I was recently interviewed for an article in the Northwest Herald, a paper in Illinois:

From tasting the cake to choosing that perfect first dance number, most wedding preparations are fun and exciting.

But there’s one task that can drive a seemingly normal couple to the brink of insanity – the guest list. For small weddings, which industry experts define as fewer than 100 people, the process is even more overwhelming.

“It’s really challenging,” said Ariel Meadow Stallings, author of the book “Offbeat Bride: Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides.” “You feel like a bouncer at a club. You’re in charge of this VIP list.”

Read the full article.

I just finished reading your book about a week ago and I would just like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH, ARIEL! I have been having the worst anxiety since my fiance and I got engaged. Between the nagging questions from family…"why not a church?" "why two years?" "what do you mean you're not wearing white?!?" to everyone and their mother (literally) giving me unwanted advice. We still don't have any details about our nuptials but I finally feel like I wont have a meltdown while we plan the wedding we want. I'm sure you hear this all the time, but again, thank you thank you thank you! You saved this weirdo girl and her punk lover from going insane. Love, Beth (& Ace)

• sniffle* You're welcome, Beth (& Ace). Thanks for making my day.

It's another episode of Offbeat Bride video advice! Woohoo! Apologies for the delay on this one — this vid is actually a few weeks old (my hair is now six inches shorter), but I was having issues with my camera's memory card. Bla bla bla, technical difficulties whatever — here we go!

The offbeat bride: Liz, Marketing Communications

Her offbeat partner: Laurie, German studies scholar and language teacher

Location & date of wedding: The Night Kitchen restaurant at the Montague Book Mill, Montague, MA

What made our wedding offbeat: Probably the most "offbeat" aspect of our wedding, aside from our gayness and my burgundy gown (are those things even offbeat anymore? Please!), was our dress code: we specifically instructed our guests to Outshine the Bride. It was right there on our website and in the invitation, and our guests did an amazing job!

Continue reading "Liz & Laurie encourage wedding guests to "Outshine the Bride"" →

I would like to add to my advice in the video: if you work it right, having a mother-in-law who's an event planner could be a really awesome thing! I'd also like to open it up to my beloved offbeat brides and ask all you: how would you make the most of having a MIL who's a wedding planner, but who has some traditional ideas for your wedding?