Tracy & Nick’s crafty and thrifty paper poms wedding

The offbeat bride: Tracy, Assistant Director

Her offbeat partner: Nick, Producer/Director

Date and location of wedding: Olander Park, Sylvania, OH — October 21, 2011

Our offbeat wedding at a glance: Nick and I dated for seven and a half years before we got engaged, so we had thought about our wedding for a few years. We don't attend church, so we went about looking for a secular officiant. The first one we talked to stood us up! I was venting to my older brother about the whole situation and he said, “why don't you let me officiate for you?” The next day he was ordained online and we had ourselves a wedding officiant, who happened to be my homosexual brother.

I knew that weddings were expensive, but I was determined to not let ours get out of hand. For our centerpieces, we chose to go with branches in vases and small tissue paper poms since I'm not a fan of real flowers or their price tag. After I realized how much tissue paper we would have from buying it in bulk, I decided to make some big poms for decoration.

In order to get all the planned DIY accomplished, I had a “craft day” about two months before the wedding where I invited a bunch of girls over to help me get some projects done. We had snacks and drinks and it was a fantastic time. Our handmade pieces included: my bouquet, the maid of honor's bouquet, all of the guys' boutonnieres, centerpieces, table numbers, favors, hanging decorations, wish tree, card box, and seating cards/holder.

We searched around locally to see which places did non-traditional catering, and found out that Tony Packo's caters events with their Hungarian-influenced food. Their prices were very reasonable and the food at the tasting was amazing. My mom also made all of the favors, which were sugar cookies shaped like wedding cakes.

Tell us about the ceremony: The two readings that we used were:

A reading from Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres:

Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because that is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.

“The Promise” by Eileen Rafter:

The sun danced on the snow with a sparkling smile,
As two lovers sat quietly, alone for a while.
Then he turned and said, with a casual air
(Though he blushed from his chin to the tips of his hair),
“I think I might like to get married to you”
“Well then, she said, “Well there's a thought,
But what if we can't promise to be all that we ought,
If I'm late yet again, when we plan to go out.
For I know I can't promise, I'll learn to ignore
Dirty socks and damp towels strewn all over the floor.
So if we can't vow to be all that we should
I'm not sure what to do, though the idea's quite good.”
But he gently smiled and tilted his head
Till his lips met her ear and softly he said
“I promise, to weave my dreams into your own,
That wherever you breathe will be my hearts home.
I promise, that whether with rags or with gold I am blessed
Your smile is the jewel I will treasure the best.
Do you think, then, my love, we should marry –- do you?”
“Yes” she said smiling “I do”.

My favorite moment: My favorite moment from our wedding was the ceremony. The readings were beautiful and there was just a fantastic vibe on the deck. I felt very loved! I was worried about how people would react to the ceremony, since we didn't include any religious content, but nobody even mentioned that.

My advice for Offbeat Brides: My only advice is to do what feels right. If people think your idea is crazy or that you shouldn't do it, take it in stride, and make the choice that works for you and your partner. Then it should be authentically you.

Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?

• Tissue paper for the poms: Paper Mart
• Bride's dress: Alfred Angelo 2034
• Bride's veil and flower fascinator: Etsy seller WearableArtz
• Maid of honor's jewelry: Etsy seller Buysomelove
• Robot cake toppers: Etsy seller Lubu
• Groom's tie: Amazon
• Groom's suit: Express

Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!

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