The Offbeat Wedding

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