Tips / Help for an Informal/Unofficial second wedding at BM2016

[i2bm]

Hi All,

Firstly let me say, I have used the search function and had a flick through some of the older threads regarding playa weddings, but since things change and given those playa weddings are a thing of yesteryear, they may be some great knowledge/wisdom that can be passed on.

My beautiful fiancée and I will be getting married just 1 week before BM in Brisbane, Australia on Sunday 21st of Aug (our 7 year dating anniversary!), with BM being the start of our honeymoon adventure. Unfortunately, a close friend of ours who lives in London can't make it all the way back to Brisbane, Australia for the wedding, but will be coming to BM with us (priorities right!). Since she is missing the real wedding, we would love to have a very special and different second unofficial wedding at BM.

We don't know too many people at BM yet as we are all virgins/second timers this year, so I was hoping people may be able to point us in the right direction to start organising this unofficial second wedding. I thought i read somewhere there was even a camp in previous years who did Elvis weddings?

Any info you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Matt (aka i2.... I need help with a playa name...)

[Ratty]

Hi Matt. The search engine here is less than helpful. Do your searching on a big engine like google. Use this site:eplaya.burningman.org plus your topic. Leave a space between this and your topic of choice.

It would look like this site:eplaya.burningman.org wedding

To get less results you can add the year site:eplaya.burningman.org wedding 2016

Save this search tool.

[i2bm]

Thanks Ratty! I will do some more digging for answers. Also, as per the BM.org site, I have emailed the weddings@burningman email to see if they can help.

[Chowski]

Congratulations! I got married on Playa in 2015. It was the greatest day of my life. Here are some tips:

A wedding is about ceremony. It doesn't have to be formal or traditional, but people generally want something that feels intentional. Make one that has meaning to you and perform it in front of your friends and strangers. People attend our weddings to hear us make our vows - they want to see the ring exchanged, they want to hear "forever". Wedding guests won't remember much, but they will remember the idea of having exchanged vows. Give them that experience - you may need them to remind you of your promises in the future.

Pick a date, early in the week, advertise that and stick to it. You will be less likely to be playa-fried, any nerves you have will be over, and a concrete date will give your guests something to look forward to. If you know even a few people, maybe plan on cooking dinner for them at camp BEFORE going out to the ceremony, or ask a close friend to prepare a nice meal for you.

Pick a time (sunset or sunrise provide flattering light) and make sure somebody has a camera.

Bring good booze - champagne, whiskey? Just make it good, and have enough to share.

Wear something special. It's your wedding.

You and your wife spend the first days finding somewhere you both love to do the ceremony. An art piece? Deep playa? Pick one. Have your friends meet at your camp, and lead them to your chosen place.

Do not get wasted BEFORE the ceremony. Do not be SOBER before the ceremony.

Take some time after the ceremony for just you and your wife to "honeymoon". The usual playa generosity is tenfold when people discover you are on your "honeymoon". Even if it's just an afternoon, wear something special, and just the two of you go explore.

Mazel tov!

[Dr. Pyro]

Having performed three playa weddings over the past seven years, that is excellent advice.

[i2bm]

Congrads on your wedding last year. And what an awesome anniversary trip each year!

Awesome Tips and certainly some stuff I havent thought of yet!
Now we are confirmed in a camp, i will have a chat to our camp mates about it.