The offbeat bride: Amanda, Student/Part-Time Sales
Her offbeat partner: Daniel, Student/Worship Intern/Server
Date and location of wedding: Future Construction Site of NSCC’s Youth Building, Northside Christian Church, Yorktown, VA — May 28, 2011
What made our wedding offbeat: We did it on a budget so all our decorations came from thrift stores or other weddings. We made what we couldn’t find and befriended the best vendors in town (mostly our friends!). We had pig roast reception, a cinnamon roll cake, and danced in the rain. We didn’t stop smiling the whole night.
Tell us about the ceremony: The ceremony was short and sweet. The minister was my hubby’s college roommate and a HUGE influence in us getting together. This was his first wedding and he couldn’t have done better. It was so personal and so simple and so us.
Our biggest challenge: It rained. Thankfully, my mother and mother-in-law had talked me into the tent for our outdoor extravaganza. All the guests hid out under there until it stopped and about ten people rushed the chairs with towels to dry them. It ended up being a great mixer since our families had never met. Plus, storm clouds and umbrellas made for great pictures.
My favorite moment: I loved our communion ceremony. We did it at the reception, after the meal, with a loaf at each table — none of that individualized cracker and juice stuff. It was so important to us that the unity of that moment was felt. We wanted God at the center of our party! And we wanted everyone to focus on being and doing together.
My funniest moment: We had the best time sneaking away to take more pictures with our photographers. We walked around the church property to the stables and took pictures with the cat that followed us. Hubby hates cats, but those are some of his favorite pictures.
Was there anything you were sure was going to be a total disaster that unexpectedly turned out great? The weather was scary. First it was hot and humid, and then the storm clouds started rolling in. But the showers cooled us off, washed the bugs away, and helped everyone relax. Apparently the past two generations of weddings in his family have been rained on so we were just carrying on the tradition. Plus, the instant my dress hit the muddy ground I lost all inhibitions and fears of getting it dirty and was able to truly enjoy myself.
My advice for offbeat brides: Make everything you can, skip everything you can’t. Eventually you’ll find a way to make it work in your budget. Be realistic and able to shift your money around, but don’t give in to a set price.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? There’s a paradox: enjoy every moment and ignore every annoyance — it’ll all be over before you know it.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Photographer: Like a Dream Photography
- Bakery: Tuckaway Traditions
- Rentals: Grand Rental Station
- Dress: David’s Bridal
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!
