Janet & Michael's "Palmerpalooza" music festival wedding

The offbeat bride: Janet, Travel Consultant/Photographer (and OBT Member)

Her offbeat partner: Michael, Electrician

Location & date of wedding: Anglesea, Victoria, Australia — 28 March 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: We held it over a three day weekend. The theme was music festival, and because Michael's surname was Palmer we called it PALMERPALOOZA. We came up with the idea, because we both LOVE music and Michael collects gig posters from his favorite concerts and bands. So we designed our own poster as an invite. Guests received merchandise as their thank you gift in a little showbag, including a stubbie holder, and Palmerpalooza soundtrack.

It was important our wedding was kid and dog friendly, instead of having flower girls etc, we invited all the kids to come as pirates or faeries and they walked down the aisle before me… including our dogs! They got their own showbag full of treats. We saved money by self catering and having a friend's bands play. I wore a bridesmaid dress but made it into my own bridal gown.

There were a few surprises: Michaels vows to me, and a close friend sang our song "My Hero" by Foo Fighters during the speeches. We had a hand fasting ceremony and a candle ceremony. Everyone recieved a candle in their show bag which was included in the ceremony. I was lucky to have photographer friends who took photos, and my business partner made my AWESOME bouquet and the rest of the flowers. I'm Danish so we had to have a few Danish higlights including pastries and cake. Instead of a guest book, we had our guests write messages on a blackboard then they were photographed holding it up.

Cake cutting with a sword! Does it get more awesome?

Our biggest challenge: Our biggest challenge was the self catering. It was hard finding someone who could help with the meat and serving, as I wanted people I knew and not strangers. Ensuring our parents that we knew what we wanted to do. They were great and support us all the way. Because we were in the country, there was some fire "backburning" going on that day, which got out of control. There were lots of sirens and helicopters overhead. Not that anyone told me, but we were very close to be evacuated. Even when the ash was falling on me while getting my makeup done outside, I still believed everyone when they said everything was fine! I would probably check with the local authorities next time to ensure that nothing like that would be going on. Otherwise everything went great!

My favorite moment: One favorite moment? I have too many!!! Some are a combination of seeing Michael for the first time, seeing the marquee all done up with flowers, candles etc. and having my dad sing in his speech, "take good care of my baby." Another favorite moment would be when we were presented with a sword to cut our cake, which was engraved with our names and the wedding date. Also, to be able to rock out with friends on a specially built stage at our own wedding was a massive highlight. But I think the winner would be when our friend Garrison sung on behalf of me to Michael.

My advice for offbeat brides: Be organized! Share your thoughts and ideas with the people around you as much as you can, so they can understand your vision! I had a book that whenever I saw something that inspired me, I'd cut it out and stick it in! That helps other people visualize your ideas as well.

Have fun with it! Enjoy the experience.

Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?

• Boys pants and vests: FormalRed
• Wedding Dress: Barbara Calabro (it was an evening/bridesmaid dress. It was awesome because you could choose from a variety of different colored fabrics and it was soooo much cheaper!)
• Marquee/tables and lots of other essentials: Occasions Party Hire
• Others: EBay and Etsy were my best friend!

Enough talk — show me the wedding porn!

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.