A Halloween-inspired wedding isn’t just for the goths and the witches. If the turning colour of the leaves gives you that toasty feeling inside, an upmarket twist on an autumnal theme could be perfect for you!

Halloween weddings don’t have to be all plastic spiders, fake cobwebs and dodgy Scream masks (of course, if that’s your thing then go for it!), you can absolutely create something more luxe for your spooky season nuptials. Think luxurious velvet, silk, satin and lace fabrics contrasting with natural elements like dried foliage and freshly picked pumpkins. If you want to create this sort of wedding but you don’t know where to begin, I got boo (see what I did there?).

Colour Scheme

With any wedding theme, a great place to start is choosing your colours. If we’re wanting that sense of luxury, go softer with elegant, antique white as a neutral base, then start to build up colour and texture from there.

A rich, autumnal palette would look beautiful. Think flaming orange, rust reds, merlot, copper and gold, mixed with hints of inky black and charcoal. You could even add traditional white to the mix (shock horror!). Remember, you can be alt but still hold a fondness for tradition.

Tables & Chairs

For me, the whole feel of a wedding theme comes from the table settings. In an ideal world I’d ban those nasty, starched white table cloths with deep fold marks and white chair covers from all existence! Spend the money on nicer chairs, and if you want to decorate them, add simple black or cream velvet ribbon to the back. Trust me, you’ll thank me when you get your photos back.

If you’re fortunate enough to find a venue with beautiful wooden tables or benches, opt for a bare top with a simple table runner in your choice of colour. If the tables do need covering up, then swathes of lightweight linen will make a beautiful starting point.

Crockery & Cutlery

Vinted, eBay and Gumtree are your friends here, and amazing crystal and glassware can be found in your local charity shops for a pittance. Your venue’s plain white plates and silver cutlery will work just fine, but if you have the freedom (and budget) to bring your own, scour these sources for mismatched plates, coloured goblets and gold cutlery for an eclectic look. Layer these with charcoal linen napkins tied with velvet ribbon and you’ve got yourself a simple but dramatic tablescape.

Centrepieces & Additional Décor 

Pair gothic candelabras with big, drippy church candles and you’re always onto a winner. Ceramic skull vases filled with black tulips and roses, spider chrysanthemums and gypsophila make for an ornate take on the Halloween theme, while a tangle of greenery and foliage (real or faux) along the length of the table will add a wild, untamed edge. Scatter big white church candles (real if your venue allows, LED if not) tea lights in coloured jars, fairy lights, metal candlesticks and trays and maybe even some black jewelled skulls and spiders for added luxe. Why not off-set everything with edible, autumnal fruits such as persimmon, tangerines and physalis? It will add a medieval feast sort of vibe.

Also, it might feel obvious, but nothing says autumn like a barrel full of pumpkins! Get a selection of pumpkins and squashes with their natural vibrance, pretty spots, speckles and dimpled skins. You can even spray some to build up more colours and textures. Use white and gold, add touches of glitter, fill in their creases with sequins and beads… this will add a luxe twist to this autumn staple. You can also make the numbers up with artificial ones from places like Home Bargains, The Range, £1 shops and your local garden centre. Pro Tip: If you’re getting married next year, buy these in November when they all go on sale!

Favours

Wedding favours have fallen out of favour in recent years, often seen as just another way to waste money on something no one really cares about. However, they can be a really fun way to add to your theme.

I’m a strong believer in wedding favours being sweet, edible treats. Soul cakes (a shortbread-type bake traditionally made at Halloween in Medieval times) would be a nice touch to a Halloween wedding. Alternatively, a small crystal on each place setting would add a spiritual element to your day.

Cake & Desserts

A classic white frosted cake adorned with a cluster of autumn florals, berries and foliage (and maybe the odd decorative spider if the Corpse Bride in you needs an outlet) would look beautiful. Or what about a black cake with metallic drips? If you’re doing a dessert table, choose treats that are in your colour scheme and bring in the more playful elements of the holiday. Simple powdered sugar doughnuts would look (and taste) lovely, as would things like black and orange macarons, iced biscuits shaped as ghosts, black cats and bats, or mini fruit pies in rich, seasonal flavours.

Everyone’s wedding is a unique and special event to them, but if you’re creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky, you can almost guarantee you’re going to throw a bash that oozes style. Have fun with it and you’re sure to create a day that screams ‘you’.

About Kerryn Grady

Kerryn Grady is a freelance stylist and photographer. She spends most of her free time posting photos of her rescue animals (two cats and a dog) on Instagram, and drinking cocktails (usually at the same time). She married her teenage sweetheart last year in a secret wedding.

This article originally appeared in issue 52 of Rock n Roll Bride magazine. You can purchase the latest copy here, or why not subscribe to never miss an issue?