Sometimes it's just the little details that I love…things like teeny skulls hidden through people's weddings. Like a skull necklace…

…or a skull ring.

…or a skull garter.

…or cake toppers!

These photos are from several different weddings, so click the photos above to view more!

I'm back from my writer's retreat with the first draft of the ultimate Offbeat Bride prequel in hand. It's not any good yet, but maybe some day.

Anyway, I'll be trying to get back up to speed with posting, but things may still be a little slow this week as I dig my way out from under my inbox.

Just a quick note to let you all know that posting will be lighter than usual this week because I'm off on a personal writing retreat at Sacred Groves working on what could become my next book … which has exactly NOTHING to do with weddings. (Sorry!)

My beloved offbeat intern, Miss Shrie, will be posting bride profiles as usual though, so you'll still have plenty of wedding eye candy to feast your greedy little offbeat eyes uponst.

Wish me luck — see y'all next week!

I do my best to keep offbeatbride.com positive (cuz I'm all about being proactive as opposed to bitchy), but today I was inspired by this post from Alan at Eating Out Loud:

Continue reading "Let freedom ring" →

Offbeat Bride isn't usually an especially political site, but when it comes to California's Proposition 8, I think it's worth talking about it … even though I live in Seattle, which is definitely NOT in California.

Prop 8 seeks to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry, and it fucking pisses me off.

For me, marriage equality is about family values. As any of you who've read my book know, Andreas and I both come from gay families. His mom (my "outlaw mother") has been with her partner since Andreas was 12. My mother and her partner had a non-legal wedding in 2006. My aunt and her partner of 17 years just got legally married (for the second time!) in California last month.

My family's values are very clear: love is love. Commitment is commitment. It's been inspiring and beautiful to watch marriage equality's spread across the United States. It may be an extremely slow progress, but it's happening. Or rather, trying to happen. Gay marriage became legal in California six months ago … but now some folks want to take the legality away.

The official Offbeat Bride position on this issue is mostly incoherent shouting of expletives and rude gestures,, but if I can pull myself together for a second, I will say this: Californians, please vote no on Proposition 8. Non-Californians, I hope you'll follow my lead and take action against Prop. 8. Out of staters (like me! and you! and YOU!) can donate to support No On Prop 8. Your donation helps get ads like this on television: