A Black Dress, A White Dress, And Major Love From Us All For This Hallowedding
The picturesque celebration was captured by the talented Darnall Photography. Joining forces with the couple were Offbeat partners Brandilynn, a graduate student, and Diane, a pharmacy technician. On October 30, 2015, the happy couple exchanged vows at the University Club at the University of California, Irvine, surrounded by loved ones and cherished memories.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
As self-proclaimed horror enthusiasts, it was only natural that our wedding theme revolved around Halloween and all things spooky. We dubbed our special day a Hallowedding, and to match the eerie atmosphere, we both wore stunning floor-length lace gowns and veils – one black, the other ivory. The pièce de résistance of my dress was the intricately designed black and gray sash featuring a spider emblem, crafted by my talented friend Diane.
Guests were encouraged to don their best costumes, and amazingly, almost everyone did. Our venue was transformed into a whimsical wonderland, with attendees channeling everything from adult Winnie the Pooh to gruesome Jason Voorhees. Even our vendors and venue staff got in on the action, adding to the playful and memorable atmosphere.
To further amplify the lighthearted vibe, we offered an array of sweet treats, including free-flowing candy, spooky signature cocktails, and made-to-order cotton candy. As party favors, we gave each guest a delectable candy apple, while our photo backdrop was designed to look like a creepy graveyard. A caricaturist dressed as Vincent Van Gogh added to the merriment, capturing unforgettable moments from our special day.
In lieu of a traditional guestbook, we had on hand ‘A Handbook for the Recently Deceased’, which served as both a unique keepsake and an ode to our shared love of all things horror. Our table numbers were cleverly disguised as characters from our favorite horror movies, matching perfectly with our show-stopping cupcake cake. The reception area was bathed in darkness, illuminated only by soft orange uplights and flickering candles.
The dance floor was set aglow by swirling bats and ghostly apparitions dancing on the walls. A homemade ‘Ghoul Love’ banner hung from our sweetheart table, encapsulating the perfect blend of creepy and romantic that we had hoped to achieve.
Tell us about the ceremony:
As we exchanged our vows, we chose a more intimate setting by opting for a self-wedding ceremony. The venue’s unique layout featured two separate walkways that converged in the center before opening up to the main aisle, allowing us to make a seamless transition. To set the tone, we played Katy Perry’s ‘Unconditionally’ as our attendants and ring bearers made their way down the aisle. Our ring bearers, Diane’s nephews (ages 3 and 5), donned Luigi and Yoshi costumes from Super Mario Bros.
, adding an extra layer of whimsy to the proceedings. The moment Yoshi reached the front row, he exclaimed, ‘Can I have my toy now?’ as everyone chuckled at his antics. We then strolled down the aisle together, hand in hand, accompanied by Danny Elfman’s haunting ‘Ice Dance’ from Edward Scissorhands. To honor Diane’s Celtic heritage, we incorporated a handfasting ceremony into our celebration.
As a symbol of our commitment to one another, we were bound together using a homemade cord featuring orange, black, and white hues. When our officiant attempted to remove the bindings, they became stuck on Diane’s hand! Her nervous outburst – ‘I really want to be married!’ – brought laughter from our guests. We sealed our union with a kiss, repeating the ancient tradition of ‘Once for luck, twice for love, and thrice for long life.
‘ The surprise came when our lips slid all over each other due to the shiny lip gloss we’d applied. We erupted into laughter, covering our mouths in embarrassment at the absurdity of it all – this was only possible at a lesbian wedding! Diane gently cleaned off my mouth and teeth with a soft cloth.
With our vows sealed, we turned to face our guests and departed to Tiny Tim’s quirky rendition of ‘Tiptoe Through the Tulips’, which perfectly captured the joyous yet slightly unsettling atmosphere of our special day.
Tell us about your reception:
As we made our grand entrance to Phantom of the Opera’s iconic theme song, it was clear that this wedding would be anything but ordinary. The DJ seamlessly transitioned us into Lana Del Rey’s hauntingly beautiful ‘Once Upon a Dream’ for our first dance, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. As the evening unfolded, guests of all ages sang along to Halloween-themed classics like the Addams Family and Grim Grinning Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion.
Meanwhile, our father-daughter dance to The Temptations’ timeless ‘My Girl’ had everyone snapping and twirling in delight. As we indulged in cake, we took a cue from the spooky atmosphere and devoured massive slices with reckless abandon – no utensils needed! We even took a break from champagne sipping to indulge in some spirited arm-twirling. In a surprising twist, Diane surprised me by chugging an entire glass of bubbly, leaving us both in stitches.
The real pièce de résistance came with the costume contest, where we had multiple categories and saved the best for last – the Party Pooper category. We couldn’t resist forcing the ‘winner’ (my mom’s boyfriend) to don our very own poop emoji costume, which proved to be the funniest moment of the night. The bouquet toss took on a whole new level of excitement when we decided to mix it up with a simultaneous toss to Chumbawamba’s catchy tune ‘Tubthumping.
‘ Thankfully, the outcome was more silly than violent. Our DJ then corralled us all for a group photo, followed by a series of hilarious dance moves that had everyone laughing and dancing along – including a special appearance by Michael Jackson in ‘Thriller.’Other highlights included a conga line to Beetlejuice’s infectious ‘Jump in the Line (Shake Senora)’ and some serious country vibes with our line dance to ‘Brick House.
‘ Of course, we couldn’t resist throwing in some Katy Perry for good measure, with ‘I Kissed a Girl’ sending me into a frenzy.
What was your most important lesson learned?
As we prepared for our special day, we were thrilled to be the first same-sex couple to tie the knot at this iconic venue. But what surprised us was how enthusiastically the coordinator approached planning our wedding, bringing a level of creativity and energy we hadn’t anticipated. With no traditional expectations or restrictions to worry about, we found ourselves fully immersed in the process, laughing and having a ball as we brought our vision to life.
One unexpected hurdle arose when I struggled with my dress on the big day. Whether it was the aftermath of weight loss or the humidity, my gown kept slipping down, leaving me feeling self-conscious and unable to execute our choreographed first dance. We had to adjust plans and opt for a slow dance instead.
In hindsight, we’re glad we did. Our DJ proved to be an ace in the hole, expertly managing the flow of events.
By prioritizing activities and then letting loose on the dance floor, we condensed our celebration and made the most of every moment. We also made a conscious decision to skip certain traditional elements that didn’t resonate with us, freeing up time and resources for those things that truly mattered.
In the days following the wedding, I made it a point to sit down and record everything about my special day, pouring out my thoughts and memories onto paper.
The resulting 20-page chronicle was a treasure trove of details, a tangible reminder of the joy and love we shared on that unforgettable day.
Vendors
The talented team behind this special day included photographer Darnall Photography, capturing every sweet moment with precision. The mouthwatering treats were courtesy of Pin-Up Cakes, while SugarSpin provided an array of cotton candy delights for guests to indulge in. A unique touch was added by caricaturist Cameron Canales, whose artistic renderings will surely be treasured for years to come.
Battleson Entertainment kept the party going with their impressive DJ skills, ensuring everyone had a blast on the dance floor. The beauty team, led by skilled stylist Kimberly Boyenger, worked their magic to make each guest feel like a princess. And finally, Ven Nguyen Flowers and Entertainment brought the perfect pop of color and charm with their exquisite flower arrangements. Demetrios provided elegant attire for the special day, completing the perfect blend of style and sophistication.
