Finding the perfect non-cheesy songs for your wedding can be a difficult task, especially finding songs that haven't been used to death. That is why Jennifer Haase ("rhymes with classy") has come up with this unique solution to the problem — she's a singer/songwriter who takes commissions to create custom songs for special occasions. For instance, oh say like… an offbeat wedding!

I've actually been to a wedding where the bride performed a song that she wrote for her husband in leu of a first dance. It was beautiful. It was super touching. And it was something that I only wish that I had the talent to do. Thankfully, Jennifer Haase has enough talent to go around!

Clients can negotiate custom packages to fit their wedding needs…

• Do you want just a simple demo plus lyrics so that you can perform your own wedding song your way?
• Or a fully-produced professional recording, with full instrumentation to play while you take your first dance?
• Do you want it all and, hey, maybe even have Jennifer come perform the song, while you walk down the aisle?

It's all affordable and do-able, and Jennifer is flexible about meeting your offbeat budgets.

Oh and have I mentioned that Jennifer can really sing?

For a custom song sample go to her website and click on the "MUSIC" link, then find "CUSTOM SONG: 'It's How We Love'" on that page. Please, also check out the great quote from the client who commissioned that song by clicking on the song name for more details.

So if you'd like someone to help you create, or record the perfect wedding song for you — exactly the song that will express exactly what you want to say. No gimmicks. No suits. No cheese (unless you're into that kinda thing). Just a girl, a guitar and a journal full notes.

Email Jennifer so she can get started on your theme song!

The offbeat bride: Emily, English Master's Student SIU

Her offbeat partner: Dustin, Undergraduate Student SIU

Location & date of wedding: Centenary Methodist and Hamilton's Catering Jacksonville IL. March 07, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: For the wedding ceremony, we stuck with the tradition of a Christian church — but my brother Luke McQuillan, a local musician, played video game music including the Zelda Overland Theme for my bridal march. In addition I drew up a comic strip for the program. My friend Leslie Galloway made the dress which was a design we worked out together.

Continue reading "Emily & Dustin's Most Brutal Wedding Ever" →

The offbeat bride: Jen Martensen, Interactive Project Manager

My offbeat groom: Kevin Martensen, Research Project Director

Location & date of wedding: The Great Hall of Cafe Brauer, Chicago, IL June 26, 2005

What made our wedding offbeat: We planned our wedding as one big party that just happened to be kicked off by our ceremony. I wore mini battery-powered Christmas lights in my hair instead of a veil. My bridesmaid, maid of honor and I all have (and displayed) tattoos. My husband walked down the aisle to Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and I walked to "If You Want My Love" by Cheap Trick. Halfway down the aisle my maid of honor (a huge Cheap Trick fan) threw her arms up in the air and rocked out the rest of the way to the "altar," which cracked me up and broke a lot of my nervous tension.

Continue reading "Jen Martensen's Chicago wedding, with vows courtesy of Prince" →

I've spent the last two days scouring the 'net for a father/daughter dance for our wedding reception, and frankly, virtually every suggestion I've come across has a title that makes me throw up in my mouth a little like "Daddy's Little Girl" or "Butterfly Kisses."

I'm not opposed to sentimental songs but perhaps none with the bride=angel/child/doll theme I can't seem to get away from. He's a 60s/70s Classic/Southern rock kinda guy. There's gotta be something out there about years going by, getting older, moving on… I just can't seem to find it. This is one of the few traditions we're actually keeping, so I'd like to find something right for us. —Sharon

Yeah, nothing like the creepy incest themes that seem to come up with father/daughter dances, hmm? That's part of why I skipped the tradition, but I do agree that with the right song it can be a nice moment. Here are a few non-icky song ideas:

• Loudon Wainwright's "Daughter"(hear it)
• 10,000 Manaics "How You've Grown" (hear it)
• Ben Folds' "Still Fighting It" (hear it)
• Paul Simon's "Father and Daughter" (hear it)
• Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" (hear it)
• The Temptations' "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch" (hear it)
• Ray Charles' "Ain't That Love" (hear it)
• The Bellamy Brothers' "Let Your Love Flow" (hear it)
• Neil Young's "Here For You" (hear it)
• Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" (hear it)
• James Taylor's "You've Got A Friend" (hear it)
• Voltaire's "Goodnight Demonslayer" (hear it)
• Natalie Merchant's "Kind And Generous" (hear it)
• Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" (hear it)
• Any version of "You Are My Sunshine," particularly the Johnny Cash version (hear it)

If you're looking for even more, the playlist from WFUV's father's day show might give you some great ideas.

Offbeat brides: got any suggestions? Leave 'em in the comments!

PS: Extra bonus awesome points if you can carry off something like this.