Etsy Wedding Team Royalty

Our not so twisted sister Etsy Weddings Team has the traditional royal accouterments for a super classy yet stunning wedding. You don't have to be a royal to enjoy or afford these amazing pieces.

BeadFloraJewels Bouquet

Duponi Silk Bouquet by HairbowsWonderWorld

Bridal Hat by PowderBlueBijoux

Chiffon Bridal Clutch by BellesandCrystals

Grey Diamond Bow engagement ring by Laurie Sarah

Krissy

Make Believe'N Wedding Alternatives LLC

www.etsy.com/shop/krissy167

www.facebook.com/makebelieven

@makbelieven

Pie Is the New Cupcake

Perhaps by now you have heard that the ever popular cupcake is trending out and making way for PIE!! 
So until pie is worn out as the dessert of choice it is still offbeat if you are going to have it for your wedding.


One of our Offbeat team members, Dionne, from Dionnesimone,  made a great chocolate pecan pie for her daughter's reception. The pies were star shaped. She says pecan pie lasts well and freezes great. You could make them well ahead of time to save yourself the stress of last minute preparation.


Here is the recipe and a few comments from Dionne:


1/2 bag of chocolate chips
2 tbs butter
1 c corn syrup
1/3 c granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp fresh grated nutmeg (optional)
1 1/2 cup pecan halves
prepared graham cracker pie crust

Heat oven to 350
Microwave chocolate and butter in a large bowl (using short intervals - you don't want to scorch the chocolate) Stir.
Stir in corn syrup, sugar, vanilla and eggs (make sure that eggs are last - you want the corn syrup and sugar mixture to cool the chocolate a little so you don't cook them on contact) 
Stir in pecans & nutmeg. 
Pour into pie shell.
Bake for 55 min or until knife inserted 1 inch from center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

For mini pies simply use the mini pie crusts and cook for aprox 40 min or until the knife comes out clean.

This recipe doubles and triples beautifully.

Package each mini pie in celophane bags purchased at craft store. Add a pretty thank you tag to the top. Use your imagination and accent with ribbon, stamps or flowers. The mini scrapbooking brads make wonderful attachments for the flower petals.

Of course you can't go wrong with good ol' apple pie. Here is a recipe from Better Homes and Garden Cook Book for 


Apple Crumb Pie

1 cup sugar separated in to halves
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp grated lemon peel
6 cups thinly sliced apples (2 lbs)
3 tbs lemon juice
pastry crust
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp mace
1/4 cup softened butter

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbs flour,and lemon peel. Sprinkle apples with lemon juice, add sugar mixture and toss to coat. fill pastry with apple mixture. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup flour and spices in a seperate bowl. Cut in butter till crumbly, sprinkle on top of apples. Cover crust edges with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove foil, bake for 30 min more or until topping is golden. 

Makes 8 servings.

Or if you prefer not to make the pie you can order them from Etsy sellers. Here is one from KaysSimplyHomemade.

Michaelann
http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageFrocksOfFancy

Reasons to Choose an Offbeat Wedding

       Offbeat weddings are becoming more of a trend. More and more brides choose to celebrate their weddings in very unique ways.  However, Offbeat weddings are not for the fainthearted.  The majority of brides still choose traditional weddings because they think it’s less risky and therefore less "disaster prone". In traditional wedding, there is certain pattern you should follow and a tradition to comply with. Thus some brides try to play it safe by choosing a traditional wedding instead. Offbeat does not necessarily translate to a risky wedding. It is just simply different. Here are just some reasons why you should not be daunted by an offbeat wedding:

1.    It’s unique. Perhaps some women chose an offbeat wedding because it offers them the chance to express their style and personalities. You can choose a theme in a traditional wedding but it limits you because you have to comply with certain tradition. When you choose an offbeat wedding you can express yourself better. You can have a theme of your choice. You can choose an eccentric veil, gothic fascinators and accessories, even a black wedding dress, or whatever unusual theme you want!

                                          
                          Purple Birdcage Veil Bandeau by Rtisan     

                     Black feather fascinator by Msformadehyde

    Wedding dress inspired by Dracula’s long lost love, Mina. by Bite Me Couture


2.    It’s affordable.  An offbeat kind of wedding gives you more freedom to choose what to or not to include in your wedding celebration. It’s up to you if you want to have an expensive long white gown or an affordable funky vintage dress. You can also choose not to have an entourage so you do not need to rent their dresses. You can also skip the fancy big reception and choose a private intimate dinner with your loved ones instead. You can even use recycled materials for your wedding. If you really take a look at it, an offbeat wedding can better help you cost-cut than a traditional one.  
 

                                         Recycled headpiece by Delightworthyn

                                         Vintage wedding dress by Amanda Rose Bridal


3.    It’s fun. Offbeat wedding is really cool! It’s something you will enjoy planning and having.  It will be less stressful than a traditional wedding where you need to plan so many things.  In offbeat wedding YOU choose everything. It will ignite your creativity and allow you to do your own thing on your special day.

The royal wedding is on everyone's lips...and Mistress Kate is leading an inspiring trend back toward the millinery arts with her daring toppers and fascinators.

Now - the everyday bride will go for safety with her topper but the offbeat bride will add a lil something of her personality to go off the beaten path and make it her own - whether it be a dash of colour, a sprinkle of John Waters, or a cup of joe.

