In terms of mainstream media reception, Offbeat Bride has done better in Canada than it has in the U.S. As I'd expected, the book has gotten great reception from independent and local press in the US, but national media has definitely deemed the book way, way too weird. Which is fine with me.
That said, I'm so glad things are different in Canada! Elle Canada ran excerpts on their website, something that would never fly for Elle in the States. Toronto's The Globe and Mail ran a review — something the NY Times certainly wasn't going to do. Personally, I think this is because Canadians are simply more progressive than Americans, and the media reflects that. Hell, it was on Canadian TV that someone asked me about mushrooms!
Anyway, all that said,here's a book review from the Ottawa Sun. I sort of like that they say I have a "slightly self-righteous attitude." DAMN RIGHT! Heh.
In this guide for "non-traditional, hip brides," self-professed hippie-raver Ariel Meadow Stallings aims to dispel the myths perpetuated by the "Wedding Industrial Complex." According to the Seattle author, planning a wedding doesn't mean brides should feel pressured to succumb to monogrammed napkins, huge diamond rings and complicated gift registries. After all, if you're as cutting-edge as Stallings and her fiance Andreas, who hosted their camping weekend wedding in the middle of a forest, you will (shock!) be much happier with nuptials that best represents your avant-garde lifestyle.
With tips on how to deal with stoners at your wedding and what to do if your mom wants to sing Judy Collins as you walk down the aisle, the book is
part entertaining memoir and part (although not a large part) pragmatic planning guide for girls who gag when they see an issue of Modern Bride. The only problem is its slightly self-righteous attitude: How does a fondness for taffeta indicate anything about a woman's "independence?"
Comments on "Canada loves Offbeat Bride"
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Jillian
July 18th, 2007 · 7:59 AM · #
Hooray for us Canucks!
I loved the book and have recommended it to several friends here, including a recently engaged gay couple I'm friends with. I think it really gels with the marriage vibe up here, especially in places like Toronto where I live.
Kelly Mahoney
July 18th, 2007 · 9:04 AM · #
It's a lovely review. And Canada is a cool place, no wonder.
Kirsten
July 18th, 2007 · 11:41 PM · #
Way to go Ariel! As a Canadian I had rather taken for granted our more progressive attitude towards the wedding. Then I moved to the UK where things seem to be much more old school in comparison…
Jojo
July 23rd, 2007 · 8:56 AM · #
I got this site from my fiance a few months ago, he's a Canadian and I'm a New Zealander. We live in S.Korea and our Korean life together for the last 3 years is all we know. I love your site because we both believe that the wedding is about our future together and not about spending money.
We are going to plan our wedding here and then arrive in NZ a couple of weeks before…so we won't have to deal with a lot of in law issues! Going to China and India for a year, but I will still keep up with your site!!
radhika
July 23rd, 2007 · 10:57 PM · #
we are the best
Heather
July 24th, 2007 · 9:05 AM · #
Yay! Three cheers for Canada! Toronto does tend to fall on the progressive side, doesn't it? I actually just lent your book to a friend from D.C. who's getting married next June. It's a Filipino-Ukranian wedding… I'm sure you can only imagine.
Sarah
July 29th, 2007 · 6:56 PM · #
Darling, I told you to do a reading in Toronto!!
giveGodtheglory
October 24th, 2007 · 1:28 PM · #
XD Progressive? Nah, we're just nuts.