When I first starting thinking about book ideas, many of the revolved around my stories. I'm a writer: of course I want to tell MY STORIES. But as part of Offbeat Bride, I'm getting to hear about some of the most amazing wedding stories. The pair who married underwater. The couple who produced a whole stage performance called Wedding! The Musical. The couple who got married at Glastonbury and have great photos of them muddy and in love laying on the ground at the festival. Straight weddings, gay weddings, geeky weddings, hippie weddings, rock weddings, fucking awesome parties that just so happened to be weddings.
A few years ago I found myself, as an essayist, considering writing a book — a 70,000 word project seemed somewhat daunting. But now I've realized that's because jesus: my stories aren't THAT fucking interesting. Honestly. But when I have other people's stories to share? HA! Why didn't anyone tell me that not only would it make writing my book more feasible, it would make it a pure fucking joy. People do awesome things when they play with the concept of commitment and ceremony and weddings.
Think of it: supposedly the cost of an American wedding is currently averaging around $25,000. Even if you spend far, far less than that, when was the last time you threw a party where you let yourself spend even $1,000? Never. The only parties where you spend money like that are weddings and funerals. It's not even really an issue of dollar amount — it's an issue of resources like time and attention.
So, it's really cool to see what my fellow freaks do with a party when they've got the resources to really do it up, even when it's far, far less than the national average. These stories are far, far more delicious than the national average.
Now if only I had a little more time to work on the book … it's getting to the point where I'm like a floating brain: all I do is write and think at work and then come home and write and think some more. I've barely seen friends since September, and Seattle Hermit Season has only just very barely begun and I'm already in full creative retreat mode. Please, won't you tap the glass of my formaldehyde jar?
Take a minute to meet the lab rats
You can read profiles and see pictures of a few of the women quoted in the book by checking out the lab rats archive!
About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.
ivy said
The cost of weddings and funerals is also an issue of exploitation.
Ariel said
Absolutely, Ivy.
Liz said
Sounds so great!