Halloween themed wedding - thoughts?

Bubblies · July 2013

How do we feel about halloween weddings? Fun? Cheesy?

I want to get married in October next year, no question. My fiance and I met in October, we both love fall and October is our favorite month, and Halloween our favorite holiday. Saturdays are gone at the venue we like, but we are interested in doing a friday. I would LOVE to have our wedding on Halloween (It's a friday and available) but it's just no realistic. If I do it in the day the turnout will probably not be great as people won't be able to take the full day off. The evening is not fair unless its super late (like 10:00+) because a lot of my guest list have children to take out trick or treating. So I'm considering a different date but still doing a halloween theme, is that strange? Like maybe Friday October 26th.

The other part of my question is suggestions for halloween theme that's not too kid-party/cheesy/overdone. I was thinking to have a candy buffet (I know those are done a lot in wedding world, but think it's appropriate for a halloween theme) and maybe a sign like Trick or treat, love is sweet, please take something good to eat. I also was thinking mini pumpkins (but white - everyone does orange) and mason jar centerpieces. Do these ideas sound overdone? Also I was thinking to have a really cool rustic broom with "Angie & Travis jumped the broom!" but then I came to thinking, would it be silly to do that without ACTUALLY doing the jumping broom thing at the ceremony? Also, I've only ever seen the broom jumped by african americans, is that an AA tradition? I googled it and thats what it appears to be but wanted to see what was said on here. Just didn't want it to seem odd/out of place. (We are both Irish though and I heard it might have celtic roots as well)

So to sum up all of my loose thoughts, I want opinions on if you think Halloween themed weddings can be executed well, Ideas on more rustic/chic halloween and less tim burton/gothic/orange and purple/bats and vampire-esque party, and if the candy bar, centerpieces and broom ideas are good/appropriate. Thanks!

Jen4948 · July 2013

Friday weddings can be really awkward for people because they have to commute home from work if they can't take off (and many people can't). Also, in case any of your guests are observant Jews, Friday night is the Sabbath and they won't attend.

Whatever you do themewise, don't ask your guests to wear costumes (I know you didn't ask but it's what comes to mind with Halloween).

The centerpieces and candy buffet sound nice, although I think the sign would be a little cheesy. (I'm not into cute signs.) Maybe have pumpkin pie as a dessert along with the candy buffet?

jjtauber · July 2013

As I understand it, " jumping the broom" dates back to slavery when people were seen as property and could not legally get married without permission from the master(s).

alithebride · July 2013

imo halloween themes have been done to death.

i think that you can certainly incorporate fall decorations into your decor if you'd like. perhaps have a mix of candy and caramel apples and candy apples for favors.

doeydo · July 2013

Jumping the broom is done by African Americans because it is what their ancestors who were in slavery did in private because they were not allowed to be legally married or recognized as such. So, the whole broom thing, is probably not a good idea.

QueerFemme · July 2013

Bubblies said:

How do we feel about halloween weddings? Fun? Cheesy?

I want to get married in October next year, no question. My fiance and I met in October, we both love fall and October is our favorite month, and Halloween our favorite holiday. Saturdays are gone at the venue we like, but we are interested in doing a friday. I would LOVE to have our wedding on Halloween (It's a friday and available) but it's just no realistic. If I do it in the day the turnout will probably not be great as people won't be able to take the full day off. The evening is not fair unless its super late (like 10:00+) because a lot of my guest list have children to take out trick or treating. So I'm considering a different date but still doing a halloween theme, is that strange? Like maybe Friday October 26th.

The other part of my question is suggestions for halloween theme that's not too kid-party/cheesy/overdone. I was thinking to have a candy buffet (I know those are done a lot in wedding world, but think it's appropriate for a halloween theme) and maybe a sign like Trick or treat, love is sweet, please take something good to eat. I also was thinking mini pumpkins (but white - everyone does orange) and mason jar centerpieces. Do these ideas sound overdone? Also I was thinking to have a really cool rustic broom with "Angie & Travis jumped the broom!" but then I came to thinking, would it be silly to do that without ACTUALLY doing the jumping broom thing at the ceremony? Also, I've only ever seen the broom jumped by african americans, is that an AA tradition? I googled it and thats what it appears to be but wanted to see what was said on here. Just didn't want it to seem odd/out of place. (We are both Irish though and I heard it might have celtic roots as well)

So to sum up all of my loose thoughts, I want opinions on if you think Halloween themed weddings can be executed well, Ideas on more rustic/chic halloween and less tim burton/gothic/orange and purple/bats and vampire-esque party, and if the candy bar, centerpieces and broom ideas are good/appropriate. Thanks!

I am not a fan of theme weddings in general, and think that a halloween theme will likely get very cheesy, very fast. I would try to stick with fall colors, you can certainly use pumpkins, but don't go overboard.

As far as jumping the broom goes, the tradition does date back to slavery and some other cultures, Appropriating another ethnic/racial culture is a bad idea, in general. So, unless this is actually a tradition in your own culture, and you are sure of it, I would skip any references to it or you will risk offending some of your guests.

SilverSarahB · July 2013

Honestly, I'd be all about a Halloween wedding where I got to dress up, have candy corn, drink and dance. If I were your guest, I'd have a great time with such a theme.

tiffanyohio1228 · July 2013

I think it really depends on what kind of people your friends and family are...I know if I had a Halloween themed wedding (which I actually did think about) my friends and family would show up in costume and have a great time... if Halloween is something that you and your fiancé are into then go for it.. its your wedding, and not to be mean or anything, but a lot of people on this site are super snobby and judgmental who think you need a 5 course meal and a string quartet for it to be a wedding... So I wouldn't take a lot of opinions to heart. If you want to have a Halloween themed wedding and you think your guests would be into it then go for it.

