Halloween is a time of magic, mystery, and surprises, and while this may not be the most romantic holiday, for some couples, it’s the best holiday. If your love story embraces the spooky side of life, or perhaps you have fond memories of Halloweens together, a late-October wedding may be perfect for you. And for couples who love great food, gothic vibes, and the works of Poe, this real-life Intimate Edgar Allan Poe Halloween Wedding is sure to pique your interest.
Vendors
Venue: Museum of Life + Science, Durham NC
Wedding Coordinator: Beauty & the Budget Events
Photographer: Kivus & Camera
Catering: Rocky Top Catering
Rentals: American Party Rentals
DJ: The Deluxe Event Group
Florist: Fluorescence
Photo Booth: ZimZoom Photo Booth
Baker: Love Cake
Officiant: Joy-Filled Weddings
Entertainment:Poetry Fox
Vendors
Venue: Museum of Life + Science, Durham NC
Wedding Coordinator: Beauty & the Budget Events
Photographer: Kivus & Camera
Catering: Rocky Top Catering
Rentals: American Party Rentals
DJ: The Deluxe Event Group
Florist: Fluorescence
Photo Booth: ZimZoom Photo Booth
Baker: Love Cake
Officiant: Joy-Filled Weddings
Entertainment:Poetry Fox
Brides Rachael & Andrea met as children and shared a close friendship, but it wasn’t until they were adult roommates that they realized they were falling in love with each other. Their whole lives felt intertwined, and committing themselves as life partners felt as natural as breathing. Their original plan for a full wedding on Halloween 2020 was derailed due to covidtimes, but they were legally married in an intimate ceremony on that date and chose to have the celebration on their 1-year anniversary. With just 30 guests in attendance at their vow renewal, they chose to splurge on fun experiences to create a party guests would never forget.
Every part of Andrea & Rachael’s wedding was chosen with intentionality, creating their best date night with the people and activities they most enjoy, including details from their favorite Edgar Allan Poe works. The Butterfly House at the Museum of Life + Science in Durham emanated a soft glow over a small field where chairs were set in a curve with two aisles, lined with lanterns and facing a circular ceremony arch decorated with fall flowers. As guests arrived for the twilight ceremony, they were greeted by a welcome table featuring a lifesized skeleton dressed as Poe, who guarded a guest book and inkwell alongside black Trick or Treat welcome bags, containing candy, facemasks, programs, and an escort card.
To begin their vow renewal ceremony, the brides’ fathers stood at the back of either aisle and escorted their daughters to the ceremony arch at the same time. The brides joined hands and were led in a heartfelt ceremony by Ann McKenzie, who reflected on their love story and journey together. They recommitted their vows and lives to each other, presented their mothers with flowers to express their appreciation, and then entered the Butterfly House with guests for a butterfly release.
When the ceremony and butterfly release concluded, the couple went outside to take dramatic nighttime photos while guests explored the butterfly house and insectarium. Museum staff joined guests at the cocktail hour for an animal encounter, bringing a snake, bearded dragon, and two ferrets. Appetizers and drinks were served by Rocky Top Catering, and cocktail tables were set about with photos from Andrea & Rachael’s original wedding, showing off Rachael’s black wedding dress.
Outside under the glow of the butterfly house, a reception tent was decorated with black, gold, and wine-colored details. Red linens were dramatically offset by black chairs and place settings, and each of the 5 guest tables was decorated to represent a different Poe work: The Black Cat, The Raven, The Gold-Bug, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Masque of the Red Death. Table name signs had been designed by a friend, and centerpieces included lanterns and masks reflecting the different titles.
After guests took their seats in the tent, “Thriller” played and Andrea & Rachael entered their reception, setting the tone for a fun and thrilling evening. The brides shared a first dance before taking their seats at a head table with their small wedding party, which included a long floral runner alongside clocks, ravens, and bells. Guests enjoyed a delicious Rocky Top dinner, and then the brides kicked off an exciting reception with a shared father/daughter dance.
With a smaller headcount, Andrea & Rachael were not only able to splurge on an incredible caterer but also brought in multiple sources of entertainment. Along with a DJ to hype guests up, a photobooth with spooky masks was a great source of fun and wedding favors, which were black keychain kaleidoscopes with photos printed from the photobooth. In another corner of the tent, The Poetry Pox set up his vintage typewriter and, dressed as Poe with a raven on his shoulder, wrote custom poems for guests.
The dessert table was awesome enough to make guests stop and stare, decorated with more spooky details alongside a large gold-framed mirror that was the base for their extravagant Edgar Allan Poe-inspired wedding cake. The three-tiered cake was nothing short of artwork – the bottom tier was all black with gold edging on top, and the middle tier was wrapped with a gold-edged fondant page of hand-written script. The top tier was white with a tipped inkwell dripping black ink down its side, and two ravens with flowers sat alongside the black inkwell. A final surprise for guests came at dessert time, when the venue created liquid nitrogen ice cream, creating a rolling cloud of smoke that seeped from the table to cover the dancefloor.
