Love Is Love — And It Deserves a Destination

At Torcello, we believe that love — in all its sacred, messy, radiant forms — deserves more than a place. It deserves intention. Beauty. Safety. Celebration.

This Pride Month, and always, we honor the many ways two souls find each other. As destination wedding planners, it is our privilege to not only witness love, but to design around it. To carve moments into landscapes. To make space where it’s long been denied.

This is not just about inclusion — it’s about reverence... and storytelling.

Below, we share a lovingly-curated guide for LGBTQ+ couples dreaming of a destination wedding that reflects their truth, style, and joy.

Because love has never needed permission. But it does deserve intention.

DESTINATIONS WORTH CELEBRATING

Dominican Republic — Sun, Soul & the Warmest Embrace

The Dominican Republic is an island of bold color, ancestral rhythm, and warm generosity — a perfect backdrop for destination weddings, including LGBTQ+ celebrations.

• Casa de Campo in La Romana is a favorite for symbolic same-sex ceremonies — with oceanfront venues, lush gardens, and villas that feel like private worlds.

• Resorts like Eden Roc Cap Cana and Tortuga Bay discreetly welcome LGBTQ+ couples, offering tailored services for non-traditional weddings.

• While same-sex marriage is not yet legal, symbolic ceremonies are embraced with respect by the right planning teams — and Torcello has over 20 years of experience navigating these dynamics with grace.

“It’s not the legality that makes it sacred — it’s the people, the place, and the promise.”

Dominican culture, while rooted in tradition, is rich in family, music, and joy. With the right vendors and guidance, same-sex couples can celebrate authentically, beautifully, and safely.

Torcello Notes

Here, we create spaces that feel like sanctuary.

A cliffside ceremony with linen catching the breeze. Champagne poured at golden hour. Guests wiping tears as a couple walks hand in hand — in love, in truth, in freedom.

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Mexico — A Tapestry of Celebration, Color & Acceptance

Mexico shines as a beacon for same-sex weddings, especially across Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya, and Cancún — where love is not just celebrated; it’s woven into every sunrise and sunset.

• Puerto Vallarta stands out as one of the most LGBTQ‑friendly destinations in the world. In its Zona Romántica, Pride parades and candlelit rooftops exist in harmony — a safe haven of joy, beauty and creative freedom.

• Resorts like Dreams Vallarta Bay, Hard Rock Riviera Maya, and Hyatt Ziva Cancún offer inclusive wedding packages, sensitivity training, and full coordination for same sex couples.

• Beyond the all-inclusives, private villas in Jalisco and Playa del Carmen create bespoke micro-weddings that honor identity and artistry in equal parts.

• Same-sex marriage is legally recognized in states like Jalisco, Quintana Roo, and Mexico City, making planning more accessible and symbolic ceremonies even more powerful.

Torcello Notes

If your heart feels drawn here, imagine this:

A floral altar in vivid magentas, music echoing across the sand, and a long dinner under stars that feel like witnesses.

Mexico understands that love, when honored properly, becomes a celebration of culture and soul.

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Guatemala — Poetry, Privacy & Sacred Volcanic Views

Guatemala is a country of contrasts — ancient, intimate, and layered with meaning. While same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognized, symbolic ceremonies are deeply personal, and can be held with intention, privacy, and beauty.

• Antigua Guatemala, with its baroque ruins, soft cobblestones, and lush gardens, is fast becoming a destination for LGBTQ+ elopements and micro-weddings.

• Places like Casa Santo Domingo, Villa Bokeh, and Las Cruces Boutique Hotel are known for their discretion, charm, and ability to craft custom experiences.

• The Lake Atitlán region offers sacred energy and breathtaking views — perfect for spiritual ceremonies among volcanoes and still water.

“In a place where tradition and transformation meet, love finds its own quiet language.”

Though legal protections remain limited, what Guatemala offers is authenticity and depth. Couples choosing this destination often seek a deeply reflective experience: one rooted in landscape, history, and emotion.

Torcello Notes

Guatemala is for lovers of symbolism, texture, and story.

