Coming from her background as a punk rock music scene photographer, San Francisco based Lauren Cohn-Frankel brings an approach to weddings that is about the individuality of every couple, both in style and substance. Because, as Lauren puts it,

"Offbeat weddings are about more than just cool and weird fashion and accessories; they are about moving beyond the superficial, about the right of every couple to put meaning and intention into every aspect of their wedding and make their wedding their own."

Keep reading to see some more examples of Lauren Cohn-Frankel's colorful, unique, and beautiful work, find out what makes her stand out from other photographers and to take advantage of her special Offbeat Bride offer…

Continue reading "Wedding photography and "couture books" from Cohn Frankel Photography" →

Many thanks to photographer Michelle Hayes for submitting these fabulous photos of Liz & Dave's rollerskating wedding to the Offbeat Bride photo pool!

I'm especially taken with Liz's bubbly uber-ruffled pink Betsy Johnson wedding dress — it makes me think of a cupcake or some other sugary baked good begging for some om-nom-nomming:

I'm not sure how Michelle managed to make the roller rink lighting turn so lush and delicious, but the photos are screaming with color and out of this world…

Continue reading "Rollerskating wedding" →

Hopefully I'll have more photos and the full story from the Zimtrix California forest wedding soon, but for now I must share this photo of the wedding dress, which was designed and constructed by Jessica Hinel, a costume designer and seamstress based in the Bay Area:

If you want to know more about the dress and see the amazing Wai-Ching-inspired split train, go read the designer's blog post about her design and construction process. Jessica also did the groom's styling, which she's promised to blog about soon. I'll be waiting.

Meet Lilia & Ray Ahner, a husband a wife San Francisco wedding photography duo who totally understand the needs of offbeat couples because, well, they are one.

Lilia explained to me, "As old school goth & industrial and punk rock & metal kids who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene, we're PIBs (persons in black) and former Goths … and we still love the dark aesthetic. " Lilia studied fine art photography and photojournalism, has a design degree, and worked as a web designer for over 11 years. Ray is a self-taught photographer who documents the SF Bay Area music scene.

Oh, and they take kick-ass wedding photos:

When I asked Lilia about their typical clients, she told me, "Our offbeat clients are independent and creative with an amazing sense of personal style ranging from indie, goth, punk, alternative, rockabilly, all the way to folks that might look pretty normal on the outside, but are amazingly creative and different on the inside."

…Sound like anyone you know?

To see more amazing photography from these two, keep reading.

Continue reading "San Francisco Wedding Photography by Lilia Photography" →

If you're in the Bay Area and you're looking for a photographer who can capture the sweet, the sentimental, the drama, and the over-the-top fabulous moments of your wedding day, definitely check out EmmyJeanne Photography. I think Offbeat Bride readers will be especially fond of the shots from Phuong and Tommy's wedding, featured above. (Go to EmmyJeanne Photography andcClick "Weddings" and then select Phuong and Tommy from the list browse the photos.)

Emily Merrill, who runs EmmyJeanne, explains that "I love taking pictures of the dress, the tux, the flowers, the rings, the tears, the crazy relative that you want to forget, and the kisses…lots of kisses." She aims for authenticity and capturing the tiny details, and although she's based in San Francisco, Emily welcomes travel assignments. To see more work, head on over to EmmyJeannePhotography.com.

Caroline Winata of Tinywater Photography has something magic in her super lush, super saturated, super gorgeous wedding and engagement photos:

Those of you who are members of the OBT may recognize this bride-to-be — it's Julie, who recently wrote about her experiences with Tinywater Photography in the OBT forum.

Keep reading for more Tinywater photos, including the most gorgeous urban elopement ever, a four-legged flower girl, and a trash the dress special offer…

Continue reading "Tinywater Photography in Sacramento and the Bay Area" →