Ooh, ladies. Have I got a hot one for you today…

[Custom wedding gown by Starkers!, as seen on OBB here. More details about this particular wedding here.]

Sure, Starkers! Corsetry does traditional wedding gowns … but they definitely specialize in offbeat corset-based wedding attire: black & white, red, vinyl, stripes, Gothic wedding gowns, and oooh so much more.

Starkers! corsets and gowns can be created for any size, from teeny petite-y to plus sized, and are almost always two piece, so you actually can wear your corset after your wedding. Because the corsets and gowns are exactly to your measurements, they're relatively comfortable to wear all day. Despite the 26 steel bones, they're still flexible enough to dine, dance, and celebrate in.

Founded by Diana DiNoble, Starkers! has been creating custom corsets for 17 years — 11 years of that online. This is all to say, holy shit ladies: Diana knows what she's doing.

Each corset is custom made using the measurements and information you provide to create a garment that will fit your individual body and style. Whether you are a woman, man, plus size or petite, they take the time to draft your pattern and construct your one of a kind corset using the quality fabrics and leathers. All of Starkers! corsets are constructed for strength and durability and can provide a moderate, natural curve, but are also suitable for tight lacing and every day wear.

OFFBEAT DISCOUNT!
For $40 off your wedding corset, use the code "offbeatbride.com" on the Starkers! order form.

And compared to off-the-rack wedding gowns, Starkers! prices are totally reasonable, starting at $355. Full custom wedding gowns approx $650, which includes custom fit, custom design. You can select your own fabric, send your measurements online, by phone, or (if you happen to be in Toronto) go in for a personal fitting.

Oh and PS, Halloween brides: Starkers! specializes in Halloween weddings, and they need 6-8 weeks to create your gown and corset … so if you're planning a Halloween 2009 wedding, NOW is the time to place your order.

The Offbeat Bride: Alison, project manager (and OBT member "Alison")

Her Offbeat Partner: Jeremy, musician

Location & date of wedding: Berkeley Church circa 1871 in Toronto, ON — November 14, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: I was engaged on Feb 3, 2008 (I proposed over the phone on the way to a movie) and got married Nov 14, 2008. This left us just over 9 months to plan our wedding, and to me, this was plenty of time to throw a wicked party. The goal of our wedding was to have a spiritual ceremony that involved our friends and family, and throw a party for our guests like none they’ve ever been to. Based on feedback, the goal was met and exceeded.

Continue reading "Alison & Jeremy's hard hittin' rockin' wedding" →

The offbeat bride: Ali – pediatric nurse

Her offbeat partner: Phil – electrician

Location & date of wedding: Brethren Church in Toronto, Ontario: wedding upstairs, reception in the gym downstairs. May 9th, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: I'm from New Jersey, he's from Fiji. We met on a ship in Liberia, and he proposed with a tie wrap in Canada. My wedding ring is wooden; he carved it for me while we were apart during our engagement.

We wanted our faith to be central, so we started our ceremony by sitting back down with our guests while my cousins led worship. Phil is Fijian-Indian, so we had an Indian food buffet for lunch. My brother's mother-in-law did all the decorating and flowers for us, my uncle married us, and my brother emceed.

Continue reading "Ali & Phil's laid-back lunchtime celebration" →

The offbeat bride: Chrissy, Jewelry Designer

Her offbeat partner: Andre, Special Effects Tech

Location & date of wedding: Eglinton Grand in Toronto Ontario on May 1st 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: The day started by us gals getting ready… the bridal party looked so amazing in their 40's outfits & hair, pin up girl makeup feathery fascinators… the boys looked just as good in their outfits too!

Continue reading "Chrissy & Andre's 1940s Art Deco Glamour Wedding" →

I love that non-matching bridesmaids are becoming more popular in weddings these days … and this shot perfectly encapsulates it. Everyone's in green, everyone's lovely, and everyone's different. Photo by Toronto photographer Derek Wuenschirs.

To see more of Derek's photos from this wedding in Toronto (including a crazy-amazing bouquet), keep reading…

Continue reading "Non-matching bridesmaids in green" →