25 Best Halloween Wedding Ideas

Bride and groom about to kiss while sitting on a bench beneath a neon sign — Photo by Nari Ro Photography

Are you tying the knot on or around October 31? There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday and your marriage than executing a Halloween wedding theme. Although there are many different ways to achieve this vision, we like to think of this aesthetic as two distinct vibes: The first leans more haunted and ghoulish with a gothic style, moody colors, and edgy details, such as skulls, spiders, and skeletons. The other is a playful and endearing take on the holiday, including bright orange hues, pumpkins, and plenty of colorful foliage.

No matter which route you choose, it’s possible to honor the holiday in a way that’s both creative yet tasteful. And if you’d rather commemorate spooky season subtly instead of going all out with a Halloween-inspired theme, there are plenty of ways to do just that. For instance, wearing a black wedding dress or serving cocktails from skull-shaped glasses is enough to bring the right amount of edge to your affair without leaning too far into holiday territory.

Looking for ideas to make your own? Read on for 25 creative options for your Halloween-themed wedding.

01 of 25

Add a Gothic Flair to Your Invitations

black and white invitation suite with monogrammed initials and two birds on the envelopes — Photo by Norman & Blake

Your invitation suite is a great way to introduce your guests to your Halloween-inspired wedding theme. Consider using a gothic font in black on white cardstock and incorporating a thematic motif, such as a pair of crows, for an eerie touch. You can also substitute the illustration for other symbols, such as bats, black cats, or skulls.

02 of 25

Select the Right Venue

The Hollywood Castle in Hollywood Hills with banquet tables lined with taper candles in the coutryard — Photo by Nirav Patel

The venue you choose for your wedding plays a significant part in setting the tone of the day. To emphasize your subtly spooky theme, opt for a locale with an Old-World feel and overgrown landscaping—The Hollywood Castle in Hollywood Hills is the perfect example. Used as the backdrop of your nuptials, the building will help evoke a magical and mysterious atmosphere, especially when paired with a sea of taper candles.

03 of 25

Wear a Black Wedding Dress

Bride in black wedding dress and groom in white tuxedo jacket while holding hands while they walk across the lawn — Photo by Harwell Photography

Instead of sporting the classic white wedding dress, go for an unexpected and thematic look in black. On her special day in Atlanta, this bride sported a black silk moire gown with puff sleeves, which would be a fitting choice for a Halloween-themed affair. Accessorize with combat boots and a black birdcage veil for a gothic yet romantic flair.

04 of 25

Get in Costume

Bride and groom holding hands as they walk around Brooklyn with the Brooklyn bride in the background — Photo by Laffler Photography

One of the best parts about Halloween is dressing in costume. If you want your wedding attire to follow tradition, sport a white dress, but use your accessories as an ode to the holiday. When Peloton instructor Christine D'Ercole got married, she paired her strapless ball gown with teal lace-up opera gloves and a tiara that looked trick-or-treat-worthy. Meanwhile, her fiancé channeled an old Hollywood movie star in a morning suit, a top hat, a walking stick, a pocket watch and chain, and a patterned tie.

05 of 25

Incorporate Spooky Accessories

Gold skull cufflinks in a box displayed in a gauzy piece of fabric with flowers — Photo by Katie Grant Photography

As another alternative, bring a subtle touch of Halloween to your attire by topping off your look with symbolic accessories. For instance, skull earrings for the bride or skull cufflinks for the groom are ideal tributes to the dark and gothic side of the holiday.

06 of 25

Hold a Moody Bouquet

Bride holding a bouquet of chocolate cosmos, golden fern, and dried flowers — Photo by Kurt Boomer Photography

Flowers are a key decoration at almost every wedding—including ones with a Halloween theme. For an apt bouquet, choose dark colors and dried varieties brimming with texture. This bride’s handheld arrangement of chocolate cosmos, dehydrated blooms, and golden ferns at her fall wedding in Big Sur honored the season while radiating a moody, edgy vibe.

07 of 25

Dress Your Bridesmaids in Orange

Bride in a white wedding dress posing with her bridesmaids who are wearing orange silk halter dresses — Photo by Alexandra & Vladimir Nadtochiy

From tangerine to burnt sienna, shades of orange are a given at Halloween weddings, so why not extend those hues to your bridal party’s attire? Dressing your squad in this striking color will suit the season while grabbing everyone’s attention. If your aesthetic leans more modern, consider silk fabrics and halter necklines.

