This week we're celebrating our sci-fi-loving, fantasy-squeeing, and comic book-collecting couples. That's right: it's geek week!
The Offbeat Bride: Alysa, (Freelance Illustrator)
Her offbeat partner: Ansell, part time filmmaker
Date and location of wedding: My in-laws' front yard, Buxton, ME — September 8, 2012
Our offbeat wedding at a glance: We tried to incorporate a lot of our favorite things, such as our favorite colors (his: purple, mine: green). Our cake topper had little action figures of Rogue and Gambit from X-Men, since that is really the reason we started talking to each other way back in high school. Also repping our geek pride, I made a TARDIS as our card box. We really wanted to make it fun for everyone, so we also included a bounce house and sno-cone machine!
We saved a TON of money just using Ansell's parents' house as the venue. We also made friends with the local meat market, Hoggy's, and turned our event into a BBQ/potluck sort of thing. People could bring dishes if they wanted to contribute to the party. One of my friends/bridesmaids made our cake for us. Friends and family really helped out a lot!
Tell us about the ceremony: We didn't want a long ceremony, so we really kept it short and sweet. We also added a little pagan blessing in there, since I am pagan, and Ansell is very open-minded.
Our biggest challenge: My biggest challenge was accepting the fact that Mom wasn't going to be there. She passed away in 2009 and it's been really hard getting over it, and I probably never will. I was sad for the whole week before, but while the wedding happened, I was as happy as could be because I knew mom would be smiling down on me.
My favorite moment: Mostly spending time with friends and family who we don't usually get to see. Some of my mom's friends from Minnesota even came. It meant a lot to see them, since my mom couldn't be there (even though I know she was there in spirit for the whole thing).
My funniest moment: We lost power a few times! It was super windy that day, and losing power made the bounce house deflate, then inflate, then deflate again!
Was there anything you were sure was going to be a total disaster that unexpectedly turned out great? I actually didn't expect anything disastrous. I made it a point not to. It was tough at first, but eventually I just let things happen how they were meant to, though the loss of power several times did take me by surprise!
My advice for Offbeat Brides: Keep a checklist! If I didn't have one, nothing would have gotten done.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? Don't sweat the small stuff… most people don't notice or care.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Dress: David's Bridal
- Photography: Nicole Pomeroy
- Food: Hoggy's Meat Market in Windham
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!
Offbeat Wed Vendor
This page features vendors from our curated Offbeat Wed Vendor Directory. They're awesome and we love them. If you're a vendor let's get you in here!
It’s true that you never really get over losing someone that close. I heard somewhere that it’s like getting a serious leg injury–it’ll never heal completely, and you’ll walk with a limp for the rest of your days. My dad died in the same year as your mom, and I’m definitely still limping.
I love the Rogue and Gamibt cake toppers!
Wow, who drew that fantastic zombie photo? It’s great!
WOW! awesome wedding! I love the relaxed and very personal style of the bride. I see this in my daughter’s future as she is a comic/anime geek! Brilliant and original ideas! Bravo and congratulations
The reason you guys lost power sometimes is because there was too much awesome in the air.
For srs, this looks great. Should I get married and someone said “We’re going to copy this wedding exactly” I would be totes fine with that. Great art, great cake, love the dress, BOUNCE HOUSE!!!! 🙂
That dress is to die for! You look so happy and beautiful!
I lost both my parents before I even met my husband. You never do get over it. Yet your Mom will always be with you!
Wow you guys look awesome! I love your dress and coming from Maine myself DB is about all thats up here but you found a wonderful one. My fiance and I are getting married this December in Mechanic Falls and are also doing a potluck/buffet. Congratulations
Aw man, I missed submitting my wedding in time for geek week. Sad face.
This wedding looks amazing, though. Sno-cones. Win.
While you may have missed getting it in for this iteration of Geek Week, we run geeky weddings pretty much year-round. GIT ON IT!