Also, If you want to still go for a Halloween like feel but want to class it up a little maybe you could do a Masquerade or something like that and still use Halloween/fall colors...

manateehugger · July 2013

tiffanyohio1228 said:

I think it really depends on what kind of people your friends and family are...I know if I had a Halloween themed wedding (which I actually did think about) my friends and family would show up in costume and have a great time... if Halloween is something that you and your fiancé are into then go for it.. its your wedding, and not to be mean or anything, but a lot of people on this site are super snobby and judgmental who think you need a 5 course meal and a string quartet for it to be a wedding... So I wouldn't take a lot of opinions to heart. If you want to have a Halloween themed wedding and you think your guests would be into it then go for it.

Also, If you want to still go for a Halloween like feel but want to class it up a little maybe you could do a Masquerade or something like that and still use Halloween/fall colors...

Umm - have you read much at all on this site? On the budget board, brides consistently give other brides on how to have a lovely low budget wedding. You're being ridiculous and rude. All people insist on here is that you have a properly hosted wedding where your guests are treated with politeness.

I, personally, would find this really cheesy. Weddings and Halloween are two separate holidays in my mind. But if your crowd and family would like it, go for it.

QueerFemme · July 2013

tiffanyohio1228 said:

I think it really depends on what kind of people your friends and family are...I know if I had a Halloween themed wedding (which I actually did think about) my friends and family would show up in costume and have a great time... if Halloween is something that you and your fiancé are into then go for it.. its your wedding, and not to be mean or anything, but a lot of people on this site are super snobby and judgmental who think you need a 5 course meal and a string quartet for it to be a wedding... So I wouldn't take a lot of opinions to heart. If you want to have a Halloween themed wedding and you think your guests would be into it then go for it.

Also, If you want to still go for a Halloween like feel but want to class it up a little maybe you could do a Masquerade or something like that and still use Halloween/fall colors...

I'm not sure what site you are reading, but it isn't here. There are thousands of brides here who have thrown weddings for less than $2-5K. I had a buffet with traditional mexican food. Certainly not a 5 course meal. A lot of the regs on these boards had budget weddings. So, I don't know who you are talking about.

CLoGreenEyes · July 2013

I love Halloween too! I think I would really enjoy the kind of wedding you are describing (minus the jumping the broom; that seems like a tradition you might be stretching to adopt, KWIM?). Some touches of Halloween and fall in general would be really fun, and you don't need to overwhelm your venue with cheesy decorations to give it those little touches. Like others said, how it will be received depends on how your family/friends feel about the holiday, but I don't think anybody will complain if you've got a candy bar.

libby2483 · July 2013

I think that this could be very cool if it is well-done. You seem to have the right idea with just using small touches and not over-doing it. I think that using pumpkins and fall colors would look very nice. Maybe you could also do something Halloween-themed with the favors or have some Halloween costume props if you do a photo booth. I agree with most PPs about skipping the jumping the broom tradition and not asking guests to wear costumes.

chibiyui · July 2013

I'd recommend looking around at pics from Halloween themed weddings and see if there's anything that really grabs you. There is a lot of inspiration out there. I've seen pics from full on costume parties to subtle fall kinda Halloween. Do what makes you and your FI happy.

AJuliaNJ · July 2013

I think this sounds fine. You can easily integrate Halloween decorations without overdoing it. Here are some Halloween wedding things I found that I like. If you had pumpkin pie or a pumpkin cheesecake, I'd be totally sold!

kmmssg · July 2013

I'm a bit partial to your wedding date as it will be my 18th anniversary!

First - I love the candy buffet idea. I love candy buffets in general and always prefer edible favors so I think that would be awesome.

Second - I would really skip the broom idea. You are mixing an ethnic tradition that began during slavery with relating brooms (witches) to Halloween. I think it would be a very awkward thing and could offend some guests. FTR - my 18 yo son will hand me my broom and say, "your chariot, Madam." Broom jokes in my house happen every week. We won't even discuss the flying monkeys right now.

Third - love the white pumpkin and Mason jar idea for that time of year.

I really think you are going more in a Fall direction than a Halloween direction and I think that is very wise. The ideas you posted sound great and not too hokey/cheesy.

Above all - ask your VIPs for their most brutally honest answers regarding if they can make a Friday wedding. I've had a stepdd, nephew, and niece get married on a Friday and it worked a couple of times and bombed once because logistics for the VIPs wasn't considered.

Don't ask them, "You'd be able to attend my wedding if it was on a Friday, right?" People will always tell you what they think you want to hear. Ask them to be brutally honest, as in, "I'm thinking of getting married on a Friday. What challenges do you think I need to be mindful of so people will be able to attend. Would you be able to attend? Please tell me honestly." And then, be ready for their answers and to adjust fire accordingly.

kmmssg · July 2013

Did not know about the brooms coming from Pagan tradition. Thanks for the lesson @stagemanager14

QueerFemme · July 2013

StageManager14 said:

Actually, jumping the broom is far older than slavery and is a Pagan tradition that many Wiccans still practice. It does have significance in the AA community, but it is NOT originally or solely an AA tradition. It can actually be trace back to the British aisles and may well predate Handfasting. It symbolizes entering the new "home" (life as a couple in this case) because brooms are often hung above doors to protect the home and promote harmony and love. That being said, unless you are Pagan, I wouldn't do it. I don't think it's a good idea to perform actual rituals from other religions just to fit in with a Halloween theme.

thank you ! I knew it predated slavery and was also practiced in other cultures/religions, but I didn't spend the time to do the research. The bolded part was my biggest concern. Appropriation of a culture for a theme is really yucky.

Halloween themed wedding - thoughts?

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