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The Offbeat Bride: Robin, non-profit administrator and cake decorator
Her offbeat partner: Ken, veterinarian
Date and location of wedding: Locust Grove Estates, Poughkeepsie, NY — April 27, 2013
Our offbeat wedding at a glance: Ken and I are total rockabillies (well, he's more psychobilly, but we are billies nonetheless) and I wanted a wedding to represent that. We had records, tattoo flash, tiki drinks, hair flowers and pomade, Wanda Jackson's former back-up band, a classic car, Elvis, and plenty of cake. Okay, the cake isn't part of being rockabilly, I just wanted a lot of cake!
Tell us about the ceremony: The only appropriate song for me to walk down the aisle to would be “Rockin' Robin” by Bobby Day. There was a lot of laughter at that part. Ken wanted something different: he picked “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash.
Our biggest challenge: The hardest part was finding an officiant. We wanted someone fun, while my parents wanted someone traditional. I am Catholic, so that was my mother's priority. She ended up finding this great officiant who was a former Catholic Priest, and in his words, “was a naughty boy and married a woman” and left the priesthood. Turns out this guy was hilarious. He set the perfect mood for us, and I think he really liked performing the ceremony in front of a vintage microphone.
My favorite moment: The day before I met Ken, I was complaining to my cousin about being single. I told her all I wanted was a greaser, who drives a motorcycle, and would sing me Elvis songs. And then I met Ken. The thing was Ken never sang, he refused to.
Just as dessert was being served, Ken got up with the band and told this story. He then sang one of my favorite Elvis' songs, “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear.” He did amazingly well, and shocked basically everyone in the room, including the band! It totally made the day that much more special.
My funniest moment: I think we surprised people when our first dance started. Ken and I met as extras on a zombie film. When we were trying to find a good song that fit us, I wanted something about zombies. Amazingly enough I found the song “Zombie For Your Love” by Kim Lenz. The whole room light up when the band started with “I'm a zombie zombie zombie for your love…” We ended the dance with me biting Ken's neck.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? Be yourself as much as you can. If you don't want to do place cards, don't. If you want the centerpieces to be cakes, do it! If you decide that giving trophies to your guests for being the best dressed would make the night better, definitely do it. In the end, I wanted people to experience our lifestyle and have a good time, even if that meant bucking a few traditions.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Photography: Moz Foto
- Bride's dress: Dolly Couture
- Bride's shoes: Betsey Johnson
- Groom's suit jacket: Lansky Brothers, the clothier to the King (they designed Elvis' clothing)
- Centerpieces: The Land of Cake Believe
- Table runners: Retro Shreds
- Band: The Lustre Kings — worth every penny!
- Bridesmaids dressed: Pin Up Girl Clothing
- Hair: Chelsea Harris, owner Salon 52 Hair Studios
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!
dresses: Dolly Couture
About the Author: Offbeat Weditors
Working tirelessly to bring you stimulating content day after day, the Offbeat Wed editors will not sleep until you've gotten your offbeat fix.
Love the styling here. Would love to go to a wedding like this. Everyone looks so sleek and awesome!
Thanks Sophie! Our guests totally got into the rockabilly style. It was a blast!
extremely fun-looking wedding, and a gorgeous couple!
Thanks!!! It was so much fun!
I love the blue details, and I LOVE the cake centerpieces. It looks like it was a really fun wedding!
Blue is my favorite color, so I wanted it everywhere without being BLUE. It was a great wedding. Thanks!
your dress was amazing and OMG those shoes!!
Absolutely stunning!
Thanks Heather!!!
One of my favorites this year! So fun!!
Aww that’s a honor! Thanks!!
Gorgeous! Love the colors and details! And the fact that Wanda Jackson’s former back-up band played and the groom sang–wow! Let’s have a party indeed!
Funny you should say Let’s have a party. That is the song we played as we exited the ceremony.
what an adorable couple! so much fun! Congratulations, and I LOVE the cakes as centerpieces idea!
Everyone thought I was crazy for having cakes everywhere. They really made the tables look that much more awesome!
thanks!!
I want to marry your wedding.
The cake centerpieces and record place mats are bad ass. The pinup station is brilliant (including Aqua Net!). I love that your bear got his own seat. Have I mentioned how gorgeous your dress and shoes are?
Funny thing about those shoes. I bought 5 pairs until I found the right shade of blue. I only returned two of them. hehe
LOVE this! Where did that amazing petticoat come from?
I got the petticoat through Dolly Couture. They have like 50 different colors, and two different textures. The one I have is peacock blue
Love this!!! love your hair, your dress, everything about it! We’re planning a rockabilly type wedding too plus we’re both rock musicians so we’re just bringing it all together – you’ve got me totally inspired!
Yay glad I could inspire you! Congrats to you on your up coming wedding
ahhh! love the dress, I also got a peacock blue sash & dress from dolly couture for my wedding coming up! glad to see that it looks AMAZING in photos, congrats!
LOVE the peacock blue!!! Seriously my favorite of all the colors they have.
Congrats on your upcoming wedding.
Fifties? Rock n’ Roll? Tattoos? Top to bottom amazing! You guys did an incredible job with the theme and really nailed the time period. The hair and clothes were spot-on, the details rocked (that microphone!) and I ache with longing for that car! You guys are just plain awesome! Congratulations to you both 🙂
Thanks Jamie!! Super sweet of you!
I love the pin-up station! So freaking awesome!
as a fellow dolly couture bride- love love love your dress and crinoline!
and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that you picked the PUG Rita!!
Just gorgeous! Can I ask, where did you get the stickers for the middle of the records? We’ve got records for our centrepieces, and would love some personalised stickers on them. Many thanks 🙂
We had them designed by the person who did our wedding invitations (who I wouldn’t recommend cause she never sent me my thank you even though I paid her) and then ordered them through 40ver4.com (who I would recommend cause the price was great and they were fast).
Brilliant, many thanks! Shame about your invitation person though, poor show! 🙁
OMG, that dress! Love!
So this is probably pretty late to the game, but anyone know where that cute bolero came from? I didn’t see it on the Dolly Couture site and I’m looking for something just like that.
Hi Rayne, I got the bolero from Dolly Couture. They carry it in their stores but not online. I’m sure if you email them, they will help you out. Unfortunately, I don’t remember how much it cost.
Best,
Robin
Hi Robin!
You guys looked gorgeous!!!! Don’t know if you’re still answering questions here… but thought I’d try! I choose a peacock blue petticoat from Dolly Couture because I saw yours (thank you for telling us the colour). Where did you get the sash? Where did Ken get his shoes? I’m looking for something similar for my Fiance. 🙂
Cheers!
I went to a ribbon store with a sample of the petticoat. I paid something like $15 for two yards. If you are in NYC the store is called JK trimmings.
I love your guestbook idea! where did you get the picture in the center???!!!
I got the picture on etsy and the frame at michaels. I think I search “day of the dead wedding”. Hope that helps.
Super cute! I love the whole shebang! So glad to hear that the guests got into the rockabilly style for it too. I have hope!