There’s been talk about wedding ring workshops before on offbeatbride.com (remember how Elaina did a workshop to make her wedding ring?) and for those of you who have been intrigued by the idea, keep reading!

Wedding ring workshops happen all over the US and in two UK locations, and here’s how it works: you take a day with a master jeweler who gives you one-on-one guidance through the process of designing, fabricating, and finishing your truly unique wedding rings. I’ve always been a big proponent of custom rings, but actually making the rings your damn self!? It don’t get much more DIY than that!

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There are lots of books for different sorts of nontraditional brides — indiebrides, anti-brides, offbeat brides … and now there’s a book for DIY brides!

I recently had the chance to interview Khris Cochran, author of The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects for Your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding and editor of diybride.com.

Keep reading for her take on the projects that didn’t make it into the book, how to overcome “DIY-er than thou” competitive issues, and what one project even the most enterprising of DIY brides should probably hire someone else to handle.

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Remember the wedding with cue cards? Here’s the full story!

The offbeat bride: Yolkai, Mama, crafter, delicious food maker

Her offbeat groom: Anthony/Ackshawn, Teacher, K-8 Behavior Specialist

Location & date of wedding: Isis Oasis Sanctuary, a retreat center with an Egyptian theme in Geyserville, CA.

What made our wedding offbeat:We did it our way! After six years and a baby together we wanted the public declaration, the fancy outfits, and the big fun party! We chucked most of the mainstream wedding crap and held on to a few sweet traditions. Pretty much everything, from the invitations to the interpretive dance, was an expression of our style, our silliness, and our values.

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Remember the Wards and their colorful wedding? Well, here’s the full scoop!

The offbeat bride: Helen Ward, Graphic Designer

My offbeat groom: Tim Ward, Graphic Designer

Location & date of wedding: The Paintworks gallery space, Bristol, UK

What made our wedding offbeat: The first thing I knew was that I WAS NOT going to be wearing a white dress and that I WAS going to be wearing red shoes!! Everything else went from there really.

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Those who’ve read my book (which should be all of you *cough cough*) will notice that this wedding sounds awfully familiar. Elisa and I grew up together on Bainbridge Island, and our weddings had a lot in common! I’ve mentioned her wedding before, but here’s the full profile…

The offbeat bride: Elisa, Therapist

Her offbeat groom: Eric, Electrician

Location & date of wedding: My mom’s backyard in a clearing surrounded by Cedar trees on Bainbridge Island.

What made our wedding offbeat: We decided to go low key, fun and DIY! We had a backyard ceremony and I wore the same dress that my grandma and great-grandma wore. It was so special, I’m really glad I did! After the ceremony I changed dresses so I wouldn’t trash the antique one and we danced and hung out all night. I made many of the things for the wedding to keep it cheap and cute, with everything being our colors of bright orange, pink, red, and fushia.

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Now these are my kind of wedding colors. The chartreuse wedding dress! The red shoes! The purple shirt and tie!

I would be remiss if I didn’t include the coordinated wedding cake and father of the bride’s tie.

And don’t forget about the mum of the groom’s fabulous hat! Oh, and I love the paper decorations and lovely placesettings.

Tim and Helen had a stunning wedding. If you need some non-budget inspiration — wow, check them out. I think I have a crush on them.

UPDATE: Lots of DIY details over here!

(Thanks to Ward-a-mercy for the photo!)

The offbeat bride: Katie / corporate whore (currently looking for something more fulfilling, like talking to plants)

My offbeat groom: Lindsay / sporting goods

Location & date of wedding: Mom and stepdad’s yard on the Tulalip Indian reservation by Marysville, WA

What made our wedding offbeat: I think two things really set the tone for our offbeat wedding: 1.) Save the date magnets with ketchup and mustard bottles holding hands and smiling with, “some things just go together! Please save the date for our wedding” and 2.) A quote by Thornton Wilder on our (very lovely) invitations: “my advice to you, is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it is on your plate.”

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The offbeat bride: Melissa, Web Master

My offbeat groom: John, Network Admin

Location & date of wedding: Uptight Wedding Chapel in Trenton, MI, April 23, 2005

What made our wedding offbeat: Mostly we bucked tradition. Not even in a huge, flamboyant way. But it drove the chapel owner/managers crazy and the minister refused to speak with us except for the ceremony itself.

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I love this bride’s bouquet — she had a forest wedding, and I think it’s awesome that she chose to make a bouquet from the natural flora in the area. It really binds the event to the location, is super low-impact and eco-friendly (no pesticides!), budget-conscious, and in this case made for a gorgeous casual bouquet full of fern fronds and wildflowers.

(Thanks to Organic Photo for the photo!)