The Offbeat Bride: Leslie, Computer Science Instructor (and OBT member)

Her Offbeat Partner: Von, Senior Bailiff

Location & date of wedding: the back garden at Noe's Nest Bed and Breakfast in San Francisco, CA — August 9, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: LEGALLY marrying the Latin butch of my dreams, before California voted in PropHATE. Being surrounded and helped by many friends, most who we knew only from online and had not met in person before we arrived. Going from, "Hey, they're letting me go to LinuxWorld in San Francisco!" to… "Let's make it a vacation!" to… "Oh hey, let's get married" in less than a week, to married in less than a month.

Continue reading "Leslie & Von's last-minute, long-distance, LEGAL, butch-femme and friends wedding" →

While yesterday's California judicial decision about Proposition 8 deeply frustrates me, I figure the best way to voice my dissent is to continue featuring all my favorite California lesbian weddings … it's my way of saying "Love will prevail, despite the judges." -Ariel

The Offbeat Bride: Alli, coffeeshop manager

Her Offbeat Partner: Liz, specialty foods manager

Location & date of wedding: Beach wedding and firehouse reception in Pacifica, CA — September 21, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: From the start, we wanted a private beach wedding for those we're closest to, with a kick-ass party following for all our friends and family. We decided early on to go with a rock 'n roll motif, which helped us remember that this wasn't a boring, traditional wedding, but a unique celebration of our commitment.

Continue reading "Alli & Liz's Rock n' Roll Beach Wedding" →

I don't need a white dress to feel pretty, and I have no desire to pretend I'm virginal. I don't need to have Jeff propose to me as if he's chosen me. I don't need a ring as a daily reminder to myself or others that I am loved. And I don't need Jeff to say publicly that he loves me, because he says it privately, not just in words but in daily actions.

This Newsweek article reminded me so much of my friends Ben & Joriel — a couple who could have gotten married but chose not to for reasons of their own. I have several couple-friends like this, and I have a profound respect for their decisions not to get married.

The offbeat bride: Joriel Foltz, writer (and Offbeat Bride lab rat!)

My offbeat groom: Ben Haley, photographer

Location & date of wedding: March 20, 2005, Plant Zero Art Center, Richmond, VA

What made our wedding offbeat: Technically, we didn't have a wedding. For various reasons we decided not to get legally married. But that didn't stop us from having a blow-out celebration of our decision to spend the rest of our lives together.

We designed our entire ceremony from scratch, turned an industrial-chic event space into a magical wonderland, and served a homemade vegan buffet that satisfied all but the most maniacal carnivores.

Continue reading "Joriel & Ben's equinox commitment ceremony" →