Alison & Daniel’s low-key literature-themed wedding

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 | Photography by Joshua McDonald
Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

The Offbeat Bride: Alison, Web Developer

Her offbeat partner: Daniel, Mental Health Professional

Date and location of wedding: Dickens Opera House, Longmont, CO — October 12, 2014

Our offbeat wedding at a glance:

We chose to forgo a DJ (bought and iPad and hooked up to the venue's sound system) in order to save money for a good photographer. Dan really wanted a good meal, so we had the venue cater a fajita bar. We also decided to save money by having paper flowers instead of real flowers which was a fraction of the cost.

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Our book centerpieces were all books we already owned, and we just tied a ribbon around them. We bought cheap books at a used bookstore and ripped out the pages for the head table and cake table's runner. We attached them to contact paper then used a glue stick to stick down some edges.

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

We kept our guest list low on purpose because we both really wanted our closest friends and family there and wanted the intimacy that comes when you are surrounded by people who know you well and love you anyway. I designed the wedding invitations and bulletins myself and had them printed.

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Tell us about the ceremony:

The processional song was “Gonna Love You” by Band of Horses, and I walked down to “My Girl.”

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

My uncle was the pastor who performed the ceremony. We decided to have a unity cross instead of a unity candle or sand. We had a member of the wedding party read the poem “How Do I Love Thee” by Elizabeth Barret Browning instead of having a soloist.

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Our biggest challenge:

Our biggest challenge was feeling guilty. I say this because a lot of our guests are from out-of-town, so we both felt like we should spend a lot of time with each guest who had traveled so far to be with us for the day. We both realized that wedding guests know that the bride and groom will be lucky if they get a couple minutes to say hello. We both still wish there were more hours in the day to be able to visit with each and every person there, but we are so thankful that everyone could make it and we made sure to usher all out so we could at least greet each guest.

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

My favorite moment:

We served communion at our wedding, and we brought the communion to our parents. We loved having an opportunity to share this expression of our faith with those close to us.

The heartfelt speeches given by both fathers, Dan's older brother, and my older sister were beautiful and made us cry.

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding?

We learned that the advice I was given before we were even engaged was really helpful. They said to fight for one or two things that you really want, and just let the rest go, or you'll be so stressed out that your day will not be any fun.

Also, having a wedding coordinator for the day is so worth it if you can afford it. Between her and the photographer, we didn't have to really think about any logistics and could just enjoy the day.

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

Low-key literature-themed wedding from @offbeatbride

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Comments on Alison & Daniel’s low-key literature-themed wedding

  1. What a fun looking couple. The bride is a doppelganger of one of my friends 🙂

  2. Allison & Dan!

    I love these two so much! Great wedding, friends and family. I couldn’t get enough of everything they represent!

    You guys rock and love the blog!

    Joshua McDonald

  3. WOW!

    This wedding is eerily similar to the one I am planning. I’m pretty sure that means I have to love it, hahaha. It is also super nice to see someone doing an offbeat Christian wedding. I have no problem with offbeat non-Christian weddings or non-offbeat Christian weddings, but sometimes I feel like people in both communities don’t acknowledge the other. I don’t want to have to choose between my religion and my personality. I am quirky and Jesus-y.

    Kudos to you! 😀
    Bailee

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