08 of 25

Designate an All-Black Dress Code

bride in a black leather jacket and her bridesmaids in black dresses while turning around on a rooftop — Photo by Jami Laree

Black is another Halloween-worthy hue that you’ll probably be using in your color palette. For a chic and sophisticated look with a supernatural touch, ask your bridesmaids to wear black floor-length gowns. You can either prescribe the same dress or give your crew permission to express their personality in a style of their choice, from thigh-high slits to off-the-shoulder necklines. For a color-coordinated look with a spooky spin, consider wearing a black leather jacket, like this bride did at her rooftop wedding in Los Angeles.

09 of 25

Capture Portraits With Props

Bride and groom holding jack-o'-lanterns while taking portraits at sunset in the fall — Photo by Natalie Colapietro

Nothing screams Halloween quite like jack-o’-lanterns. Since these carved pumpkins are the cornerstone of most Halloween decorations, you’ll probably want to include them in the festivities. Adding them to your altar or tablescape is a natural fit, but you can also use them as props for couple portraits or your photo booth.

10 of 25

Adorn Your Altar With Pumpkins

An altar decorated with white and orange pumpkins and an arch adorned with fall foliage and flowers — Photo by Caryn Azure Photography

While jack-o’-lanterns elicit a chilling air, pumpkins in their natural state help create a more harvest-inspired aesthetic for a Halloween or late October wedding. Pile your altar with orange and white pumpkins in different shapes and sizes for a visually intriguing ceremony setup. Then, trade vows in front of an arch covered in fall foliage and autumnal blooms as a nod to the season.

11 of 25

Give Your Ceremony Some Edge

Ceremony setting with black octagonal arch decorated with flowers and black chairs — Photo by Laffler Photography

If your style is more edgy, play up the drama of Halloween by painting your ceremony in dark hues. Line your aisle with black taper candles, choose a black octagonal structure and draped curtains for your backdrop, and have your guests sit in black chairs. The moody hues will transport friends and family to a haunted house venue.

12 of 25

Switch Up Your Color Palette

A staircase decorated with cream and orange pumpkins and black and gold taper candles — Photo by Roberta Facchini

Orange and black are expected tones for a Halloween wedding, but they aren’t the only options available to you. For an unconventional and stylish look, choose a neutral palette. Pumpkins and taper candles in cream and gold tones will elevate a Halloween-inspired concept and generate a glamorous edge.

13 of 25

Serve Thematic Cocktails

A white shelf lined with orange glasses and the bar countertop decorated with orange flowers and candles — Photo by Vanessa Hicks Photography

Besides your wedding attire and decorations, you can also douse your menu in the holiday’s essence. Choose a signature cocktail that offer guests a taste of the season, such as apple, cinnamon, pumpkin, or maple, and pair them with complementary spirits like bourbon, scotch, or brandy. Serve each drink in orange glassware, and decorate your bar with florals in the same hue for a Halloween-worthy setup.

14 of 25

Take Shots from Skulls

Bride and groom holding shot glasses shaped like skulls on their wedding day — Photo by Jami Laree

In addition to the flavor of your beverages, you can also establish your theme by drinking from unique glassware. Shot glasses shaped like a skull are a suitable option, as are black goblets, cups with a skeletal hand grabbing the base, or drinkware decorated with ghosts.

15 of 25

Escort Guests to Their Tables in Style

Black goblets with engravings and studs that are used as escort cards — Photo by Plum & Oak Photography

Escort cards are practical items that direct guests to their designated tables, but they also play a role in reinforcing your overall design concept. For a Halloween bash with an ounce of Old-World style, consider black goblets with intricate carvings and studded bases. Bonus points if you fill the cups with a welcome beverage and use stirrers calligraphed with friends and family’s names.

16 of 25

Use Bales of Hay for Lounge Seating

Lounge area with bales of hay for couch and table, wooden chairs, and gourds — Photo by Jose Villa

You can also use your décor to commemorate the time of year that Halloween takes place. Bales of hay, colorful leaves, and cornucopia are all fair game for a late fall wedding. To incorporate these materials in an out-of-the-box way, set up a lounge area using bales of hay for furniture, and round it off with wooden chairs and gourds to incorporate the textures of the season.

