Category Archive

Features

When we want to get more thoughtful, this is the spot for our feature articles. Sometimes we talk big-picture philosophies, other times we discuss wedding trends, and every once and a while we just go ape-shit over a wedding WTF?!

14388357006 9e5ef06cf3 c alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

How “all about the bride” is not about the bride at all

I knew going into wedding planning that there would be a lot of cooks in the kitchen, we knew there would be a few things where we just couldn’t compromise and would have to put our collective foot down. I offered, early on, to be the bad guy in these situations, since I could just say “I’m the bride, and this is what I want.” Turns out, no one cares if I’m the bride unless I want what “the bride” is supposed to want in their minds. “I” have been erased from the process. Let me give you some examples…

alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

5 things Miss Manners hates that I LOVE

I requested the Miss Manners wedding book (published in 2010 — a mere four years ago) this week from my local library. The dilemma of how to address invitations when many of our friends and relations are cohabitating without being married was confusing me, and I figured Miss Manners would have something to say on the topic. She does, of course. She also has thoughts on everything else to do with weddings. I disagree VEHEMENTLY with some of her opinions…

Bride and MOH with Hedwig alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

How to throw a Harry Potter bridal shower without making look like a kid’s birthday party

The bride to be, in this instance, is a HUGE Harry Potter fan. So the question for me became: How do I properly throw a party inspired by the books and movies, without making it look like a children’s birthday party? So we settled on a “Madam Puddifoot’s Tea House” theme — a tea party, complete with crumpets, and scones, and tea and lemonade…

alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Queer femme hearts trans man: the legitimacy of love

Being fully, unapologetically ourselves comes with risks and can be both contentious and dangerous. We are violated, belittled, deprived of love, victimized, isolated and left wanting… both by larger systems and communities, and by people we thought we could trust. Amidst the pain or discomfort, we have to remember that there is hope.

14860647311 07ceef4ba7 c alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Tales from a tuxedo shop: The 5 things you should know about tuxedo rental and fittings

You have decided you want the guys or gals all done up in tuxedos. Yay! That’s awesome. However, you might be not sure where to start. I am the store manager at a family owned tuxedo rental shop in Indiana, and I love my job. I will be the first to say you do not need to rent tuxes if you don’t want to, but today I am going to go over what you should know if you do…

fat bride alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

I’m a fat bride

I want anything emblazoned with “bride” to be changed to “fat bride.” My identity as a fat woman is no secret, and I’m not ashamed of it. I bare my body with pride. However, not everyone feels the same way.