The luck o' the Irish is with this science meets food truck wedding

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The Offbeat Bride: Caitlin, Chemist

Her offbeat partner: Nick, Chemical Engineer

Date and location of wedding: South Shore Park Pavilion, Milwaukee, WI - August 14, 2015

Our offbeat wedding at a glance:

We had an Irish, chemistry, food truck, lakeside dream wedding. It was a celebration of who we are and the things we love. We strategically planned the wedding Friday of Irish Fest in Milwaukee, making it a weekend of festivities. "Something new, something old, and something kelly green." I wore a tea-length wedding dress with pockets and bright, sparkly, green shoes.

I am a chemist and Nick is a chemical engineer. We have many chemistry roots on both sides of our family. The chemistry theme was creative way to represent our love for science and the "chemistry" between us. "The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances, if there is any reaction both are transformed." - Carl Jung

Delicious, gourmet food coming from a truck! We love food trucks. It was perfect. Easy planning and clean up and also fun and unique.

We are both originally from Michigan. We love, love, love the Great Lakes, so it was a dream to have a venue steps away from the rolling, blue waves when we said I do.

Tell us about the ceremony:

Emphasizing the chemistry theme, our ceremony was called "The Bonding of Ca + Ni." Two beakers overflowing of brightly colored, wild-type flowers lined the aisle. The altar was set with strings of test tube flowers. A live string duo, Fretless Strings, set the mood. I couldn't miss any chance for a chemistry pun, so the flower girl held a sign that stated "Nick, your Bachelor Days Argon!" right before I walked down the aisle.

We truly could not have asked for a better officiant. The honorable Judge Mosely brought happiness, passion, and energy, exactly what we wanted. He starts with a ring warming and a "tying of the knots" where our hands are literally tied together, symbolizing us become one.

We ended with pouring of the chemicals - a fun and foamy, elephant toothpaste reaction. We both wrote and read our own vows. Themes included Nick's love for snow and my love for turtles. In order to have time to flip the room for the reception, we had everyone toss a stone into the lake for good wishes.

Tell us about your reception:

As you entered the hall, guests found their seat by pipette name tags directing them to tables labeled by the elements. They signed the guest book painting with an ink thumb as a "bubble" to the beakers. The hall was full of glassware overflowing with flowers and science equipment such as old scales, molecules, and books. A giant periodic table was designated the "Science Selfie Station."

Guests dressed up like Einstein and uploaded their selfies online with hashtag: #othomasbond. Our cake toppers included a graduated cylinder complete with dry ice.

Cake layers were decorated with green benzene rings and a pretty DNA ribbon. Living in Wisconsin, we knew it was essential to have a cheese plate among the hors d'oeuvres. We were lucky to have our friend Irish musician, Barry, play some live tunes before kicking off the party. As the reception started, the wedding party entered to Semisonic's "All About Chemistry".

Dinner was food trucks, as I mentioned. Guests could try everything: amazing soups and sandwiches, meat on a stick with spicy slaw and rice, and a curry chicken that definitely deserved seconds. It was fun, casual, and delicious. Instead of champagne, we opted for a Rumchata toast in mini plastic beakers.

Our first dance cut part way to a surprise Irish jig with a special guest leprechaun. My friends and I also choreographed a surprise dance to "Shout" for the groom, tossing some "Shout" wipes. They ended up being pretty useful for the few that already spilled wine on themselves.