Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides

In an effort to combine their love of the East Coast, local West Coast food and drink, and their mutual multicultural backgrounds, this pair ended up with a conch shells, awesome beer from Philly, heaps of awesome DIY, and of course, the totally impressive backdrop of redwoods.

If you've been drooling over Royal Steamline wedding invites (and less face it, most of us DO) then get your salivary glands in check because they just released new invitation designs AND they're offering an exclusive offers to Offbeat Brides AAAAAND they're hosting a give-away! (I know, right!?)

An Offbeat Bride reader emailed us about her idea to wear a colored wedding dress while her bridesmaids don white ones. She also expressed her exasperation when it came to finding photos of other brides who have pulled off this fabulous color switcharoo. So, I thought I'd round up a few of our favorite examples from offbeat weddings past that just might have you re-thinking your wedding dress colors.

These two love sweets, their pug, buttons, Dexter, and each other. Take all these elements, put them in an awesome neon-clad venue, and get the games going. Just try and keep those kiddies from shooting straight for DA CANDEH BAR!

Our darling Offbeat Mama managing editor Stephanie is moving from Alabama to Oregon and she's taking her camera with her. What does this mean? Well, aside from the fact that she'll be a LOT closer to me and Ariel, she'll also be able to shoot your west coast weddings! And there's even better news for you Pacific North Westerners. Keep reading to take advantage…

With my upcoming nuptials many family members have been asking whether I will be including members of the family that they know for a fact have nothing but bad wishes for me. To which I have honestly said "No." My reasons are simple.

Lots of DIY was happening in the Offbeat Flickr Pool and Offbeat Bride Pinterest account this week. We've got ruffled skirts, copper-leafed candles, Lebowski-style save-the-dates, and some save-the-dates written on faces! It just a DIY kind of week.

After a wedding (or two) under their belt, it was time to make this one their own: Vikings, a fiery red dress, belly dancing performers (who dragged everyone up to dance!), and a processional song written by the groom. Join us (and Geoff Peterson) in reading about this backyard shindig.