Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides

hope you have a spare pair of underthings at the ready, because after this post about Dana's infathomably gorgeous hand-crafted steampunk wedding dress, you're going to need to go change yourself. I mean, OBVIOUSLY everyone at this wedding looked like they just stepped out of some neo-Victorian psychedlic wet-dream, saturated in rich colors and brass baubles and amazingness. But the bride's dress was crafted from an old prom dress and a parachute — the story simply must be shared, straight from the bride's mouth.

A first look by the ocean, a ruffly green reception dress, a magician, and hula hooping. Plus, all the single ladies lined up flash mob-style for the bouquet toss to, of course, Beyonce. I've got your attention now, right? This carnival wedding in Massachusetts is bananas and you need to see it.

I had the biggest, goofiest grin on my face while reading about this wedding. Seeing the love at a young couple's wedding is one thing, but seeing the same big, soppy, lovey-dovey love after 20 years at a vow renewal just rocks. Kids, dogs, handmade medieval garb, and a wicked maypole brings it all together.

Jonas Seaman has a style that's all his own, and I'm pretty stoked because he recently put out a roundup of his favorite photos from 2011 and it's AMAZING. Before I link you to it, I want to show off some of my top 10 favorite wedding photos from Jonas AND give you a little more insider information on one of the Empire's favorite photogs.

Look and lust over these DIYed wedding invitation suites, inspired by a sugary sweet tradition in Quebec, that include Moo cards, and also manage reference wild raccoons.

The groom's parents own a garden center, so these two jumped at the chance to have a foliage-filled space to host their wedding. With a ROYGBIV backdrop of rainbow murals and a rainbow-clad wedding party (including a wiener dog in a yellow tux), you just can't go wrong.

We've talked about hiding your wedding-related details on Facebook, but we haven't yet delved into how to handle the things you CAN'T hide, like your friends posting photos of your more intimate wedding events. Here's how Offbeat Bride Tribe moderator, Foxes.in.sockses, took on her situation.

Long black gloves, an ombre dress, a La Bohème cake… so much coolness was to be found in the Offbeat Flickr Pool and Pinterest account. Check out those plus a little metalhead and a kick-ass photo booth idea in this week's Monday Montage.