Announcing the birth of our sister site: Offbeat Mama!

Because Ann Landers isn't especially helpful when you're trying to figure out invitation etiquette for your polyamorous parents or trying to figure out what non-floral item to hold when you're walking down the aisle.

I have short hair and have no interest in growing it out for the wedding. When I do searches for short hairstyles, you would not believe the psychotic blowout do's that come up. Where can I find a good selection of cool short hairstyles online? -Nicole

Nicole, look no further! I'm not sure how short you mean by short (inch-long pixie cut or chin-length bob?) or whether you're curly or straight or wavy, but regardless short hair means you can go high drama with your style. I went and scoured the archives and a few of my favorite shots from the photo pool, and here's what I came up with for you …

Continue reading "Short hairstyles for hottie brides" →

24 Oct 2007


Offbeat Bride Advice #2 from arielmeadow on Vimeo.

Three offbeat bride questions get answered this time:

  • Can I have multiple wedding showers in different cities?
  • Do I have to have his bratty niece in the ceremony?
  • And if I'm keeping my last name, how should we be presented after the ceremony?

I've been searching the net for different types of invitations that are cheap, cute and individual, but if i have to see one more invitation with roses or hearts on it I'm gonna puke!

Any ideas on how to come up with something that wont break the budget, or a site that has different choices, Thanks, Lexy

Easiest question ever. Etsy.com is the solution, m'dear Lexy. Tons of options from dozens of artists, none of them with hearts or roses. Your money goes straight to a crafty type, and you get truly unique invitations. Etsy Wedding has a few invitation highlights.

(Also, there are some great DIY invite ideas on the OBB social network!)

My partner and I have decided to only have our siblings in the wedding party, which is great. However, I have a great friend that I would like to include in some sort of role of honor. Any ideas what this role could be? — MP

I would ask this friend what role s/he would like to play, and maybe give him/her a few ideas and suggested titles. Some of my favorite wedding titles include Bridal Bodyguard, Wedding Captain, and Wedding Henchmen, but there are a MILLION of them.

Basically, figure out what magical skill your friend has to contribute, and then build a special role for him/her around that skill. Are they a poet? Have 'em open the ceremony with a reading! Are they an organizational fiend? Appoint them Lead Wedding Tyrant! Can they cook? Then clearly they're the Feastmaster. Are they sort of unskilled but gorgeous and you really want them to be front and center at the wedding? Have them be the Illuminator, starting the ceremony off by lighting candles and incense. Designate them to hold your vows up while you read, acting as Wedding Notary.

There are as many great roles for someone in your wedding as their are amazing people in your life. Have fun picking a good title for them, and letting them run with their special skill! Just make sure you find some great way to acknowledge them, whether it's in the ceremony, in the first toast of the night, or some other way to hold them up and tell the world just how much they mean to you.

Our wedding party consists of Matt's brother and two of his buddies, and my cousin/childhood best friend (as "the best woman") and my four brothers (as my "bridesmen"). Any tips on how to incorporate 9 men into a wedding? The only chicks are me and my best woman, Jenna, and my baby cousin (she'll be a 2 1/2 year old flower girl). In addition to the nine men, we have 4 little boys who will be taking part. A sausage-heavy wedding for sure! We're full of ideas, but I was wondering what cool offbeat ones you could add. -Shauna

A couple ideas:

  • Have all those groomsmen and bridesboys carry you down the aisle on a palanquin.
  • Give them fabulous titles and jobs like "Lead Camp Counselor," "Wedding Captain," "King of Ushers" (Lord of Ushing?), and give them all walkie-talkies. Or perhaps secret service sunglasses and ear-bugs?
  • Have some of them act as candle lighters, complete with blowtorches and/or flame-throwers
  • In terms of the ceremony, if you're planning a traditional "his/hers" wedding party altar situation, have your bridesboys stand on your side.

Offbeat brides, any other ideas?


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