Danielle & Carl's magically weird weekend wedding • Offbeat Wed (was Offbeat Bride)

The offbeat bride: Danielle, RN

Her offbeat partner: Carl, College Professor in Criminal Justice and Doctoral Student

Location & date of wedding: The Bear and the Boar Bed and Breakfast Resort, London, KY – May 22, 2010

What made our wedding offbeat: I was never going to be a bride. I didn't look at bridal magazines as a young girl and I declined most wedding invitations. Marriage just was not for me. So when Carl and I decided to “jump the stick,” we had no idea how, where, or even when we would do it. But we knew one thing for certain: it was going to be “weird” and it was going to be “magical.”

Carl's uncle, Ross, owns a “Men's Bed and Breakfast” that sits on the lake in London, KY. Carl and I have been fortunate enough to house/cat sit a few times and it is the most naturally magical place we've ever been. We decided to talk to Ross about it. As soon as we mentioned that we thought we might like to get married at his house, he clapped his hands in front of him and gushed, “It will be the event of the century.”

Because it was a bed and breakfast, it was decided that we would have a “Wedding Weekend” and allow our guests (or those who would like) to stay the night with us and enjoy Saturday as well as Sunday. There is a 20 bed bunkhouse (completely equiped with beds and a sex swing …) as well as the rest of the house. Guests were encouraged to bring tents and sleeping bags and an open mind. They were also encouraged to dress however they would like.

My favorite moment: My father was never involved in my life and passed away when I was 15, so there was instantly the question of who would “give me away.” When I discussed this with Carl, he seemed angry and reminded me that there wasn't anyone in the world that could “give me to him.” “You are no one's ‘property' and you will not be mine.”

It was decided I would dance down the aisle. Then, a week before the wedding, it occurred to us that since we weren't having a “typical” aisle, it might be difficult for me to walk down the hill in my dress and shoes.

My best friend, Talena, suggested that Carl come and get me and take me down the aisle. This is how it went.

It was so funny to hear everyone's stories of how they “freaked out” when Carl started to walk away. But when they realized he was coming to get me, they said the tears started flying. Even our photographer lost it at that point.

Our biggest challenge: Due to a previous medical condition, two days before our wedding, I started hemorrhaging and was told I'd need to have a hysterectomy.

“ACK! But I'm getting married tomorrow, going to Mexico for a week and moving to Florida a month after we get back!” My fantastically wonderful MD gave me heavy doses of estrogen and scheduled me for surgery 2 days after our honeymoon.

My funniest moment:
Other than an exchanging of the rings and our vows, there wasn't much about our ceremony that was “normal.” However, we did decide that we would have a place in there for each of us to have a reading. Carl had a beautiful reading that shocked our guests initially and then left everyone crying and breathless in the end.

Then it was my turn. I had attempted to put something together, but everything sounded so dorky and cheesy. I decided that I do much better gushing to Carl about how much he meant to me and that I would just ad lib when the time came. Well, when Carl was finished and Kevin (our officiant) said that I would then say a few words… my knees literally got weak.

Luckily I was holding both of Carl's hands and allowed myself to bend down for a second. I immediately began to laugh and stood up and looked at him and said, “Ummm, I thought I could just ad lib.” Everyone was laughing through their tears as I said something silly about how, “While many authors of many fairytales have attempted to describe the type of love I have for him, no one has been able to convey in words exactly how special it is… and I certainly wouldn't be able to do so right now. I love you.” (or something along those lines… it's not written down anywhere.) It was a VERY funny and awkward moment.

Care to share a few vendor/shopping links:

Planner: We didn't do any of our wedding planning. Carl's uncle Ross handled everything!
Dress: I found my dress, on the first trip at David's Bridal. I did want to wear white (because it looks so good against my partial filipina skin).
Suit: Carl's suit was tailored and purchased at Jett & Hall Shoe's and Clothing on Main Street in Richmond, KY. Mr. Jett is the smoothest dress man in town and has been operating his private business for decades. Carl wanted to support local business so everything, including his shoes was purchased there.
Veil and Rings: eBay.

Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!