Who walks you down the aisle if Dad is gone?

Sadly, many brides are without their fathers on their wedding day, and have to figure out an alternative for walking down the aisle. A local Atlanta radio morning show (www.thebertshow.com) discussed the history of this tradition and what happens when "Dad" isn't available.

The tradition of a bride being walked down the aisle and given to her future husband is based in the old property laws. A father owns his daughter until he gives his property to another man. It is hard for me to imagine that in practice today, but it is certain we are keeping it alive during our special day. I do like some of the older traditions. I think this one shows respect and love to our fathers. I only wish that I had given love and respect to my mother in some way during our ceremony.

This radio bit made me think about my wedding and how lucky I was that my Dad is actively involved in my life. Some fathers have passed away, some fathers are too far away physically or mentally, and maybe worst of all, some fathers never existed beyond donating sperm. The brides without dads are left wondering what to do in this situation. Does a grandfather or uncle step in, a brother or best friend, or do they walk down alone? A tough choice. One that might hurt feelings. I love the contemporary idea of the mom walking a bride down the aisle. To me that seems like the best alternative to a missing dad.

I would like to recommend to future brides to be at peace with your choice and consider asking mom to walk you down the aisle. If you are reading this and are lucky like me, consider asking both of your parents to walk with you. What a gift of love.

On a personal note when asked who gives this bride my dad said "her mother and I will share her". I get tears in my eyes just thinking about how special that moment was. If you love this too, ask your family to start a new more equal and updated tradition.

From the Blog-o-sphere: Lego Wedding Ring

I love offbeat wedding ring choices!

I hijacked this pictures of musician Tyler Walker's wedding ring from from the colormekatie's blog.

The Big Day's To Do List

The Offbeat Etsy Weddings Blog has a new feature! In a effort to help all the brides out there to stay on budget. And to have an amazing, memorable wedding day our team is going to type out our best ideas for creating those little touches that will make your special day shine. It’s called DIY Wedding of course. This first post is an effort to keep us all organized so we start off with a bridal to do list. Weddings can be such laborious events to plan. Sticking to a budget, and having an action plan are essential. Listed below is just a bit of what needs to be done in a short amount of time. I invite everyone to put items that might have been over looked in the comment section, and I will update the list periodically. The skeletal structure of this list has come from liweddings.com. Much has been added to it, and much more will be added to it in in the future.

To Do List for a New bride…

Set Date
Set Budget
Prepare preliminary Guest list
Engagement Announcements
Ceremony Site/Church
Officiant
Reception Site
Photographer
Videographer
Band/DJ - CH and Reception
Ceremony Musicians
Select & Ask Bridal Party

Gather requirements for religious ceremony (baptismal certificates, divorce decrees, etc)
Register for Precana classes
Apply for passports and all travel necessities: visas, vaccines, etc
Block off hotel rooms for Out of town Guests
Prepare STD guestlist
Send out STDs
Select stores, make list, & register
Book wedding day transportation (limos)

Shop for and order Bride's Gown
Shop for and order Bridesmaids Gowns
Shop for and order Flowergirl(s) Dress(es)
MOB & MOG order gowns
Finalize Guestlist
Book Honeymoon
Book Florist
Select and order Invitations
Book Calligrapher
Shop for and order wedding rings

Plan ceremony: writing vows, music selections, readings, kebutah, etc
Plan back up locations for ceremony, photo sessions in case of rain
Shop for, order/make favors
Purchase Bridal Party gifts, parents gifts
Purchase tiara/headpiece and veil(s)
Purchase Bride's shoes, undergarments, stockings, garters, and jewelry

Purchase cake serving set, toasting flutes, ring pillow, & any other ceremony needs (unity candle , tossing petals, etc)

Purchase Guestbook for reception
Order Tuxes
Plan reception: first dance song selection, parent dances, place cards, place card holders , cake topper, seating arrangements, etc
Select and order wedding cake
Schedule ceremony rehearsal
Book rehearsal dinner site and send out invites
Prepare OOT welcome baskets

Must-Take photo list
Do not play/must play lists for DJ/Band
Schedule Hair & Makeup trials
Sit for Engagement Photos
Purchase or make ceremony programs
Schedule day of hair, makeup, and nail appts for Bride and BMs
Host BM luncheon

Mail out invitations
Finalize menus, song selections, timelines, and all details with all vendors
Attend gown fittings
Break in wedding day shoes
Make sure you have something old, new, blue, etc

Call guests who have not RSVP'd
Obtain Marriage License
Shop & pack for Honeymoon
Attend shower and bachelor(ette) parties
Set aside time to write thank you notes for shower gifts
Prepare Day-of Timeline and give a copy to each vendor along with copies of must-take photo lists, etc
Send out wedding announcements to local paper


Confirm all final payments, schedule, pick up times, head count, etc with all vendors

Confirm HM reservations and travel arrangements

Create a “wedding box” to gather your ceremony accessories (marriage license,
candles, ring pillow, basket, guest book) and assign someone to transport.

Prepare a “reception box” for accessories such as guest books, cameras, toasting
goblets, cake toppers, etc., and assign someone to transport

Prepare day-of emergency kit
Prepare any speeches or toasts
Place tips for each vendor in envelopes

Weddings gone buggy! For the lovers of the six legged.

