AisleDash

Tonks knits a tux

Meg Massie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Alternative Weddings, Do-It-Yourself, Grooms

Last month, we introduced you to Tonks, the bride who is single-handedly knitting her entire wedding. When we spoke with her, she had a lot of projects going, which you can see in the gallery above. Now Tonks is getting started on the tuxedo for her groom.

She's chosen a dragon-skin stitch based on this example, and she's using a dark grey wool yarn for the coat. Tonks reports some frustrations with her early efforts on the tux, including worries that the wool is too heavy and that she won't have enough of it for the finished jacket, but she has decided to move forward with her current plans and make it work.

Tonks is knitting the tux in multiple sections to avoid problems with the weight of the overall piece, and she's starting with the coat tails. We think it looks great so far, and can't wait to see the finished product!

Keep up with Tonks' hand-knit wedding at her blog -- she really is a DIY superstar!

The gallery above has been updated to include some of Tonks' latest accomplishments.

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Want to get married in outer space?

Meg Massie — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings

Looking for a truly unique venue for your wedding? You may soon be able to tie the knot in outer space.

Rocketplane, Inc. is a commercial space transportation company that soon hopes to offer private space tourism. And they're going to offer weddings, too.

Rocketplane's first launch is currently scheduled for 2010, and the first couple to be wed in space is already lined up. According to CNN, there will be room on the spacecraft for your whole wedding party, and the cost will be approximately $500,000.

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Green wedding dresses. And by green, we mean the color green.

Roxanna Sarmiento — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Alternative Weddings, Budget Advice

Aisledash reader Erin sent us the following email:

I'm looking for a green wedding dress. No, not that one, the color. Got any leads?

How could we resist? As much as we love traditional gowns (and we do) we also have a soft spot in our heart for the unconventional bride - and whether you wish to marry in green (as Erin does) or magenta or pink-and-green polka dots we're here to help you too.

The key to buying a green wedding dress is to remember that a wedding dress is, first and foremost, a dress. That means that you should expand your search outside of the traditional wedding vendors. (Come to think of it, that's excellent advice even if you want to marry in white.) Try a website that allows you to search by color (like Nordstrom or Bluefly) and be open to the many possibilities out there.

Another option is to look at bridesmaids dresses - many times they're the same thing as the wedding dress, just in color. We like the ones by simple silhouettes and David's Bridal, but honestly, your choices are endless.

Of course, you could also search for prom dresses, but we find that the dresses tend to be of lower quality and a bit too revealing. (Are we showing our age here?)

So remember: It's only a dress! Be creative and keep an open mind.

We'd love to hear more about your "green" wedding, Erin - keep us posted!

Gallery: "Green" wedding gowns

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Ben and Betsy marry outside Independence Hall

Kristen Seymour — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings

On the night before Independence Day, some fireworks were already sparking at Independence Hall in Philidelphia when Ben Franklin married Betsy Ross. No, really! Well, sort of.

Ralph Archbold and Linda Wilde are re-enactors for the city, and when they met at a party last year and fell in love, they realized the perfect way to celebrate not only their relationship but also their country's history would be to marry as Betsy and Ben near the 4th of July. Philly Mayor Michael Nutter obviously agreed that this was a great idea, as he officiated the wedding.

The newlyweds walked along the streets, mingling with tourists, following the nuptials, but finally were carted away in a horse-drawn carriage (of course). The honeymoon is on hold until tourist season slows down, but we're betting they skip the beach holiday and instead opt for a tour of historical landmarks.

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Pledge thy love at a Renaissance festival

Caroline Humphreys — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Theme weddings

Enter the world of frivolity when you transport your wedding guests to the Colorado Renaissance Festival. Kick off with a royal bagpipe procession with bride and groom riding on the festival elephant or in a horse drawn carriage. Enjoy a seat next to King Henry while you watch the medieval jousting competition. Then get married in a Renaissance chapel and enjoy a full Renaissance-style meal. Guests need not worry what to wear; they will be costumed in head-to-toe Renaissance style. Top it all off with a release of white doves above the chapel to announce the new couple. The Colorado Renaissance Festival runs weekends throughout the summer months. For more information including pricing, visit their website.