17 of 25

Infuse a Haunted Touch Into Your Tablescapes

Mirrored tables with glass candelabras and black candles, gold napkins, pampas grass, and black chairs — Photo by Amy Anaiz Photography

For a creepy yet tasteful tabletop display, incorporate antique rentals and dark colors. This mirrored table showcases glass candelabras housing black taper candles, crystal glassware, and black chairs, which all hint at the holiday. You can also combine different aesthetics: Gold napkins and pampas grass give this Halloween party a luxurious and contemporary feel.

18 of 25

Channel Halloween Hues

purple table linens with tall, colorful, feathery centerpieces and uplighting — Photo by PS Photography + Films

We’ve already established that black and orange are the quintessential colors of Halloween, but purple tones also shape this mystical holiday. For a more color-focused fête, include a wash of purple, black, and orange throughout your reception. We love these velvet purple linens and towering feather centerpieces (which this couple included at their nightclub-inspired celebration in Miami) for a fun and playful take on October 31.

19 of 25

Choose a Creepy-Chic Spread

Reception table with black linens, black taper candles, moody flowers, and skulls — Photo by Ashley Rae Photography

In addition to the colors you use at your reception, choose decorations that symbolize Halloween. Skulls will add a frightening yet refined flair to your tabletops, while black linens, black candles, moody florals, and a fog machine will help elevate the drama.

20 of 25

Place Pumpkins Down the Center

Tablescape with white linens, floral centerpieces, pumpkins, and taper candles — Photo by Hugo Coelho Photography

Pumpkins are another holiday staple that will bring a more organic and bountiful mix to your tablescape. And there are so many colors to choose from: Orange, white, yellow, and green are more customary choices, but you can even select metallic pumpkins for a luxe look. To make sure these squashes pop, set them against a white tablecloth.

21 of 25

Decorate the Ceiling

Ceiling installation with Spanish moss, vintage lanterns, and string lights — Photo by Josh Gruetzmacher

Spanish moss has an otherworldly essence to it that makes it a natural fit for a Halloween wedding celebration. When draped from your ceiling, you’ll add an element of depth and dimension to the festivities in an artistic and mysterious way. Pair these overhead installations with antique lanterns and string lights to provide mood lighting that complements the theme.

22 of 25

Apply the Theme to Your Band’s Backdrop

Band stage with an abstract background featuring white and gray shades and chandeliers — PHOTO BY NORMAN & BLAKE

You can even apply the aesthetic to your band stage. Have your musical ensemble perform in front of an abstract backdrop painted in a mix of gray and white that looks supernatural and mystical. A dimly-lit room will also help produce the right ambiance, so hang a trio of gold chandeliers above the dance floor for the main lighting.

23 of 25

Ditch the Classic Wedding Cake

two-tier black geode cake on a stand surrounded by large pumpkins and mini painted ones — Photo by Elizabeth Bettis Photography

For a wedding with a Halloween theme, you’ll want to think strategically about your wedding cake. A black cake with a geode in the center is the perfect inspiration for a spooky celebration. In addition to a show-stopping design, choose a flavor that befits the season, such as pumpkin spice, apple cider donut, or gingerbread.

24 of 25

Integrate Seasonal Flavors

Two sliced pumpkin pies on birchwood stands decorated with an evergreen garland — Photo by Artistrie Co.

Since your Halloween wedding will probably be filled with pumpkin décor, consider choosing a dessert that incorporates those tastes. Enter: Pumpkin pie. Savoring this sweet and creamy treat will not only melt in your mouth, but it will also create a nostalgic and homey experience for you and your loved ones. Serve on birchwood stands for more rustic and organic fall aesthetics.

25 of 25

Put It in Writing

“‘Til death do us part” is a fundamental part of traditional wedding vows, but it takes on a different meaning when incorporated into Halloween bashes. A neon sign that spotlights the phrase is a clever and on-theme use of play-on words and an omen to a lifetime of love and happiness. You can even emphasize the celebratory atmosphere by adding a “y” to make it “‘Til death do us party.’”

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