Wheelchair-Accessible Wedding Planning Guide

A wheelchair-accessible wedding is an exciting and very doable proposition. Whether the bride or groom is in a wheelchair or you are hosting guests who use one, there are many ways to make the ceremony and reception inclusive for all.

1. Select an Accessible Venue

Selecting a venue that's accessible for differently abled guests is essential when planning a wheelchair wedding. Several key factors make a venue inclusive for wheelchair users.

Door Width

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), door frames in indoor spaces should be at least 32 inches wide when the doors are open so that a wheelchair can pass through. Check that your venue meets this requirement.

Smooth Flooring

Look for a venue with smooth or solid flooring for ease of wheelchair maneuvering. If the venue is inside, inquire if there are any steps or second levels. 

If there are, you will need to ask if there are ramps or lifts to accommodate wheelchairs. This will ensure that all guests can navigate the space. Portable wheelchair ramp rentals are an excellent solution for providing wheeled access to key areas as an alternative to fixed ramps.

If the wedding is outside, inquire about the kinds of surfaces that are present. If it's grass, gravel, or sand, you will need to make sure that some smooth paths or walkways are available for people with mobility challenges.

Tip: Plan ahead to ensure wheelchair users will stay safe in the event of wet weather. This may include having a backup plan to move the wedding to an indoor space.

Altar Accessibility

A wedding day love story begins with a march (or roll) to the altar. In a wheelchair wedding, altar accessibility is paramount. Make sure the venue you choose has a wide and smooth path for a wheelchair to pass down the aisle. This will ensure that both the bride and groom (or the bride’s father!) arrive safely at their final destination.

Also, make sure that the altar itself is accommodating for one or two wheelchairs if necessary. If the altar is perched on a higher level, make sure there are sturdy, properly graded ramps. 

Comfortable Seating

Wheelchair-friendly venues should have comfortable seating accommodations for all guests. Guests who use a wheelchair need to be able to access their seating with ease and view the wedding without any visual obstructions. 

If the wedding will take place in a church, consider that church pews are usually not accommodating or wide enough for wheelchairs to enter. Ask about additional seating options to accommodate wheelchairs. 

Restroom Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are a must for a wheelchair wedding. Many wheelchair-approved venues ensure that restrooms have features such as grab bars and ample space for maneuvering. If there are no accessible restrooms onsite, consider renting a handicap/wheelchair-accessible portable potty.

Parking Accommodations

Have sufficient parking accommodations for people who use wheelchairs. Put up signs indicating where there is handicapped parking. 

Hire wedding staff to manage and direct all guests to where they should park upon arrival. If the parking area is far away from the wedding ceremony (enough to inconvenience a wheelchair user), find a shuttle to assist with transportation.

Tip: Visit your venue in person before confirming the booking to check if a wheelchair wedding would be feasible. Even if the venue administrator says the place is wheelchair-accessible (or ADA-compliant), it's always best to visit it yourself. If you are in a wheelchair, roll through the venue and make sure it's comfortable for your mobility needs.

2. Ask for RSVP Special Requests

Ask for RSVP special requests from guests who are in wheelchairs or have disabilities that require special accommodations. To do this, include a question on the wedding invitation such as, "Do you have any accessibility needs we should be aware of?" 

Give guests the option to respond using an easy online RSVP service or to contact the bride and groom directly to state their needs. This will make every guest feel seen and heard and ensure they have a great time.

Tip: Offer a virtual experience for beloved guests who will not be able to attend the wedding for any reason, disability or otherwise. Include an option for these guests to RSVP for "virtual participation" and offer them a private link to the online wedding viewing.

3. Ensure Party Spaces Are Accessible

Party spaces at wedding venues typically include a dining area, a bar or beverage area, and a dance floor. These should all be accessible.

Dining areas: Have dining areas that are thoughtfully planned out and easy for wheelchair users to navigate. This includes making sure there is enough space around the table areas for wheelchairs to maneuver. Also, take into account the height of the tables where wheelchairs will be stationed, so it's comfortable for wheelchair users to eat while watching the wedding reception.

Drink areas: Prepare a wheelchair-accessible drink reception by setting up lower tables surrounded by ample space. If you are unable to find lower-level and open spaces to place a bar area, designate a bar staff member who will assist guests in wheelchairs with getting their drinks.

Dance floor: When it's time to rock and roll on the dance floor, it should be just as accommodating for guests in wheelchairs. Ensure the floor is even, smooth, and that there is enough space for a wheelchair to move around freely. If the dance floor is elevated, make sure there are ramps to access it.

4. Hire an Experienced Photographer & Videographer

The special moments in a wheelchair wedding should be captured with thoughtful photography and videography. The following tips will help you make sure that the photos and videos turn out the way you want.

Choose an experienced photographer who has worked extensively with couples in wheelchairs. These photographers will know how to pose the bride and groom for stunning photos. Likewise, photographers who have experience working with wheelchair users will understand how to organize a group photo that includes guests in wheelchairs.

Choose a specialized videographer who has worked with brides and grooms in wheelchairs. These videographers will be experts in framing the movement and dynamics of guests and couples in wheelchairs. 

