The offbeat bride: Melissa, Community Health

Her offbeat partner: James, Full-time Homeschoolin’ Dad

Location & date of wedding: Medieval Wall Lined City Carcassonne, France - August 23rd, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: I had my 50’s-inspired prom dress custom made and allowed my 10 year old the freedom to design her own. I wore greens shoes, green ribbon with a white dress and a green lace parasol to spice it up a bit.

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The offbeat bride: Michelle, Woodshop Maven

Her offbeat partner: Jason, Clockmaker

Location & date of wedding: Friend’s backyard in Audubon PA, near Philly. July 19, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: We wanted a wedding that was simple, low budget, and entirely ours. Our budget was very modest but we had complete editorial control. Also, we wanted COSTUMES!!! Not just for the bride and groom or for a genre, but a costume party for everyone with free food and booze for all.

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Those of you dealing with stick-in-the-mud officiants will be inspired by Lamira Martin, an ordained celebrant in St. Louis who’s motto is “Your ceremony, your way.” With a background in cultural anthropology, she makes it clear that she believes “each person is a spark of God or Universal Energy. I believe there are many avenues to that source and there is not one right way.”

She’s overseen pirate weddings and handfastings, and she’s got samples of wedding and commitment ceremonies on her website. Lamira is available for weddings in St. Louis, Missouri and Southern Illinois area, and can travel if you need her to. Check out Lamira’s website: YourCeremonyYourWay.com.