress-free celebrations—from beginning to end.
Planning a wedding, but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Check out the ultimate wedding planning checklist to kick start your creative wedding planning—showing you all of the possibilities that exist for your big day.
A lakefront ceremony, towering mountain top views, and miles from the nearest city—adventure lovers Bri and Derek traded a traditional over-the-top wedding for a secluded, gorgeous Skamania Lodge elopement deep in Stevensville, Washington mountains. The couple prioritized their loved ones’ involvement in their elopement—live-streaming their ceremony and chatting with family and friends after tying the knot. Nothing was stopping this motivated couple, not even a poor wifi connection.
Photographer Lukas Korynta captured every detail that made this stunning outdoorsy elopement an adventurous couple’s dream wedding. If you’re looking to take your love to new heights, keep scrolling for inspo-worthy details that are sure to have you swooning.
The Couple:
Briana and Derek
The Wedding:
Thunder Island at Cascade Locks, Oregon
Involving Loved Ones In This Skamania Lodge Elopement
We prioritized the involvement of our loved ones in our elopement. After the ceremony, we set aside time to chat with family on zoom. We also chose to hold our own private reception with just ourselves in a nearby modern and semi-luxurious “treehouse” at Skamania Lodge. We spent the night eating, drinking, and dancing late into the night. Secluded from the world, we kept the music loud, drinks flowing, and the party going.
Hiring Top-Notch Wedding Vendors
We can’t stress the importance of hiring trusted wedding professionals, like our photographer. We loved working with our Lukas. After quite a bit of research, we chose to work with him because of his aesthetic and unique ability to bring out the moody colors of the Pacific Northwest. His ability to show a personal connection with couples in his work was also a selling point for us. He made our photo session easy, seamless, and he engaged with us—which made it seem like he was an old friend.
Congratulations Bri and Derek, and big thanks to photographer Lukas Korynta for capturing these love-filled images—bringing out the adventure in us all. If you’re feeling inspired to ditch the traditional wedding ceremony for an elopement-styled wedding, check out this ultimate elopement planning checklist to get started.
