The offbeat bride: Melissa, Medical Lab Tech Student
My offbeat partner: Matt, Locksmith/Night Club Owner
Location & date of wedding: Stan Hywet Hall in Akron, Ohio.
What made our wedding offbeat: My husband was dressed as a king, and I wore a Medieval inspired dress from a pattern that is discontinued (making it a rare kind). I wore a cape instead of a veil and it was clasped with a 19th century brooch. The best man was dressed as a prince, and his groomsman was dressed as a knight. My bridesmaids wore simple medieval style dresses.

We had a ring bearer AND a crown bearer. Instead of a candle lighting ceremony we had a “crowning ceremony” where I was crowned his queen. Instead of flower girls we had “bubble fairies.” Merlin married us, reading the ceremony, which was written by my husband and myself in medieval jargon, from a scroll. My father read some bible verses from a scroll.
We had a horse drawn carriage take us from my mothers house to the reception sight. Everything was medieval/fantasy inspired, all the way down to the instrument we used to cut the cake. And as favors we gave out velvet pouches filled with chocolate gold coins.
Our biggest challenge: Most of our family wasn't very supportive. But those who were we appreciate very much. It was hard to deal with my mom not being supportive. The more details she heard, the more she thought it was going to turn into an ugly circus. Crying when she saw me in my dress and admitting that it was a perfect wedding helped a lot.

Enough talk — show me the wedding porn:
so dreamy! (and I LOVE Stan Hywett Hall) it’s spectacular that you did everything your own way AND won over your mom!
Congratulations!! That’s a beautiful wedding!! Good for you doing every detail just how you wanted to…very inspiring.
What’s more magical than a Medieval, Merlin approved Marriage? Why, absolutely nothing! This wedding really made me smile. Congratz to you both!
what a fun idea! i love the addition of the crowning ceremony.
I was one of the Lucky persons who got to be there and if i may say it was one of the most beautiful and inventive weddings i have ever been to in my life. you both look so wonderful and i love you both dearly!
Congratulations! I’m glad you won your mom over. I love the brown-hatted elves in your wedding party – so cute!
Gives new meaning to ‘fairy-tale wedding’, I love that you made it your day, even with a stressed-out mum :o)
first pic ! gasp ! that looks like the most medievalest wedding ever !
Melissa, it was such a great wedding, very imanigitive. I would have never been able to think up anything like that. Congrats on being featured. I enjoyed and was honored being one of your “ladies in waiting”. Love you.
What a cool wedding!! I love your attention to detail. And OMG…that dragon cake is awesome!!
Congrats!
Thank you everyone!
In response to Becki: That was the grooms cake that came with the wedding cake. It was all sugar free so those who were diabetic could celebrate with cake also!
“crowned his queen” – LOVE it <3
My husband and I support Melissa in all of her endeavors. I did think the wedding may be a little strange at first. Melissa has always been an outside of the box type of person. It turned out perfect.