Have you ever sat down with new clients who originally told you they were going for a fall wedding, and then come to find out the romantic rustic fall wedding you thought you were planning turns out to involve costumes instead of black ties and jack-o-lanterns instead of gorgeous fall blooms? It can make you question if you should continue to offer event design services!

Before you run and hide from the scary plans that are being made, take a minute to conjure up an even better potion they won’t be able to turn down. Imagine using tall, black candelabras, deep red roses, candlelight with little hints of things that creep in the night (like a little spider web tucked in the roses of the centerpieces) and creating a mysterious mood with a little fog creeping out from behind the bar area onto the dance floor.

Use black lace and tulle as drapery for the tables and backdrops or as classy bridesmaids dresses, glitter-dipped skeletons and skulls, and spooky wines and spirits done with DIY labels for guests. Suggest that instead of a giant cauldron with witch’s brew bubbling green, the couple serve guests their signature love potion with a black licorice straw. If roses are not dark enough for them, deep purple stems can be used instead as bouquets and centerpieces. Why not use inexpensive gourds as name card holders instead of asking guests to carve their names into a giant pumpkin?

People love Halloween because it’s a time to think out of the norm and go beyond our every day “costumes” and routines. Do not let the idea of ghouls and goblins deter you from creating a wedding design and style that delights and enchants everyone. A fall inspired Halloween wedding can add just the right amount spook to the day as the couple say, “I boo – I mean I do!”

This is a guest post from Christine Bochniak. Christine resides in Galena, IL where she works as an Author Account Manager for Kendall Hunt Publishing. She also works as a wedding coordinator part-time for her own business Rise Events Planning.