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The offbeat bride: Stacey, Web Production Coordinator
Her offbeat partner: Jeff, Manager
Date and location of wedding: Castle Awesome aka our house, San Bernardino, CA — October 23, 2010
Our offbeat wedding at a glance: We had a masquerade ball in our backyard, with most guests bringing a mask to wear. It was great to see our parents huff and puff over wearing a mask, and then ending up having a blast while wearing them.
I was very lucky to have a number of coworkers help with the wedding: one took pictures, one did my makeup, and one made the cake! My maid of honor's husband is a DJ, my new sister-in-law is a hairdresser, and my mom is amazing at crafts and created the bouquets. We had so much talent at our fingertips.
Our biggest challenge: We initially put down money on a venue, but realized that since we were buying a new home at the same time, it just wasnt practical to spend the extra money. We decided to make it fit the theme by really going all out in decor. We had that yard lit like a christmas tree with paper lanterns and white string lights through the trees. We purchased plastic plates and silverware that looked like the real thing. We did splurge on the table linens, though.
Was there anything you were sure was going to be a total disaster that unexpectedly turned out great? I had no idea how we were going to fit all of our guests in our backyard! It wasnt until the morning of the wedding when we picked up the tables and chairs that things started looking up. I realized that we might just pull it off.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? I think it was really telling that once everything was said and done, the people who weren't really feeling our vision ended up having a good time regardless. That was huge for me. It taught me to have faith in the things I really believe in.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Photography: Jonathan Meiners
- Plates, cups, flatware: Party City
- Paper Lanterns: Oriental Trading
- Bridesmaids masks: Successful Creations
- Cake: Angie's Cake and Bakes
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!
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If anyone is wondering, I didnt buy the dress used on ebay, haha. I went through a dress maker and spent only a fraction of what I would have in store.
I would like to also give a shout out to my friend who made the cake. Her site is: http://www.angiescakesandbakes.com/
Stacey, I’m a little confused: do you mean you bought the dress new from an offshore dressmaker who lists on eBay? (As opposed to buying a used dress on eBay, which is what I did!)
Yes exactly. Mine was new and custom made for my measurments, yet I spent less than $200!! I wasnt sure if the dress would come and be made of toilet paper, but hey, for that price it was worth the risk!
Entire wedding looks fab, but I have to add: the bride is sinfully gorgeous!
I would love to have a masquerade ball as my evening party as we’re getting married near Halloween, but as my h2b’s family is uber traditional (and are already angry that I’m wearing black and not white, and that he’s also hyphenating his name with my last name) I think I’ll have to give up on that. Looks like everyone had a fab time at your wedding though!!!
Hi love your pics of wedding! I am also having a masquerade reception getting married on halloween this year! Great to see other weddings like this also.