Amber's two weddings — one pagan handfasting, one all-American BBQ
Real Weddings: Western US
By
on August 20, 2007
6 Responses
In Offbeat Bride, I talk about the concept of having two weddings — this couple took that concept to the extreme! Opposites really do attract — and get married.
The offbeat bride: Amber, Cosmetologist
My offbeat groom: Scott, Construction worker
Location & date of wedding: Two locations in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2006: a friend's home on The 4th of July, and in a park for Beltane with a maypole.
What made our wedding offbeat: We had two weddings, mine and his. Mine was a pagan handfasting ceremony on Beltane, complete with fairies and a maypole and a priestess named Heron. His was a patriotic 4th of July bar-b-que, complete with surprising American Flag ensemble.
Our biggest challenge: Wondering if all the American flags would clash in the pictures was my fear. My husband to be did not know that I had such an extravagant wedding dress. He thought that it would just be white. Boy did he get an eyeful when I came down the stairway of my friend's home!
My favorite moment: Being wrapped in the maypole at the Handfasting — and my soon-to-be husband's eyes when he saw me coming down the stairs on the 4th of July!
My offbeat advice: Disregard the negative comments that your family may make and do what you want!
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn: You've got two choices: do you want to see the Beltane handfasting ceremony or the 4th of July wedding?
Read more posts about: handfasting, holiday wedding, salt lake city, two weddings, utah« Previous post
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.
Kelly Mahoney said
Cool times, I like the outfits.
Sam said
I'm so bummed that some of the pictures are private. I wanted to get a better look at your BBQ dress!
Scott and Amber said
Thanks we had a blast !! I will make some public sorry
Wagtail said
I'm late to the party, but how did you get that maypole to work? It's enormous.
Sagirah Jankowski said
Dear Amber, I love your dress my husband is coming bck from Iraq for our anniversary at the military ball, Where did you get your dress I can not find it any where and I already have my heart set on it. playbbebe26@msn.com