Category Archive

identity

Having a bridentity crisis? Not sure what this whole wedding thing means when it comes to who you are as a person? Let’s work through some identity issues together. (Also, you may want to check out the book The Conscious Bride, which addresses a lot of personal identity issues related to wedding planning.)

Mrs Balloon Garland with Tassels Kit alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

My name isn’t “Mrs”: On changing my mind about changing my last name

Changing my mind about changing my last name was undoubtedly really confusing for my husband, because I had clearly stated my intention to take his name once we were married. But when people started calling me “Mrs. HisLastName” I didn’t like it!

changing first and last name after marriage on offbeat bride alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

I’m changing my first AND last name after marriage

Did I want to keep having the same tiresome, negative conversation with every new person that I meet? Not really. Is changing my entire name going to be incredibly inconvenient? Most certainly, in terms of process, costs, and social confusion. Is my happiness worth the inconvenience? When I asked myself that question, the answer was a resounding YES. Additionally, I now have no problem taking my partner’s (delightful) last name when I will also be taking my own first name, on my own terms.

How Offbeat Bride helped me be more authentic alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Thinking Bride: How Offbeat Bride helped me be more authentic

I actually found Offbeat Bride through a site (that shall remain nameless but not blameless) where the writer was mocking it. The tone of the mockery was, “Look at these weirdos who think they’re so special and different!” But here’s the thing: I WANTED my wedding to be special and different. Now, over a year later and as my wedding date quickly approaches, I shall literally count the ways in which Offbeat Bride has helped me. If it weren’t for Offbeat Bride, my wedding would have been a lot more…

Learning to accept help relinquish wedding control alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

The wrong way to make a bouquet? Learning to accept help and relinquish wedding control

I haven’t been asking for help, I haven’t been delegating, and I’ve been overwhelmed and drowning in an endless sea of paperwork and DIY projects. I’ve been so worried about letting people help because I feel like only I know what the end result is “supposed” to be, and I’m scared that if someone else makes something it won’t be “right.” This is where my thinking needs to change…