Posted by
The Offbeat Bride: Leslie, Journalist/Editor, Hooper
Her offbeat partner: Stevan, Project Manager/Digital Marketing
Date and location of wedding: Bush Tabernacle, Purcelville, VA — October 26, 2012
Our offbeat wedding at a glance: We started planning something more traditional, then found a venue we loved and threw it all away. There was video games, foosball, ping pong, a photo booth, roller skating, and my hula hoop collection.
The bouquets were made of lollipops I bought wholesale online. I found my lanterns on Craigslist, and I bought my tablecloths from a wholesaler online, then sold them to a restaurant.
Tell us about the ceremony: Our readings included some that I found here on Offbeat Bride with a selection from “First Poems” by Rainer Maria Rilke, “Some Things Go Together” by Charlotte Zolotow, and “Union” by Robert Fulghum. I really liked the idea of a handfasting and what it meant, as well as the tradition behind it. I made our handfasting cords myself the week before the wedding, while watching a Friday the 13th movie marathon. One is in fall colors that match our wedding, and the other is in the colors of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, to show some love to our Michigan roots.
Our biggest challenge: Budgeting. We really didn't want to go into debt because of a wedding, and we paid for it ourselves. The hardest part though was cutting the guest list. Our families are really spread out, so no matter what most people would have to travel, and we couldn't afford the 250-person guest list our entire families would create. We chose to invite just our closest family (parents, grandparents, siblings, nephews, and nieces) and our closest friends. We had about 65 guests total.
My favorite moment: I love that somehow it ended up being only me and my mom in the room when I put my dress on. That was special. I also loved that we took pictures in the same pumpkin patch where we got engaged.
My funniest moment: The funniest part of the ceremony was when Steve went to grab my ring from our officiant too early. She had to stop mid-sentence to tell him “not yet,” and everyone was cracking up. My three-year-old niece, Carolina, also provided constant entertainment. During the speeches, she slowly walked up to Steve as he was thanking everyone for coming out, then just stood next to him looking out at everyone. She didn't want to talk, just stand with her new Uncle Steve.
My advice for Offbeat Brides: Be open to suggestions. You never know how your family may end up surprising you. I had originally wanted a Halloween wedding but Stevan thought it might be too strange. When we showed my mom the venue, she immediately went “Halloween theme!” I was shocked that she not only supported the crazy thing I wanted, but also thought it was a great idea.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? Be confident in your choices. Our wedding was a little strange, so I was terrified everyone would think it was too strange and have a terrible time, but it was a blast. I DIYed a lot of stuff, and wanted to do so much more, but you have to be reasonable about the time and energy you have.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Garter: Lucy Bridal Boutique
- Cake toppers: Masked Rabbit Crafts
- Custom ties: Cyberoptix Tie Lab
- Photography: The Happy Couple
- Lollipops for bouquets: Candy Warehouse
- LED hoop: Atomic Pro by Astral Hoops
- Shoes: Irregular Choice
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!
fashion: Cyberoptix Tie Lab
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.
Love that dress! Seriously! Great on you too!
Also, the everything else was pretty awesome too
Thank you! That dress is a crazy story all on it’s own but it is a very fantastic dress. 🙂 It’s made by Novissima. They make some really gorgeous dresses.
OMG!!! P-ville! I grew up there!
Love to see the old Purcellville Skating Rink is still up and going!
Abi, that’s awesome! And now that skating rink holds a very dear place in my heart. 😀 We live in Reston, but we have a special love for Purcellvillle. We actually got engaged in 2010 at the pumpkin patch at Wegmeyer Farm and had dinner at Magnolia’s afterward, and then ended up getting married at the skating rink. For our anniversary this past weekend we went and got pumpkins at Wegmeyer and had dinner at Magnolia’s again.
That picture of you getting dressed. Vavoom! breathtaking.
I love the creepy cake! I’ve never seen a spider on a cake seem appetizing before.
Thanks! That was a total surprise brought by the caterers (a local beloved restaurant/bar). They did a lot of extra stuff, including bringing additional decorations, that was an awesome surprise. They’re great people.
Amazing,everything is just amazing!! And WHERE did you get that apron??
Thank you! The apron actually came from Target’s Halloween section last year. 🙂 I love it. And didn’t want to ruin my dress with buffalo wings. Haha.
Sassy Rollerskating LEDHoop bride! Yes!
I loved all of the details, especially the photos in the field and the rollerskating shots. I wore an apron during my wedding dinner too, because I ALWAYS spill something:)
Beautiful and amazing wedding! It looks so authentic to both of you! Congratulations!!!