Big Little Queer Wedding

Saturday, January 4th, 2025

Imperia Lake Union
3119 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle WA 98102
11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Registration has closed for this event.

In light of the election results, many LGBTQ+ folks are, understandably, worried about the future of our rights in this country. And while we don’t know what will happen, one thing we know from the past is that while marriage rights may be rolled back, those who got married while they could continue to be married in the eyes of the law.

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m not the kind of person who can just wait and see what happens. After a few days of grief for the future, I was itching to do something. Getting legally married while we have the opportunity is one thing LGBTQ+ folks can do right now to protect our families.

And since planning LGBTQ+ weddings is literally what I do every day, I knew I could rally our local wedding pros to make legal marriages happen for our community ASAP. So, I give you: Big Little Queer Wedding!

What's a Big Little Queer Wedding?

Exactly what it sounds like: one big celebration with lots of little queer weddings.

Because I’m a wedding planner and an officiant, I didn’t want to just direct y’all to the courthouse. I wanted to make a true celebration, where we could gather as a community to be part of the rebellion that is queer love and the resistance that is queer joy.

Listen – you deserve a fabulous celebration even if you’re getting hitched in a hurry. And you deserve it even if you don’t have tons of cash to drop on a wedding right now.

Which is why this is pay-what-you-can and why it’s not just signing the paperwork.

I reached out to the Seattle wedding industry in search of like-minded pros who would help me make this happen for y’all and let me tell you what – they are delivering!

The Ceremony

It’s our goal to make this event as accessible as possible – and that means having options for disabled and immunocompromised folks. So, we have two ceremony options for everyone’s comfort and safety.

Both ceremonies will take place in the beautiful ballroom at Imperia Lake Union. Each couple will have the opportunity to come up to the front, exchange vows and rings, and share a first married kiss!

Covid Cautious Ceremony

Our Covid Cautious Ceremony will be the very first thing that happens in the day, so we’ll all be breathing clean air. Everyone in attendance – marriers, guests, and vendors – will be required to wear a mask until the ceremony concludes. When it is your turn to exchange vows, you may remove your masks if you wish. Please put them back on when you return to your seats.

Group Ceremony

After the Covid Cautious Ceremony concludes, we will take a short break to allow those who wish to leave before masks come off a chance to exit. Then, we’ll open the doors for our Group Ceremony. Masks are not required during the Group Ceremony.

Flowers

We’re delighted to have three florists providing a colorful ceremony arch and a bouquet or boutonniere for each of you to wear/carry during the ceremony and take home afterward. Please indicate your preference on the registration form.

The Party

Once everyone’s married, we’re gonna celebrate!!

There will be cake.

There will be a photo booth.

There will be professional photos and video so we can all treasure the memories.

There will be complimentary bubbly and light appetizers.

A cash bar will be available.

And of course, there will be music and dancing! (And a little bird told me there might even be a disco ball.)

If you’re ready to get hitched with us before Inauguration Day, then click the button below to reserve your spot!

FAQ

How Much Does it Cost to Get Married at the Big Little Queer Wedding?

We know that a wedding is financially out of reach for many in our community, especially one planned on short notice.

That’s why Big Little Queer Wedding is pay-what-you-can. In the informational email you’ll receive after you reserve your spot, a link will be provided so you can contribute as you are able.

My industry colleagues and I have come together to offer over $30k in services and goods for this celebration. We’ll have time for about 25 couples to get married. That’s a value of around $1200 per couple.

Any amount you are able to contribute will first go towards the hard costs of the event (food, drinks, flowers, etc.) and, if there’s any left after that, it will be distributed equally among the participating vendors. If zero is what you have, that’s fine!

Can We Bring Guests?

Each couple will be able to invite two guests, who will serve as your witnesses. Depending on how many folks sign up, you may be able to invite additional guests if space allows. We’ll let you know!

When Should We Apply for our Marriage License?

ASAP! Washington has a 3-day waiting period, which means you need to apply no later than January 1st in order for it to be valid on January 4th. Since that’s New Year’s Day and holiday closures are upon us, we recommend you apply sooner rather than later.

You can get your license from any county in Washington. (Snohomish has an especially pretty commemorative certificate, if that matters to you.)

COVID Precautions & Community Care

To protect public health and care for immunocompromised and disabled members of our community, masks are required during the Covid Cautious Ceremony. You may opt to remove them while you exchange your vows, but must put them back on when you return to your seats.

All witnesses, guests, and vendors must wear masks until the Covid Cautious Ceremony concludes.

We will take a short break between ceremonies to allow folks to leave before any masks come off.

Masks are optional, but encouraged, during the Group Ceremony and the Reception.