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The Offbeat Bride: Ashley, software engineer (and Offbeat Tribe member)
Her offbeat partner: Dan, physical chemistry graduate student
Date and location of wedding: Solitude Mountain Resort, Solitude, Utah — July 18, 2015
Tell us about the ceremony:
My sister kicked off the ceremony before the processional with a hilarious welcome speech warning people what they were in for. She also asked people to respect our wishes regarding an unplugged ceremony and not stand for the processional.
Our ceremony seating was set up as a semi-circle with three aisles (two on the side, one down the middle), lined with tiny windmills. The wedding party entered through the side aisles from the opposite side that they ended up sitting and high-fived in the middle. Dan and I walked down the side aisles at the same time with our respective parents and met in the middle. We stood on opposite sides from tradition because Dan is left-handed, and the tradition stems from needing your sword hand free to fight off other suitors.
We worked very hard to craft a ceremony script that was short, fun, memorable, and personal. We borrowed heavily from Offbeat Bride. Dan and I wrote our own vows, which included Mad Libs that required audience participation, references to Frozen, and me getting Rick-rolled. I think they were the perfect combination of funny and serious. I cried, and even Dan choked up a little, which prompted an unscripted hug from me.
We had a ring bear, which was passed around for a ring warming. Our programs were video game-themed, with sprites from Mario and Zelda. All of our processional/recessional music was instrumental versions of songs from Zelda OOT, including “Lost Woods,” “Zelda's Lullaby,”” and Gerudo Valley.”
What was your most important lesson learned?
Most of our wedding planning overlapped with graduation and a new job. Balancing that and all the work involved in planning a wedding was sometimes stressful. To help, we had a huge spreadsheet with a list of everything to get done, including deadlines and dates. Every weekend we set aside half a day to accomplish whatever was on the list for that week. We also hired a wedding planner.
While our wedding planner was helpful leading up to the wedding, we really realized how invaluable she was the day of the wedding. I can’t imagine trying to decorate the ceremony and reception space and coordinate all of the events that day without her. If you’re on the fence about a wedding planner or day-of-coordinator, I would highly recommend finding room in your budget for one!
We did photos before the ceremony, so guests wouldn’t have to wait for us before dinner. We also had our cocktail hour before the ceremony (but after photos, so everyone could attend). This helped guests relax before the ceremony, so we got the laid-back, fun vibe we wanted and made sure guests weren’t starving or stuffed with appetizers before dinner. It also allowed for late comers to come on their own time and not miss any of the ceremony.
We had a relief table with sunscreen, bug spray, water bottles, and tissues for the ceremony. Our ceremony was unplugged, so no one’s view was obstructed by someone trying to get a picture. The seating was just two rows deep to try and give everyone a great view.
Vendors
- Venue: Solitude
- Wedding Planner: Hoopes Weddings
- Photo booth: A Day to Remember
- Wedding Photographer: Dani Christensen Photography
- Welcome Dinner Photographer: Sarah Shoots People
- Wedding Cake: Salt Cake City
- Hair/Makeup: Brianne Austin
- Welcome Dinner Dress: David’s Bridal
- Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo
- Groom’s Suit: Formed Fit Custom
- Bow ties: Bows By Dori M (groom’s mother)
- Programs: The Write Image
- 3D Print of Couple: Zeni Kinetic
- 3D Print Centerpieces: Tres Geek Shop
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.
Yay Aedunn, you made it to the main blog! Congratulations and oh my, the kitty bouquet… I didn’t see that the first time I looked at your photos. 😀
I love to see Tribesfolk on the main blog! You’re absolutely radiant, and there’s so much joy in your photos. I adore all the little touches that make it uniquely yours! 🙂
Yay! AEDunn’s here on the main-blog! 😀
I love seeing your first look photos! So much joy!! I’m excited that your 3D printings turned out so great as your centerpieces!!
I LOVE this wedding! I kept squeeing and showing the beautiful photos to FH (we are currently discussing a mountain wedding) and he said “Save that one!” when I showed him the pic of all the guests seated for the ceremony. Thank you for the gorgeous inspiration and for helping me towards my dream of a mountain wedding as well.
Congratulations!
What a fun little feature! This wedding truly was awesome. And all the fun unique parts of this wedding aside, Ashley and Dan truly had the most beautiful vows I’ve ever heard (and I’ve shot A LOT of weddings). So not only was their day perfect, but they are perfect for each other!!
Congratulations! Your face in every single photo is just filled with such joy. I truly hope mine looks the same on our wedding day 🙂
That CAKE!!! I had a geekgasm when I saw it. OMFG!!!
I love the bride’s gown! The sheer/sparkly top is so pretty!
Looks like such a fun wedding! How did you incorporate mad libs?
Hi there! Sorry for the late reply… I didn’t see that there was a new comment, until I shared this with a new friend.
Dan and I both wrote our own vows, so I went first and this is the script I used for the Mad Libs part:
“Dan and I decided to write our own vows, and I had a lot of trouble coming up with anything… so I was wondering if I could get some help from you guys?
Okay, I need:
an adjective ____
body parts ____
adjective ____
present tense verb ____
body part(s) ____
random thing(s) ____
job title ____
present tense verb ____
The Libs:
My beloved, Dan. I never dreamed that I would meet someone as ____ (adjective) as you. Your ____ (body parts) light up a room, leaving a ____ (adjective) smile on my face. I promise to ____ (present tense verb) you every morning and wrap my ____ (body part(s)) around you every night. I vow to share my ____ (random things(s)) with you, to strive to become the ____ (job title) you deserve, and to ____ (present tense verb) (for/with) you forever.”
I just had the script written on one notecard and the prompts on another notecard that I taped over the script with holes cut out for the blanks, so I could write the words in as they were called out.
Hello!
I LOVE the audience participation mad libs vows. How did you go about setting this up? Thanks!!!!
Pasting here, in case you don’t see my reply to the other comment asking about the mad libs…
This is the script I used for the Mad Libs part:
“Dan and I decided to write our own vows, and I had a lot of trouble coming up with anything… so I was wondering if I could get some help from you guys?
Okay, I need:
an adjective ____
body parts ____
adjective ____
present tense verb ____
body part(s) ____
random thing(s) ____
job title ____
present tense verb ____
The Libs:
My beloved, Dan. I never dreamed that I would meet someone as ____ (adjective) as you. Your ____ (body parts) light up a room, leaving a ____ (adjective) smile on my face. I promise to ____ (present tense verb) you every morning and wrap my ____ (body part(s)) around you every night. I vow to share my ____ (random things(s)) with you, to strive to become the ____ (job title) you deserve, and to ____ (present tense verb) (for/with) you forever.”