The offbeat bride: Lindsay, Registration Coordinator
Her offbeat partner: Joe, Adoptions Manager
Location & date of wedding: Magisterial Courthouse, Pittsburgh, PA — July 9, 2009
What made our wedding offbeat: When I found out that I'd need major surgery for a serious health condition, my husband and I scrapped our original plan to get engaged and then wait a year before getting married. Instead, we got married on the Thursday of that same week at our local magisterial courthouse. Criminals were
being led out as we walked in.
I did my own hair and make up and my mother made my bouquet. The entire wedding, including the license and my dress, cost less than $150. Our guest list included my mom, brother, and best friend.
The groom and I couldn't afford to take off work because the surgery was scheduled for 11 days after our wedding, so we had no reception. We grabbed coffee after the ceremony (with me still in a veil) and returned to work. While I was out, my fabulous coworkers decorated my office and surprised me with a mini reception.
Despite our rushed ceremony and total lack of reception, honeymoon, and general fanciness, our wedding was absolutely beautiful. My husband promised to love me "in sickness and in health," and he did exactly that. My only regret is that most of our family and friends didn't share that day with us. We plan to have a vow renewal in October so everyone can attend.
Our biggest challenge: Our biggest challenge, beyond the fact that I was sick and medicated, was that we didn't have our families at the ceremony. My husband comes from a traditional Catholic family. Both of his parents work in the church. We opted not to tell them about our uber-secular wedding until after the fact. Our vow renewal will provide everyone with the party we missed out on the first time around.
My favorite moment: My favorite moment was actually saying our vows. My husband, never one to shy away from a difficult situation, not only offered to nurse me back to health, but responded to the news of my illness by marrying me immediately. I think it's a rare man who proposes knowing that he'll be spending his honeymoon sleeping next to a hospital bed. Our vows were my chance to thank him for being extra great, taking me to endless doctor appointments, and for loving me always, no matter what.
My advice for other offbeat brides: Involve your family, even if you think they won't be thrilled with every detail. If they love you, they want you to be happy. They'll deal with the parts they don't agree with because they want to be a part of one of the biggest days of your life.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links? Everything was homemade. I think I bought my dress at TJ Maxx, but every other detail of our wedding was DIY.
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn:
Comments on "Lindsay & Joe's pre-surgery shotgun wedding"
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Marquesa Jen
December 1st, 2009 · 1:43 PM · #
That's so sweet! Super cute dress too
Liz
December 1st, 2009 · 1:52 PM · #
What an inspiring story! Best of luck to you both. XOXO
Boxer
December 1st, 2009 · 1:55 PM · #
All the parts of the wedding that matter most… beautiful…. congratulations
Lorina Cruikshank Fauber
December 1st, 2009 · 2:58 PM · #
Beautiful couple and beautiful story. Congrats and best wishes!
Nikki
December 1st, 2009 · 3:00 PM · #
Congratulations!!! That is absolutely beautiful!
If it's important to you and your husband, you can always get married again later in a Catholic church – I know someone who had a courthouse wedding, then decided she wanted a big, traditional, Roman Catholic wedding – three years and two kids later!
Linda
December 1st, 2009 · 3:22 PM · #
I think this is one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever seen featured – it's all about the love! You – and your Mr. too – looked GORGEOUS, happy and very much in love. Best thoughts for good health and much happiness to you both.
@disturbdsquirrl
December 1st, 2009 · 3:40 PM · #
Your wedding reminds me a lot of mine. We were only 6 people in the courthouse including the judge, and we did it quickly for the insurance too (dental in my case). Best wishes, and I hope you get well soon and had a nice vow renewal in October.
Brigitta
December 1st, 2009 · 3:45 PM · #
That last picture says it all – the way you're holding each other is what a wedding is about! Congratulations! And of course the best of luck with your surgery and recovery…
Lynne
December 1st, 2009 · 4:04 PM · #
As Lindsay's mom, this was not the wedding I had been planning since her birth. But it wasn't the wedding SHE had been planning either. I am proud of both Lindsay and Joe and this event was every bit as meaningful to them as a big, fancy affair. The bride was gorgeous, the groom was handsome and it brought a tear to everyone's eye when we saw the pictures. This was getting married, distilled down to exactly what meant the most to them. And I am looking forward to the vow renewal which is already becoming offbeat as well. I love them both.
abigailann
December 1st, 2009 · 4:14 PM · #
This is such an awesome story. My husband and I did the exact same thing about a month after my mom passed away suddenly. We had the best time- our wedding was just simply about us joining together and appreciating each other, and it was just so meaningful for both of us to know we were at the courthouse getting married for the marriage, not the wedding. we also plan on having vows and a party for friends and family next summer, which we are really looking forward to.
