A Vintage Halloween Wedding With Zombies And Antique Details
With a blend of whimsy and romance, Erin, the talented Technical Writer, joined forces with Jon, the meticulous Documentation Specialist, to create an unforgettable union. Surrounded by the charming atmosphere of The Historic Smithville Inn in Smithville, NJ, on All Hallows’ Eve – October 31, 2015 – their special day became a true celebration of love and commitment.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
Tell us about the ceremony:
The prelude to our special day began with musicians performing 1920s-style love songs and Celtic arrangements as guests took their seats. In a surprise move, I requested they play ‘The Song of Storms’ from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, tailored specifically for my fiancé Jon, as the gentlemen found their places.
Our families, bridal party, and I made our way down the aisle to the enchanting tunes from Braid’s ‘Downstream’ and The Princess Bride’s iconic instrumental theme, accompanied by my dad. A harmonious blend of nostalgia and whimsy set the tone for what was to come.
Our ceremony, led by a dear friend and officiant, featured a Victorian-inspired service with traditional vows that we carefully curated together. The occasion was further enriched with four heartfelt readings: e. e.
cummings’ poignant verses, a passage from Corelli’s Mandolin, Neil Gaiman’s wedding poem, and an excerpt from the Song of Songs.
Just as our flower girls and nieces, Corinne and Talia, were halfway down the aisle, Talia made her way to the front, backtracked to her dad, and playfully knocked on the door where my dad and I were waiting, seeking permission to join us. This charming interlude added a touch of playfulness and warmth to an already magical atmosphere.
Tell us about your reception:
As we mingled at the reception, our loved ones and bridal party were formally introduced to the iconic theme from Ghostbusters. Meanwhile, Jon and I had our own special moment, serenaded by the King of Pop himself – Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ became our personal soundtrack. Our first dance was a beautiful rendition of Mazzy Star’s ‘Fade Into You’, setting the tone for a night filled with love and joy.
The rest of our party didn’t miss out on the fun either, as Jon danced with his mom to the timeless classic ‘In My Life’ by the Beatles, while my dad and I shared a sweet moment to Louis Armstrong’s charming cover of ‘La Vie en Rose’. To add a touch of whimsy to our decor, we used white pumpkins filled with flowers and adorned with curly willow branches as centerpieces. The florist also scattered votives and pumpkins throughout the venue, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
In another creative endeavor, my mom and I baked vanilla sugar cut-out cookies in the shape of pumpkins to complement our decor. We decorated them with stiff vanilla buttercream, crystallized sugar, and white sugar pearls – they made a delightful treat for our guests. To add an extra personal touch, I designed miniature frames and created escort cards using an Art Deco-style font on my computer. And, as a special request from my best friend Erin (Offbeat Bride!
), we even had a sing-along to Hanson’s ‘MMMBop’ – it was a blast! Other friends joined in for a rousing chorus of Savage Garden’s ‘I Want You’, and later in the night, our DJ wrapped things up with a hilarious ‘Piano Man’ sing-along led by our good friend Chris.
What was your most important lesson learned?
As I look back on my wedding day, one piece of advice that stuck with me was to take time to truly appreciate the moment with your partner at the reception. A friend warned me that amidst all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to lose sight of what the day is really about – celebrating love and commitment. So, Jon and I made a conscious effort to step away from the action and just be present in the moment.
We stole a few quiet moments together, taking deep breaths and savoring the overwhelming beauty of our special day. It was a welcome respite from the chaos, allowing us to recharge and appreciate the little things. Similarly, finding the right photographer can make all the difference in capturing your wedding memories with ease. Jon and I are both introverted, and being photographed all day can be daunting.
But by building a rapport with our photographers, Jonathon and Peter, we were able to relax and enjoy the process. They even helped us recreate a 1920s-style paper moon photo shoot for our engagement photos – a fun and whimsical nod to our love story.
Vendors
Behind the scenes of a beautiful wedding, there are many talented individuals who work together to create unforgettable memories. From the photographer capturing every special moment to the florist crafting stunning arrangements, each vendor plays a crucial role in bringing the couple’s vision to life.
Here, we highlight some of the amazing professionals who made this wedding so unforgettable: Jonathon Peter Photography captured the love and laughter on camera; Pocket Full of Posies brought vibrant colors and textures to the ceremony with their gorgeous flowers; eBay delivered the perfect dress for the bride to feel like a princess; HexHeartHollow added a touch of whimsy and elegance with their unique bridesmaid shoes.
The invitations set the tone for the entire celebration, courtesy of White Dove Invitations, while Sublime Hair Boutique and The Smithville Barber Shoppe ensured that the wedding party looked their absolute best. Music lovers were treated to the sweet sounds of Grace Note String Ensembles, Grace Note String Trio & Harps Wedding Music, featuring a talented violinist and cellist; meanwhile, Over the Top Entertainment kept the dance floor filled with great tunes in their photobooth and as the DJ.
Finally, The Bake Works created a masterpiece of a cake that was almost too beautiful to eat – but we’re pretty sure it got devoured anyway! Each of these vendors brought their own unique touch to the wedding, making it an unforgettable day for the happy couple.
