The offbeat bride: Danica

Her offbeat partner: Mike

Location & date of wedding: Newcastle Island, Canada - August 8th, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: We kept it simple. I made all the cupcakes for the guests (all ninety! WHEW! Transporting them was a BITCH). We had our talented photographer friend Aki walk on stilts.

I’m double Offbeat! Pregnant, tattooed and I wore white!

Mike’s favorite accessory is his checkered ’spicoli’ Vans. He has become infamous for wearing them, even years before the emo kids decided they were cool. We found out we were expecting our first baby in May and my mother found a pair of teeny tiny vans to match Mike’s for the baby. I found a similar girly version of the Vans and surprised Mike by wearing them on our wedding day!

All the guests each brought a flower for my bouquet. It wound up GORGEOUS. My mom grew orchids for the event and my aunt ordered a rare exotic flower for it as well. Most amazing and meaningful bouquet ever. I strongly suggest doing this at your own wedding.

Our biggest challenge: Transporting the cupcakes!! WHAT A PAIN! I made them and iced them in advance, using buttercream to stick them in place in their boxes and upside-down cups to keep the second level from caving in on them, then I froze them.

My favorite moment: The kiss the bride part. I’m a pretty private person, so it was a big deal. I kissed Mike and then he hugged me and I did the ‘Oprah’ ugly cry. I lost it, I was very happy and overwhelmed.

ALSO I got surprised by Mike’s family when they initiated me into the Stewart clan by presenting me with the Stewart Tartan. It was an amazing intimate ceremony that caught me by surprise and I am honored to carry their name as my own.

My offbeat advice: Keep it simple and don’t let anyone tell you that what you are doing is TOO simple. Our motto was “If it stresses you out, don’t do it”. Also, have a wedding in a place where you can bring your dogs. If you don’t have dogs, borrow mine! They keep things interesting and fun, plus they’re family.

Enough talk — show me the wedding porn: Click the photo below to see lots of shots from Danica & Mike’s casual, family-oriented island wedding!