Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides

Party games, a candy buffet, DIY elephant signs, and a topsy-turvy cake! This cocktail party-style wedding had as much fun as a carnival. You'll love their choice of music as well — the Portal theme, Nine Inch Nails, and the A-Team theme!

2011 was a tremendous year of growth for Milestone Images. I am thrilled to say, thanks to my amazing clients, and the extremely supportive community at Offbeat Bride, that the studio is growing by leaps and bounds. Meanwhile, here's a look back at five offbeat couples whose weddings inspired me in 2011.

So, you know how I can sorta spy on y'all's shopping habits? I certainly can't see who buys what, but I CAN see trends of what y'all like, based on what you buy after clicking links on Offbeat Bride.

Sometimes, I like to gather up this data in my arms (LIKE A HUG! A BIG DATA-RICH HUG!) and share it with y'all — these are wedding invitations that lots of y'all have been loving over the last few months. Today's invitations are all from Minted.com, but I can also see that a TON of you ordered custom invitations from Vistaprint. (Totally makes sense: Vistaprint is cheap and awesome.)

Anyway, less talking, more clicking and eye-boggling. Let's get inspired by each other's tastes — we've got mustaches, tractors, fireflies and 8-bit awesomness to gawk at!

When two graphic designers get married you're sure to have something good to look at. In this case, it was their printed materials including programs, invites, save-the-dates, and seating chart. But the really amazing part was that they made them in 3D! The guests even donned 3D glasses to see the fun. But no glasses could have saved them from break dancing casualties.

Got a pixie or short cut? Need something a little bolder for your wedding day? Check out these faux hawks and mohawks for some height, color, and serious style. (You can even do some of these with long hair!)

She brought us the adorable kitteh wedding invitations, now she's here to school us all on how you can pull off a quilt as your wedding guestbook.

Our DIY Editor, Jessica, shows us why she thinks asking your photographer to shoot the wedding rehearsal is more than worth it.

The bride loves owls, purple, and polka dots, while the groom likes plaid. Clashing? Hell no! Put it all together in a retro bowling alley and the deal is sealed. Some science-inspired vows and a Thriller interlude capped off the ceremony. Check out this retro-inspired wedding in California.