Paisley & Gene's Coney Island-themed carnival of love • Offbeat Wed (was Offbeat Bride)

If Paisley and Gene couldn't go to Coney Island, Paisley and Gene brought Coney Island to them! Complete with sweet rides and sweet treats on day four of Candy Week.

The Offbeat Bride: Paisley, Holistic Esthetician, Makeup Artist, and Reiki Master (and OBT member “Paisleycat“)

Her Offbeat Partner: Gene, Digital Artist and Wedding Officiant

Location & date of wedding: Goodale Park Gazebo and Skully's Music DIner in Columbus, OH — July 25, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: We live in Brooklyn, NY and were engaged near the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island (which is one of our favorite places due to its unique and vibrant spirit). Although our wedding took place in Columbus, Ohio we wanted to bring that Carnival aspect to our wedding day.

We chose Skully's Music Diner for our reception because there was a rock ‘n' roll warehouse feel to the space. It was the first wedding they had ever hosted.

We projected images of Coney Island on a backdrop, we had a few carnival games for the kids, and the men wore Coney Island screen printed ties. Everyone kept asking us our color scheme, but how can you put a color scheme to a Carnival?!?

We had an amazing time using our creativity to design our save the dates, invites, and hand-make the decor for the reception which included mustaches on sticks (which were a huge hit in the photobooth) and an old fashioned candy table.

The music consisted of lots of Ditty Bops, our first dance was to “Sea of Love” by Catpower, and our last dance was to “I and Love and You” by The Avett Brothers (which we love for it's Brooklyn reference).

The day was topped off by my Father surprising us with an old Rocket Ship car to escort us. It used to be an amusement park ride that he rode when he was a child. A perfect surprise!!!!

Our biggest challenge: Initially, we really wanted to get married in NYC, but we knew it would be more cost effective to do it in Ohio. Our biggest challenge was planning from long distance. My family helped out a great deal, but we had to give up a few things we would have probably liked to have more control over. In the end it didn't matter, but amidst it all it felt a bit stressful.

What were the most meaningful moments of your wedding? I was overwhelmed with all of the love from friends and family I felt surrounding me. It was an amazing feeling to know so many people that we cared about were all in one place. It was also really special to share Columbus, Ohio (my hometown) with our friends and family from NYC and all over the world.

What was the funniest moment of your wedding or reception? We almost knocked our cake over — I wrapped my hands around it to catch it.

Also, I am horrible at all sports and was terrified about throwing the bouquet. Instead of tossing it I whacked it at my sister and it left a bruise, but she ended up getting engaged that night.

Advice for other offbeat brides: We handmade or bought local Brooklyn goods for all of our gifts. We tried to be eco-friendly and economical at the same time. I think our wedding meant so much to us partly because we put so much of our creative spirit into it and we really tried to collaborate as a couple on what we wanted. I think it says a lot that both of us wish we could go back and do it all over again! We did our very best to make it fun, creative, and uniquely us!

What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? I was terrified to be a bride (it holds such a lofty old fashioned meaning), but I ended up having so much fun by finding a way to make it creative and unique.