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The Offbeat Bride: Hazel, Chef
Her Offbeat Partner: Ash, Specialist Sports Sales Supervisor
Location and date of wedding: Cambridge Register Office, Pub Crawl Wedding Breakfast and Whittlesford Memorial Hall, UK — 8/11/08
What made our wedding offbeat: We tried really hard to make the day fun and totally relaxed while still being totally fabulous.
I really wanted a non-white dress, no bridesmaids, speeches or wedding cake. And I everyone to wear black, white and red. We hired the best ska band in the entire of Cambridge and managed to fit in a pub crawl as well.
We couldn't have made it more “us” if we'd tried. It was exactly the day we'd hoped for.
Our biggest challenge: Our families. The specific things we wanted were not too everyone's tastes and I certainly felt a lot of pressure to go with a more traditional approach.
We stuck to our guns and on the day everyone said how wonderful it was to be at such a different wedding.
My favorite moment: I actually have loads…
Our hairdressers and make up girls getting really excited to see the dress. Seeing Ash when we first walked in. My heart leaped, he looked goooooooooood! Having “Bohemian Rhapsody,” by Queen, playing during the ceremony and the obligatory “Waynes World” head banging moment. The food was amazing, as were my friends and family. Eating just cooked jammy scones — yummy! When the singer from the band stage dived into the crowd in the evening. Everything actually, it was all brilliant.
My advice for other offbeat brides: Plan, plan and plan some more. If you can get everything sorted a day before the big day it'll iron out any small problems that may crop up.
Don't let anyone tell you you're doing the wrong thing. Don't doubt your vision. Have the picture in your head of your wedding and make it happen!
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!:
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Ska band? Black white and red? Sounds AMAZING.
I wish I could have been there!
Absolutely gorgeous! LOVE the bride's gothic Lolita hat!!! Where can you buy those outside of anime conventions?
Try online, especially at Etsy. Here's one seller I found: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5294440
Also, if you're crafty, you can decorate one yourelf. I bought a doll's top hat for a dollar at a craft store, then added feathers and silk flowers myself! It's also cheaper that way.
Thanks so much! I'm all about doing it cheaper, and being able to say, "I made it myself." My sweetie was checking our internet history last night, to see if my 20 year old had been sneaking onto the net (she's banned right now), and he said, "someone's been looking at wedding dresses". I said, "That's strange" and changed the subject. I guess it was one way for him to find out that I want to get married!
i love that you had a color theme for your friends and family.
just based on the fact that you had Wayne's World head banging, I would say that your celebration was a great time!
So far I have a dee red dress, my husband to be is wearing white (hahha), our cake is basically a replica of the Mad hatter's top hat and I've registered at MyRegistry.com for some pretty cool Etsy art. how did you break the news to family that you weren't going the traditional route?
I just told them straight from the beginning, It's my way or no wedding. I'm a bit feisty like that.
Oh this is just so scrumptious 🙂
I'm glad you stuck to your guns, certain members of family don't always approve of non-traditional stuff so good on ya! You all looked great!
I don't know what I love more- the gorgeous dress, the amazing rings, the feather fan…amazing!
Cool…love the black and red.
It's great when people are willing to be a bit daring on their wedding. Seems to make a much more of a unique occasion.
Cool…love the black and red.
It’s great when people are willing to be a bit daring on their wedding. Seems to make a much more of a unique occasion.
Thank you all! We had a fabulous day! I'm so pleased to have been included on the blog! I can't tell you how many hours I spent scouring the posts for inspiration. Oh and the hat(and dress!) was specially made by Heart Brides from Ely, Cambridgeshire. x x
ha ha….it was fantastic…one to never forget…can't belive my feet on on the internet Hazel LOL and me and my best mate's hubby…tongues will wag….I think it was the best wedding I have been to…and I went to 5 last year alone!!!! Michelle xxxxxxxxx