Take inspiration from these fabulous Milliners of Etsy as they bring fashion, flair and fun to the offbeat etsy bride...

TRAMPMillinery

GraceDunbar

RedDragonfly

BoringSidney

Stephanie Farley

La Coco Rouge

www.lacocorouge.com

From Classical and simplistic to Offbeat over the top Gowns

It turns out  that a white wedding dress is a relatively new tradition and Queen Victoria wore one in 1840 being the first bride to wear white at a time when any color was acceptable except black.
Trends changed in many ways from color to style. From fabrics like lace,embroidery and real stones to tafetan,silk,crystals ,rhinestones and beads.

Great and small budgets, private cozy ceremony to monumental crowded affairs.
Gowns are always at the center stage and the generators of a gigantic business that used to be in the past only the ownership of a good seamstress ,mostly friend of the family.
This collection of gowns starts from simple white and very monarchic to  my favorite and last Peacock  wedding dress made entirely out of peacock feathers. This unique dress was featured March 28, 2009, the dress is adorned with 60 Hetian jades and costs an estimated $1.4 million USD. The dress is composed of 2009 peacock feathers and required 8 craftsmen 2 months to finish!

1930's Vintage Fashion

Okay if you have been reading this blog for a little while you already know that I don't really do a ton of fashion. Definitely a pony tail and jeans kind of gal.  But...and it is a big but (kind of like mine) I am really loving the 1930's styles that are becoming more popular!!!  Remember we here at Offbeat Etsy Weddings are the enforcers of being true to yourself, so if you hate the 1930's resurgence Do Not add these touches to your wedding.  If on the other hand, you find you like these as much as I do well, then keep reading and get ready to oooohhh and ahhhhhh.

Deco Wedding Dress

Metal Garters

1930's Engagement Ring

Petite Vintage inspired jeweled headband by ClayBouquetShop

Headdress by Liaison

Headband by MoonshineBaby

Cocktail hat by LoveCharlie

Pale pink crinoline by SwankUnderPinning

Anna Sui Dress

Fun right?

Krissy

Make Believe'N Wedding Alternatives LLC

www.etsy.com/shop/krissy167

www.facebook.com/makebelieven

Hen Night fun!

You spent so much time on your actual wedding day so why not have a break and indulge yourself on your Hen/Bachelorette Party. I mean you are about to get married and leaving your single life days behind you.

Now you could just go out and dance the night away but we at offbeat like to think differently so why not have a vintage slumber party?

Bring out the cupcakes and your china tea service and celebrate your life in style!

And no slumber party would be complete unless the girls are playing with their hair and makeup so why not hire a vintage stylist to give all you girls a vintage look.

If you are a UK readers then one such stylists are Lipstick & Curls.

Based in London, these lovely ladies specialises in vintage hair and make up and regularly hold workshops around London to show you that the vintage look is for everyone. They are also available for Hen parties where you can try out some vintage hairstyles for your wedding day.

Wedding Day Transportation - Take the Journey in Unexpected Ways

The classic limo with dark tinted windows may be a first choice for many wedding couples but I urge you to travel in unexpected ways.  Mainly for the memories only unique choices give.  Here are a few of my favorites from the big ol' internet.  Don't forget that your personal vehicle is always an option but MAKE SURE you dress it up in some fun and funky way.

Too cute!

Vintage romantic?

His and Hers?

1949 Chevy Stylin'

Krissy

Make Believe'N Wedding Alternatives

www.etsy.com/shop/krissy167

www.facebook.com/makebelieven

Fresh fruit for your sweet day

Wedding days can be chocked full of not so good for you food.  A 'non-traditional' approach to wedding day nummies would be; to provide locally harvested organic fruit dishes and desserts.  This healthy alternative will certainly shine with the outrageous colors only mother nature can produce (hehe produce).  The warm weather of the summer months also guarantees a less expensive food bill.  Buy in season fruits to compliment your event.

Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

Fruit Kabob

Links;

http://pinterest.com/pin/13604765/

http://pinterest.com/pin/12208441/

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/jennifer-and-joshua#slide_13

Healthy eating!!!

Krissy

Make Believe'N Wedding Alternatives LLC

www.etsy.com/shop/krissy167

www.facebook.com/makebelieven

Alternative Groom’s Shoe Inspiration

Click on the pictures to be taken to the website!

The Gypsy life is calling to me

I'm feeling something in the air...the gypsies are calling to me.  The urge to travel and collect shiny gaudy baubles as I go.  The bohemian trend is making way for a more in your face gypsy trend.  Patterns, large statement jewelry, bright colors and lace combine to make this an interesting time in fashion.  Can you close your eyes and feel the fire on your face while the family sings?  Maybe it is just longing for the warm summer months...hmmmmmmm.  

Gypsy wedding dress
Try something new with this upcycled wedding dress made of doilies.  

Gypsy night
Honeymoon in your own Gypsy caravan.

Gypsy Dress by bohemianhippies
Bridesmaids wouldn't mind wearing this dress.

Jacket by Girlonavine

Statement necklace by MorticiaSnow

Keep up with my daydreams:

www.facebook.com/makebelieven

@makebelieven

Krissy

Make Believe'N Wedding Alternatives LLC

www.etsy.com/shop/krissy167