Remember when we introduced you to the "My Black Wedding" wedding? Well, here's the whole scoop behind the beautifully goth celebration…

The Offbeat Bride: Olga, Web Designer

Her Offbeat Partner: Sergei, Network Engineer

Location & date of wedding: Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana, New Zealand — 8.05.2009

What made our wedding offbeat: We decided on black rings, black dress, no cake, no dances, and a non-traditional gothic style wedding (although we are not hardcore goths). We also decided to make all the decorations, invitations, etc., ourselves to make sure none of the mainstream stuff would get in.

Continue reading "Olga & Sergei's dark, gothic, wine-country escape" →

The offbeat bride: Emi, Barbershop Receptionist/Manager (and OBT member)

Her offbeat partner: Trevor, Call Center Supervisor

Location & date of wedding: Aunt Karla's Backyard Garden, Portland, OR — 07/18/2009

What made our wedding offbeat: We really didn't hire anyone for anything. We had a few rentals delivered (tables, chairs, our Honeybucket) from outside vendors, but we did all the food & drinks, cupcakes, table settings and flowers, decor, etc., ourselves (that is, with TONS of help from family and friends).

Continue reading "Emi & Trevor's Beer & Hot Dogs Garden Party Wedding" →

A few days ago I got asked a question via Twitter about about some suggestions for good alternatives to the first dance. Offbeat Bride has broached the topic of dance-free wedding receptions before, but what if you like to dance, but you just don't want to have to be the ONLY ONES dancing? Or, maybe you love being the only ones under the spotlight, but dancing isn't exactly your thing, what are your other options?

First Song 
We've seen many variations on this idea — there's been first songs, first karaoke, musically inclined couples have even put a band together in order to perform at their wedding. I've been to a wedding where only the bride was a musician, and she performed a song that she wrote for groom instead of them both doing the first dance.

First Drink
Instead of mixing your unity cocktail during the ceremony, save it for the reception in leu of a first dance!

Kicking off your reception with a first drink is quick and painless and does double duty for shy brides & grooms as it can help to calm nerves and will probably help put you in the mood to dance later on… with everyone else, of course.

Continue reading "7 First Dance Alternatives for Dance-shy Couples" →

The Offbeat Bride: Jami, coffeehouse owner

Her Offbeat Partner: Jamie, behavioral assistant

Location & date of wedding: The groom's parents' farm in McMinnville, OR — July 18th, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: This wedding came in under $2000. I kept it cheap by collecting things that I needed over the span of a year. It was beautiful, inexpensive, and so much fun!

Continue reading "Jami & Jamie's backyard game night wedding" →

These recent submissions to the Offbeat Bride photo pool from Steve Koo photography make it clear that if you want no dancing at your reception, bowling may be your solution. Also, the lighting at bowling alleys is tres dramatique, oui?:

The shots remind me of this amazing series from Melissa's Idaho wedding last year by AMB Photo Company:

Continue reading "Bowling brides" →