Bridget & Jonathan's elopement and short wedding film • Offbeat Wed (was Offbeat Bride)

To end our elopement week we give you Bridget & Jonathan. Instead of having a huge wedding and inviting all their friends and family, Bridget & Jonathan decided to elope privately and turn it into a film. Afterwards they sent DVD's to their friends and family so that they could share their wedding day with them. How cool?! -Coco

The offbeat bride: Bridget – Advertising Copywriter

Her offbeat partner: Jonathan – 16mm Film Teacher

Location & date of wedding: Kansas/Chattanooga, TN/Orlando, FL — March 28, 2008

What made our wedding offbeat: Instead of a tradition wedding we made a little movie: We Like Love.

We didn't let our family and friends know what we were doing. To avoid inquiries, we told everyone that we were eloping and that no one was invited.

We filmed everything but our vow exchange ourselves run-and-gun style and, while it isn't without flaws, it was fun and we think it's perfect—sloppy shots, shaky camera and all. We shot footage in three states (his home state, mine and the state where we met) and exchanged vows on a soundstage where my husband teaches filmmaking.

Our close family members got a DVD in the mail, while the remainder of our “guests” received a postcard directing them to our website, where they could watch the video, see our photos and read our wedding journal.

Our biggest challenge: While we were shooting, we had to sneak around a lot to make sure the wedding would remain a surprise. The little white lie came in handy.

A few super wonderful friends who were in-the-know helped us out with equipment, filming, photos, editing, etc. They helped make the painful parts much easier.

I think a lot of people are genuinely, deeply disappointed in how we did things. I feel a tiny bit bad that they feel that way. But only a tiny bit. Many people say, “Oh, this is OUR wedding, we're doing it our way!” But so few get the opportunity (or make the opportunity) to make that sentiment a reality. We did.

My favorite moment: My husband is a robot; the man does not cry. So when he got a little choked up as we exchanged the vows we wrote, it made the moment even more meaningful.

My advice for offbeat brides: Do NOT ask your friends and family what you should do. They will give you 857 different answers and no one is equipped to deal with those kinds of expectations.

You don't have to be or look perfect. But do wear something that makes you feel lovely.

Don't spend so much time taking photos or organizing things that you forget to have a good time.

Remember to spend time with and enjoy your partner that day.

The reality of weddings is this: No one cares about your ceremony as much as you think they do. It's okay to be selfish.

Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?