Halloween Weddings

For the groom
and best man,
a tuxedo can
be complemented
with the top hat,
cape and cane of
a Victorian
gentleman.

A red lining to
the cape brings
out the Halloween
associations with
Vampires, without
making the connection too obvious.

For the bride and bridesmaids,
full elegant and even hooped gowns, with high or
wing collars, are suggested by this theme, although
any long and elegant style would be compatible.

The orange, black, red and yellow colors associated
with Halloween are derived mainly from the pumpkin
and the underworld theme, but are also colors
associated with the Fall as the leaves change color.
These warm colors used in the decorations for a
Halloween wedding acknowledges both the festival
and the season.
Seasonal flowers to carry through this color theme
include red, orange and yellow roses and tiger and
calla lilies.

Dark colored table cloths instead of white are suggested,
either black or red. The autumn theme could be developed
with the tables sprinkled with gold, orange and yellow
confetti, rose petals or artificial leaves.

The use of candles as the featured lighting during a
Halloween wedding reception also reflects the seasonal
drawing in of the nights. Chunky candles in autumn colors
are suggested.

A few plain gourds as candle holders bring out the warm
colors, and make a reference to the Halloween carved pumpkin
jack-o-lantern, without the ghoulish grin.

Halloween Wedding Ideas

Few couples would
want to pursue the
ghoulish side of the
Halloween theme at
their wedding.
However, a wedding
at Halloween is an
opportunity to create
a very special ambiance
reflecting the season
and some of the elegant
aspects of the Halloween
tradition.

Halloween has adopted the Victorian Count Dracula story,
which has inspired a formality in some Halloween party
costumes. The Count is usually portrayed in a tuxedo,
and ladies following this Vampire theme often wear long
gowns with high collars or wings. The popular Adams Family
television series built up this aspect of the Halloween
tradition, and developed a style close to the Gothic theme
popular during Victorian times. The Gothic style also has
an appeal through the music and lifestyle tastes of many
modern couples. A Halloween wedding can take advantage of
the formality and elegance of the Victorian era, while
having a modern lifestyle appeal.

The Victorian era also made use of dark colors, such as
reds and burgundies and dark stained woods, and could
influence the choice of venue for a Halloween wedding.
Victorian furnishings, chandeliers and wood paneling
would certainly add to the Halloween atmosphere.

Cherubs and angels were popular decor items during the
Victorian Gothic era, and could be featured as table
decoration, candle holders and for holding place names.
Another slightly bolder and macabre play on the Halloween
theme would be to make named tombstones as place name
holders.

Your Bridal Shower

The bridal shower is a traditional
celebration which allows friends
and family to show their affection
and “shower” the couple with gifts.
The shower occurs from two months
to two weeks before the wedding and
can be anything from an informal
luncheon at the office to a buffet
dinner in an elegant restaurant.

Bridal showers or couples showers are usually given
by members of the wedding party, cousins, or friends
of the families. Two or three friends can act as
co-hostesses or hosts. No one should be invited to the
shower who has not been invited to the wedding or who
does not know the couple. One of the bride’s
responsibilities as far as her shower goes is to provide
the hostess with a guest list and to make sure that she
hasn’t created a financial burden on anyone by inviting
her to more than one or two showers. She should also send
a written note of thanks to her guests for any presents
received, as well as to the hostess(es) for their
hospitality.

Shower themes can be fun and useful. Unique shower ideas
are: A “round the clock” shower where guests are assigned
an hour of day on their invitations and bring the
appropriate gifts (for example, a “7:00 a.m. guest” might
bring a toaster). A home repair shower for the bride and
groom. A lingerie shower. A recipe shower where each guest
receives a recipe card and fills in a favorite dish.
A “wishing well” shower, where in addition to the gift, the
guest brings a tiny present (a wooden spoon, a kitchen
sponge etc.). The hostess makes a cardboard replica of a well,
and the gifts, wrapped and tied with ribbons, are tossed in.
There are no cards attached, though sometimes the guests write
a poem, and attach it to their gifts. The bride pulls out the
gifts with the ribbons and reads the poems aloud.

Your Wedding Photographs

Don’t err on the side
of politeness… or economy… when
friends or relatives volunteer
to take your wedding photographs.

Get a professional, one who thoroughly
understands lighting techniques and who
is skilled at creatively capturing the
tender, joyous and humorous moments of
your wedding and reception on film.

Interview photographers early, at least six to twelve
months in advance. Visit their studios, review their
portfolios, and talk about the pictures you envision
of your wedding. Be sure to inquire about special
effect photography and decide if you want it included
in your wedding portfolio.


Determine your photography budget clearly at this meeting.
Don’t forget to allow for additional prints you might want
to give as gifts later. Agree on a firm figure for both
the deposit and the final payments; pay both promptly.

Discuss with your photographer the type of wedding you’re
planning. Include the location and time of both the ceremony
and reception. Be sure the photographer reviews considerations
regarding the lighting. Some churches do not allow extraneous
lighting during the ceremony.

You will come up against one photographic dilemma. When should
the formal portraits be taken? After the ceremony is the
traditional time, but many photographers feel that there is not
enough time between ceremony and reception to allow for all group
pictures plus the beautiful, romantic shots which you will surely
wish to have. Besides, this is the time you want to spend with
your guests. Taking all formal groupings before the ceremony
seems to be a better choice when a large, formal wedding party is
involved. This allows time after the ceremony for more relaxed
photos with family and friends in attendance. Discuss this question
thoroughly with your fiancé and your photographer to understand
everyone’s preferences. Considering your wedding day schedule and
the size of the wedding party, the three of you will reach the
right decision about the best time for this important photographic
session.

If your wedding party is large, or you have large families, you may
want to appoint a photographic assistant. They should know everyone
in your family by sight and be able to assist the photographer by
making sure all essential family groupings are taken. Don’t forget
to inform your photographer of any sensitive situations in your
respective families, such as recently deceased grandparents,
divorced parents, stepparents, etc.

The photography contract is a complex one. Be sure you understand
exactly the quantity and size of the prints you will be buying, when
proofs will be available, the type of proofs provided, when the
finished work will be ready, and how long the negatives will be
kept in the photographer’s filing system.

Once you’re satisfied that you have conveyed all your wishes to the
photographer, relax and let him/her fulfill those wishes. The result
will be an album that genuinely reflects the love and happiness you
and your families share on your wedding day.

For more information see Wedding Photographers

Image by Carissa Woo Photography