Brigitte & Cory's Backyard Retro Pinup-Inspired Wedding

The offbeat bride: Brigitte, Sales & Customer Service

Her offbeat partner: Cory, House Painter

Location & date of wedding: Dad's backyard in Derry, New Hampshire on August 23rd, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: Cory and I were married in a short ceremony at my Dad's home. Luckily for me he happens to have a golf course in his back yard. We had a tented reception with the typical wedding set up, but since we were not tied to a specific venues preferred vendors we had total freedom to pick and choose.

We had a DJ/caterer but we also had a photo booth, Fun Bounce, and a lot of fun! For our ceremony we mixed a cocktail, and our cake had pin stripes and black/red leopard print! I proudly displayed my ink collection, and my shoes were red & leopard print. I really had no idea what my flowers or cake would look like and was so pleased with the results. I also had an amazing photographer who cost peanuts compared to some other photogs around here.

Our biggest challenge: Our biggest challenge was getting the house prepared for the big day. The house was in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint (or 2 or 3) and Cory spent the better part of the 2 weeks prior working his butt off along with my father and anyone else who could lend a hand. About a week or so before it didn't seem we could pull it off, but my amazing husband, family and friends completed the task at hand! I love that the first picture in our album is of our hands with the rings, and how you can still see white paint on Cory's hands.

My favorite moment: My favorite moment would have to be hearing Guns 'n' Roses "Sweet Child O'Mine" start playing after we were pronounced husband and wife, and rocking out down the aisle with my husband!

My offbeat advice: Honestly, let things happen! Cory and I really were very laid back about everything. I truly believe that we had such a fun day because we did not sweat the small stuff. When you obsess over details that really won't change whether or not you end up married, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. YES I forgot to give all the groomsman/dads/moms/grandmas their respective flowers but guess what?!? We STILL ended up married!! And that's everyone's ultimate goal when planning this thing, right??

Enough talk — show me the wedding porn: Click the photo below for more pics from this refreshing and fun pinup-inspired backyard wedding!