As we move further into the modern era and golden age of weddings, the expectation of what a wedding entails is slowly fading, inviting a new, exciting time for couples to mix things up. Same-sex marriage was legalised in New Zealand just over a decade ago. That means there’s no strict rule book for how to plan a gay wedding— exciting right? But with such freedom comes stress in making decision when planning your wedding ceremony.
While you can nominate one partner to stand at the altar and the other walk down the aisle, for many same-sex wedding couples, that can be a difficult decision to make. So why not add a fruity twist and do something completely different? Whether you are indeed a same-sex couple or a couple wanting to spice things up at the ceremony and give the unexpected, here are a few alternative ways of running your pre-ceremony, the last of which is our absolute favourite.
Both Partners walk down the Aisle separately
A simple but meaningful twist is to have both sides of the wedding party walk down the aisle one at a time. This has the benefit of giving both parties a chance to walk down the aisle. It’s an especially popular approach for two brides who may have dreamed of that classic wedding aisle walk since they were young.
A consideration with this style is whether you want to alternate each wedding party member walking down the aisle or have one full side walk before the other. For example, one bride has their entire group of bridesmaids/men walk down the aisle, followed by the other bride's side of the party, then walks down the aisle. This is entirely up to you, and chatting with your wedding venue and celebrant is an excellent start to getting expert advice.
Walk in from opposite directions
Another approach, which is quite common among gay male couples on their wedding day, is to walk in from opposite sides of the venue. In traditional ceremonies, the groom is already standing there, awaiting their beautiful bride to walk down the aisle. However, this isn’t the case in a gay wedding, adding to the challenges of who is waiting at the altar. With this ceremony type, both parties have the same role while not having to awkwardly start with both sides of the
partnership just standing there. A great way to make this unique could be to play your couple's song. That one song you both relate to your relationship that’s special to both of you. It creates a Dramatic and equal entrance— perfect for couples who do not want to assign a “waiting” role.
The Y-shaped Aisle (Our Favourite!)
Now, this is our personal favourite; it makes for an exciting wedding ceremony, filled with something different that feels very familiar and is perfect for all same-sex couples. The ceremony chairs are set up to make a Y-shaped aisle. Then, when it's time to walk down the aisle, each partner and their party has their own pathway. The bridesmaids/groomsmen then take turns walking down the side of the aisle before meeting in the middle and finishing the walk together. Finally, the grooms/brides walk down their sides of the Y, meet in the middle, and finish walking the aisle together, ready for the ceremony to begin officially.
It creates an exciting walk, with the parents of each couple giving their child a hug before letting them make the final walk with their partner to the altar, where they will make that lifelong commitment. It’s an exciting ceremony that can add small fun moments from the bridal party, adding flare when walking down the aisle together and feeling fresh for your guests watching the ceremony.
Gay weddings are all about breaking the mould, as you’ve got the flexibility to make your own traditions. You don’t just follow the rules— you rewrite them. Want to strut or dance down the wedding aisle? Go for it! It’s your wedding day. There’s only one rule: make sure you are having the time of your life.
At Markovina, we are a gay/LGBT-friendly wedding venue and have hosted many gay and lesbian weddings since they were legalised. If you want to book your wedding, visit the garden wedding grounds at Markovina Estate and chat about our wedding packages with our team. We are happy to answer any questions, give you ideas, and help you plan the gay wedding of your dreams.
