12 Hauntingly Creative "Hallowedding" Ideas

If you want to set the tone with a Halloween-styled wedding invitation but keep the invites more formal than festive, mail guests an orange and black wedding invitation that will keep the theme in mind but let guests know this event is more wedding than holiday party.

Candy buffets are still very popular as wedding reception desserts or favors. Let guests trick-or-treat at the end of the night with a Halloween-styled dessert buffet, including pumpkin whoopie pies, pumpkin cake pops, ghost cookies, s’mores, and other theme-oriented sweets. And when styling the table keep the party’s palette in mind: orange, black, pumpkins, branches, webs, and other Halloween-themed decor will keep everything cohesive.

The wedding cake, the centerpiece of the reception as it’s on display all evening, can be a classic white cake with a pumpkin-spiced flavor, or go more elaborate with a black wedding cake, decked out with skulls, spider webs, or other ghoulish decor. You can also go traditional and themed with a groom’s cake that takes on the role of spooky sweet! Top off your cakes with a skeleton bride and groom topper, or have a custom design made with the newlyweds in costume. There are dozens of variations of Day of the Dead wedding cake toppers available on Etsy.

For decor, talk to your floral designer about incorporating the rich oranges, reds and brown colors of the fall season. He or she can also add mini and small-sized pumpkins, gourds, and pillar candles to make it more Halloween-y and romantic.

For the reception menu, ask your caterer to whip up dishes with harvest-y foods and pumpkins in mind, such as deviled eggs, salad with apple slices and walnuts, butternut squash soup, Cornish game hens, and mini pumpkin pies or apple crumble for dessert!

For couples looking for interactive activities for their cocktail hour, a photo booth is a great way to keep guests entertained while doubling as a favor! Add costume props to your photo booth with fun and scary masks, swords, wands, and other character favorites.

Black is a must! Here are some looks from Vera Wang's Fall 2012 collection as examples.