Book Review: Offbeat Bride by Ariel Meadow Stallings

Ok, obviously you all know I love the blog, but reading the book brought on a whole new addiction to wedding porn (and no, it's not what you think).

This book was not only a fun, light read, it was also very informative. Stallings gives every juicy detail of her offbeat wedding to the point that I feel like I was there myself through all the planning, the stressing, the event and the aftermath.

Reading this really made me feel justified in the decisions I've made about my wedding so far that people may turn a nose at and she also gives great tips on how to deal with family members and attendees who may not agree with everything you're doing. It is really nice when people in my family want to be a part of the planning and ask me how it's going and whatnot, but if I have to explain one more time that "no, I'm not walking in to the wedding march" and "no, we're not getting married in a Catholic church" my head might explode a little. Ariel gives very well thoughout tips on how to avoid family confrontation at a time when families should be coming together. Rather than explaining my choices as "because that's what I'm doing, damnit!" she suggests asking "Why do you think I should do it this way rather than that way", which actually makes a lot of sense.

Anyway, this book was funny, heartwarming, helpful, and just generally delightful so I give it a 4.5/5

Sometimes the internet can be so fantastic

So, I'm getting married next summer and I was googling save the date cards when I discovered this great blog called The Offbeat Bride. Basically, the premise of this site is "do whatever the hell you want to do, and also use independant vendors!". Needless to say, I freakin' love it! The site really got me thinking about the small details of my wedding that I haven't really gotten to yet (since it isn't until late July 2009) and now I'm getting ridiculously excited again. I was originally tossing around the idea of all my bridesmaids wearing different style dresses and then I found a dress that I really loved that I wanted them all to wear. But when I was reading Offbeat Bride yesterday I came across this and realized that really, when it comes down to it, people look nice when they are dressed up and I could give a crap if they all look the same. Also, as a feminist I support a woman's right to choose (what she wears), so now all my ladies can choose whatever dress they want as long as it is comfortable and they like it (oh and also purple please!).

By the way, I feel like I could seriously rock some sparkly blue shoes like this bride. Please also note that her bouquet is made of Christmas ornaments. Love it!

Anyway, I will try and keep the wedding madness posts to only one a week (if that) so I don't bore all of you.