Category Archive

Author of three editions of the Offbeat Bride book and its sequel (From Shitshow To Afterglow, the ultimate offbeat breakup book), Ariel Meadow Stallings is the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire web properties. She lives in Seattle with her son.
Piñatas, tacos, & cascarones at this Mexican-inspired DIY wedding in Chicago

ATTN: Other people’s cultures are NOT your wedding theme

A letter from a reader: “I’m soooooo excited about you featuring Latino/x weddings for Hispanic Heritage Month — just PLEASE be mindful, respectful, and recognize that culture, customs, rituals, even religions are not a wedding theme.” Where’s the line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation with weddings?

A horse ranch wedding with a horseback ceremony and DIY for days

That “Apache wedding blessing” isn’t Native American at all

That well-known “Apache wedding blessing” reading has nothing to do with Native American culture in any way shape or form, other than that it’s something that a white dude imagined Native Americans might possibly say. So I wrote a new one.

A 13-color handfasting and fire dancing at this Quebec wiccan wedding

So you’ve been invited to a pagan wedding (Part 2 of our Pagan Wedding Guide)

Hooray! You’ve been invited to a pagan wedding! We’re so excited for you. That said, depending on your background or your beliefs, you might feel a little confused. What’s in store? Why is everyone standing in a circle? Are we talking about gods?

offbeat bride third edition by ariel meadow stallings alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

The 3rd edition of Offbeat Bride: What it’s like to STILL be talking about your wedding 15 years later

What’s it like editing a book about your wedding 15 years after the fact? It’s humbling. It’s embarrassing. It makes you realize how much you’ve changed, and it makes you deeply profoundly grateful for the ride.