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:

So, I awoke this morning to learn that my relationship with my partner is no longer valid. It’s no longer legal. It’s somehow sub-par, not equivalent, not worthy of protection. And you know what? I’m pissed and tired of holding it in.

I decided to snap a photo of my wedding band placed on a slightly different finger than normal to express exactly how I feel toward every single person who voted Yes on Prop 8. It’s my personal version of ‘let freedom ring’. The battle for equality changes course but it’s very far from over.

I’m sure some of you will believe in Prop 8 and that’s your right. Please make sure to update your reader to remove my blog and to delete any bookmarks to my site. I won’t take it personally but as for Prop 8 and your intrusion on my life … I take it very personally.

I welcome supporters of gay rights to snap your own photo showing your wedding ring on your middle finger. Spread the word that this fight isn’t over. Whether you’re gay, straight, bi, white, blue or tan — show your support by letting freedom ring on your blog! Please forward this page to any friends and family who may find it of interest.

(Thanks for the heads up, Riona!)

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:

Hey! I’m working on an exciting offbeat bride project, and I’m looking for a few skilled wedding invitation designer/printers to team up with. If you sell custom wedding invitations, get in touch!

I’d like to introduce you all the Shrie, who is stepping in this week as the first ever Offbeat Bride intern! She’s going to be helping me with all sorts of behind the scenes stuff, especially getting more bride profiles posted on the site! I’ve got a huge backlog of amazing offbeat weddings to feature, and Shrie’s going to make the magic happen.

Shrie comes from a music writing background, having written for Seattle’s Three Imaginary Girls and interned at Sub Pop. She’s on the OBT and is planning a Vintage/Mexican Fiesta wedding on Friday the 13th in March 2009.

Anyhoo, thanks to Shrie for putting up with the spasticness that is offbeatbride.com, and here’s to lots more wedding porn for everyone!

This was originally posted as a comment to the “Your wedding is tacky” post, but I think it’s important and wanted to take the time to answer it publicly.

…While I at first did enjoy this blog’s celebration of all things unique and offbeat, Ariel’s recent increasing blowups on any negative comments is, frankly, off putting. Any post on any subject is going to evoke negative AND positive reactions from people. Freaking out whenever people comment negatively, whether using “tacky” or not, is ITSELF unwelcoming of discussion.

I enjoyed this blog because it gave me inspiration for various ideas I could ponder and decide whether to include or exclude them with my wedding. And even though it is MY wedding, I still care what other people think, because this wedding is a celebration for my whole family. They’re giving time and money and traveling a long distance to be with me, I want them to have as much fun as possible. So yes, I find value even when people react negatively to different wedding ideas, and I even find value when people use the word “Tacky”

Demanding that every comment flower praise on the couple’s wedding choices isn’t offbeat, it is typical selfish bridal behavior. -Elizabeth

Elizabeth, I totally hear you and it’s definitely a balance I struggle with when thinking about offbeat editorial and moderation strategy. Honestly: it’s not like I love every single nontraditional wedding I see. It’s not like I’ve never looked at a wedding photo and thought “Woah! Bleah!” But ultimately my goal has always been acting as a cheerleader and supporter of nontraditional couples.

From the introduction of my book:

Read the rest of this entry »

offbeat bride posts will resume once I stop barfing. Whee!