13 Reasons to Have a Halloween Wedding

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Think it’s weird to get married on October 31st? Consider that autumn is a beautiful season—and there’s no better way to throw a party than with oodles of candy and cool costumes! Check out these 13 spooktacular reasons to host a Halloween wedding:

  • You can incorporate fall leaves into your bouquet/décor/invitations.
  • You can use jack o’lanterns and glow sticks in your lighting.
  • You always wanted a chic black wedding dress.
  • You are just dying to label the wine as vampire blood, beer as witch’s brew, and mixed drinks as love potions.
  • You believe in ‘till death do us part—literally.
  • Your idea of a great date night involves monster movies and finger foods that look like fingers.
  • You would love the flower ghouls and ring buriers to come in costume.
  • Your reception dances can include “Thriller” and “Monster Mash.”
  • You want to give away candy bags as favors.
  • Your bridesmaids can carry brooms instead of bouquets.
  • Your groom likes the idea of a vintage tux—cobwebs optional.
  • You are set on getting married at a church; preferably in or near a graveyard.
  • You always wanted a Harry Potter themed wedding.

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Are you brave enough to tie the noose on All Hallow’s Eve?

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How To Plan a Gothic Wedding

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With Halloween just around the corner, it’s tempting to let your imagination run wild.

If you were stranded in a zombie apocalypse and could only choose three items for your safe house, what would they be? What if you faced a witch who offered to show you your future—would you say yes or no?

More seriously, what if you met the love of your life and found out they were just as weird as you? And what if you both decided to plan an utterly fantastic Halloween wedding?

For all you non-traditional brides out there, or perhaps for lovers of medieval art and architecture, we’ve come up with six killer elements you need to style a wicked Gothic wedding.

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Archaic Venue

The best place for a Gothic wedding would obviously be a Gothic cathedral. According to Wikipedia, this style of architecture arose in France in the 12th–16th centuries and migrated to pre-Renaissance Europe. Castles and cathedrals overseas were often built with flying buttresses, pointed arches, and ribbed vaults. A few Neo-Gothic churches and universities in America have also incorporated these haunting yet beautiful features.

Dark Romance

Another meaning of gothic relates to 19th century literature characterized by desolate or gloomy settings with mysterious, supernatural events. These strange tales often incorporate romantic elements. A few prominent writers in this genre include Ann Radcliffe, Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, Robert Luis Stevenson, Emily Brontë, and Bram Stoker. You can pay homage to their literary talents with décor such as crows, cages, thick draperies, dark flowers, and quotes. Play up “’till death do us part.”

Horror & Mystery

Some gothic novels dip into the realm of sensationalism and horror. Stephen King and Anne Rice have dazzled brave readers with terrifying characters and plots. Add elements of mystery to your setting with candlelight and medieval table settings. If you’re hosting a macabre Halloween wedding, serve vampire-inspired foods and dark wines. Set up an old-fashioned photo booth and entertain your guests with a murder mystery game!

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Film Inspiration

Maybe your vision is inspired by modern Gothic films such as Underworld, Sleepy Hollow, Interview with a Vampire, Dorian Gray, or The Woman in Black. You can plan your wedding around an Underworld theme with elegant tablescapes set for vampires and werewolves. Prefer a rustic wedding? The Legend of Sleepy Hollow evokes a barn celebration with pumpkins. For a classy Victorian affair, make black lace your main fabric and decorate with black or red roses.

Bewitching Bridal Ensemble

To create a soft goth ensemble, play off a black and maroon color scheme, or even choose a black wedding gown! If you’d prefer a ghostly look, get a foldover veil and let it float around you with mysterious allure. Wear a sparkling belt or vintage-inspired headpiece for attention-grabbing style. You can accent your outfit by filling your bouquet with dark colors or autumnal touches. Add ribbons or an antique brooch to complement your theme.

Vintage Dress Code

The most deliberate way to style a Gothic wedding, apart from period-inspired décor, is by asking guests to come dressed accordingly. The word gothic can mean barbarous or uncouth—enter counterculture movements—but typically this means medieval clothing. You can alternatively use a black tie dress code or ask guests to wear dark colors. Take inspiration from your favorite Gothic tale and let your imagination fill in the rest.

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How would you create a spooky Gothic wedding? Share your ideas!

