“For those who choose to walk off the beaten aisle.”

The title might ring a few bells: Offbeat Bride (the now famous & fabulous blog) actually evolved from this book by Ariel Meadow Stallings. In her scrappy, witty, no-nonsense style, Ariel shares her journey through the matrimonial gauntlet.

Having been newly engaged myself, I bought a copy and devoured it in a single eight-hour flight to London. I immediately wanted to share it with all of my couples, as well as you, my lovely blog reader.

Now, before you say:

“But Bailey, we’re having a traditional wedding. In a church! With pastel chocolate buttons as favors! And swans waddling in the reception garden! What’s offbeat about that!?”

Forget about any loaded meanings you associate with the words “offbeat” or “traditional.” Ariel explains that we all fall somewhere on the offbeat spectrum.

This book is not just for those getting married in the woods instead of a church. Or for those hosting a Hindi-Jewish fusion ceremony. Or for those brides deciding to keep their own last names.

This book is for every engaged couple setting out to create a wedding that reflects who they truly are. If a traditional affair speaks to both of you, then more power to you! If not, then consider options that resonate with you completely, even if they buck traditional wedding trends. Make your wedding a testament to who you are as a couple. Be creative. Be authentic. 

Did you hear that last one? 

Be authentic.

Offbeat Bride also covers those sticky situations that arise with family members who don’t totally agree with your wedding vision. For instance, Mom and Dad offer to pay for part (or all) of the wedding, but they imagined swans-waddling-in-the-garden on your big day (and you were hoping to avoid live carrion at your nuptials).

Throwing a wedding often requires PR skills, and Ariel shares her maturity and wisdom in handling these delicate situations (hint: you can still emerge from the gauntlet with a wedding that speaks to you!).

Get your copy of Offbeat Bride on Amazon. Also, be sure to bookmark the Offbeat Bride blog for seriously rad inspiration & fresh ideas you never even considered.

XOXO,

If a tree falls in the park during your engagement session…well, you dust the bark off your shoulders and make some snow angels!

Okay, so Steph & Bronson’s session wasn’t quite that melodramatic, but we did have a mini adrenaline rush when the tree Bronson was leaning on started groaning and then leaned heavily onto a neighboring tree. We abandoned that section of the forest quite quickly, of course.

We had a seriously chilly day to contend with, and these two were troopers. I learned about Bronson’s passion for cooking (he’d made sausages that very morning. As in, materialized them from scratch using sausage-y ingredients. Truly impressive). Steph spoke of her love for running, and I marveled at the number of marathons under her belt. To me, marathon runners are superhuman and super-amazing.

You’ll be able to tell from their session, but Steph & Bronson are truly warm souls. They have giant hearts, and October couldn’t come soon enough. I am honored to be a part of their upcoming wedding day.

(Note to self: For my next winter session, I’ll bring Yaktrax for everyone. And helmets. And maybe a chainsaw.)

XOXO,

Okay, so you may still be floundering in two feet of powdery snow, but I’m here to remind you that longer days are ahead! And although finally busting out the snowshoes is a joyous ritual, there is something to be said for those not-so-far-off signs of spring. Here in Wales, we’re six hours ahead of the Midwest, and about six weeks ahead in season changes.

Wherever you are, let these new-for-spring iPhone Cases remind you of lemon-yellow sun through tree leaves, tiny blooms that dazzle even in their delicacy, and untraveled winding paths (metaphor intended).

Enjoy! 

Reverie iPhone Case, $35

Lullaby Blooms iPhone Case, $35

Spring Dreams iPhone Case, $35

Sweet Ivy iPhone Case, $35

Stillness iPhone Case, $35

Rudry Lane iPhone Case, $35

The Hideaway iPhone Case, $35

Welsh Winter iPhone Case, $35

Welsh Winter Framed Art Print (in Conservation Walnut), from $36

XOXO,

I am beyond tickled pink (tickled magenta, even!) to be featured on A Northwoods Wedding today. Click on the image below to see the full feature!

The women behind ANW have impeccable taste, so not only am I honored, but I also encourage all you guys & gals to check out their blog for inspiration. It is pure loveliness.

XOXO,

This is a place with a sea salt breeze, rubber kelp strands, and terra cotta sand where the tide runs in rivulets. A place where robin’s egg paint peels away from dinghies docked on the promenade, and where an old lady in a pink sequin beret strolls with her husband in the hazy spring sun.

Welcome to The Mumbles: an adorably-christened seaside villa in the south of Wales. We had one warm February day, two pairs of hiking boots, and a couple of free hours to explore.

Gorgeous world we live in, wouldn’t you say?

XOXO,

It’s been awhile since my last Wednesday Wandering, mostly because I’ve been busy wandering!  I am “living” in Wales until May, which is the natural course for a young lady with a British fiancé. We do a lot of back-and-forth. 

Life has been busy-busy, full of long work hours and steadily warming days. “The Crud” is going around, so instead of guzzling DayQuil, I’m sipping Lemsip, the UK’s lemony-menthol equivalent.

It’s nearly spring here: a season of new opportunity, frolicking lambs, and Six Nations rugby.

It’s a happy time.

Last weekend, we ventured up to Blackpool, my fiancé’s hometown. On the way, we scooped up one of my dear Duluthian friends from Liverpool. She was over visiting friends and attending a wedding.

We introduced her to some of the finer points of British life, including thatched pubs, cheesey chips (with three e’s), and the Lake District. Below you’ll find a few captures from the latter of those three. Somehow cheesey chips are much better consumed than photographed.

These were snapped atop Kirkstone Pass at the third highest pub in the UK, the Kirkstone Pass Inn. Oftentimes during the winter months, the pass is closed due to snow. It’s a cozy inn with a beautiful vista. (I’ve included a half pint to counterbalance the lack of cheesey chips.) 

XOXO,