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The Offbeat Bride: Cassie, events coordinator
Her offbeat partner: Ryan, piping designer
Date and location of wedding: Broken Arrow Church of Christ, Broken Arrow, OK — October 29, 2011
Our offbeat wedding at a glance: Ryan and I met at a running race, and got married exactly one year later. We started our morning running the same race we met at, and then had a running-themed wedding that afternoon. We even had our shoes on the altar. Gatorade bottles and ribbons were our centerpieces. We had the start and finish line banner along with race bibs for decorations, too!
Tell us about the ceremony:
Ryan walked his mom to her seat before the ceremony. Both my dad and stepdad walked me down the aisle. Our moms lit the unity candle. We left the altar with our running shoes on to the Rocky theme music.
Our biggest challenge:
With Ryan and I both having parents who are divorced and remarried, we had to consider several different options when it came to them — seating in the church and tables at the reception, family pictures, and who would be involved in the wedding. Clear communication between me and Ryan (discussing our decision before telling the family about it), helped us get through it all.
My favorite moment:
Running the race that morning with Ryan was a symbolic representation of us starting our life together.
For my “something old,” I carried a picture of my grandpa (who passed long ago) around my flowers.
My funniest moment:
Before the kiss at the ceremony, Ryan turned around to his best man who had a small bottle of mouth wash. Ryan put it all in his mouth, swished, looked around for somewhere to spit, shrugged, and swallowed it in one big gulp. I was bent over laughing, and then my next thought was that he was going to be sick. He then whispered that it was only colored water!
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding?
Wedding planning does not have to be stressful! We planned the whole wedding in seven weeks since the race we wanted to include was coming up soon. We didn't sacrifice anything that we wanted, but it made us focus on making decisions fast and accurately without a lot of changes to plans.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Photography: Ammann Photography
- Flowers and invitations: Hobby Lobby
- Dress and garter: David's Bridal
- Ribbons: Ribbons Galore
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!
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I love this!!! Congrats to you both on sharing such an excellent, healthy passion that will guide you through your life together.
Sarah- I am glad you enjoyed! I am very blessed to have found a man that shares the same hobby as I do. It makes for a great relationship of support and understanding!
I am not at all athletic but I love everything about this. The little veil while you are running etc is sooo cute! Awesome wedding!!
Thank you Amy! We wanted to make it our own, but of course did not want it tacky in any way. So we tried keep it traditional while adding our own touch to it!
I lost my shit at “Pain is temporary but your finishing time posted on the internet is forever”. I’ve done triathlons and swimming so I get the sentiment. I really like the idea of doing a race the morning of. Congrats to you both!
Haha! Carolyn! You know it is true though! 🙂 Running a race the morning before your wedding, knowing your wedding party and hair dresser are awaiting you at your apartment sure does help you to run faster! That year was my fastest race time at that race I believe!
So fun!! I love all the little running touches like the aisle markers. 🙂
Thank you Marie! It was a lot of fun getting everything together for the wedding… all in 7 weeks! But our wedding was pretty low budget, but exactly how we wanted it!
Love the theme! I LOVE running and if my fiance was also a runner then we’d totally go for a theme like this :). I jokingly told him that we should go with a running theme and his dad could help me plan the wedding (his dad is a retired teacher who was also heavily involved with cross country and track coaching.)
Great idea and belated congrats!
Megan- That is too funny! You and future dad-in-law would have a great time planning! Both spouses have to be into the theme for it to work and be meaningful for both. We did have a blast though!
I loved seeing photos of your wedding! I’ve enjoyed learning a little more about you and Ryan and your wedding each week through your blog True Agape and can see how special your marriage and your wedding are/were!
Thank you Pam! I am glad you have enjoyed getting to know us a little more! 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea. I will also be starting my wedding day with a run with my fiance (not a race, but I agree with you, it is a great way to start off a marriage!). You looked gorgeous!
I love this whole idea. I really would love to do something like this one day.