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Handfasting chalice: Old-style romance

Ilona Peltz — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Wedding Lore/Traditions, Ceremonies

Handfasting may or may not be a Renaissance ceremony, depending on who you read. It certainly started well before the Renaissance, but it was probably still being practiced in some areas during that time. If you're not too much of an historical purist, you might like to include this element in your wedding.

If you saw the movie Braveheart, you would have seen a handfasting. Some believe that handfasting created a year-and-a-day temporary marriage, after which the couple couple could decide whether to marry for life, or whether to go their separate ways. Others believe it to be akin to an engagement, while still others believe it was part of all wedding ceremonies.

Whatever its origins, it's hard to miss the symbolism of being tied together at the wrist. In some ceremonies the couple, once tied, share a drink of wine together, and if that is your choice, you'll enjoy the his-and-her chalices available at Mayhem Ltd. If you think that would be too awkward, many couple opt to help each other take a sip in turn, from the same glass. More details on modern handfasting ceremonies can be found here.

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Inspiration board: Retro cool

Roxanna Sarmiento — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Alternative Weddings, Invitations, Favors, Grooms, Theme weddings, Inspiration Boards

Do you love retro? So do we! A retro wedding is unique and lots of fun - let us help you pull it off!

Continue reading Inspiration board: Retro cool

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Now you're married, now you're not

Ilona Peltz — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Culture Clash

We've written about how the state of California granted the right to marry to all its citizens a couple of weeks ago. We're not so sure, however, that dashing over there to get married (and thus blessing the state with all the revenues generated by your festivities) is such a good idea. There has been more back-and-forth-ing on this issue in California than there has been in any state in the union, and it's not over yet.

In November, California voters get to vote on an amendment to their state constitution which would render gay marriage illegal. Again. And if this happens, no one knows whether any marriages which occurred between June and November will still be legal. While polls indicate that Californian citizens are increasingly in support of gay marriage, you simply can't predict these things. Who knows which way the vote will go?

So, if you and your same-sex sweetie are having California dreams of a Big White Wedding, perhaps you'd best hold off until after November.

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Image of the week: Renaissance love

Ilona Peltz — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Ceremonies, Theme weddings

This week's theme is the Renaissance wedding, and how better to illustrate it than with this marvellous picture from a genuine Renaissance wedding? We love the costumes, how the bride has opted for a historically-accurate hood rather than a veil, and how the fellow has chosen military gear rather than civilian.

A noble knight weds his lady-love! And we truly, truly love how you can see the love between them as they share a drink out of what we think must be a handfasting chalice. Feel free to correct us if we've guessed wrong!

Thank you very much to VT Photos for sharing this gorgeous picture with us!

If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool. We'll highlight one image every Monday. We're looking for brides and grooms and attendants and guests and cakes and shoes and anything else that was fabulous about your wedding day. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information, and please upload only photos for which you own the copyright.

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Adventures in ordination: An interview with Jonathon Morgan

Becky Scott — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Do-It-Yourself, Ceremonies

We sat down with Jonathon Morgan from Styledash to talk about his recent adventures in getting ordained. His close friend, Tim, asked him to preside over Tim's wedding to Jenny. Jonathon was honored, yet a little surprised. He researched online ordination, got ordained, and performed the ceremony for his friends. He wrote about the before and after on his site, and later we talked a bit more about the experience.

We read your blog about when Tim asked you to preside over his wedding. Did you ever find out if he knew you weren't ordained when he asked you?

Oh he knew. We're pretty close friends, and I'm sure he assumed I wouldn't be a representative of any spiritual organization that took itself very seriously. :)

It sounds like it took you a bit by surprise - had he given you any inkling at all?

No, not in the slightest. I knew the ceremony was happening, but up until that point had understood it was only for immediate family.

Continue reading Adventures in ordination: An interview with Jonathon Morgan

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Casting call for marriage

Meg Massie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Culture Clash

Reality television strikes again! The producers of Top Chef and Project Greenlight are teaming up with Lifetime for a new reality television show about marriage -- but this one has a twist. A big one.

The new show. Lifetime's Arranged Marriage, will feature men and women who have agreed to let their loved ones choose a spouse for them. Does anyone really trust their friends and family that much?

Arranged marriages are very common and successful in some cultures, but didn't we learn anything from Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire? It seems the lesson was that even if the marriage is a disaster, it's a good way to hook millions of viewers and get your 15 minutes of fame...

