Posted byGet your candy out because it's Halloween Week! We've got zombies, ghosts, and gore in our weddings. Today we've got gothic style and awesome costumes (including a giant banana).
The Offbeat Bride: Nicole
Her offbeat partner: Damien
Date and location of wedding: Wabasha Street Caves, St. Paul, MN — October 31, 2011
Our offbeat wedding at a glance: We had a handfasting on Halloween officiated by our best friend and roommate. We attached charms to the handfasting cords that represented all of our favorite things about each other.
During dinner, we had music from Nightmare Before Christmas, Sweeney Todd, and Corpse Bride playing. We decided not to have any toasts or speeches, and just wanted people to enjoy each other's company and dig in to the food.
All our guests came in costumes and were encouraged to “trick or treat” our candy buffet through the evening and to take home bags of candy.
Tell us about the ceremony: We wrote a ceremony that would be personal and reflect both of our beliefs and values. Since I'm an atheist and Damien comes from a Pagan background, we took bits and pieces to make something for both of us. In addition to using the music, our vows were also taken from The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. We read them in unison, line by line, to each other:
My dearest friend, if you don't mind I'd like to join you by your side. For it is plain, as anyone could see, that we're simply meant to be. And with these hands, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty for I will be your wine, I will light your way in darkness. I take you as you are and for who you are, in sickness and in health for the remainder of my life.
We had two readings that were read by members of our wedding party. We started the ceremony with a poem titled “I Like You” by Sandol Stoddard Warburg, and we also had a reading by Kahlil Gibran.
We walked into the ceremony to “This is Halloween” by Marilyn Manson and we walked out to the song “My Life Would Suck Without You” by Kelly Clarkson.
After our handfasting we had a silent ring exchange in which we had the song “I See the Light” by Mandy Moore played. We decided instead of putting rings on each other's fingers, that we would both hand each other our rings and put them on ourselves. It was our way of showing that even though we are entering into this new life as one, that we are both still individuals capable of making decisions and choices. Lastly, we decided not to kiss but to hold hands and walk back out together.
Our biggest challenge: The biggest challenge for me would have to be just letting people help. I was so stubborn about setting things up myself, but was finally convinced to sit back and let everyone help. I saw during the setup that I didn't have to do everything myself and it was great having my wedding party take care of things without me even asking.
My favorite moment: When people were coming to greet us after our ceremony. I loved just being able to take a moment to hug everyone who came to be there for us. The little things people told us one by one really stuck with me.
My funniest moment: During our reception, our best friend chased my brother (who was in a banana costume) around the dance floor and eventually ended up wearing the banana costume himself and dancing with my mother.
Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?
- Photography: Rebecca Oehrig
- Venue: The Wabasha Street Caves
- Catering: Kane's Catering
- Cake: Jessica's Cakes
- Dress, groom's outfit, and fascinators: Samantha Rei
- Earrings: Etsy seller Bionic Unicorn
- Corset: Etsy seller Heather Luca
- Bridesmaid dresses: KMK Designs
- Invitations: Etsy seller Bon Moment
Enough talk — show me the wedding inspo!
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OMFG!! You look stunning, your dress is gorgeous!!
Congrats ona beautiful wedding
Thank you so much! 🙂
Everything is so adorable! I love the bridesmaid dresses!
^_^ Thank you! I thought their dresses also turned out amazing!
Someone went as the banana guy! Oh man maybe I’ll bring up a Halloween style wedding and she what she thinks.
Yeah! My brothers costume definately stole the show haha! 🙂
Yay for another Minnesota wedding! I love the costumes–bacon and eggs? Too cute!
Colleen, just making sure you know about our archive of Minnesota weddings! http://offbeatwed.com/tag/minnesota 🙂
Oh, I know (in fact, I used OBB to check out other folks’ venues when I was planning my own wedding). There have just been three MN weddings in the past couple of weeks, and my pride for my state is a little excessive.
It’s awesome to see all of these awesome celebrations happening right around me!
Yeah my grandparents costumes were amazing. They kept it secret until that day what they were going to dress as 🙂 my grandfather actually had little sausage stickers on his cheeks too!