Top 5 Signs You’re a Halloween Bride

Do you love Halloween so much that you’d marry it—or rather, tie the knot during this spooky season? Smashingly stylish attire, ghoulish décor, and out-of-this-world wedding ideas just might tempt you into choosing October 31 as the day you lay your single life to rest! Check out these top five signs that you might be a Halloween bride.

Your Wedding Color: Black

Are you a bit obsessed with all things gothic? The first thing you did after slipping on that ring was to choose black as your color. Other people might think it is a bit gloomy for a wedding, but you know that black is slimming, goes with everything, and looks oh-so-chic with the right accessories. (Are your nails painted black right now?)

Your Ring: Unique

Are you not a sparkly round-cut type of girl? If your beau proposed with a vintage ring, colored stone, or a rock that wasn’t a diamond at all, this is a good indication that your preferences stray from the beaten path. As Robert Frost says, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood… I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Fall Foodie

Do you look forward to the Pumpkin Spiced Latte season all year? Do you avidly watch the calendar and celebrate when the local pumpkin patch opens up? Have you already updated your Pumpkin Recipes Board on Pinterest? Would you serve pumpkin pies, hot chocolate, caramel apples, or other autumnal goodies at your wedding?

Is your stomach growling just reading this? Enough said.

You Reuse & Recycle 

If you are a creative person who is into crafting and repurposing items, you’ve already got your mind on sourcing re-usable wedding décor.

Little black dresses for the bridesmaids will be perfect for date nights. Wedding goblets with skulls—why, you’ll use them every October! The idea of pulling out lovely black table linens for spooky parties sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

You’re a Kid at Heart

Nothing warms your heart like watching the Trick or Treaters every year. You loved pounding the pavement on All Hallows’ Eve when you were a kid, and you’ve never quite grown out of your fondness for huge bags of candy and elaborate costumes ever since.

You love the idea of letting your flower girls and ring bearers dress in costume—and maybe throw candy down the aisle! The kids will have a blast, and you are definitely the type of person who believes that weddings should be fun.

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Tell us, are you a Halloween bride? Let us know why you chose this holiday season to tie the knot!

‘Till Death Do Us Part—Halloween Proposal Ideas

Planning a spooky Halloween proposal? Pop the big question with a seasonal twist using one of these fantastic ideas. Whether your beloved covets a glittering black diamond, a gothic skull ring, or a traditional sparkly setting, these proposals will definitely get a “Yes!”—if she’s not too afraid!

 Corn Maze Hunt  

Does she love playing games and solving puzzles? Take your star sleuth into a corn maze for the best treasure hunt ever! Give her clues to guide her through to the end, where you can drop a knee and/or ask actors in the maze to hold up signs.

Haunted House Surprise

Give your future fiancée a scary surprise by popping the question inside a haunted house! If you’re a thrill-seeker with a spine of steel who would brave monsters, zombies, and psychos to stop and declare your love, this is a daring way to go. Just make sure she’s not too freaked out to say, “Yes!”

Pumpkin Patch Romance  

Does she love seasonal, family-friendly activities? For a good old-fashioned fall proposal, take one knee in a pumpkin patch! You can plant the ring on a special pumpkin ahead of time, or ask friends and family to write your message on pumpkins and meet you there.

Black Cat Delivery 

For animal lovers, there’s nothing more adorable than a furry new family member bearing a sparkly present! You can also engrave their collar or tag with the question, which makes a great keepsake. For a Halloween twist, adopt a black kitty—and start your engagement with nine lives’ worth of good luck!

Candy Dish Delight

If your sweetie loves treats, why not deliver your question by offering her a dish of candy with an extra-special present sitting on top? This simple proposal is both classic and fun. You can also drop the ring into a glass of cider, or replace the plastic spider ring on a Halloween cupcake with a major upgrade.

Jack O’Lantern Message 

Nothing is more romantic than asking for her hand in marriage by flickering candlelight—preferably with scattered rose petals. Carve pumpkins to ask, “Will You Marry Me?” and drop in some candles. After it gets dark, lead your lovely lady to the magical location!

Trick or Marriage

Do either you or your beloved have kids? Let them be part of the proposal by asking them to hold up signs. When she opens the door expecting Trick or Treaters, she’ll be thrilled by your heartfelt surprise!

How are you going to propose? Share your story!