If you think you could spend the rest of your life with a partner your family chooses for you, you can apply now to be on the show. In addition to filling out the application for the show, please, please tell us in the comments why you think this is a good idea.

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My Small Wedding: The "Big" small wedding

Roxanna Sarmiento — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings

I always knew I wanted a small wedding. So once the excitement of the engagement wore off, we got out a notebook and wrote down the names of everybody who meant the world to us - there were close to 80 names on that list.

I also knew that I wanted my wedding to be elegant and incredibly romantic. We wanted to spoil our guests because we had people flying in from literally all corners of the world - from Argentina to Austria, from Colorado to New York City, everybody met up in Miami to celebrate the fact that we were finally tying the knot. (Why such an international guest list? Our life is spread out: I'm a Latin American mutt and my husband is from Europe and we've lived in every major city in the East coast.)

Oh, and we had to stick to a budget because we paid for everything ourselves. In other words, we wanted it all - and because we had a small(ish) wedding, we got it. And it wasn't stressful - in fact, it was fun! It felt like a great big dinner party where all of our friends and family finally got to meet. And they did, because no one was lost in the crowd.

Gallery: A Big small wedding

Continue reading My Small Wedding: The "Big" small wedding

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Wedding kazoos?

Ilona Peltz — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Pre-Ceremony Parties, Alternative Weddings, Favors

We're trying to imagine a wedding at which you'd be using these. Is there a couple who'd march down the aisle to a kazoo choir rendition of The Wedding March? Would some brave soul give these to the flower girl and ring bearer? It would have to be a very informal wedding where kazoos would be the wedding favors. And if you gave out kazoos, would you also give out bridal ear plugs?

We know that there undoubtedly is a couple out there who would love to use kazoos in the festivities, and if you're reading this, we'd love to hear from you. What do you think? Would a kazoo or two be just the thing for your wedding? If so, how would you use them?

(And if you're interesting in purchasing your very own wedding kazoos, follow this link.)

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Man dressed as woman fools Virginia officials & marries male partner

Meg Massie — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings

A couple walked into a Norfolk, Virginia courthouse and married a few months ago, after successfully applying for all the necessary legal documentation. At the time, no eyebrows were raised and the short ceremony went off without any complications.

Since then, Virginia officials have realized that the bride, Justine McCain, was actually Justin McCain. Same sex marriages are illegal in Virginia, and now the couple faces charges.

There is some gray area, though -- if the couple intentionally misled officials, then there's trouble, but if McCain is transgendered and actually identifies as female, then there may be no fraud, though the marriage still may not be legal. There is very little legal precedent for transgender marriages.

Newport News marriage application paperwork has since changed the words "bride" and "groom" to "male applicant" and "female applicant."

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Couple has five weddings in nine months

Susan Wagner — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:06:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Eloping

One of the hardest parts about planning a wedding is facing the fact that someone you love will not be able to be there for your big day. Maybe you have family or friends who live too far away, or maybe your loved ones have conflicting schedules. One couple decided that rather than leave anyone out, they would bring the wedding to their friends and family -- even though it meant having five weddings in nine months.

It started with an elopement: Simonne Harris' boyfriend, Ryan Feeney, whisked her off to Las Vegas three months into their relationship. He proposed during their transatlantic flight, dropping an engagement ring into her glass, and then announced that he had already arranged for them to be married at the famous Little White Wedding Chapel.

Last month, they were married again in Bodrum, Turkey, where the groom's mother lives. They are planning three more ceremonies -- one in August in their hometown of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, in England, one in September in Florida, where the bride's father lives, and a final ceremony in Lilydale, Victoria, Australia, where the bride's mother lives.

Each ceremony has its own flair; the Turkish wedding took place at sunset, the Florida wedding will be a Jewish blessing, and the Aussie wedding will have purple flowers, the mother of the bride's favorite.

And yes, the bride is wearing a different dress for every wedding.

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My Small Wedding: Pure fear

Ilona Peltz — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Ceremonies

It took me ten years to decide to marry the second time. The very thought of a wedding made me break out in a cold sweat. It wasn't rational, and I new it. My new man was nothing like the old one. The new relationship was nothing like the old. A couple of years should have been enough to prove that to me. There was no one else I'd rather be with. But any mention of a wedding, and I'd go pale.

