Quinn & Michael's relaxed DIY Oregon coast affair
Real Weddings: Western US
By
on June 03, 2008
16
The offbeat bride: Quinn, artist, writer, musician all around crafty lady, Celebrant (and OBT member)
Her offbeat partner: Michael, woodworker, clever fellow
Location & date of wedding: Yachats Inn, Teahouse Pavilion, Yachats, Oregon. 03/01/08
What made our wedding offbeat: Our wedding was SOOOO made by our own hands that you could see the callouses a mile away! (really.) From making my own dress, to the lanterns and lantern stands, the tablecloths, the namecards, seed packet favors, cupcake stand, programs, invitations, tea light stands, thank you gifts (and bags, and boxes for them), alter table... and i am sure i am forgetting something.
We also took super special time and effort to write the exact ceremony we wanted, and handpick rituals and traditions that spoke to us.
My incredible ex-boss catered a meal of bacon-cheeseburgers, salad, and fries that was mostly local, sustainably raised, organic, and seasonal. Our couples counselor officiated! My boss' partner did my hair. Our friends bartended, and served food, and another friend of a friend did childcare during the party. And my brother-in-law was the party dj.
We also had liquor donated by a local distiller, and home-brewed ALL the beer we served! It was truly a community event. And even though i was puking my guts out with food poisoning the whole day before, and after ... it was the perfect day!
Our biggest challenge: Really? Having too many fun ideas that we wanted to do. And not enough time or energy. In the end, I just had to let some stuff go. And we didn't miss a thing, in the end.
My favorite moment: My sweet partner said in his vows, "in good times, and in awesome!"
Also, the ease of the whole day. I felt calm and happy and felt like I had taken are of all the details in advance, so I didn't feel worried.
My offbeat advice: Think about the things in your daily life that make you happy and feel inspired, and then magnify them. Your wedding does not HAVE to be anything. Your wedding day should be representative of who YOU are.
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn: If you're looking for wedding craft porn, YOU GOT IT!
Read more posts about: brown dress, crafty wedding, diy wedding, handmade dress, oregon, oregon coast, tattooed bride« 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.
Moonspun said
"Think about the things in your daily life that make you happy and feel inspired, and then magnify them."
Well said…and I realize as I read that, it's exactly what we are doing without even thinking about it!
not goth said
I love this wedding – everyone looks so chilled and happy.
Great sentiments as well.
krystal said
very inspiring, thanks for sharing!
Sandy said
Orange and green and brown is my latest obsession because of you!
Great job! Everything looks fabulous!
Robin said
Great to hear from another Oregonian. Yachats is a magical place. What a beatiful celebration!
Laura said
best wishes to the newly weds
Quinn said
thanks for all the nice comments!!
ryan said
quinn! how did you make those seed packets. they're totally sweet!!
Leslie said
That sweater is gorgeous. It looks so cozy.
killian said
I love your dress! Where did you get the pattern for it?
Jesse said
Hi,
I was wondering how you made your lanterns. They're beautiful.
Thanks,
Jesse
Quinn said
hey.
the seed packets…
they are strips of brown grocery bags folded and sewn on a sewing machine up the sides. then folded over again at the top, two holes punched through, and tied with ribbon.
the dress…
i took the basic pattern for a simple jersey sun dress, i don't remember what company,… but the key was in the altering. i made a dress form of my own body, by getting ducktaped into a t-shirt, cutting it off me, and then stuffing it and taping it closed again. then i basically draped the dress, so that i had the length and perfect fit. i will try to find the pattern number that i started with, you can email at my offbeat bride tribe email, thimbleandacorn, and i will try to get it to you.
the lanterns…
paper mache over balloons.
tissue paper and liquid starch, many many layers. once they dry, pop the balloon, pull it out, and cut a hole in the top, and add a wire handle!
wendy said
your wedding looks amazing. I have also opted for the Polaroid guest book idea, thank you for sharing your pics, I was wondering how the photo corners would work out