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ArchivesKerin & Matt's celtic winter wedding
Real Weddings: Northeast US
By
on January 15, 2010
22
Tags: black and white wedding, celtic, gloves, massachusetts wedding, non-matching bridesmaids, red and black wedding, tattooed bride, winter
The Offbeat Bride: Kerin, special ed. teacher for middle schoolers with mental illnesses
Her offbeat partner: Matt, computer geek
Location & date of wedding: Barker Tavern, Scituate, MA — Nov. 1, 2008
What made our wedding offbeat: We really cherry picked the traditions we wanted to use.
We did not get married in a church, our ceremony was shorter than the actual processional to get to our JP. Anything we had the means to do ourselves, we did (which really means, I did).
Some people took issue with the black in my dress and accessories and the visible ink. We handpicked our music for the ceremony and introductions and had everyone dancing until the venue kicked us out 
I also worked my celtic heritage in everywhere i could that wouldn't be overdone…
Our biggest challenge: The biggest challenge was telling my dad about my fully exposed inked back. (I originally had a black veil planned.) My dad was not a fan. We had a very interesting conversation that opened the door wide for that won't be what freaks out the old ladies the most, "I'm a tattooed bride, dad." His reaction was so the antithesis of what i feared that i opted for a different veil in the end to keep my father's blood pressure down.
My favorite moment: The music we chose, my dress really kicked ass, my groom, of course. And the most sentimental… having my grandmother walk down the aisle with my sister, they had a special relationship, and it was the last time we saw her — she passed away, unexpectedly, in January. 
My advice for other offbeat brides: Figure out with your partner what you want and do it. Personalize things so that your guests know whose shindig they are attending. Anything that can be DIYed, do it! Remember, it can be cheap, it just doesn't have to look cheap. And most importantly, have fun!!!
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn!:
Jax Adele said
I've been to the Barker Tavern for a family wedding before. You kicked ass at your wedding! Good job! Love Scituate and Celtic pride!
brideofthesea said
wow! erogenous bride!
the tattoo is sexy!
Lorina Cruikshank Fauber said
Stunning! You're a gorgeous couple, and I think I dislocated my jaw when I saw your checkered shoes.
My condolences on losing your grandma. *hug*
cscamma said
So beautiful! We are planning a nice Celtic mix as well so it's good to see other brides incorporate it. We need to focus on the shoes though! Where are they from?
Carren said
Beautiful dress and wedding! I have to ask, where did you get that cake topper? Adorable!
And, I'm very sorry about the passing of your grandmother.
Scootie said
Wow…. those shoes are almost TOO awesome! It looks like everyone had a fantastic time.
ARO said
I love love love your tiara/head piece with the Celtic knot. Where did you get it?
Carico said
Looks like a really cool wedding. I think that is so important to make your wedding your own style.
Kerin said
Everyone here is so kind! Thank you for the accolades and condolences. Now for wedding porn business talk: the shoes were my sister's, they are LAMB by Gwen Stefani, my shoes were Manolo knock offs dyed black (the shoes Carrie registered for herself for in that one episode of SATC)…the cake topper was from either Michael's or AC Moore and then I customized it w/ nail polish and doll house accessories and the tiara I googled 'celtic tiara' and found somewhere for 1/2 the price I had originally seen it listed at:)
Kerin said
oh, BTW, Judy West did the photography
Kerin said
and my friend, Sandy Judkins, also my tattoo artist, recolored the Claddagh/shamrock, shaded in those Celtic knotwork roses, and completely did that center piece that is like, cougars, interwoven in Celtic knotwork style-think The Book of Kells.
Jessica said
oh myyyy. where'd you get your dress?!
Kelley said
Holy Moly! I had my wedding at the Barker too and am thrilled that another couple had a wonderful experience there. Those shoes and that dramatic black bow at the back of your dress are phenomenal. Congrats!
Kerin said
I found the dress years before I was even engaged whilst helping a friend troll Alfred Angelo's website for bridal party dresses-so when I got engaged, I HAD to see if it was my dress or only the size double 0 model's and only tried on that dress, the ladies at the shop were horrified I didn't want to try on anything else
Thanx Kelley, from one Barker bride to another
Sparkly said
I'm amazed by your dress! It's gorgeous! I also love the touches of red. Thank you for all the inspiration for my own wedding
Kerin said
Thanks, Sparkly!
cynzia said
First … sorry for your loss.. secondly love your wedding style and how you did black and white for your wedding outfit! I wanted to wear a black dress for my quick park wedding but my family would have flipped out so I ended up wearing a red laced wedding gown and they still flipped out. But you look very very beautiful and so did your groom. Congrats on your beautiful wedding !! By the way… I would kill for those shoes!!!! love them … too bad they might not have my big foot size for my upcoming "re wedding"
Kait said
greetings from Marshfield! *waves*
guuurlll you looked GORGEOUS with all that red & black! LOVED the dress and i'm shopping for those shoes right now, i'm not kidding.
Kerin said
Cynzia-thank you, even now thinking about her and remembering that she is gone literally takes my breath away
the kindness of others make my heart smile. and thank you for the compliments XD. As for the shoes, Cynzia & Kait, they are by LAMB, Gwen Stefani's line and I believe my sister found them on Amazon, I'll ask.
Kerin said
*waves" back at Kait, I am in NH now, but grew up in the Tree (Braintree, that is) & thank you!
The Striped Kitty said
What a great wedding! I love the Celtic traditions. I have heard amazing things about the Barker as a place to hold a wedding, it looks like you had a great time there! They say all brides are beautiful, but you really are one beautiful bride. You have a cool family, and I am glad your grandmother got to enjoy your wedding. That's a memory I'm sure you will treasure.
Jen said
Wow! I adore your style. You are one of the prettiest brides I have seen, and love everything you did here. I love black and white myself, and the fact that you proudly show your heritage and tattoos. Your whole look is stunning, and has inspired me with ideas I had for mine
.