What changed my mind? My sweetie pointed out to me that the legalities of getting married take about 90 seconds. Really. Then you sign a few papers -- another couple of minutes -- and that's it! You're married! For some reason, I found that hugely reassuring, and from that moment on, we started to plan our small, short wedding.

The point is that your wedding really is your day. If there's some part of it that frightens you? Some aspect you just can't face? Don't feel foolish. Instead, consider carefully why you'd force yourself to include it. See if there's a way around the parts that worry you. If you're very shy, and the thought of passing by all those people staring at you makes you feel faint? There's no rule that says the bride must process up the aisle. Could you come in from a side door, and walk across to your groom that way?

If you know this is the person you want to be with, if you're confident you want to marry, then design a ceremony that works for both of you. Big or small, short or complicated, full of ritual or pared right down ... make it yours.

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The man who married a stranger and finally grew up

Wendy Davidson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Relationships

Steve Rowland, self-confirmed commitment phobe and restless nomad, married a woman he'd known for four weeks in a quickie Vegas ceremony. Now, two years later, the couple are still married and he insists they don't regret it. In fact, he says it's the best thing he ever did.

That statement is a far cry from the way they felt less than an hour after the wedding ceremony, when he and his wife considered an annulment.

So how did this madcap marriage happen?

Well, Steve met his wife, Celia, a friend of his brother, at a pub in London. It was love at first sight. They had a month-long, whirlwind romance that culminated in their hopping onto a plane and heading for Vegas. They kept it a secret, though, thinking that if it didn't work out, they could get a divorce and nobody would ever know.

Continue reading The man who married a stranger and finally grew up

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Lighting for your beach wedding

Becky Scott — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Receptions, Ceremonies, Theme weddings

Is there anything more romantic than the beach at sunset? If you are planning to have your ceremony or reception close to dusk, think about the lighting you'll need. Here are a couple of great ideas from Cox & Cox in the U.K.

First, try these wood flares. They make a dramatic accent to your outdoor decor. Place them around the perimeter of your walkway or the corners of your sandy celebration. Make sure they are on a level spot away from any flammable materials. (If children will be at the event, you may want to consider something without an open flame.)

For something with a more subtle light, take a look at these candle lanterns. Place a tea light inside (line it with some sand to keep it from falling over) for a soft glow. The paper bags are fire-retardant and are punched with a star pattern. Use them to line a path or just scatter them around the area.

Of course, there are many other options for lighting, like Chinese lanterns, bonfires or tiki torches. Whatever you choose, keep the safety of you and your guests (and your dress!) in mind. And enjoy your sandy venue!

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Where to find camo wedding accessories

Kristen Seymour — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Alternative Weddings

Gallery: Camouflage Wedding Accessories

We've seen the camouflage-themed weddings a time or two here at AisleDash, and we can say with certainty that it wouldn't be our choice. But, far be it from us to deny anyone out there who is just dying to incorporate camouflage into as many aspects of her wedding as possible.

For you special camo-minded brides (and grooms), we present to you Just Camo USA, a site that, as you can well guess, is devoted to camouflage. Here you'll find gems like a camouflage guest book, camo tux jacket and pants, pre-tied camo ties, and a backless, reversible camo vest (because you know the good ol' boys are going to want to get down on the dance floor).

If camo is your thing, check out the gallery to see things you probably never even dreamed of finding in camouflage. Or, if you hate camouflage, you still might get a kick out of seeing what's offered.

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5 ways to have pets in your wedding

Kristen Seymour — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Negotiating Speed Bumps, Alternative Weddings

Some people think having pets in a wedding is a doggone crazy idea. However, for many of us, it's hard to imagine our big day without our furriest friend on hand. Who else has been so patient throughout this wedding planning process -- lending an ear when you need to vent, cuddling up close when you need to cry, and joining you for a walk when you just have to get out of the house?

Your pet might also have significance for your significant other -- perhaps you didn't know he was The One until Fluffy decided to sit on his lap, or perhaps you picked out your pooch together. It just wouldn't seem quite right to get married without your pet.

Petside.com has five ways for you to include your pet in your wedding -- thank you to AisleDash commenter Laura for pointing it out. Check out the gallery to see what they suggest!

Gallery: 5 Ways to Have Pets in Your Wedding

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