June is the month for weddings. In fact, some of you reading this right now should probably be scouring picked-over registries. (But, you know, finish this article first.) While my next Weird Wanderings post will be a roundup of bizarrely cool places to get hitched, let’s take a moment and discuss why weird destination weddings can be so fun in the first place.
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The unusual wedding attire
At our wedding, my husband sported combat boots, and I wore a red dress. When you choose a weird destination for your wedding—in our case, the Trees of Mystery in California—you openly declare that you’ll be setting your own nuptial rules. No one will be surprised with your odd sartorial choices on the big day if your guests already know they’ll be trudging through a cemetery to hear your vows or traveling cross-country to hang out with an oversized Paul Bunyan. If nothing else, I never had to muse over the differences between eggshell white and champagne white gowns, and for that, I am grateful.
The eerie eats
My husband and I were married in the Redwood Forest, long renowned as the unofficial home of Bigfoot, so we decided that Lord and Lady Sasquatch should join us—as cake toppers of course! An offbeat ceremony practically comes with the prerequisite of unusual finger foods and frightful confections. And these days, unusual wedding cakes are almost the norm. From Tim Burton-inspired tiers to wonky topsy-turvy designs that would make Dr. Seuss proud, every wedding—offbeat or traditional—can add a touch of the weird.
The more intimate company
The above picture shows everyone who attended our wedding. When you choose a weird venue, especially one out-of-state, you don’t have to worry about seating your mother’s second cousin twice-removed next to your father-in-law’s golf buddy. The guest list is shorter, even if the travel arrangements are more elaborate—we rented out an entire row of woodland cabins. At the very least, you won’t have to worry about making time to greet each guest; they’ll probably all fit at one table.
The wacky memories
On our wedding day, we started the morning under Babe the Blue Ox. We took a gondola ride during the reception. Afterwards, everyone drove to the nearby beach and jumped into the Pacific Ocean, formalwear and all. No long wait for pictures. No drawn out ceremony. You could say the “first dance” was when my husband and I held hands and stepped barefoot into the chilly saltwater. If we hadn’t chosen such an unusual locale, we couldn’t have included both nature and kitsch into the same day. Our ceremony definitely wouldn’t suit everyone, but it reflected us and the life we have together perfectly.
So wherever or however you get married, my major recommendation to all the impending married couples out there is to have fun. It’s a wedding, not a rocket launch. Enjoy it, and your guests will have a better time too. And if you can sneak in a taste of the bizarre, then all the better.
Happy haunting!