Alex & Mark’s Mexi-Kitchy-Chic-Forest-Wonderland Wedding

You've seen this wedding before when Ariel raved about the “best woman's” amazing outfit. Now get the entire scoop on my friend Alex's beautiful offbeat redwood forest wedding that I was lucky to attend.

The Offbeat Bride: Alex- Community Manager

Her Offbeat Partner: Mark- Restaurant Manager

Location & date of wedding: Nestldown, Los Gatos CA (aka Paradise) — June 25, 2009

What made our wedding offbeat: Mark and I wanted to make this wedding as much about our personality and love as possible. We had a close friend become ordained in order to marry us. She did an unforgettable job!

Mark's family is 1/2 Mexican so we went with our favorite images found in non-traditional folklore. We did a twisted photo shoot in Mexican wrestling masks for our wrestler center pieces. We incorporated a fairy tale background and spiced it up with Day of the Dead brick-a-brack and wedding favors intended to be repurposed as take home art pieces. We kept it “green” in as many places that budget allowed, we sent everyone home with a tree to plant and didn't waste money on things we felt would be thrown away after the event.

Our musician and good friend played a Deftones (one of our favorite bands) song on a ukulele as I walked down the isle. I was supposed to launch my bouquet out of an air gun but it broke! We rode into the cocktail hour on a miniature train and out of the ceremony in a vintage English taxi.

Our biggest challenge: Understanding how to balance the endless planning and multiple personalities involved in a wedding. Not sweating the small stuff, realizing who you can and can't lean on for much needed support! And never taking others actions to personally!

My favorite moment: Wow..I have to pick just one? Well I loved peoples reactions to the location and I loved “The Kiss!”

My advice for other offbeat brides: Be as clear as you possibly can with your vision. Be courteous to everyone, but be firm with your desires. Be available and let those helping you constantly know how much you appreciate them.

If you are wondering if you should include an element into you wedding but can't afford it… don't be afraid to call on friends to help, even a long lost one!

Pick your battles wisely, don't over stress yourself out.

And lastly the day-of — take a deep breath (and a Xanax), remember to smile and enjoy yourself because it will be over in the blink of an eye!

Care to share a few vendors/links?:

• Caterer- Karen Major, Poetry in Motion
• Cupcakes- Randal St Clair, Sugar Daddies, [email protected], Cupcakes, Cookies, and Puddings for any event or theme
• Jewlrey- Serifos, Ask for Donna
• Musician- Brandt Shandera, [email protected]
• Officiant – Verna Fawcett, [email protected]
• Photographer- Geoff L. Johnson
• Stylist- Tommy Sullins, [email protected]
• Location- Nestledown

Enough talk — show me the wedding porn:

About the Author: Megan Finley Horowitz

@meggyfin @thedashanddine @meggyfin

When Megan's not writing, traveling, and sleeping, she's eating like the fate of the world depends on it. (You're welcome, world!) You can snoop into her personal life over on her website The Dash and Dine!