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The offbeat bride: Madame Strange, educator
Her offbeat groom: Sensei Strange, Magician
Location & date of wedding: A friend's yard, Austin Texas. 10/28/2006
What made our wedding offbeat: I was a geisha, he was a pirate, it was a costume wedding right before Halloween. It all began when we lived together in Japan, and he bought me an antique wedding kimono. It was so gorgeous, when he asked me to marry him I knew I had to wear it. And if I was going to wear it, I had to do it right, so I went all in. I had a friend make me a hair piece, dyed my hair black to go with it. He got to shoot the objector, another scurvy pirate. We had another magician tell our story prior to the pagan ceremony, followed by a hand fasting.
Our biggest challenge: Budget was our big challenge, but I do event planning so I made it all work for less than $3000. DIY is the way to go, and enlist your friends and family. They love to contribute.
My favorite moment: When my husband threw aside our vows and spoke from his heart. I warned him not to make me cry, but I teared up. Walking down the aisle seeing everyone I loved was another lovely moment.
My offbeat advice: Do what you want, it is your moment. Do not listen to what other people want, and don't be afraid to be unique. Weddings are a celebration and should be fun. Everyone said our wedding was the funnest they'd ever been to, and people still mention it a year later.
Enough talk — show me the wedding porn: There are lots of Pirate & Geisha shots linked over here. Personally, this is my favorite set of photos.
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HOW AWESOME!! Just stunning. Pirates and Geishas. It seems to work… somehow.
Our anniversary is in May, but you can have costume party wedding anytime, right?
Good LORD, that is a BEAUTIFUL wedding. I am in awe of the fabulous photo album you must have.
Wow. So, SO gorgeous and so personal!!
I am also in Austin. Please email me if you are willing to share your baker!
Yes! I love pirates, and the effort involved in wearing a traditional kimono must have been huge! Great theme =)
You appreciate history and folktales.
OMG. I adore sensei strange’s contact juggling. He is my 2nd favorite cj-er. Wow Wow!! I love the pictures and everything about the wedding! What a lucky couple!! My fiancé and I are doing pirates Vs ninjas as our theme. I will have to steal some inspiration from the couple.