LGBTQIA+ Elopements are to be celebrated and showcased all year, not just in June. Pride isn’t just a month. June is a beautiful time to celebrate Pride, but for LGBTQIA+ couples, visibility, acceptance, and safety matter every day of the year. As a queer person who has felt dismissed and lived through many seasons not living through my own truth I find joy in helping my client express theirs. I love telling unique stories that are authentic to life they want to live. This blog is part celebration, part resource, and part call to action.

Why LGBTQIA+ Elopements in the Wedding Industry Matters

The wedding industry has historically centered heteronormative, cisgender couples. Queer couples have always been around but not celebrated in the way that always should have been. Instead they have been ridiculed. Representation matters in photography, language, imagery, vendor choices, and overall experience. Inclusivity always matters. Queer couples often worry about acceptance and it can be disheartening when “Bride and Groom” is used in verbiage all over vendors sites. Take those signs for what they are and find the right people for you.

What It Means to Be a Queer Elopement Photographer

As a queer photographer with experience in editorial photography I love having untraditional unique people show their inner icon. The way we style and present ourselves is art. The way I pose my couples is apart of my art. I take a documentary approach for the most part but I LOVE posing queer couples. My identity informs my work by allowing me to create inclusive spaces, prioritize safety, and celebrate love in its many forms. Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community I understand clients need to feel included and affirmed. I am your biggest hype woman!

How I Support LGBTQIA+ Couples in My Work

I make it a point to collaborate with other vendors and allies in the community to ensure a safe and good experience for my couples. Location scouting with safety and privacy in mind is a top priority. I love offering creative ceremony ideas that reflect each couple’s identity. Documenting love stories authentically without forcing traditional gender roles is a large part of what I love.

Planning Tips for LGBTQIA+ Elopements

Finding affirming vendors typically looks like gender neutral terms. The red flag I mentioned earlier is seeing copy on their website that says bride and groom for everything. If you are unsure if a vendor is accepting some people have a disclaimer statement on their website. Intimate Elopement Adventures follows the following statement, ” I embrace all individuals regardless of race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, gender identity, religion, or political beliefs.”

If you’re looking for ways to make your elopement your own — free of traditional expectations I’d love to chat.

Conclusion

I am happy to be a part of the community and I am incredibly grateful to be a part of queer love stories. If you’re a queer couple reach out. Let’s start planning an intentional, affirming elopement where your love story is honored fully.

The Team:
Photographer: @intimateelopementadventures
Venue: @emersonvenue
Rentals: @corallanerentals
Hairstylist: @bombshellartistry_  
Makeup Artist: @aleehaartistry  
Bridal Dresses: @emeraldbridallounge
Jewelry: @emeraldbridallounge
Luxury Picnic: @pearlyevents.tx
Cake: @cakeflower_dfw  
Stationery: @allbyluciano
Florals: @hey.theredahlia

The Models:
Couple: @sara.everheart & @estephannyarabella
Estephanny is with @wallflowermgmt