Shannon and Jennifer’s wedding was an autumnal celebration wrapped in Halloween spirit. They embraced the season’s colours, filled their venue with pumpkins and autumn leaves, and invited guests to lean into the theme by partying in fancy dress.

Neither of them wore white; Shannon opted for a black gown while Jennifer was in a custom made green suit. Jennifer entered their ceremony first to an orchestral version of the Star Trek: Voyager theme, while Shannon followed to an acoustic rendition of For Dancing and Dreaming from How to Train Your Dragon. Traditional poems and readings were skipped in favour of a handfasting ceremony and self-written vows.

“Neither of us really wanted a ceremony that felt like it was following a script”, Shannon told us. “Writing our own vows made it feel personal. We also asked for gender inclusive language to be used (instead of ‘ladies and gentlemen’ we asked for guests, friends and family to be used). As an LGBTQ couple where one of them is trans, this was so very important to them.

The DIY projects were a major part of their planning. Shannon made table placeholders and put together trick-or-treat favour bags. Jennifer 3D-printed ghost keyrings for guests and custom clasps for her outfit and bouquet holder for her cane. Together, they dyed Jennifer’s shoes to match her outfit. Even the bouquets were made by themselves.

The couple found ways to make the day more cost-effective without compromising on what mattered. In total they spent £27k, with their biggest cost being the venue. However, holding the wedding midweek saved money, as did booking a venue that provided an all-inclusive package. Friends and family helped with hair and make-up, and instead of a traditional honeymoon, they opted for a UK mini-moon.

Despite careful planning, some surprises still caught them off guard. “I wish I’d known how difficult it would be to get people to confirm attendance, accommodation, and meals,” Shannon said. “We also overestimated how much food we actually needed—so much was wasted. And stationery! We bought way more than we needed.” The pace of the day was another lesson. “It goes by so fast. A schedule is more important than you think.”

Jennifer pointed out another challenge: accessibility. “The wedding industry still isn’t set up for disabled brides-to-be. So much of it assumes a level of energy and mobility that just isn’t there for a lot of people.”

Their advice for engaged couples is to set clear priorities from the start. “Decide what matters most before speaking to vendors—your theme, style, music, colours, photography,” Shannon concluded. Guest lists were another area where they urged caution. “Figure out your numbers first, then set boundaries with family. If you don’t, you’ll end up with pressure and expectations creeping in.”