The Offbeat Wedding
Ours was an offbeat
wedding. We’re offbeat people. I’m a Gamer Girl, photographer, and crafty diva. My honey is a computer geek introvert.
No way would our wedding be traditional. It just wouldn’t have
been us. It was my third wedding, as well, though my husband’s
first. No longer a wide-eyed 20something, it meant a lot to tailor
our day.
I love an offbeat
wedding. Every wedding is inherently special, but I have to admit
that the personality and style makes a wedding memorable – or not.
For ours, we made a lot of choices that reflected who we are
together.
I opted for a sari
instead of a Western wedding gown. I don’t have a drop of East
Indian blood in me, but I have always admired the beauty of a sari.
When else would I have the chance to wear one? It doesn’t hurt
that, as a plus-sized woman, I felt like a sari would be both more
attractive.
I love the red and black
silk, the dense embroidery, the drape of my sari. It was
super-comfortable. Once I figured out how to put it on, I was
hooked.
Our officiant (and
later, my mentor!) and I worked hand-in-hand on our ceremony, which
included a handfasting. Remember I mentioned I’m crafty? I beaded
our handfasting cord, a rope over six feet long. We married in our
living room, in an antique carriage house. I decorated with flowers
and candles. We exchanged rings decorated with Celtic designs, gave
Belgian chocolates as favors. Rather than go with a few colors, I
decided “brights” would be wonderful. I wanted to surround us
with happiness, and it worked. Color was everywhere.
We wrote our own vows,
and to this day we hold each other to our promises. Our little guy
got tired of waiting for the ceremony to be over, so I had him on my
hip for the second half, and that was just fine with us. We gave the
kids family medallions to symbolize becoming a family, and my hubby
asked them if he could be their Papa. Our wedding was extremely small
– only fourteen people including us. My kids were there, my
parents, brother, and his wife. My husband’s sister and
brother-in-law. We each had two friends present with their dates.
That was it.
Afterwards, we went out
to a Moroccan restaurant for dinner. Female and male bellydancers?
Yes please! Afterwards, home for champagne and waltzing.
We mixed cultures with
abandon, and loved every moment – my Indian sari, our Celtic
ceremony and rings, our Belgian chocolates boxed in tiny Chinese
steamers, Moroccan food and dance, American music. It shouldn’t
have gone together, but it did.
Since starting Charmed Life Ceremonies, I've had the honor of officiating a lot of offbeat weddings. As far as I'm concerned, the more the better! Offbeat brides and
grooms, rock your uniqueness and have fun with it. Put it out there
however you like. Have fun. Call me, so I can officiate it!
Love,
Holly
