Whether or not you live in a state with legal civil unions, marriages or domestic partnership, you may be planning to celebrate your relationship with friends, family, and food for a great day or evening. From the proposal to the honeymoon, there are some great resources to help you plan a wedding, and sources for GLBT friendly wedding and commitment ceremony services. While the legalities can be a frustrating process, planning your ceremony and the reception is great fun, but can also be a lot of work. You need to choose where to have your ceremony, who to invite, plan food, flowers and wardrobe.

You may be pleasantly surprised by how many wedding vendors are happy to work with you and your partner as you plan your special day. You may even want to visit a local wedding fair or exhibition or speak to local wedding planners if you are considering having a larger ceremony and reception. Gayweddings.com is one source for planning information, vendor suggestions and more when you are beginning to plan your commitment ceremony or wedding. A site like this can also help you find wedding cake toppers, invitations and other accoutrements specifically suited to same sex ceremonies.

Keep in mind that your ceremony and reception can be as traditional or not as you prefer. You may want to choose a beautiful outdoor location, a restaurant or hotel, or a church if you participate regularly. Several denominations are typically willing to celebrate same sex unions, including the Unitarian church, United Church of Christ and Episcopalians. If you prefer a church wedding, one of these may be an option. Most secular locations will welcome you, and you will also find that many wedding chapels in liberal areas are happy to celebrate same sex relationships.

You may also be concerned about finding a GLBTQ friendly place to honeymoon with your partner. Gay.com/travel/article.html?sernum=8651 offers some tips on planning your honeymoon, as well as specific suggestions. You will also find that many all inclusive resorts are lesbian and gay friendly, and some, like Beaches even include the ceremony in your honeymoon package if you prefer a private commitment option.

A number of wedding sites aimed at younger, free thinking couples will also welcome same sex couples. Take a look at Offbeatbride.com and indiebride.com for further wedding ideas. You might also want to explore the offerings at etsy.com for invitations, RSVP cards, and even cake toppers and wedding rings. Attire can be a challenge, but consider choosing wedding outfits that suit both of your personalities and mesh well with one another without matching. You may even want to consider a period wedding or one with a theme to share an interest and shared hobby with your guests.

And congrats to California couples that finally get the chance to wed!  I never thought I would see the day I would be putting another category that said ‘wedding’ instead of ‘dating’.  I decided to call it ‘love’ since wedding sounded strange for a category.  Love is the strongest word I can use.