Category Archive

I was the editor of the now-defunct Offbeat Families, and owner/photographer at Stephanie Kaloi Photography in Portland, OR.
wedding guests psychic alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Keep your wedding guests entertained by letting them predict your future

Allyson and Casey came up with a clever way to keep guests occupied during their Harry Potter wedding. The couple asked guests to play Sybill Trelawney and make predictions for their future!

rice crispie wedding cake alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Have a three-tier Rice Krispies treat as your wedding cake

Casey and Tim’s farm wedding was heavy on the delish desserts — including this three-tier wedding cake made from Rice Krispies! This is a true DIY masterpiece: Casey’s dad created custom form pans and her mom whipped up the treat. If you’re not feeling up to creating your own forms you could use something already made, like a regular cake pan or one that’s heart-shaped.

book store wedding photo alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

This wedding is all about rain boots, fabric bouquets, and co-written vows pledging eternal love for cats

Holly and Jen rock at crafting: they handmade both of their bouquets and all of the desserts served at their wedding, including the three-tired wedding cake! Yellow and gray clearly ruled the day, as evidenced by the rain boots worn by the brides, the ribbons used for their handfasting, and the crows and bird cages printed on the dessert cookies. The pair bridged sentiment and humor with their co-written vows, including promises to accept each cat brought into their lives and staying together long enough to see what one another’s tattoos look like in old age.

yellow umbrella bridal photo alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

A wild and bright DIY circus-themed Canadian wedding complete with streamers and ice cream

Shai and Crystal win at planning: they pulled off their backyard circus-themed wedding in under a month! Family and friends pitched in by building everything from the red-and-white striped tent to the colorful balloon arch. A parade of feathers, bubbles, and a tiny clown ring bearer led Crystal up the polka dot aisle, and guests tossed streamers into the air at the ceremony’s conclusion. These two opted to use the time immediately following the ceremony to snag ice cream and take photos at a baseball park. The night was rounded out with Indian food and barbecue, followed by tie-dyed cupcakes and a skeleton-topped cake.

blue shoes bridal details alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Plants vs. Zombies, wedding flags, and tons of TARDIS blue: a sunny North Carolina wedding

Erika and Emmanuel chose a Raleigh, North Carolina Moroccan restaurant called Babylon for their ceremony and reception spot. The venue’s brightly colored interior and exterior definitely complemented the fun vibe of the day! Wedding decor included wedding flags decorated with hearts and flags that read “Yay” and “Huzzah,” and Erika and Emmanuel carried their own “Mr. and Mrs. Emmerika” flags.

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence wedding officiant alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

This “gride” and “broom” were married by a drag queen clown nun from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Nicole and Melissa’s Washington wedding at Nature’s Connection Place is one for the books! For starters, they crafted “gride” and “broom” signs for their chairs and were wed by a bearded be-glittered member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who officiated while rocking a massive rainbow sequined headdress. There were hints of purple in everything from the couple’s matching boutonnieres to the violets cascading down the side of their wedding cake.