MrsCluck
December 1st, 2009 · 4:30 PM · #
Thank you for posting and reminding us what it really is all about–a marriage, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health.
Kelli
December 1st, 2009 · 4:49 PM · #
This is so inspiring to me, as my mom very quickly has gotten severely ill with cancer. My fiance and i have decided to get married next month (right before my mom has chemo) so that she'll be strong enough to join in the wedding festivities. It's not the wedding I'd have planned, either, but it's the love of family that counts.
Best of luck to you both, you both look stunning!
@AngElaqueate
December 1st, 2009 · 5:22 PM · #
Congratulations to Lindsay and Joe, from a fellow Pittsburgh resident and young woman who experienced significant illness. We were both so fortunate to find devoted and loving partners, especially during our time of need. I hope everything went well with your operation, and that your vow renewal went wonderfully as well. Take care, and definitely enjoy.
-Angela
Dani
December 1st, 2009 · 6:26 PM · #
This is such a sweet story – I'm totally crying now. Congratulations and best wishes to you both and your families.
Seacilin
December 1st, 2009 · 7:43 PM · #
That's a lovely lovely story and I wish you both all the very best over your surgery and treatment. I look forward to hearing about the party in several months' time!!
BV AllEvents
December 1st, 2009 · 7:47 PM · #
I am glad they were able to do this however I would highly recommend a traditional reception post surgery so they do get to share the special moment with close friends and family. Congrats!
Sabrina
December 1st, 2009 · 9:54 PM · #
This made me tear up! Your husband sounds like a very special man. I wish you all the best for your surgery and am sure you will only enjoy your life together more and more as you regain your health. Best wishes and congratulations to you both!
Shi
December 1st, 2009 · 2:01 PM · #
Congratulations to you both you. You look stunning
Andrea
December 1st, 2009 · 2:32 PM · #
What a beautiful story! I'll be praying for you both as you have surgery and recover! I love the picture of the magistrate hugging you…what a lovely gesture.
Be well and good luck with the surgery!
Wendy_Smith_(III)
December 1st, 2009 · 5:21 PM · #
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story. I've never seen a couple more in love. Good luck and best wishes as you two grow old together.
Tami
December 2nd, 2009 · 8:03 AM · #
What a beautiful way to celebrate the start of your married lives – all the puffery (centrepieces, fancy invites, place cards and all the usual stuff associated with weddings) stripped bare to focus on what marriage is truly about – a promise to spend the rest of your lives together no matter what obstacles life throws in your path. Just gorgeous! I wish you every happiness and good health for the future… Congratulations!
Lindsay G.
December 2nd, 2009 · 7:08 PM · #
You sound like a wonderfully supportive mother. I hope your daughter is doing well! (I just glanced down and say her post- wonderful!) Good job on naming her with the best way to spell Lindsay btw.
Lindsay
December 2nd, 2009 · 5:07 PM · #
Thanks to everyone for the congratulations and well wishes. Joe and I were touched to read all of the beautiful comments you wrote. To those of you who commented about the surgery, I'm recovering well and we're both hoping to avoid having another one for the next few years. For those of you who have or are planning to forgo fanciness in favor of marrying your partner right away, we wish you the absolute best. Sometimes the most important things aren't worth postponing.
Claudia Harris
December 3rd, 2009 · 4:29 PM · #
You're such a beautiful couple! This is one of the most moving, and inspiring weddings – this is an amazing story. I absolutly adore the picture of you two embracing. The look on his face says it all. Pure love! I'm glad you're recovering well and I wish you both the best of luck in all things.
Heather
December 4th, 2009 · 4:59 AM · #
Oh wow…that last picture was just like the little mermaid and her prince Eric!! So cute!
Sarah
December 8th, 2009 · 2:12 AM · #
Wow, that's so sweet. I hope you're feeling better ASAP, Lindsay.
Nathalie
December 8th, 2009 · 8:05 PM · #
Your description made me tear up a little – this is what marriage is supposed to be about. Love and caring. I think getting married and having a big party a year later is a really amazing idea. I hope you both the best!
Nanushka
January 23rd, 2010 · 9:36 PM · #
THAT'S WHAT MARRIAGE IS ALL ABOUT.!! not about the party, the flowers, the people. Is about being with the one you love, that one person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Your story brought tears to my eyes. I wish you the best luck with your health problems and with your marriage.