The offbeat bride: Michelle, Woodshop Maven

Her offbeat partner: Jason, Clockmaker

Location & date of wedding: Friend’s backyard in Audubon PA, near Philly. July 19, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: We wanted a wedding that was simple, low budget, and entirely ours. Our budget was very modest but we had complete editorial control. Also, we wanted COSTUMES!!! Not just for the bride and groom or for a genre, but a costume party for everyone with free food and booze for all.

Our biggest challenge: Our biggest challenges were getting the right mix of fun and reverence for the occasion, and even harder, getting people to wear costumes!

We sat down with the officiant (Jason’s brother) and hammered out a ceremony that was equal parts funny and sincere, was brief but said everything that needed to be said.

My favorite moment: It’s hard to pick just one in a flawless day, but the (extremely brief but sweet) ceremony was a magical moment for us both.

My offbeat advice: You may have to compromise on a lot of things depending on your budget, parents, and your would be spouse, but never lose sight of the goal: at the end of the day you’re marrying the person you love. Do everything you can to keep editorial control, try to have some fun, and make sure everyone has enough to eat and drink!

Enough talk — show me the wedding porn: Click the photo below to see lots of shots from this super-fun, super chill costume wedding: