Susanne & Scott’s elegant rock ‘n’ roll taco truck wedding

This week we're celebrating our awesome self-identified Offbeat Lite couples. Today we've got another wedding in the Seattle neighborhood of Georgetown with vintage industrial flair, major elegance, and paella for 200. -Catherine

The offbeat bride: Susanne, Urban Designer and Artist

Her offbeat partner: Scott, Web Consultant/Designer and Drummer

Location & date of wedding: Georgetown Ballroom, Seattle WA — August 13, 2010

What made our wedding offbeat:We held the wedding on Friday the 13th! The venue was also interesting since it has an industrial/1920s Hong Kong feel with all the neon lights and colored lamps. It also has a vintage Airstream and 1950s Cadillac convertible. We mixed it up by going with ultra-classy attire.

Instead of a sit-down dinner, we wanted a cocktail party atmosphere and served a wide array of appetizers and small plates — everything from devilled eggs to pâté. Lorena's taco truck pulled up into the courtyard after the ceremony and started dishing out their famous chicken mole tamales. Then Azafron started cooking up paella for 200 people in the largest pan we'd ever seen. Instead of cake, we served ice cream and Italian chocolates.

We also had a tattoo ceremony. Scott has his wedding band tattooed on his finger!

Super great local bands played for us. If you haven't heard Rat City Brass, get out there. They are fabulous! We also had a rock ‘n' roll officiant. Martin Feveyear runs Jupiter Studios in Wallingford and toured with Scott, recording one of his earlier albums.

Then to top it off, we left the Georgetown Ballroom in the 1950s Cadillac convertible, after throwing the bouquet from the car.

Tell us about the ceremony: Scott picked out the wedding march, “Heaven Adores You” by Earlimart. I walked in at the drum solo.

Scott's mom and stepdad couldn't make it out for the wedding, so we had them “sitting in the front row” using Skype. It was very moving for all of us.

Our procession was made up of our immediate family, so it was very intimate and comfortable from that persepective. Our vows included six “Why I Love You” statements that we read out loud to each other.

We had two first dance songs, both of them soulful and straight to the heart: “No Ones Gonna Love You (More Than I Do)” by Band Of Horses (Scott's choice) and Ray LaMontagne's “You Are The Best Thing” (my choice).

Our biggest challenge: Getting fired by our first caterer and having to start all over. Scott and I wanted to use vendors that were local and, ideally, with which we had some connection. Our other goals were to have a really great, relaxed, fun venue for everyone, and the food had to be interesting and yummy. We're both foodies, so that was key.

Early on, we had a caterer all picked out. But Scott and I wanted to have the taco truck and paella vendor too, and that just didn't jive with our first caterer — hence the firing. Luckily, we had several months to go and ended up with the best fit for us with Jack Miller and Husky Deli. What could beat homemade ice cream and a wonderful smile?

My favorite moment: The music we chose for the ceremony was a highlight. We also used antique champagne flutes for our first toast that were the same ones my parents had used at their wedding.

My funniest moment: There were two, and both involved my mom (who walked me down the aisle). The first was the “Roast ‘n' Toast” that she gave us at the reception. I won't go into all the details, but suffice it to say, I was beet red and the guests were roaring with laughter.

The second, and the best, is when my mom scrapped for the bouquet at the end of the evening. She nearly took out half of Scott's cousins in the process!

My advice for offbeat brides: I think the best advice I would give another bride is to set your priorities, be realistic about your budget and your energy level to organize things yourself (or not), and set a brutally honest timeline.

For me, my wedding dress was my top priority and my biggest splurge. But, OMG, I must wear it again! I'm going to have to think of a way.

Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?

• Photographer: Jonas Seaman
• Catering: Jack Miller at Husky Deli. They were so wonderful and made the pistachio ice cream just for our wedding!
• Paella catering: Ben Hodgetts at Azafron. The most amazing paella in town!
• Taco truck catering: Edwardo from Lorena's Taco Truck. They serve the best chicken mole tamales in town and can be found at the 9 Pound Hammer after 8:00p.m.
• Flowers: Custom, organic flowers from Bella Terra Flowers in Greenwood. Thank you Karyn and Melissa!
• Bride's dress: Monique Lhuillier, purchased though Marcella's Boutique on 4th Ave.
• Groom's suit: Hugo Boss
• Officiant: Martin Feveyear from Jupiter Studios
• Hair and antique jewelry: My dear friend Larry
• Makeup: LiseMarie with Habitude in Ballard

Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!

photography: Jonas Seaman