Patience and Bethany chose The Ripped Bodice, a bookshop in LA, as their unique wedding venue. The venue had never hosted a wedding before, which was precisely why they loved it. This wasn’t the only unconventional aspect of their day. From the lack of a theme or specific colour palette to swapping a DJ and dancing for board games, the celebration was all about what Patience and Bethany truly wanted.

“We didn’t have a set wedding theme,” Patience shared. “We wanted the day to reflect us and our happiness. A lot of things about our wedding felt unique and specific to us. We had our wedding in a bookshop that doesn’t usually do weddings. Bethany wore black. We skipped dancing and alcohol altogether and opted for board games and a coffee bar instead. We didn’t have one specific wedding colour. Overall, we made intentional choices to host a wedding that felt like us and celebrated who we are.”

The couple wrote their own vows, and the ceremony—officiated by a friend—was the part they both enjoyed the most. “Writing our vows allowed us to be vulnerable in a way we don’t usually share publicly,” Patience said. “It was one of our favourite parts of the day.” Music for the ceremony was simple and low-key, with a Spotify playlist featuring instrumental pop songs.

Afterwards, guests enjoyed board games, a coffee station, and a gelato cart. “We aren’t huge on dancing,” they explained. “So, instead, we provided lots of board games for our guests to play because we are huge board gamers. We created tags for each game with a QR code linking to a how-to-play video, making it easier for everyone to join in. We thrifted many items for the reception, including vases filled with dice and other game pieces, as well as unique glasses and mugs that guests could choose and keep.”

They planned the entire day themselves, and while it was a huge success, they admitted they’d consider hiring a wedding planner if they were to do it again. “While it was feasible for us to plan, and Bethany took on much of the work, the stress it placed on them was significant,” Patience explained. “I think having a planner could’ve alleviated a lot for us.”

“As plus-size and LGBTQ+ individuals, we also sometimes felt our options were limited,” Patience continued. “We avoided vendors whose language or approach didn’t feel inclusive.”

Despite these challenges, the couple stayed true to their vision. “Weddings don’t have to follow tradition to be meaningful,” Patience concluded. “Do what feels right for you and your relationship. Wedding planning can be stressful, but it is so worth it!”