Victorian Halloween Soiree
When we were kids, Halloween was all about the orange and black color palette, costumes, and candy. How do you take a holiday like Halloween and make it sophisticated for a wedding? That is something Dana and Mike were working to accomplish for Halloween. Do you make it a masquerade ball? How witchy do you go? Do you make the officiant dress up? With some thoughtful planning, the end result was a dark and moody Victorian vibe. Think of a subtle nod to the Haunted Mansion without any ghosts scaring the guests.
To start, they booked room blocks at local hotels the epitomized the character of New Hope: The Carriage House and Ghostlight Inn. The Ghostlight is attached to their venue, Stella. Each spot was in the heart of the downtown district and walking distance from the scenic waterside views. As for Stella, they decked out their space with dark jewel tone florals, a mix of black linens and marble tables, large mirror signage, and an eclectic mix of gold frames. The ceremony was held outside facing the waterfront, and the reception was brought indoors.
With the scene set, Dana and Mike wanted to surprise guests with something special: a performance from a Rocky Horror shadow cast. Halloween weekend is the biggest weekend for all Rocky enthusiasts, but members of a group called the Friday Nite Specials volunteered to drive from Red Bank to New Hope just to perform. After Dana and Mike did their first dance to the song Simply the Best (Schitt's Creek version), the record audio scratched and Time Warp started to play. The cast burst through the doors to perform and dance with the guests. Everyone was ready to take photos of the scene and get some candids.
Afterwards, the night continued on with heartfelt speeches from the best man and maid of honor. The DJ played a mix of Halloween and rock music. White Wedding by Billy Idol was one of the key songs. As a super special treat, the guests were welcomed to an elaborate hot chocolate and s'mores bar on the outdoor deck.
Dana and Mike, you are two amazing souls. Truly appreciated how you made Halloween your own and thought outside the box on what to provide for your guests. You're simply the best!
Planning, seating chart design, and blog post images: Love, Rose: Events and Design
Venue: Stella of New Hope
Florist: House of Blooms (NJ)
Photographer: Nicole Cordisco
Shadow Cast: Friday Nite Specials
Hotels: Carriage House and Ghostlight Inn
Beauty: Dana Kane (Makeup) and Debra Bottorff (Hair)
Music: Power Play Entertainment