The offbeat bride: Monika A, Fluevog Asst Manager, Professional Tarot Reader and part time vegan baker

Her offbeat partner: Carter , build and release computer engineer

Location & date of wedding: Hakone Gardens, Saratoga , CA — September 20, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: When a Pagan, tarot reading, Fluevog Pimpette decides to marry a Floridian, blond/blue eyed, computer geek, atheist, your wedding has to be offbeat! We found our middle ground in having the wedding in an amazing Japanese Garden, which was alive with nature and her beauty. We did almost everything ourselves and don't regret any part of the year of collecting cutlery, making cherry blossom center pieces, and searching Craigslist for the perfect table cloths.

Continue reading "Monika & Carter's Neo-Victorian, Pagan-Atheist, Japanese, Peacock, Love Fest" →

The Offbeat Bride: Julie, Account Executive

Her Offbeat Partner: Stephanie, Senior Boarding Manager at a Doggy Daycare

Location & date of wedding: San Francisco Zoo – San Francisco, CA — May 30, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: I guess the obvious answer here would be along the lines of two brides, zero white dresses, etc. — probably not so "offbeat" anymore, and certainly not in the Bay Area.

Outside of our pre-election, City Hall “quickie,” this was the first gay or lesbian wedding that either of us had been to, so we really felt like we had an opportunity here to make this our own versus the cookie-cutter wedding that too many people have. We took a lot that was traditional, and threw in a lot that wasn’t –- in the end, it all worked big time.

Continue reading "Julie & Stephanie's San Francisco Zoo Wedding" →

Here's a wonderful DIY non-floral centerpiece idea from Katie Sue's wedding — a log-sliced wooden base, with two wrapped candles and trivia about wedding traditions held aloft for guests ponder:

Katie Sue says: Nearly everything purchased for the wedding was on sale, free, or crafted with things I already had or could easily find. My fiance and I had craft-night nearly every night for about 7 months leading up to the wedding.

We hand-made everything we could, including the boutonnieres, invitations, programs, thank-yous, centerpieces, signage, bouquet, and headpieces.

Continue reading ""Did you know" centerpieces + tons of DIY inspiration" →

I'm sure I'm biased because the floral centerpieces at our wedding consisted of flowers from my aunt's garden arranged in a mishmash of old vases and mason jars, but I just love this photo of a niece acting as florist at Sarah Jane & Esther's recent "not-wedding" in Melbourne, Australia.

Also, am I the only one who got choked up at this shot of the brides?

Lots more photos over here, and OBT members can pester Esther with more questions over here.

And in case you missed my two part series, here 'tis! "Planning A Wedding from Afar Part I and Part II". Tips and tricks galore.. now dive into our wedding!

The offbeat bride: Shrie, Sign Designer/Music Writer

Her offbeat partner: Brett, Senior System Engineer

Location & date of wedding: YWCA in downtown Fort Worth, TX on Friday March 13th, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: I didn't wear a white dress… or a wedding dress! We had a close female friend become ordained to marry us (much to the chagrin of my family) and our dog was our ring bearer!

Continue reading "Shrie & Brett's Vintage 50's Mexican Fiesta Hitchin'!" →