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.

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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)

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.