I have to send a great big 'ol shout-out to OBB reader Nancy for ushering us in the direction of a super (and may I even add "duper?") custom wedding invitation by Anna Rummey who shows us all a thing or two about how to make an awesome wedding invitation when you're "visibly up the duff"…

From Anna's blog:

I drew the birds months ago when I was at my folks, just after we arrived back from London. I had no idea that I was pregnant at the time or about to get married. The invite was a bit cheeky but didn't cause too much of a stir, although I'm pretty sure my dad wrote something completely different when he translated it for our relatives in Poland…

To read more and see her equally incredible "Order of Service" creation click over to Anna's website.

The Offbeat Bride: Connie, Charity Worker

Her Offbeat Partner: Jamie, Admin Worker

Location & date of wedding: Isle of Seil, Argyll, Scotland, UK — 27th June 2009 (and OBT member "Connikins")

What made our wedding offbeat: Connie's from a wee island in the Inner Hebrides, where her family has a beautiful farm right by the sea. So it was a no brainer where we would have the wedding. There's a monument on a small peninsula, which her Dad and some friends erected in the early '80s, that provided the perfect focal point. It was wonderful to be in such beautiful surroundings — the real stars of the wedding were the views!

Continue reading "Connie & Jamie's windy, nautical, owl-themed Scottish isle shindig" →

We're back with another new jewelry feature from Turtle Love Committee where we feature some of our favorite from their new lines of necklaces and earrings. Again, I feel the need to point out that we love them because they focus on jewelry that’s eco-conscious and made by independent artisans. Really, these people are good eggs — you can read about the people and the TLC philosophy and see for yourself.

Offbeat Discount: OBB readers that subscribe to the TLC mailing list will get a 20% off coupon, good through 12/20.

Like the miniature lithographs necklaces that we featured a little while back, these lovebirds necklaces are made by a husband-and-wife team in their home studio using at least 50% recycled silver. And the sweet thing about these babies is that they can worn all symbolic-like to represent you as a couple!

Or, added bonus, they can also represent family ties… they come in single parent or a two-parent team. A perfect gift option for the new moms or step-children in your life as you build your own nest through marriage.

Go check it out, lovebirds!

I love multi-purpose wedding stuff. One of our orange coral centerpieces sits on my bookshelf as decor, and every time I look at it I get the warm and fuzzies thinking about our wonderful day. I also wear my wedding flip flops all the time with the same results. So when I saw OBT member Kim's (aka. "uloveit") wedding cake topper choice, thought it was a great idea! Kim found a pair of adorable salt and pepper shakers to adorn the top of her cake…

Kim's cake topper:
 According to her wedding planning update, she's going to accent this cake topper with the Mary-Chapin Carpenter lyrics, "Grow old along with me" on the cake. Romantic overload.

Kim inspired me to look into some other salt and pepper cake toppers (because how nice would it be to have a functional cake topper that you could use all the time?), and found an incredible array of choices. So I'm gonna share with you my favsies…

Continue reading "Kitschy-fabulous salt & pepper shakers as cake toppers" →

OBT member Kasia, aka. "Lil Pistol" found these rad tattooed toasting flutes from Laserbird's Etsy shop. They're perfect for a tattooed bride and groom, or a couple that wants to get non-cheesy toasting flutes.

The glasses "features two birds nestled among beautifully detailed roses, with a flowing ribbon banner that reads LOVE." And the best part about these babies is that they can be custom engraved with your name and date. The ones pictured show the names engraved along the wing of each bird, and the date in the upper left.

Continue reading "Sailor Jerry Tattooed Toasting Flutes" →