While yesterday's California judicial decision about Proposition 8 deeply frustrates me, I figure the best way to voice my dissent is to continue featuring all my favorite California lesbian weddings … it's my way of saying "Love will prevail, despite the judges." -Ariel

The Offbeat Bride: Alli, coffeeshop manager

Her Offbeat Partner: Liz, specialty foods manager

Location & date of wedding: Beach wedding and firehouse reception in Pacifica, CA — September 21, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: From the start, we wanted a private beach wedding for those we're closest to, with a kick-ass party following for all our friends and family. We decided early on to go with a rock 'n roll motif, which helped us remember that this wasn't a boring, traditional wedding, but a unique celebration of our commitment.

Continue reading "Alli & Liz's Rock n' Roll Beach Wedding" →

My parents were divorced when I was very young, and a family friend stepped in to take my father's place in my life. I still see this man as a father figure, more so one than my biological father. The other man who helped raise me is gay, and at this point in his life knows he isn't going to have any children, and sees my brother and I as his children instead. When I asked he agreed to walk me down the aisle, but I don't know how to break that to my biological father, who I DON'T want to walk me down the aisle. Period.

How do I tell my biological father that another man who did more raising of me is going to walk me down the aisle instead of him? -Ellie

Ellie, I think it's wonderful that you've chosen the man who you feel is a positive father figure in your life to walk you down the aisle. Walking someone down their wedding aisle is privilege, not a blood right — one that you feel this Other Dad clearly earned in his role raising you.

As for how to break it down for bio-dad, here's my advice…

Continue reading "How to tell dad that another man is walking you down the aisle" →

This OMG OBT post brings us a tutorial from OBT member lepapillonvert on how she and her husband made their beautiful handfasting cords.

There is no right or wrong way to make handfasting cords, and they can be as elaborate or simple as you want them to be. It really comes down to what you want to represent yourselves, or what is easiest for you.

The only time the cords are to be dismantled/unknotted is in the case of a hand parting, so please remember that anything you use to decorate your cord is to remain with it for as long as you are bound to each other.

Your cord should be long enough to loop over both wrists as well as being able to make the knots.

We've read that if you are using a single cord, that a generic rule of length is ideally no less than 6 feet.

Again, it's up to you.

Continue reading "How to make Handfasting Cords, by Lepapillonvert" →

The Offbeat Bride: Gaia, Solar Energy Designer

Her Offbeat Partner: Parker, Gourmet vegetarian chef

Location & date of wedding: Under our geodesic dome at our home in rural Michigan — April 20, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: Our ceremony was about equality and expressing our unique personalities. She's a buddhist, he's a pagan, so we chose very egalitarian vows representing both traditions.

We took all the typical sexist language out of the ceremony, questioned the origin of every tradition and sought out ideas and symbology from many cultures.

Continue reading "Gaia & Parker's Buddhist Pagan Geodesic Hippie Handfasting" →

For those of you on the vintage side of things, feast your eyes on this top hats 'n' tails wonderfulness:

See more photos of this gorgeous Czech wedding below…

Continue reading "Vintage wedding in Prague" →

Colorful bride + stripey groom? IT'S BENDED MY MIND! MY MIND IS BENDED!

See more shots from Travis & Abby's colorful and striped wedding below … and hopefully we'll have the full scoop soon…

Continue reading "Color & Stripes" →