Prepare a photo booth that's accessible for wheelchair users, with no raised platforms or obstructions. Consider hiring a booth attendant who will adjust the height of the camera or supply props for wheelchair users.

5. Put up Signage

Post signs to indicate the location of key areas, such as the restrooms. This is helpful for both guests who use a wheelchair and those who don't. 

A few ideas for signage include:

• Marking where accessible parking is available for individuals with disabilities with a universal accessibility symbol.

• Putting a frame at the entrance of your wedding, stating the name of the bride and groom, and working into the design an accessible entry logo that communicates that the venue is accessible for guests with disabilities.

• Placing a directional signage post upon entering the wedding venue that indicates where everything will be: the ceremony, reception, restrooms, and photo booth.

• Using signage to mark where seating has been reserved for disabled guests.

• Clearly marking restrooms with signs that are stylish and functional, showing that they are ADA compliant.

6. Find the Perfect Dress

Finding a stunning wedding dress is the main event for many brides. For disabled brides, finding the perfect wedding dress has some challenges, but that shouldn't dampen the experience. 

Here are a few tips for selecting the right dress if you are a beautiful bride on wheels:

• Call ahead to bridal shops and ask if they cater to brides in wheelchairs. Larger bridal shops often have accessible spaces and well-trained staff to offer support for a bride in a wheelchair looking for a wedding dress. This will make the whole shopping experience more comfortable and exciting.

• Consider lighter fabric for your wedding dress, as heavier fabrics can be uncomfortable and restricting while in a wheelchair. Ideal fabrics for brides in wheelchairs are jersey knit, lace, and satin.

• Hire an expert tailor who specializes in tailoring or making dresses for brides in wheelchairs. Some department stores and bridal chains may even have an on-site tailor who assists in creating custom gowns for wheelchair brides.

• Purchase a dress closer to your wedding day to ensure a proper fit. Some wheelchair users experience fluctuating weight patterns due to certain illnesses. If you are a bride in a wheelchair, begin your search several months before your wedding day, but delay the final purchase or tailoring a few weeks before the main event.

• Decorate the wheelchair with flowers. Put a floral design on the back of the bride's wheelchair for decoration. The flowers should coordinate with the wedding bouquet that the bride will carry in her hands.

Any bride in a wheelchair should keep in mind that they are in charge of their big day. The process of choosing the perfect wedding dress, therefore, should be enjoyable, empowering, and fun.

7. Find an Adaptive Suit for the Groom

The spotlight is on the bride during a wedding, but finding an adaptive suit for a groom in a wheelchair is just as important. Here are some quick tips for a groom using a tailor to find an elegant and comfortable suit for their big day:

• Call ahead to grooms and menswear shops and ask if they are wheelchair accessible and cater to grooms who use wheelchairs. Inquire if they have tailors on-site who are experienced in working with seated clients.

• Consider fabrics and tailoring to make your suit more comfortable. Lightweight wool and stretch cottons, as well as higher rear hems and longer inseams, will make a seated groom's body feel more agile and unrestricted. A shorter jacket or waistcoat will also be more comfortable for a groom in a wheelchair.

• Take into account fluctuating weight patterns, and select a suit style several months before the wedding. Consider buying a suit with a stretch waistband, or arrange to have final adjustments made to the suit a couple of weeks before the wedding day.

Keeping all these factors in mind will help grooms on wheels feel dapper and stylish on their wedding day.

8. Create a Wheelchair Wedding Checklist

Every wedding takes a lot of planning, but a wheelchair wedding involves additional considerations to add to your checklist.

The following example will give you a starting point for creating a checklist of your own.

Action Item	Completed?
Call the venue and ask about accessibility features.
Visit the venue in person.
Confirm wheelchair accessibility, especially at the altar.
Check that restrooms are wheelchair-friendly and ADA-compliant.
Rent wheelchair accessible porta-potties if wheelchair-accessible restrooms are not available.
Ensure designated parking for disabled individuals.
Hire a shuttle if the venue is not easily accessible.
Include a section on RSVP cards to ask about guests' accessibility needs.
Host a virtual viewing for guests who can't attend in person.
Hire a photographer/videographer with experience working with couples or individuals in wheelchairs.
Ensure all party spaces (dining, dancing, and drinking areas) are comfortable and accessible for people in wheelchairs.
Place signage throughout the wedding venue to indicate where ADA-compliant restrooms, seating, and other activities will take place.
Choose the best wedding dress or groom's suit by opting for a design that is comfortable and allows for ease of movement.

Tip about accessible honeymoons: If you are a bride or a groom who uses a wheelchair and plan to have a honeymoon, have a separate checklist for this. The honeymoon is as sweet or sweeter than the wedding itself, so careful preparation is vital.

Plan Ahead for the Perfect Day

Planning ahead for the perfect day means ensuring that your wedding is elegant, fun, and inclusive. You should never feel as though you compromise your needs or a guest's needs just because you are planning a wedding that will be wheelchair-accessible.

Find the perfect venue and make sure it feels safe and comfortable for wheelchairs to move around. Other details, such as finding the perfect dress or suit, will take a bit more attention to detail. By prioritizing accessibility, you will create a safe and joyous environment for all!