When we were brainstorming centerpiece ideas for our Mexican-themed vintage-style wedding, we really wanted to incorporate something that really represented us, our life and our tastes. We HAD to have chips 'n salsa on the tables (hello! Mexican wedding in Texas!) and wanted an economical, handmade vehicle for that tasty goodness.

Continue reading "How to DIY your own vinyl record bowl" →

VERY newly wed OBTer Maiasaura, aka Laura, posted a quicky tutorial in one of her wedding planning updates about how she made her fully-customizable tri-fold table card centerpieces. The OBT masses loved it! So here we go… Maiasaura's ridiculously simple yet awesome tri-fold table card centerpiece tutorial! Take it away Laura! – Offbeat Shrie

Now that the wedding has come and gone, I finally have a moment to post about one of my favorite DIY projects: our table card/centerpieces! I got the idea from a craft book (don't remember the title, unfortunately) and they came out pretty, effective, and so very VERY cheap.

Continue reading "How to DIY your own tri-fold table card centerpieces" →

Tracy took her inspiration from Martha Stewart's (all hail Martha!) photo centerpiece idea, winged it and somehow created an awesome, true-to-example DIY centerpiece option! Go Tracy! Only a few materials are needed, and this can be constructed using basic crafting skills (no crazy contractor-style tools needed). – Offbeat Shrie

Finished, unlit lantern

These are really cute and could be made to accommodate a wide variety of themes, applications and color schemes, and in a range of sizes. They're also pretty easy and relatively cheap to make! They just take a little time and a little creativity.

I couldn't find step-by-step instructions on Martha's project so I took a leap of faith and just tried it out! They turned out beautifully and I couldn't be happier with 'em….

Continue reading "How to DIY your own Martha-esque photo lantern" →

You want it — you got it! All the great details and even greater wedding porn from Oonagh and Dylan's Toronto wedding! And, inspired by this wedding, this whole week we'll be featuring amazing Toronto weddings in so many different shapes and sizes and colors.

The offbeat bride: Oonagh, Documentary Theatre Artist and Personal Trainer (and OBT member "OonaghDuncan"

Her offbeat partner: Dylan, Engineering Technologist

Location & date of wedding: Gladstone Hotel in Toronto — 12 September 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: Dylan and I walked down the aisle together (me in a $199 gold tutu) towards my Dad (a judge) who was marrying us. We wrote our own vows that had ended with me launching myself on Dylan with emotion before we were officially instructed to kiss.

All the flowers were "ditch flowers" from the roads near my Mum's farm, except for my bouquet, which she had created from paper printed with Harlequin romance novel cover art.

Continue reading "Oonagh & Dylan's collaborative, creative, black-tie wedding with eco-considerations" →

The offbeat bride: Megan, MSW Grad Student (and OBT member "megankugler")

Her offbeat partner: Rusty, Graphic Designer

Location & date of wedding: Kansas City Athenaeum in Kansas City, MO — August 1, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: We wanted our wedding to represent who we are as a couple: Silly, creative, unconventional, and surrounded by love from our friends and family.

Almost everything was DIY, and we had quite a bit of help from friends and family.

Continue reading "Megan & Rusty's black, white, and wasabi wedding with unicorns & giraffes" →