Category Archive

mixed-gender wedding party

We love mixed-gender and gender-neutral wedding parties. Who says a bride needs maids? Who says grooms need men? MIX IT UP!

gender neutral wedding party gifts NSFW alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Gender-neutral (and slightly NSFW) wedding party gifts

If you’re on my same wedding date trajectory (Wedding Season 2017!) then you’re probably frantically looking for gifts for your wedding party. And, you’re also noticing that almost all things labeled “wedding party gifts” have “bridesmaid” emblazoned across them in giant cursive letters. Welp, my wedding party is co-ed, and I don’t see my best friend Ken rocking that “best bridesmaids ever” tank top any time soon.

So here are some of my favorite gender-neutral wedding party gifts (that are also slightly NSFW) that I’ve found whilst on my search…

Groomsgirl rules you HAVE to live by

Groomsgirl rules you HAVE to live by

These are the official rules that all groomsgirls, best women, and any ladies standing by their favorite dudes: there are NO rules. We recently spied Orange is the New Black’s Lauren Lapkus at this super gorgeous vegan and pink wedding as one of the groom’s attendants. She ROCKED a feminine suit that matched the groomsmen and even walked one of the bridemaids into the reception. Hell yes! After that, we knew we needed another reminder of how awesome groomsgirls and best women can be. (Oh, and spoiler: these tips totally work for bridesdudes, too!)

Here are the things you totally do not have to do as a groomsgirl:

I'm both maid of honor AND best woman at my best friends' wedding

I’m both maid of honor AND best woman at my best friends’ wedding

My friends Beth and Eric (formerly Beth and Katrina!) are getting married, and I’m both the maid of honor AND the best woman. Yeah. Even for somebody completely qualified to fulfill these roles, this is a daunting task, and I am probably one of the least qualified people to be given such an honor. Balancing both of these roles is challenging no matter how much I care for both of them. Especially when they come into conflict. Here’s how I’m handling it…

fggffg alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Could your BFF say no to these funny wedding party invitations?

Say it with love, say it with beer, say it with mock threat (which ya’ll know is totally fake!), or even say it with chocolate… there’s always a kick-ass way to ask your wedding party crew to be by your side for all of the shenanigans. These funny wedding party invitations hit all the sweet, silly, and personal spots to honor your relationship. Round up your bridesmaids, groomsmen, bridesguys, groomsgirls, and all those you love most and invite them to be a part of your posse with these funny wedding party invitations.

my best friend wont be in my wedding alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

5 things to do when your best friend said no to being in the wedding

About three days after getting engaged, I texted my best friend to quickly confirm that he would, indeed, be in my wedding party. His response was… not what I was expecting. Here’s how I dealt with it.

In a sadness tailspin, I reached out to my future husband, who was in the midst of a two hour work meeting. So I reached out to my ex-husband (who knows our relationship the best of anyone) and he had some awesome advice for anyone who has a best friend that said no to being in your wedding party…

Deciding which events your bridesman should attend? as seen on @offbeatbride

How do you decide which events your bridesman should attend?

With more and more wedding parties going the way of the coed, it’s becoming pretty common and no big deal, especially around these parts. Sometimes couples even have a shared wedding party, especially if they have a ton of shared friends. The point is, there are no set rules for gender-blind wedding parties as long as you’re honoring the feelings of your friends. Let’s talk about asking dudes to join you at your pre-wedding parties and planning events.