If you listen to the popular mythology of wedding planning, every bride is exacting about every single detail of the wedding, no matter how small, no matter how insignificant to everyone else. Her most pressing problem is that nobody in the world cares so much about what she’s trying to do for them.

But if there’s one thing I know about popular mythology, it’s that it’s not everyone’s reality. In fact, it’s rarely anyone’s complete personal reality. Chances are there’s at least one aspect of planning your wedding that you honestly don’t care that much about.
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Rainbow weddings? Multicolored wedding flowers? Attendants with mismatched accessories? Sure, why not. But the question I put forward to you today is “Can the rainbow wedding theme be taken too far?” Judging by the Kermit featured prominently in this photo from Tacky Weddings, my guess is that this particular wedding had a Rainbow Connection theme. Which is great – everyone should have the wedding that they want to have. Doesn’t mean it necessarily looks good, though! Maybe it’s just me, but this rainbow wedding party is a bit overwhelming, what with the rainbow brigade of bridesmaids and their prismatic escorts. What do you think? Love it? Hate it? Like the idea but dislike the execution?

Think your hobby can’t be channeled into some sweet wedding DIY? Think again! A Paper Wedding by Domestic Construction just goes to show that you can take any results-oriented hobby – papercraft, anyone? – and use the fruits of your labors as wedding decorations, wedding favors, reception table decor, and more.

The photos below are from a real wedding featuring hand-cut paper decorations that took place in Cleveland, Ohio and was photographed by Finest Moments Photography.

Even if the whole papercraft look isn’t to your taste, I hope you take away the message that the accessories you incorporate into your ceremony and reception don’t have to look a certain way or be made from a certain material.

For example, here’s a link to a DIY centerpiece project featuring egg cartons and vintage buttons. Pretty quirky, right? But if it works for you, awesome!

I love love love handpainted bridal shoes – especially custom jobs that fit in with the wedding theme or have some special significance to the bride and the person she’s marrying. Recently, I came across Nora Karen and her signature bridal shoes that feature a variety of motifs. But it’s pretty obvious that Ms. Karen loves painting peacocks, making many, if not most of her custom hand painted bridal shoes perfect for the bride planning the peacock themed wedding. Or maybe for the bride who isn’t planning a peacock themed wedding, but just loves peacock feathers and wants to incorporate them into her wedding day ensemble in some subtle way. Here are some examples of the shoes on sale now – most can be had in any normal shoe store size and the designs are completely customizable!

How is it that British brides are so much more willing to think outside of that old familiar strapless white box when choosing their wedding dresses? I swear, I find more pictures of brides in color and unique styles of gown on wedding photographer web sites in the UK – not to mention more gorgeous colored wedding dresses on the sites of UK bridal shops. It is cultural? Or are British brides just encouraged by their WIC to choose white if they like or something else if that’s what they prefer? Either way, I dig it. Check out these lovely ladies…

The bride in blue made her own dress – no kidding! – using a pattern from the 1950s, while the bride in pink chose a raspberry Vivienne Westwood dress. Both can be called unusual choices, especially when you’re looking at them from a US perspective, but both are absolutely stunning and I think definitely convey the personality of the brides who chose them. Much more so than a basic white wedding dress could have done, no?

(Note from Christa – Whoops, sorry for the technical difficulties, here and on Manolo for the Home. Not sure why all the images disappeared, but they’re all back now! Enjoy!)

For the wedding ceremony, especially if one is saying one’s vows out of doors, having something that frames the main event can be helpful in setting the mood. The easiest option? The basic trellis archway, which can be purchased or rented for about $35. But sometimes those wedding arches can be pretty blah, and it may just be that your wedding theme doesn’t exactly lend itself to saying “I do” under something that would look more appropriate in a backyard garden. For those couples who want an arch or an arbor at the wedding ceremony, I’ve collected some inspirational images that will hopefully inspire the creation of a truly beautiful frame.

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Ah my dears!

Last week I slapped you all across the face with this haunting image:
… and you slapped me right back with four deathless captions for it.

They were all terrific, but there can be but one winner. This week the laurel and hearty handshake goes to Zee for this spot on observation:

Everyone was completely shocked at Lady Gaga’s wedding when she chose to carry a real flower bouquet.
“We were expecting a jar of fish heads, or possibly a unicycle,” said a disappointed Sir Elton John.

Congratulations, Zee! And thanks to everyone who played.