I want every member of the LBGTQ+ community to know we are a safe space for you. We want to celebrate, showcase, and encourage all individuals of all identities. When you see a post written toward heterosexual norms, it is not meant to exclude you. It’s because of the awareness that these traditions are genuinely influenced by outdated expectations of men and women.

Raise your hand if you've been told it is "bad luck" for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony. You spend months planning a day together and are expected to have zero communication in the intimate moments leading up to the altar. For some people, that can be incredibly anxiety-inducing. For many couples, future spouses are our place of calm and comfort. They are one of the only people not bringing more chaos than calmness.

Consider why couples may find the engagement period more intense than dating. You are navigating how to delegate tasks and set firmer boundaries than you may have encountered previously. It is stressful, and stress can wreak havoc on a person’s ability to remain peaceful at the moment. There will be rough moments, but those can most definitely be used to grow as a couple and as individual people.