What Exactly IS a Rock n Roll Wedding?

August 3, 2010

Credit: Malgosia Bela by Mario Testino via Fashion Gone Rogue

The question I dread when I meet people for the first time (which is of course the question that they then always ask) is “So, what’s the most ‘Rock n Roll’ wedding you’ve ever seen?” (and yes, they sometimes even do the air quotes {{shudder}} )

First off CHRIST, if they knew how many weddings I’d seen over the last 3 years their heads might explode. It is a lot! How do I choose between them all? How can I possibly pick just one? Or even just one style of wedding? The great thing about Rock n Roll weddings is the vast differences between them all. It would be like a choice between a pair of Vivienne Westwood shoes or a huge big pink cupcake. They are not mutually exclusive and I want both please!

The other thing that happens to me a lot is people say (usually in comments and anonymously I might add) “Well that wedding is not very Rock n Roll is it? Why did you feature that?” or even worse I once got “Who the hell are you? You’re not 50’s rockabilly in style at all! You are a fake. You are not Rock n Roll!” Erm…correct! I am not 50’s rockabilly in any way. Have I ever claimed to be?

Credit: Steve Gerrard Photography

There appears to be a bit of a divide when it comes to being ‘Rock n Roll’, in particular reference to the things I post. Apparently some things are just too Rock n Roll and are others not Rock n Roll enough! Can I ever win!?

The problem is that everyone’s perception of what constitutes ‘being Rock n Roll’ is completely different. It’s a personal choice– which again is what makes Rock n Roll weddings so awesome – the variety. I LOVE LOVE LOVE gorgeous vintage weddings and I got NUTS over elaborate gothic extravaganzas. I flip out when I see hot tattooed brides and I can’t wait to blog weddings with adorable diy details. There is nothing more utterly fabulous than seeing a couple put themselves and their own personal style into their wedding. THAT, my dears is what being Rock n Roll is all about and it actually hasn’t got anything to do with having tattoos or listening to jive.

Credit: Glimpse Of Soul

One of the worst things I ever read was a comment somewhere (not on Rock n Roll Bride thank goodness) which said something along the lines of (I’m paraphrasing here) “I hate all this alternative wedding stuff. How can I get ideas for my own wedding when the wedding looks like that? It’s too personal to that couple and that’s not what I like.”

I nearly died.

I wanted to scream – Has the wedding industry literally stripped you of everything you are as a person? Are you seriously planning a wedding that’s going to be just like everybody else’s? Are you reeeeally the epitome of cookie cutter sameness? EEEEEEK!

I was actually a trifle concerned that the land of the wed had destroyed all semblance of brain cells in this poor bride-to-be’s teeny tiny little mind. JESUS.

Credit: Devlin Photos

So, if you see a wedding featured on these here pages and you think “Well that’s not very Rock n Roll at all” or “That’s not me. I wouldn’t do that. I don’t like it” Then I have totally succeeded in my goal – to bring you the most diverse, weird, wonderful, delectable, delightful and inspiring weddings for you to indulge in on a daily basis. You lucky little kittens.

Oh and for the record, the answer to that inevitable question is always something mumbled along the lines of “I dunno, something in a graveyard I think.” To non wedding/ Rock n Roll obsessive’s like us that is always quite an impressive answer. Radical huh?!

Credit: MangoRED

From my About page:

Rock n Roll Bride (Noun) A Rock n Roll wedding is a wedding where the couple actually acknowledge that to plan a good wedding, they have to incorporate themselves and plan what they love for their day.  They laugh in the face of the wedding industry and the wedding magazines that tell them what they need to do to make a ‘good wedding’.

It’s not about being ‘cool’, being a rebel or even thinking of the most unique idea you can, it’s about planning a wedding that reflects you and your partner and declaring your love in your way.

To be featured on this site, you don’t have to be cool.  You don’t have to be ‘out-there’ or ‘offbeat’, you just have to be you ♥

Credit: Kriech-Higdon Photography

I want to know what you think! Let me have it in the comments (and if you have more ideas and opinions about what you like/don’t like seeing on Rock n Roll Bride then please take the time to go fill out my readers survey. One very lucky reader will be winning over £900 worth of bootie!