Shelby and Steven’s wedding, set on the eve of Halloween, was a celebration of their love in their own way. They brought together just 15 close friends and family for an intimate gathering that felt more like a grand dinner party than a traditional wedding.

“Our theme was gothic, romantic and elegant”, the bride told us. “I did not want it to be tacky – we really wanted it to be very elegant and simple. I have always wanted to wear a black wedding dress and have red and black as our colours, luckily Steven loved this idea too. I had this vision of just the two of us in black and everyone else in jewelled tones. We really wanted it to be about us and our union together.”

The short ceremony clocked in at just 10 minutes. The couple walked down the aisle to the Nova Rockafeller and Tom MacDonald’s Gang, Gang – an independent rap duo who are a couple themselves. Personal vows were read and the ring exchange was particularly special. Shelby explained, “We had been engaged for nine years and Steven had my ring upgraded for our anniversary that was two days before our wedding. The ring exchange was the first time I had seen it and it was amazing!”

The reception was also an extension of the couple’s laid-back style. They opted for an unconventional format by forgoing a dance floor and a traditional wedding party. With a shared love for heavy metal, Slipknot and Tom MacDonald provided the soundtrack for the day. The décor, flowers and ambiance perfectly reflected their vision. Shelby said “We absolutely loved how the décor looked. The flowers were amazing, exactly what we wanted, and our planner set up our décor perfectly! The food was amazing, desserts were great, and the drinks flowed!”

Shelby and Steven offer sage advice for other couples embarking on their wedding journey. “Don’t feel obligated to have a huge celebration and remember the day is about the two of you and your union with each other,” they said. “Remember a wedding is the start of your marriage. While the celebration is fun and exciting, remember the promise you are making to each other and make sure to put in the work every day of your life to keep your marriage strong and thriving.”