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The Birdhouse197 founders standing close together in moody lighting on their Halloween wedding day

Halloween Wedding Ideas | From Our Own October Wedding

We got married on the closest Saturday to Halloween in 2022, and we'd do it all again tomorrow. Halloween means something different to everyone. To one person it's plastic witch fingers and pumpkins, to others it's dark, moody and stylish. Ours sat firmly in the second camp, with only the smallest nod to the costumes of our childhoods.

This isn't a checklist. It's what we chose for our day and why, in case any of it sparks something for yours. If you're here for the stationery, head straight to our Halloween wedding invitations.

The Nearest Saturday to Halloween

In This Life & The Next Ghosts gatefold wedding invitation with custom photograph and black matte textured card.

Halloween fell on a Monday in 2022, so we went for the closest Saturday, the 29th. We still had all the October atmosphere, and our guests didn't need a day off work.

A Venue That Already Had the Mood

Close-up of a wedding table with foiled personalised stationery and glassware in warm light

Photo by Shutter Go Click

We married at The Workshop & Loft in Mirfield, a venue we fell for at a friend's summer wedding. Dark walls, exposed brick, dried flowers and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. The lighting, rustic walls and decor did a lot of the work for the time of year, so we didn't need to add much at all.

The Birdhouse197 founders in formal suits in a dimly lit room on their wedding day

Photo by Shutter Go Click

Our Day in Three Parts

We wanted a personal, tiny ceremony, so we chose to split the day in three: a tiny ceremony, a meal for 30, then a party from the afternoon onwards for 100. The venue is set across three floors, so the day moved with it, from the reception space to the eating hall to the dancefloor. It kept the moments that mattered most to us intimate, and we still got a proper party.

Pizza Platters at a Sit-Down Meal

Rustic dining room with wooden tables, wedding stationery and candles at our own wedding

Photo by Shutter Go Click

Instead of a three-course catered meal, we had a sit-down meal with all-vegetarian pizzas from a wood-fired pizza van, served on platters for guests to help themselves. Guests still comment on how lovely it was, and it was so much more cost effective. Casual, but it fit the vibe perfectly. Totally us.

Dried Flowers, Autumn and Pumpkins, Without the Tacky

Buttonholes and corsages with pink roses, berries and greenery on a wooden chest at our own Halloween wedding

Wedding stationery beside candlelight on a dining table

Photos by Shutter Go Click

We worked with our florist on dried flowers, with suggestions of autumn and pumpkins but nothing tacky. It was lovely, and we were able to keep many of the flowers afterwards.

Dark Colours, No Strict Dress Code

The Birdhouse197 founders in dark formal suits in a dimly lit room on their wedding day

Photo by Shutter Go Click

We wore suits in deep green and navy. Our bridesmaids chose their own dresses along that theme, without being too restricted. Guests came in whatever they wished. We didn't mind about a strict dress code; we wanted people to be happy, comfortable and, most of all, on the dancefloor.

Instax Cameras and a Guest Book

Wooden desk with our Halloween wedding guest book, a black bird illustrated card box, an instant camera and flowers by a window

Photo by Shutter Go Click

We let some Instax cameras loose with a book for guests to stick their photos in. We got great shots, and we look back on the photos and messages all the time.

Stationery That Set the Tone

Black gothic cards with anatomical heart art beside a bird themed save the date on wood, from our own wedding

Photo by Shutter Go Click

Our stationery was the first hint our guests got of what was coming. We used our Bleeding Heart design, with the same symbols carried through our save the dates, welcome sign, seating plan and table names. Since then we've designed so many suites and single cards that suit a Halloween wedding.

Skeleton lovers are where most Halloween couples start, in 'Til Death Do Us Part.

Til Death Do Us Part gothic wedding invitation suite featuring skeleton tarot illustration with tear-off RSVP on matte card

For something a little sweeter, our ghosts in In This Life & The Next are a favourite with Halloween couples.

In This Life and The Next gatefold gothic wedding invitation with ghost illustration and personalised photo interior on matte textured card

And if you're drawn to dark florals or something more witchy, have a look at The Thorned Rose and Crystal Ball.

“We went with a deep red to black gradient and we have gotten SO many compliments about how our invites are the coolest ones anyone has ever gotten.”
Jenny D. | Read all our Google reviews

What Helped Us Most

Speaking to every supplier and getting clear on the vision. Their idea of Halloween might not be yours, so having everyone on the same page made a real difference, and a mood board helped hugely. Our venue suggested some suppliers, and alternative wedding fairs are a great way to meet suppliers who really get it. We'll be at the Alt Wedding Fair in Sheffield this November.

Laughing couple in a burgundy suit and black gown holding a save the date sign for the Alt Wedding Fair Sheffield

We were part of a styled shoot for the fair, alongside some brilliant suppliers who get exactly that dark, romantic vibe.

Dark romantic wedding sweetheart table with emerald and crimson drapes, chained burgundy cake, spiked floral arrangements and a black welcome sign

Flat lay of black boots, red fabric, a burgundy bouquet with crystal handle, chains and a black save the date suite

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best date for a Halloween wedding?

There's no right answer. We chose the nearest Saturday, which gave us the October atmosphere without guests needing time off. If the 31st lands on a weekend, it's hard to beat.

What should guests wear to a Halloween wedding?

It's entirely up to you. We let guests come as they wished. If you'd love costumes or all-black, your invitation is the place to say so.

Can a Halloween wedding be budget friendly?

It can be. Pizza platters at our sit-down meal were far more cost effective than a three-course meal, and keeping the meal small before a bigger evening party helped too.

Ready to Start?

Explore our Halloween wedding invitations or tell us about your day and we'll take it from there. If you'd like to see the card and print in person first, our sample packs are the easiest way to hold a few of our real designs in your hands.

George & Joshua

Photos from our own wedding by Shutter Go Click (@shuttergoclick).

Alt Wedding Fair styled shoot credits: shoot organised by @altweddingfair and designed by @docsandprops. Models: Aaron (they/them) @ohmmydays and Aimee (she/her) @rinkyaimeexo. Photographer: @altweddingco. Venue: @the_steamworks. Stylist: @docsandprops. Suit: @antichhuddersfield. Dress: @legendbridal. Florals: @maddison.rocks.floral. Stationery: @birdhouse197. Jewellery and harnesses: @lornajaneharnesses. Cake: @jojosveganbakery. Celebrant: @celebrant_sam_novelli. Hair: @jf.styling. Makeup: @rosierobertsbeauty. Hair piece: @twilightcouture. B&W backdrop: @roblee_art.

Save the date sample pack showing four gothic and celestial designs on a wooden tray

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The Birdhouse197 founders on their wedding day

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Unique Save the Date Ideas | From Birdhouse197

Unique Save the Date Ideas | From Birdhouse197

Our favourite unique save the date ideas, from shapes and folding letters to tarot cards and foil, all things we've made for real couples.

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