Here, your ceremony can become a ritual: flower offerings on a terrace, handwritten vows as incense burns, and a private celebration that feels ancestral.

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A Word from Christina & Camille - 2023 Torcello Brides

“Once we arrived for the wedding, we were able to just relax… the day of the wedding was truly flawless. It felt like we were living inside a dream.”

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ESSENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SAME SEX COUPLES

1. Legal vs. Symbolic Ceremonies

 • Mexico and parts of the Caribbean allow legal same-sex marriages — you can skip the paperwork back home.

 • For symbolic-only countries like Guatemala or the Dominican Republic, consider signing legal documents before or after the destination celebration.

2. Choose Vendors Who Truly Include

 • Ask intentional questions: “Have you worked with  LGBTQ+ couples? How will you show up for us?”

 • Review their language, portfolio, and social presence — true allyship is visible.

3. Use Affirming Language from the Start

 • Make space for pronouns, non-binary titles, and unique processional roles in all communication.

 • Avoid defaulting to “bride and groom” — let your clients define who they are and how they’re celebrated.

4. Structure Rituals Around Identity, Not Tradition

 • Think circular ceremonies, family blessings, joint vows, ring warmings — anything that honors who they are.

 • Let authenticity lead: there is no “right” way to celebrate.

5. Weave in Your Story

 • From chosen family rituals to signature readings or curated attire — this is your story.

 • Let every moment reflect your journey, your joy, your people.

6. Take Up Space

 • Your love is powerful. Your ceremony is a mirror.

 • Celebrate boldly, visibly, intentionally. Your joy is radical — let it be unforgettable.

7. Consider Guest Safety & Comfort

 • Vet venues and hotels with care — ensure they understand your needs.

 • Add a discreet note in your invites: “Your comfort is our priority. Please reach out with questions.”

8. Support  LGBTQ+-Friendly Businesses

 • Every vendor tells part of your story.

 • Choose creatives who uplift, not just tolerate — and spotlight those who stand with pride.

9. Customize Attire & Aesthetics

 • Defy binaries with fluid fashion: tailored suits, bold gowns, matching silks, or neon sneakers — it’s all valid.

 • Reflect your identity in the palette, florals, stationery, and beyond.

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MINI PLANNING CHECKLIST

• Discuss legal status and paperwork with destination

• Compile a vendor list, noting  LGBTQ+ experience

• Draft ceremony outline with chosen elements

• Review travel + lodging for all guests

• Build identity-driven visual palette

• Confirm language & pronouns across team

• Create a designated “safe person” from your vendor group

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THE TORCELLO PROMISE

At Torcello Weddings & Design Studio, we don’t just plan events — we create spaces where love is seen and honored.

We are proudly inclusive, proudly  LGBTQ+-affirming, and deeply committed to designing weddings with soul, intention, and care.

Whether your love is loud or quiet, bold or soft — it has a place here. Always.

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CLOSING | A WORD FROM GABI, FOUNDER OF TORCELLO

Love does not wait for acceptance.

It whispers: This is where I belong.

A same-sex wedding is an act of reclamation — of joy.

At Torcello, we craft space where that joy has permission to echo.

Whether in Mexico’s color, Guatemala’s stillness, or the Dominican sun, or anywhere else, your love deserves to feel home.

Design with soul.

Design with reverence.

Design for every love.

Let’s begin.

Reach out — it’d be our honor to curate your story.

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Inclusive Wedding Language Glossary

A mini guide for words that make room for every kind of love.

• Partner / Spouse – Inclusive alternative to “bride” or “groom.”

• Couple / Marriers – Avoids assumptions; honors all identities.

• Wedding Party – Use instead of “bridal party.”

• Person of Honor – Gender-neutral for “maid of honor” or “best man.”

• Processional Roles – Customize who walks with whom.

• Pronouns – Include them early in the process.

• Chosen Family – Especially meaningful for LGBTQ+ couples.

At Torcello, we believe words shape experiences. Let yours be spacious, affirming, and joyfully yours.

XOXO,

Gabi