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Author of three editions of the Offbeat Bride book and its sequel (From Shitshow To Afterglow, the ultimate offbeat breakup book) Ariel Meadow Stallings is the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire web properties. She lives in Seattle with her son. To read her latest writing, follow @arielist on Medium.
Courtesy of Lyndsi Metz Photography alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Has the zombie wedding trend reached “peak zombie”?

A couple weeks ago, I was interviewed by a journalist writing for Yahoo Style about Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams and his zombie-themed wedding photos. This is a great excuse to talk about the zombie wedding trend — and whether it’s peaked.

IMG 20160630 140153 alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

I got a Dark Garden corset fitted to my skeleton

Custom corsets are nothing new in these parts. I wore one at my wedding way back in 2004, and we’ve consistently ogled custom bridal corsets on Offbeat Bride in the decade we’ve been online. So when Dark Garden offered to walk me through the process of getting measured and fit for a new custom corset made to my now-measurements, I was all “Oh fuck yes.”

What does it feel like going to San Francisco and getting a corset fit to your skeleton? It feels like being a sexy bug. YES, REALLY.

Ariel Meadow Stallings Red Dress in Atlanta 3 alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Offbeat Bride, Divorced

Oh hi there, it’s me. Ariel. You know, the publisher of offbeatwed.com. The author with three names who wrote that book, Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, a decade ago? The founder of a publishing business built on the back of her 2004 wedding?

Yeah, that’s me. And as of this week, I’m divorced.

Industrial chic wedding centerpiece ideas on @offbeatbride #industrialchic #weddings

6 industrial chic wedding ideas that are turning our cranks

We are digging this whole industrial chic wedding trend. We already knew we loved rustic weddings and steampunk weddings, but industrical chic weddings brings some serious legit grit to a wedding theme. And when you’re being indudated with glitter and pastels and sweetness and light, sometimes you need a little edge, amirite?

Let’s explore the world of industrial chic weddings in the form of killer venues, underground Mad Max-style weddings, reclaimed wedding decor, and perfectly “ugly” outdoor spaces.

Why do you consume wedding media alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Why read wedding blogs?

Why are you here right now? If the data I have is accurate, chances are pretty good that you’re looking for wedding ideas (you KNOW we have a million for you to steal) or trying to get inspired. Neither of these are especially surprising, right? I see the same cycle happen every year, with a wave of freshly engaged folks flooding in looking for ideas and inspiration… and then at a certain point being like “Oh my god, I’m overwhelmed with ideas! I have too much inspiration! I need to stop looking at wedding inspo and start, like, actually getting some shit done.”

But let’s talk over all the other reasons you might be reading…

Overdone wedding trends as seen on @offbeatbride #wedding #trends

Overdone wedding trends that have jumped the shark

I read one article with a trend expert who explained, “Gone are the days of the white hydrangea,” and I thought — wait, the white hydrangea had days? What the fuck?

On any given day, you can simultaneously find someone bemoaning and celebrating the exact same fucking trend! Boho weddings are sooooo hot this year! No wait: “We’ll see the bohemian trend head out before you know it.”