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.

Mario Kart, an open mic, and an aisle walk through a fog machine(!) at this creative Chicago wedding

Mario Kart, an open mic, and an aisle walk through a fog machine(!) at this creative Chicago wedding

Heather and Tim rocked their creatively DIYed Chicago wedding with an eye on maximum fun and a comfortable atmosphere for their guests. It was totally a collaboration between themselves and their creative guests. Whether it was an area where people could play cards, battle at Mario Kart, or a hilarious open mic, everyone was in their element.

Just wait until you see how the bride walked down the aisle through a fog machine!

Don't miss the stunning sequin gown at this mansion wedding in Illinois

Don’t miss the stunning sequin gown at this mansion wedding in Illinois

Jana and Bryan celebrated their romantic wedding at the Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello, Illinois. It’s one of those classic venues with grand staircases, huge hedge walls, and a total majestic library feel that has us totally heart eyes. But what made it extra amazing was how they really took the details and made them their own. Case in point: Jana’s FAB sequined gown and Bryan’s custom blue suit.

A Star Wars meets A Christmas Carol queer disabled multi-state wedding (in a blizzard!)

A Star Wars meets A Christmas Carol queer disabled multi-state wedding (in a blizzard!)

When we started planning our wedding, we quickly realized that since our families were separated by many states (I was raised in the midwest, he's from Virginia), it was going to be a logistical nightmare for us to get everyone together in one spot, so we decided to honor both sides of our family by coming to them. So we planned two weddings, one in VA and another celebration in IL.

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

This intimate, queer state capitol wedding brought the perfect amount of rainbow magic

Megan and Bri met at a roller derby after party, spent the evening talking about My Little Pony, and everything just clicked from there. It was love. They love spending time together fishing, hiking, watching PBS, and playing games, or cuddling with their two kitties, Little and Georgia.

Their wedding was intimate, with just their two sets of parents, Bri’s sister, and Megan’s aunt, and was absolutely lovely. Megan’s dad bought a rainbow umbrella in case of rain, and while it wasn’t originally part of the plan, pretty much everyone in attendance had their picture taken with the umbrella, even their officiant, Judge Kloppenburg!