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The Offbeat Bride: Sara, Graduate Student (and Offbeat Bride member)
Her offbeat partner: Taylor, Software Developer
Date and location of wedding: Wisconsin Lion's Camp, Rosholt, WI — August 16, 2014
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
Even before the engagement we knew we wanted a wedding with a theme that would both represent our interests and provide an unforgettable night for our friends and family. We both consider ourselves geeks in different areas, but one interest we have always had in common was towards the Medieval/Renaissance periods. When living in Minnesota, we were frequent attendees of the Renaissance festival and we were both familiar with plenty of fantasy literature. We had been enamored with the over-the-top aesthetic of the Song of Ice and Fire Series, and decided a Game of Thrones-themed wedding was for us. We wanted the event to be reminiscent of a Renaissance faire, so we had our wedding party in costume and recommended our guests come in costume as well.
Tell us about your reception:
We had the event at a summer camp, and the reception was in their open-air recreational shelter. Our dinner was a hog roast, with turkey legs for guests to feast on as well. All the guests were sat at long communal tables, and the hall was lit with candles and string lights. For the ceremony, we had a harpist welcome everyone in while a bagpiper lead everyone out. During the reception, we had music from a string band that had a hammered dulcimer.
The custom and DIY elements of the wedding were what really put the décor up to our own geeky standards. With the help of my family and friends, I was able to gather more than enough Renaissance festival and Medieval-themed drinkware for all the guests to use during the dinner and take home as favors. My grandmother and I worked together to make all the house banners and table runners. I handmade all the wine bottle candle holders for the reception, and I handmade the handfasting cords for the ceremony.
The mother of one of our kingsguard is a seamstress that made all the doublets and cloaks for the men in our wedding party. We did not expect Taylor's father to have a toast prepared, but he surprised us with a heartfelt speech. I asked our musicians to play something fast for the father/daughter dance, and even though my father and I were totally faking it, the crowd thought we had choreographed the whole thing.
What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding? Any other advice for Offbeat Bride readers?
We were going through a few major life changes while planning this wedding. I was starting my first year of graduate school, Taylor was starting a new job, and we were both moving halfway across the country to do it. We chose to have the event back in Wisconsin because it was closer to most of the guests we planned to invite. We would be able to invite more people if we were willing to come back to the Midwest rather than ask everyone to travel to Oregon. However, many of the vendors and details that needed our presence either had to be figured out before the move or we had to trust the descriptions and judgments of other people. We had to put a lot of trust in friends. I learned that I should trust in my friends and family more.
Vendors
- Venue: Wisconsin Lion's Camp
- Rings: Gemvara
- Flowers: Tomorrow River Floral Studio
- Catering: Bob's Catering
- Cupcakes and Tarts: Steffan's Bake Shop
- Beer: Central Waters Brewing Company
- Band: Greenwood Tree
- Photography: Fornear Photo
- Bridal Gown: David's Bridal
- Bridal Corset and Arm Bracers: Boss Wench
- Bride's Shoes: ModCloth
- Groom and Groomsmen shirts, pants, boots: Medieval Collectibles
- Groom and Groomsmen doublets, cloaks: Susan's Alterations
- Groom's Sword: Kult of Athena
: Fornear Photo
: Gemvara
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1) omgggggg. About everything. This is awesome.
2) I’m glad nobody died. GOT weddings don’t tend to end well.
Omg that dress! And I loooooooooove the photo of the ladies holding their lanterns. That is just a great shot. You guys are so talented!
So much awesome. A very lovely wedding!
I’ve just realised I like these medieval outfits (I don’t like the ‘usual’ medieval style), now I’m going to have to figure out if it’s called anything other than ‘game of thrones medieval style’.
Wow! You nailed it! You all look beautiful and, most importantly, happy! Congrats!
AHhhhh your dad’s tabard is perfect.
What a cool wedding, love how the guest got in the spirit with their attire. The lanterns are awesome. Definitely a wedding that your guest will never forget in a very good way.
The bride’s maids corsets are amazing! Any idea on where they came from?
Medieval collectibles! http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-27522-mother-of-dragons-belt.aspx
There’s no where to begin! I just love absolutely everything about this wedding and it may even influence some of the decisions I’ll end up making! Thank you for sharing.
This looks like one of the most fun weddings I have ever seen on here! OMG Ren porn! Love the variety of the desserts and the different and gorgeous outfits. I would love to rock a bridesmaid dress that cute!
this wedding is SO STUNNING!! I love everything about it!!
This looks like such an amazing day, the photos are fantastic!
What a wonderful wedding. You looked fantastic, everyone did.
You totally pulled off the theme.
OMG that was sick a beautiful whimsical wedding!!
Where did you get the lanterns the bridesmaids carried?!? Please tell me I would love to have them at my wedding too! 😀
Pier 1
Beautiful wedding. Sorry if I missed it, but where are the bridesmaid dresses from?
The dresses are from all over the internet. The gals were just given a color, length, and type of fabric. They were allowed to find their own dress style as long as it wasn’t too modern.
What amazing outfits! And I’m sure you’ve heard all the jokes about how weddings on Game of Thrones usually go…
Those goblets! I’ve been looking everywhere for awesome goblets, where did you find them?
Most of them were found off of Craigslist. When people grow tired of finding space for their large collection of Minnesota Renaissance Festival pottery, they usually turn there to sell it for a reasonable price. Many were found in several Goodwill stores, and some were found by family. Since we were searching for a large number, I was cautious not to spend too much on any one goblet. There are many to be found on e-bay, but sellers are usually pricing them as collector’s items.
Unbelievably gorgeous, fun, and classy. Looks like it was a great day. I love everyone’s outfits and you are so lovely, Sara!
I LOVE this!!!!!!!!!!! So much! It looks so classy 🙂