Candace & Erik's 1930s gal meets ska boy wedding • Offbeat Wed (was Offbeat Bride)

The offbeat bride: Candace, Producer

Her offbeat partner: Erik, Technical Project Manager

Location & date of wedding: Marylebone Registry Office, London, United Kingdom — May 15, 2010

What made our wedding offbeat: We are a mixed couple, and we had friends from all over the world there. I wore red vintage shoes, a black biker jacket and rams skull brass ring with my dress. He wore a suit with a trilby hat and white converse.

Tell us about the ceremony: My bridesmaids and the best men walked into Creole Love Call. Then, I made a grand entrance with my eighty-two year old grandfather. It was a perfect West London wedding.

Our biggest challenge: I had a serious panic attack three days before our wedding as I didn't know what to do with my hair. (I have alopecia at the front of my head). I had been putting off dealing with it for months and months. I realized that if i took my time I could probably do it myself and cover up the bald patch. Two nights before the wedding I stayed up through the night and did it myself.

>It wasn't perfect, but it was good enough for me to still look and feel like me and go out and face my guests. Plus if it was perfect, it wouldn't have been me — I'm a little rough around the edges and I like being like that.

My favorite moment: Realising how happy I was, even though my mum and dad weren't there to see me get married as they both died some time ago.

My funniest moment: Two things:

My maid of honour making out with the chef!!
My auntie making the biggest bouquet EVER. I didnt have the heart to tell her it might be a bit big.

My advice for offbeat brides: Look in your existing wardrobe as you may find something in there that you can wear, and save yourself some money. I wore a pair of £20 red shoes I'd had for 6 years. Don't get sucked into spending lots of money. Don't tell vendors that you're getting married before you get a quote, because the minute you say ‘wedding' they inflate their price! Agree to a price then tell them that it's for a wedding. It worked for me.

If you want to rock out your outfit but still be a little bit traditional throw on a leather jacket.

What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? I learned to trust my instinct and be more explicit about what I want. I need to learn to chill the hell out — I'm way too controlling.