If you're a couple who loves the eerie charm of October or have always dreamed of a wedding that blends the macabre with romance, a Halloween-inspired wedding might be perfect for you. Halloween weddings can be hauntingly beautiful, elegantly gothic, or whimsically spooky. From the wedding venue to the decor, here's how to plan a wedding that celebrates both love and the spirit of Halloween.
Set the Mood with a Spooky Venue
The right venue sets the tone for a Halloween-inspired wedding. Consider old castles, gothic mansions, forests, or even a historical estate with a haunted history. Outdoor venues can also be perfect, especially if you're planning an evening wedding. For something more playful, opt for a pumpkin patch or a barn decorated with eerie lighting.
Choose an Enchanting Halloween Colour Palette
While orange and black are the classic Halloween colours, you can elevate your theme by incorporating richer tones. Deep purples, rich reds and burgundy, midnight blues, and metallics like gold or silver can create a more sophisticated look. Don't shy away from adding pops of blood red or emerald green if you want to add depth and drama.
Gothic Invitations
Start the theme right from the get-go by sending out Halloween-inspired wedding invitations. Think black envelopes with wax seals, spider web motifs, or vintage parchment paper for a more gothic feel. You can include calligraphy in spooky fonts, and even use dark floral designs to give a mysterious yet elegant look.
A Bewitching Bridal Look
For a Halloween wedding, a white gown isn't your only option. Brides can choose black, deep red, or dark purple gowns to fully embrace the gothic theme. If you prefer a traditional dress, you can add Halloween touches with black lace, dark accessories, or dramatic makeup like a bold lip or smoky eye. Don't forget the groom—he can sport a velvet tuxedo or add gothic touches with a black suit, dark boutonniere, or even a subtle skull tie pin.
Ghostly Gowns for the Bridal Party
The wedding party can also get in on the theme! Bridesmaid outfits in deep jewel tones or even all-black dresses can look stunning and hauntingly chic. For the groomsmen, dark suits with eerie accents, like skull cufflinks or dark florals in their boutonnieres, can tie the look together without feeling costumey.
Themed Reception: Tricks, Treats, and Entertainment
At the reception, let guests experience the full Halloween spirit. Create a cocktail menu with spooky names. Incorporate a dessert table with Halloween-inspired treats like black macarons, ghost-shaped cookies, and a dark chocolate cake with blackberries or gothic roses. For the entertainment, consider hiring a tarot card reader, magician, or even setting up a costume photo booth for guests to embrace their playful side.
Additionally, why not consider ways the music can be inspired by Halloween too? There are so many fun hits like Thriller or Time Warp that will get people on the dance floor! Ask your band or DJ if it's possible to add some choice songs onto the playlist.
Pumpkins, Pumpkins and More Pumpkins!
One of the easiest way to integrate Halloween into your October wedding is to use pumpkins wherever possible - whether it's carved pumpkins as wedding decor, painted mini pumpkins as table centres, pumpkin lanterns outside or pumpkin in the menu as part of the food and drink. If you're not having orange as part of your wedding theme, then painting pumpkins white, metallic or even black is a great way to match them to your wedding theme.Â
A Hauntingly Beautiful Wedding Cake
Your wedding cake can be a true showstopper. Opt for a black or deep red cake adorned with gothic details like lace, dark flowers, or even metallic touches. You could even go for a more playful cake with Halloween icons like bats or spiders. For a modern touch, consider a drip cake with red "blood" or a marbled design with dark and light elements.
The Exit: Ride Off Into the Moonlight
End your spooky celebration with a grand exit that's as enchanting as the rest of your wedding. Consider a send-off with sparklers, but make it more eerie by adding fog machines or lanterns to light the way. Or, embrace your theme fully and ride off into the night in a vintage hearse, a horse-drawn carriage, or even a car decorated with Halloween-inspired decor.
A Halloween themed wedding offers endless opportunities for creativity, personalisation, and fun. From gothic romance to playful spookiness, it's a theme that lets you express your love in a truly unique way. As long as you balance the eerie with the elegant, you can have a wedding that's hauntingly beautiful and utterly unforgettable.
If you've had a Halloween wedding, we'd love to feature you on our Real Weddings page! Please get in touch here.Â