The brides have spoken…
"Ariel is a very funny and gutsy writer. I read her book and felt relieved and excited." —Summer Pierre
"As soon as I discovered Ariel's blog, I knew I had to read her book. Ariel's writing style is fun, accessible, and peppered with moments of humor and insight that kept me reading straight through until I reached the last page." -Liz, Syracuse, NY
"Since we're not planning a traditional wedding, most magazines and books don't really give the advice I'm looking for. Offbeat Bride is awesome because it gives a lot of great tips for unconventional couples and, while reading it, I felt relieved because the book confirmed for me that I'm not a freak just because I didn't want a diamond engagement ring." —The (mis)Adventures of a Rockabilly Bride
"Here is the thing, I hate weddings. HATE THEM. Yet sometime in the near future I'll be getting married. So how does one reconcile her independent bad-ass self with the nightmare that is the Wedding Industrial Complex? Stallings interviews many 'offbeat brides' and shares the details about her own non-traditional wedding to help you plan your own. I definitely recommend this book to anyone with a wedding in their future, and I especially recommend reading it *before* you immerse yourself in bridal magazines." —Mia of Four Letter Word
The journalists say …
"Some girls dream about their wedding. Others consider skipping the ceremony altogether. Ariel Meadow Stallings marries tradition with non-conformity by acknowledging that many women face a 'bridentity crisis' and that feminist wedding planners do exist."
— Canada's Globe and Mail
“Offbeat Bride should be required reading for every couple struggling to create a wedding that uniquely reflects who they are. With wisdom and humor, Ariel Meadow Stallings reminds you that you need not buy into the wedding industrial complex in order to have a kick-ass celebration.”
—Lori Leibovich, founder and editor of Indiebride.com
"The perfect book for engaged couples who are grappling with how to buck tradition, bypass the formidable Wedding Industry, and design their own weddings. For such couples, Offbeat Bride is more than a go-to guide; it is a godsend."
—Cienna Madrid, Seattle's The Stranger
"A fun and smart read … The book contains not only a memoir of Fetz and Stallings' process but also charming stories, tips and ideas from many other brides (and a few grooms). The book itself is not glossy, but Stallings' interactive website and her Flickr group (where other 'offbeat' brides can upload photos) take advantage of the whole Web 2.0 thing."
—Suzi Steffen, Eugene Weekly
"For those of you out there looking to take the plunge in your own way, check out Offbeat Bride. A guide book for those of us who want our weddings to be more party of the century then stuffy matrimonial, the website and book cover the a to z of the alternative wedding scene; such as buying a dress from an indie dress maker and how to find funky wedding rings that don’t break the bank and don’t involve those blood diamonds." —Pack Rat Magazine
"If your nuptials include a getaway in VW bus or you are strenuously avoiding anything taffeta or frilly — or just want a fun read about Stallings' anti-Martha alternative planning methods — this book is for you." —The Wedding Register
The fellow authors say …
“A wedding book that won’t make you puke. Whatever your idea of nontraditional may be, Offbeat Bride is here to tell you that it’s all gonna be okay.”
—Wendy McClure, columnist for BUST magazine and author of I’m Not the New Me
Finally, a wedding guide that doesn’t assume you’ve been waiting your whole life to act out tulle-swathed princess fantasies. Stallings deftly shows independent women how to embrace their inner bride without losing themselves in the process.”
—Hana Schank, author of A More Perfect Union: How I Survived the Happiest Day of My Life
“Here’s one book the wedding industrial complex doesn’t want you to read! Offbeat brides aren’t just creative and thrifty (though they’re often both)—they’re taking weddings back and reinventing them in the ways that matter most.”
—Kamy Wicoff, author of I Do but I Don’t: Walking Down the Aisle without Losing Your Mind
