I’m typically not a fan of anything that could be construed as gaudy or showy. In fact, just yesterday I vetoed some purple petunias a well-intentioned garden center saleswoman suggested my girlfriend and I plant in our backyard. I told her I was looking for something a little more elegant and sophisticated. She said something along the lines of, “It’s summer and this is a fun flower, so lighten up.” Sorry, lady, not in my backyard.
That said, I am uncharacteristically not opposed to adding a little gay imagery to a lesbian wedding. To be clear, I am not suggesting you go out and buy a rainbow-colored gown or install a massive centerpiece of multi-colored flowers spelling out “P-R-I-D-E” at your wedding. And I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: no more rainbow wedding rings!
However, if it’s done right (read: subtle), I think a few pops of rainbow color could be perfectly appropriate at a gay wedding. In honor of the start of Gay Pride Month, I bring you some ideas for incorporating rainbows into your big day without turning it into a homo hootenanny.
Hide it in the cake
If there’s one place it’s acceptable to be playful, it’s dessert. Thanks to Cake Boss, Ace of Cakes, et al, we know that if you can dream it up, someone out there can turn it into a cake.
I think a traditional white fondant number with rainbow cake on the inside is a clever way to add a little gay to your reception without knocking people over the head with it. As a fun dessert alternative, many couples are doing confectionery bars instead of (or in addition to) cakes. If you decide to go this route, choose rainbow-colored candies, lollipops and bubble gum.
Wear it on your feet
One of the hottest trends right now is wearing colorful shoes with otherwise traditional wedding garb, as I mentioned in a previous column. You could take that a step further and sport some rainbow-colored kicks.
Dress your wedding party in it
I’ve already told you that I’m not a fan of mandating matching uniforms for your wedding party. These days, a lot of laid-back brides (straight and gay) ask their bridesmaids to choose their own dress in a certain color. Instead of the standard black, why not ask your gal pals each to choose a color of the rainbow for her dress?
The boys and butches in your wedding party can get in on the fun with rainbow-themed ties or vests. This way each of your attendants gets an individualized look — and when you line them all up for photos, you get a rainbow.
Sprinkle it on your tables
Again, don’t go hog wild with rainbow table cloths or over-the-top rainbow centerpieces, but do consider adding some subtle gay color to your tables. Multi-colored rose petals sprinkled on tables for example, could be an elegant touch.
Or, create a whimsical centerpiece by lining tables with different colored Gerber daisies in rainbow-hued bud vases. To infuse your reception with rainbow on the cheap, buy a few spools of rainbow ribbon from a craft store and use it to tie napkins or as an embellishment on chair covers.
Use it to stay dry
No matter how carefully you select your wedding date, there’s always a chance it may rain. It’s rumored that rain on your wedding day is good luck, but it sure can screw up your hair. So, come prepared with a few colorful rainbow umbrellas, which will turn a potential style disaster into an adorable photo opp. And, on the bright side, if it rains on your wedding day, you may get a real live rainbow in the sky.
Launch it into the air
If you’d like rainbows to make just a brief appearance at your wedding, consider a balloon launch. Instead of rice, birdseed or confetti, give each of your guests a rainbow-colored balloon to launch as you and your new wife emerge after tying the knot. If you want to get really creative, put a message about marriage equality inside each balloon and hope that it helps to raise awareness wherever it may land.
How will you incorporate the colors of the rainbow into your gay wedding?
