After fourteen years together and four years engaged, Kayla and Riley didn’t want a big production, a long guest list, or a rigid itinerary. Instead, they planned an elopement that reflected their love of horror. They started the day at The Stanley Hotel, the inspiration behind The Shining.

“The theme was Halloween glam”, the bride told us. “We are huge horror fans and I always dreamed of a Halloween wedding. The Stanley Hotel was the perfect spooky spot for our October wedding. We wanted a wedding that still felt very luxurious and glamorous while staying true to ourselves.”

From there, they hiked to the top of Kruger Rock in their gothic wedding attire and custom Nikes, climbing to an elevation of 9,338 feet. “The hike up to the ceremony spot was my favourite part,” Kayla said. “We got to take our time and really enjoy the day. Hiking in a wedding dress was so much fun, and everyone on the trail was so happy for us, full of well-wishes!”

At the summit, with the hazy mountains behind them, they shared a joint as an unofficial last moment of singledom. Then, as the sun hit just right, they exchanged handwritten vows, which included emo lyrics, and read letters from their loved ones. It was simple, personal, and exactly what they wanted.

“I was ready to get married four months into our relationship,” Riley admitted. Fourteen years later, it finally happened, and he had no regrets: “I married the love of my life and it was perfect. No notes.”

While their wedding had all the hallmarks of a dramatic, cinematic elopement, it was also a lesson in creativity and resourcefulness. Kayla’s bouquet was made of book roses crafted from pages of The Shining, and Riley’s boutonniere featured a tiny typewriter. Kayla’s $50 thrifted dress was proof that style doesn’t have to come with a high price tag, and most of the elements were either DIY, thrifted, or found on clearance. “It was luxury on a budget,” Kayla said. “Besides photography and the hotel, everything was either made, thrifted, or on sale.”

After the ceremony, they made their way to Lily Lake for stargazing. They plan to throw a party in the future, but for now, they’re just enjoying being married. “People think weddings have to be white dresses and church ceremonies, but they don’t”, they concluded. “Normalise weddings being about the couple and far less about the cookie cutter!”