Category Archive

conflict resolution

Dealing with wedding planning conflict sucks — especially when it’s family drama. These are our wedding advice posts all about helping you deal with arguments, disagreements, boundaries, and frustrations. We even have posts full of copy-n-paste responses to negative wedding feedback!

hot mess cup on offbeat bride alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

I now pronounce you a Hot Mess: On being the best you can be when shit goes wrong

Murphy’s Law says anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. We never want anything to go wrong on that specific important day, but sometimes reality wins. These are true tales of failure, loss of control, and surprising delights that wouldn’t have happened otherwise…

How can we explain our "zero argument" drama-free wedding as seen on @offbeatbride #wedding #drama

Kicking ’em out: how can we word our “zero argument” drama-free wedding rule?

We are no strangers to family and guest drama at weddings. Hell, we’ve got whole archives for family advice, family drama, and conflict resolution. People are people and people can bring the dramaz. You’re totally on the right path by nipping it in the bud early and diplomatically addressing the issue on your wedding website. Wedding websites are the best place to explain anything you want explained: dress codes, ceremony rituals, accommodations, and of course, any specific drama rules that you’ll be putting in place. Let’s talk about how to word it.

Your Brain on Love alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Your Brain On Love: even wedding bloggers need relationship advice

Look: even wedding bloggers have relationship challenges. As part of some work I’m doing in my own relationship, my counselor recommended an audiobook called Your Brain on Love: The Neurobiology of Healthy Relationships by Stan Tatkin… and it blew my mind.

fighting bridezilla as alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

How do we fight the sexist and insensitive term “Bridezilla”?

I was met with was a multitude of articles with instructions on how to avoid becoming a Bridezilla, but none with helpful tips on how to avoid frustration at continually being called one. The bottom line for me is this: Being called a Bridezilla, warranted or not, seems very sexist and insensitive. So, how do we fight this deeply rooted concept?

How Offbeat Bride helped me be more authentic alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Thinking Bride: How Offbeat Bride helped me be more authentic

I actually found Offbeat Bride through a site (that shall remain nameless but not blameless) where the writer was mocking it. The tone of the mockery was, “Look at these weirdos who think they’re so special and different!” But here’s the thing: I WANTED my wedding to be special and different. Now, over a year later and as my wedding date quickly approaches, I shall literally count the ways in which Offbeat Bride has helped me. If it weren’t for Offbeat Bride, my wedding would have been a lot more…

shut itdown alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Copy ‘n’ paste responses to unsolicited negative advice about marriage and weddings

“How should I respond when people come at me with comments like ‘Enjoy it now, it’s all over once you’re married!’ And ‘You’ll have a husband to cook for soon!’ Or ‘You’re getting married? My commiserations.'”

Here are a few of my favorite copy-n-paste responses, broken down into three separate strategies depending on your communication style…