A Halloween Wedding

Few couples would want to pursue the ghoulish side of the Halloween theme at their wedding. However, a Halloween wedding is an opportunity to create a very special ambience 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.

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 colours associated with Halloween are derived mainly from the pumpkin and the underworld theme, but are also colours associated with the Fall as the leaves change colour.

These warm colours used in the decorations for a Halloween wedding acknowledges both the festival and the season. Seasonal flowers to carry through this colour theme include red, orange and yellow roses and tiger and calla lilies.

The Victorian era also made use of dark colours, 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 panelling would certainly add to the Halloween atmosphere.

Dark coloured 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.

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.

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

The choice of wedding favours for a Halloween wedding should reflect the Halloween theme in some way, such as Halloween theme sweets or candles.