Your love story is yours. The wedding should be too.
More LGBTQ+ couples than ever are choosing destination weddings — a private beach in Mexico, a cliffside villa in Italy, a lush resort in Jamaica. And why not? Destination weddings are intimate, memorable, and often more affordable than traditional stateside celebrations.
But here’s what doesn’t always make it into the travel brochure: not every destination is as welcoming as it looks in the photos. And not every travel advisor has the knowledge — or the commitment — to make sure LGBTQ+ couples are truly protected when they book abroad.
I’m Shawndra Long, owner of Illusionz Destination Weddings, a proud IGLTA member, and a certified LGBTQ+ Romance Travel Specialist. I work with LGBTQ+ couples every day, and I want you to go into your destination wedding planning with your eyes wide open — and your celebration fully protected.
Here’s what you need to know.
What LGBTQ+ Couples Need to Know Before They Book
1. Legal Recognition Varies — A Lot
Same-sex marriage is legal in the United States, but that does not mean your marriage will be legally recognized in the country where you celebrate it. Legal recognition of same-sex unions varies dramatically by destination — and in some countries, same-sex relationships are not only unrecognized but criminalized.
Before falling in love with a destination, it’s critical to understand:
• Is same-sex marriage legal there?
• If not, will your U.S. marriage certificate be honored?
• Are there legal protections for same-sex couples as tourists?
Popular destinations like Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and parts of the Caribbean have varying levels of legal recognition and social acceptance — sometimes within the same country. A specialist advisor knows the nuances and will steer you toward destinations and resorts where your union will be celebrated, not complicated.
My approach: I vet every destination and property for LGBTQ+ legal status and actual on-the-ground friendliness — not just marketing language.
2. “LGBTQ+-Friendly” Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Here’s something the travel industry doesn’t always say out loud: a resort can market itself as “LGBTQ+-friendly” and still fall short of what that actually means.
There’s a difference between a property that tolerates same-sex couples and one that genuinely celebrates them. The difference shows up in the details — whether staff use inclusive language, whether the wedding coordinator has experience with same-sex ceremonies, whether the property is located in a community where you’ll feel comfortable beyond the resort gates.
As an IGLTA member, I have access to a vetted global network of travel and tourism businesses that have made a real commitment to the LGBTQ+ community — not just a checkbox on a marketing form. That matters when I’m recommending where you should spend one of the most important days of your life.
My approach: I only recommend properties I’d feel confident sending a couple I care about. If I haven’t verified it, I won’t recommend it.
3. Ceremony Legality vs. Symbolic Ceremonies
Many LGBTQ+ couples choose to have a symbolic ceremony abroad — a beautiful, meaningful celebration at their dream destination — while ensuring their legal marriage is handled at home before or after the trip. This is an incredibly common and practical approach, and it opens up far more destination options.
Understanding the difference between a legal ceremony and a symbolic one is important early in your planning process. If having a legally binding ceremony at your destination is important to you, we need to factor that into destination selection from the very start. If a symbolic ceremony works for you, the world opens up considerably.
Either path is beautiful. You just need someone who knows the distinction and can guide you accordingly.
My approach: We have this conversation in our very first planning session so there are no surprises down the road.
4. Your Travel Protection Needs to Actually Protect You
Travel insurance is important for any destination wedding. For LGBTQ+ couples, it’s essential — and the details matter more.
Standard travel insurance policies may not adequately cover complications specific to LGBTQ+ couples, including issues related to legal recognition, destination-specific risks, or trip cancellation for reasons tied to discrimination or safety concerns. Reading the fine print isn’t optional; it’s necessary.
A knowledgeable advisor will help you identify policies that provide real protection for your specific situation — not just a generic policy that looks good on paper.
My approach: I walk every couple through travel protection options and make sure coverage reflects their actual needs.
5. Your Advisor’s Credentials Should Match Your Needs
Planning a destination wedding abroad is already complex. Planning one as an LGBTQ+ couple adds a layer that requires specialized knowledge, genuine cultural awareness, and a network of trusted partners who share your values.
Ask your advisor directly: Do you have specific training in LGBTQ+ travel? Are you part of any LGBTQ+ travel organizations? Have you personally worked with same-sex couples at this destination or property?
You deserve honest answers — and an advisor who can give them confidently.
My credentials: LGBTQ+ Romance Travel Specialist, IGLTA member, Certified Wedding Planner, and DWHSA member. I’ve built my business around serving couples of all backgrounds with the expertise and care their wedding deserves.
Why This Work Matters to Me
I’ll be real with you: I didn’t pursue my LGBTQ+ Romance Travel Specialist certification or join IGLTA because it looked good on a website. I did it because I believe every couple — every single one — deserves to walk into their wedding day feeling celebrated, safe, and seen.
The destination wedding industry has historically catered to a narrow idea of who gets to have a dream wedding abroad. I’m not interested in that. Illusionz Destination Weddings exists to serve all couples, and I take that seriously in every recommendation I make, every property I vet, and every conversation I have with a prospective client.
When you work with me, you’re not just getting logistics support. You’re getting an advocate who has done the homework so you don’t have to.
Ready to Plan Your Destination Wedding?
If you’re an LGBTQ+ couple dreaming of celebrating abroad, I would love to help you find the destination and experience that’s right for you — one where you can arrive as yourselves and leave as newlyweds without a single reservation.
Visit www.illusionzdestinationweddings.com to learn more, or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Your love deserves a destination that loves you back.
Shawndra Long is the owner of Illusionz Travel, LLC and Illusionz Destination Weddings, based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She is a Certified Wedding Planner, LGBTQ+ Romance Travel Specialist, IGLTA member, and DWHSA member, serving couples in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and beyond.