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The offbeat bride: Bri, Pastry Chef-in training and Ex-Weather Forecaster
Her offbeat partner: Ian, Computer Nerd and Library Lover
Location & date of wedding: The Fremont Troll (ceremony) in Seattle, WA and Ian's sister's backyard (reception) in Seattle, WA on September 5th, 2008
What made our wedding offbeat: I proposed to Ian in December of 2007, and gave him a fantastic sterling silver engagement ring. We had a family-only ceremony at the Fremont Troll (a giant statue of a troll under a bridge!). Apparently a tour bus came by during the ceremony, but Ian and I were so engrossed in all the lurve that we didn't even notice!
The wedding was “us” through and through. We had a friend make our wedding bands, my sister played a song on the guitar, I sewed myself a sparkly purple skirt, and Ian wore his favorite shirt.
We threw a backyard party for all of our friends the next day, complete with oodles of homemade vegan pastries (made by yours truly – I'm in pastry school right now!). We played croquet on the lawn in the backyard and drank beer until the sun went down. We're both homebrewers, so we brewed up a big ole batch of a fantastic Belgian-style Dubbel to share with everyone.
We went on a tour of breweries in Oregon for our honeymoon – it was fantastic! We tried 76 beers in one week. Finally, we decided it was important for us to have the same last name, so Ian took my last name.
The wedding couldn't have been more perfect. The weather was fantastic and it was very inexpensive and pretty much stress-free.
Our biggest challenge: Actually deciding to start planning the wedding and making decisions. We were both afraid of the stress that comes with weddings, and we didn't want to have that sort of thing taint our celebration. Ultimately, we decided to throw most traditions out the window (or turn them around) and just do something that we were sure would be fun, cheap, and stress-free.
There was only a bit of backlash from a few people (not family members, luckily) over the fact that Ian decided to take my name.
My favorite moment: Walking across the street to the Troll with our families. I didn't expect to feel nervous, but I did!
My offbeat advice:I made all of the pastries for our backyard reception. Annoyingly, while I was in the process of working on these, people kept saying, “Oh no, don't do that! Don't over-exert yourself”. Baking is my passion and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my time in the weeks leading up to our wedding. I know my limits, and I know what I love… so I just ignored those people. Know yourself and don't listen to stupid advice.
Having the stress-free family-only ceremony and the reception the next day was the best idea we had. There was no schedule for anything, just “we'll start the ceremony around four-ish, whenever everyone gets here” and “the garden party will start around 2pm!”
Lastly, in the words of Charlie Papazian (homebrewing guru): “Relax… Don't Worry… Have a Homebrew!” (Or some lemonade, or a glass of wine!)
Enough talk — show me that wedding porn: Click the photo below to see shots from Bri & Ian's Stress-Free Celebration of Love, complete with a troll!
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.
Oh, I LOVE that you got married with the Fremont Troll presiding. That’s one of the best venues I’ve ever seen! Congrats!!!
*sigh* That’s the troll in 10 Things I Hate About You. I love that movie … and your wedding 🙂
LOVE IT! Your skirt was amazing and the troll=LOVE! Off to peruse the rest of the pics!
Yay another homebrewer! Though we won’t be brewing for our wedding, we are getting married at Stoudts Brewery in PA, so we will be sipping fine craftbeers all night. We’re thinking of honeymooning in Denver for a little beer and foodie moon.
I LOVE your sparkly silver shoes, and mad props to Ian for taking your name! You guys are so cute 🙂
The cutest bride and groom I have ever seen. I love EVERYTHING about the wedding!
Thanks. Ooooooh, Mel, a brewery wedding sounds awesome, btw!
Are you flippin serious? The Fremont Troll?! THATS AMAZING!
In all the times that I’ve been there, I’ve still never climbed it.. I love that thing!
Amazing venue! I’m in total awe!
XD
oh my freaking gosh.
this is amazing.
congratulations on ALL of this!
you two are so cute. i mean, really.
also, i’m having the damndest time finding a vegan baker for my wedding. i will make my flourless pb chocolate chip cookies, though.
come over, ok? 🙂
Ok – #1 Totally dig Ian taking your name!! – My hubby and I teased that he should do that – but I just kept mine and he kept his – and he was totally cool about it. And we had our reception several days after the ceremony – and I AGREE – it was the best thing to do EVER – so easy. Congrats to you both!!
What a lovely couple…and a simple and intimate wedding
While I am not the vegan, FH is, I love the fact you made vegan pasteries. That is great!! WE have played around with vegan baking and are having a vegan wedding cake!! Awsome pics! Thanks for sharing
Lovely coupe..i think they will have a long lasting marriage. Love the Hawaiian outfit 🙂
Another Vegan from Seattle here!
Great photos, I’m sure it was a blast!
[…] typed in “vegan” in the search bar on Offbeat Bride’s site and my heart just sang when I saw this post. So many things I love about their wedding. Like the fact that she is a vegan pastry chef! And they […]
[…] typed in “vegan” in the search bar on Offbeat Bride’s site and my heart just sang when I saw this post. So many things I love about their wedding. Like the fact that she is a vegan pastry chef! And they […]