You know that person that shoos the flies out the door or picks up a spider with a piece of paper and takes it to the flower bed.  Well, that's me.  I don't typically kill the little fellas.  I don't want them in the house, but I think they have a place in our world too.  For the bug lovers out there, this collection is some fun buggy finds.  Maybe you're an entomologist (big word, so had to look it up) and love to study the big eyed critters.  Or maybe you were that little girl that sat in the garden and loved watching the bees (me again).  Anyhoo, this is a sweet version of what I imagine a bug themed wedding could be.  Enjoy!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49423781/honeycomb-love-wedding-invitation

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52735881/gossamer-winged-dragonfly-garter-hand

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49109575/lovebug-wedding-cake-toppers

http://www.etsy.com/listing/39944579/dragonfly-place-cards

Peacock on the way out? Not yet!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50216581/glitter-peacock-cake-topper-your-choice

This super sparkling glitter and gold encrusted cake topper is from Etsy's own ScatteredStardust.  Don'tcha know she's from Minnesota.  The cool weather is obviously making her work indoors more.   These letters take her more than 10 hours each to complete. Amazing.  A total steal at $50.00.  I know, I know the whole peacock thing is starting to play out a bit...but I love this piece so much I just don't care.  I think that any jewel toned wedding would be complimented.  I can so see taking this home after all of the pomp and circumstance is over and framing it in a shadow box along with a photo of the wedding cake.  

Autumn Wedding Favors - Hot Pepper Jelly

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hot-Pepper-Jelly/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

I made this for family and friends one Christmas and was so surprised at how well received it was.  I recommended that they serve it over softened cream cheese with crackers.  I had people asking for this recipe for months.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups finely chopped red bell peppers 
• 1 1/4 cups finely chopped green bell peppers
• 1/4 cup finely chopped jalapeno peppers
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 (1.75 ounce) package powdered pectin (available at your local super store)
• 5 cups white sugar
• 
  
• I use a blender instead of "finely chopping" and they turned out just as pretty and tasty.

Directions

1. Sterilize 12 (4 ounce) or 6 (8 ounce) canning jelly jars and lids (available at your local super store and amazon.com) according to manufacturer's instructions. Heat water in a hot water canner (or just use a large stock pot).
2. Place red bell peppers, green bell peppers, and jalapeno peppers in a large saucepan over high heat. Mix in vinegar and fruit pectin. Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a full rolling boil. Quickly stir in sugar. Return to full rolling boil, and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and skim off any foam.
3. Quickly ladle jelly into sterile jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the tops. Cover with flat lids, and screw on bands tightly.
4. Place jars in rack, and slowly lower jars into canner (large stock pot). The water should cover the jars completely, and should be hot but not boiling. Bring water to a boil, and process (boil) for 5 minutes.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 88 | Total Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg

To make this a wedding favor:

You will need colored yarn/twine/raffia/string.

Light weight fabric that coordinates with your wedding colors cut into 4x4 inch squares.

Card stock cut into tags.

Initial stamps.

Ink.

Hole punch.

After jars are completely cool (12-24 hours)  remove the metal ring that screws onto the top of the jar.  Center the fabric on top of the lid and screw the ring back on.  The fabric should be tight across the lid.

Stamp your initials onto the pre-punched paper tags and thread onto your yarn/twine/raffia/string.

Tie the raffia around the jar ring and make a bow.

Voila!  A autumn themed food favor.

Travel themed wedding ideas

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55613198/brown-recycled-journal-with-handmade

A handmade paper paged guest book reminds me of old world traveling.  I can picture amber tinted paper lanterns lighting the aisle.  While the bride wears khaki colored accessories and the groom sports tweed trousers and suspenders.

Antique toned world globes sit on reception tables topped with lace.  Instructions are in brass card holders telling guests to use a box of pins and handmade paper tags to write their favorite travel memories down and pin them to the globe.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/56699140/travel-inspired-vintage-tags-set-of-10

Guests are given replica treasure ship coins in organza bags with aged paper notes that ask the guest to toss the coin into a fountain and wish the couple luck in the future.  A photographer snaps candid shots of Mothers kissing the coins and guests with arms in motion.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44932617/original-custom-vintage-map-cuff-links

Bridal wristlet for a sweet and daring bride.

Completely original.  What an amazing concept.  These could very well replace a bouquet.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/26487603/outstanding-bridal-bracelet-glove

Next Etsy Treasury Challenge

Photo courtesy of midnightboudoir
http://www.etsy.com/shop/midnightboudoir

Glenda of midnightboudoir was our treasury challenge winner for our first round.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/midnightboudoir

She has chosen an art nouveau/art deco theme.  The treasury must be submitted no later than 10-21-10 and a link to it must be posted to our team google groups account to qualify.

Our next treasury challenge winner will be highlighted on our blog and get to choose the next theme.

We are the Offbeat Wedding Etsy Team!

Etsy.com has spawned a new generation of consumers.  Our offbeat clients not only want original but they demand it.  A great fellow blogger Ariel created offbeatbride.com.  We were originally inspired by her dedication to promoting the different alternatives to standard weddings.  (We do not have any affiliation with offbeatbride.com)  Our team members provide the actual products and services that an original wedding requires.