OBT members featured on CNN.com
In the media
By
on July 13, 2010
15
CNN ran a story this morning about low budget weddings, and got a LOT of help from OBT members. Several OBTs and their offbeat budget tips are featured in the article: Bowling alley wedding: How creativity is priceless in a bad economy.
(As usual with mainstream media coverage of nontraditional weddings: skip the comments. They're a waste of your time.)
About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.
Rollergirl said
Yay! We are feaured on there (rice krispie cake idea). Thought when I sent the idea to CNN I emphasized it was a joint decision between my partner and I and he's not mentioned – oh well.
JB said
Go figure! *Rolls eyes at CNN*
Alessandra said
Same here!! Everything I wrote was about how the two of us built the backdrop, he woke up early with friends to decorate the location etc. Guess they thought readers wouldn't buy the idea of an involved groom
Alaynah said
What a great deal on entertainment! I bet this is going to be one fun wedding to attend.
Bonnie said
I have to say, I kind of had to lol at a certain website saying that weddings are recession proof. No, people won't stop getting married, but I wouldn't call it recession proof.
Rachel said
Right?! Of course a representative from that website WOULD say that!
Rachel said
I'm the bowling bride featured! I had the same issues, ladies, with some misquoting. No mention of my groom's name, even though I gave it to her a few times. Well, at least she mentioned that my dress color was his idea
I was really misquoted on the whole "I've always dreamed of a white dress, church wedding for my special DAAAAYYY! Since I was a little girl!" thing.
When she asked me what kind of wedding I've dreamed of since I was a little girl, I just said, "nothing in particular", since being a bride hasn't been a lifelong dream or anything. Plus, I'm not the kind of atheist that dreams of a white church wedding – I'm guessing there aren't too many of those. :p
I did say that I NEVER wanted a white dress or church wedding so that wasn't a problem that it didn't end up that way, but I had thought I would have to have a DJ and a sit-down dinner for it to be a "real wedding."
I guess she had to spin what I said in a way that her readers would relate to, so I don't blame the author for having a little artistic license with my words.
irisira said
Rachel, you're too generous. As a former journalist, that's really irresponsible journalism. No, it wasn't exactly misquoting, but it is misleading.
Caitlin said
I'm the baked potato bar bride, and I was amazed to read one of the commenters ( I know, I know, ignore them ) totally diss the idea! It worked out fabulously and everyone loved it!
The journalist did an alright job with mine, though…sucks that she misquoted you ladies!
jesscar said
I just went and read the article and dont think they mentioned grooms or couples in the whole thing. It was "Brides" are doing this, "she" decided this!
Its as if the men dont exist
Halle said
Ugh! I hate mainstream coverage of Offbeat weddings. I feel they misused Ariel's quote, as if to say "only poor people have weird weddings," (which I know is not how it's intended, but how many people don't know that) as if we all dream of a poofy white wedding dress and pink flowers and prince charming on a horse as we say "I do" and that dream is stripped away from us by the economy. *sigh* I suppose people believe what they want to believe. They would have had a better article, in my opinion, had they have said "check out Offbeat Bride. There are some kickass weddings & a wealth of DIY that's budget friendly AND fun."
Anyway, Caitlin: I LOVE the potato bar. My mom had one for my baby shower a few years ago & everyone thought it was the best idea. Now that I'm planning my sister's baby shower I keep getting asked if I can do the same thing (and keep in mind this was five years ago!). Anyone who says anything negative has never been to one
Caitlin said
Thanks
Everyone loved them and they were quite filling! We supplemented them with these salad concoctions and I heard only good comments. Plus they are delish! 
Laura said
What's with the girl saying she's saving $15 000 by making her own bouquets?? How on earth can bouquets cost $15k??!
cyndzilee said
I like to first say congrats to the couple who was feature in the article…. Great idea for her wedding!! I did read one page of comments out of wonder what people will say to it.. turns out I only read a few and then rolled my eyes to the crazy comments there, people out there just dont understand that some people have to figure out how to have a great wedding/party without killing the bank while doing it. I applaud to all couple who did make their wedding a event and then went on to a " dream honeymoon" !! theres nothing wrong with that. Not everyone gets to have a wedding or even a honeymoon…. congrats to all couple recently got married and did it Offbeat style!!
Raina said
Aww we're featured (the New York under $600 bride)! Yeah the comments on CNN are, of course, not all insightful… but maybe if we can get the word out that having a "nontraditional" type of wedding is a cool, do-able thing… well then great! We'll have more company in the offbeat camp