JR & Mike’s spontaneous steampunk wedding

The offbeat bride: JR, artist

Her offbeat partner: Mike, actor and author

Date and location of wedding: A friend's place (house on stilts), Seabrook, TX — January 28, 2012

Our offbeat wedding at a glance: Everything about this wedding was a gift to us from our dearest friends.

• They cooked the food
• decorated the site
• officiated
• cleaned
• directed traffic
• took photos
• made corsages
• and opened their home to us.

None of us have much money, and we enjoy compensating for that by making things.

I stitched together my “Frankenstein” dress from a vest, a menswear jacket, and a Renaissance-style costume dress. My leather coat was stitched together from an old coat, boots, and t-shirts. The chain mail sash Mike wore was made by a friend we consider a brother.

The entertainment was also provided by friends who are artists, musicians, fire-spinners and performers.

Tell us about the ceremony: Our ceremony was straightforward and simple. We included a few Naval wedding traditions — most memorably, the captain swatting the bride on the bum with the flat of his sword as a sendoff.

Our friend and officiant, Cedric, who knew us both before we knew each other, spoke to us and the guests about how we had struggled individually and found more strength together. He and the rest of our friends spoke from the heart, and that poignant reminder of the mutual family Mike and I share meant more than I can write.

My funniest moment: One of my “Bride's Badass Bitches” did bruise makeup on the bridal party and some of the groomsmen, as a joke to imply a crazy bachelorette party. The entire day was filled with funny moments, especially since the wedding was mostly improvised.

Was there anything you were sure was going to be a total disaster that unexpectedly turned out great? We really were completely broke, and due to a family member's health, we had to change locations a month before the ceremony. Once again, friends to the rescue: we had a venue, a ceremony, tattooed cupcakes, music, a bonfire, and one hell of a party.

My advice for Offbeat Brides: Relax and roll with what comes, and don't let the pressures society heaps upon the wedding tradition wring you out.

Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?

• Wedding accessories, officiation, reception party coordination, and decorations: Airship Isabella
• Photographer: Terry Stewart

Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!

About the Author: Offbeat Weditors

@offbeatbride @offbeatwed

Working tirelessly to bring you stimulating content day after day, the Offbeat Wed editors will not sleep until you've gotten your offbeat fix.