Ariel Meadow Stallings wrote Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides for the marrying kind uninterested in white dresses and tuxes.

Inspired by the difficulties Stallings faced in planning her own self-described “freakfest” wedding in 2004, the book is mostly a memoir about her experience creating an unusual wedding.  The book is also filled with tips on how to plan your own offbeat wedding, including advice on how to plan a wedding on a budget, find a non-traditional dress and make wedding favors and invitations. Stallings’ book has spawned a hugely popular blog—called Offbeat Bride—and both the book and the blog make brides everywhere feel completely cool about forgoing the traditional white wedding.