Category Archive

Real Weddings: Midwest US

There are some people who think offbeat weddings don’t happen in the fly-over states. These people will be surprised. Behold a few of our favorite weddings from the Midwest including Chicago weddings, Iowa weddings, Ohio weddings, Michigan weddings, and more. Submit your wedding for consideration via offbeatwed.com/submissions.

A retro drive-in meets cocktail party prom

A fabulous retro drive-in meets cocktail party prom

There wasn't a real theme for the wedding, other than "Let's Duerr It," based on our last name. It was our URL, hashtag, and was prominently displayed in large balloons on stage. One friend had made the comment that she felt like she was at a prom, "in the best possible way." We got married at an old drive-in hot dog stand called Superdawg, where we had one of our first dates. Our friends Kate and Pete chauffeured us in their '61 Lincoln Continental and the officiant was our friend Louie. The guest list was about 15 people (plus our dog, Stanley) and the ceremony lasted about five minutes.

This fun Chicago wedding and rock show

A hip Chicago wedding and rock show (with comic book & movie cameos!)

Matt and Kelly’s hip Chicago wedding had a private ceremony in the lounge at Logan Theatre in Chicago, and then a giant party/rock show with their favorite soul band The Hemispheres. They even flew in guest lead singer Todd Hembrook for the event!

Their mutual affinity for comic books and sci-fi appeared in a few places including Kelly’s custom-made comic book shoes. Matt’s cousin officiated the ceremony, incorporating their love of movies. Let’s see how these two comic book and movie nerds rock out in Chicago…

Untitled 1 1 alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Cheer “HUZZAH” for this Bristol Renaissance Faire wedding

Gretchen and Michael’s wedding was a full-on Renaissance affair. The ceremony took place over Labor Day weekend at the Cotswold Commons area of The Bristol Renaissance Faire. The officiant dressed as a monk, bridesmaids wore DIY faery wings and flower crowns, and all the groomsmen wore color-coordinated capes. The couple incorporated a Medieval wine ceremony into their wedding as a symbol of their lives uniting as one. If you’re a Ren Faire lover like I am, you’re in for a treat…

Lauren & Lauren's sweet and laid-back wedding at a historic synagogue

Lauren & Lauren’s sweet and laid-back wedding at a historic synagogue

This laid-back two-bride wedding in Madison, Wisconsin got us right in the feels. We were able to snag the whole story from the brides, Lauren and Lauren(!), and it’s amazing. Think two special venues, lots of community support, sustainability, and loads of personal details. But let’s let the two Laurens (differentiated by “taller Lauren” and “shorter Lauren” here) explain…