Nick and Haley built their wedding around two shared obsessions: skeletons and punk music. Think Mayday Parade meets gothic garden party. No band members in sight, but their presence was definitely felt.

The venue, The Howey Mansion in Florida, gave them the setting they needed. Not just for the ceremony and reception, but for one of the most unexpected first look locations, the mausoleum. “As weird and twisted as it seems, that mausoleum is still one of my favourite places on the grounds”, she explained, “It is so beautiful and secluded, so it was perfect for our first look.”

There was also a third member of the wedding party: George. A life-size skeleton who made appearances throughout the day. “He hung out with the bridesmaids, watched carefully over dinner, hit the dance floor, and spun some tracks with the DJ,” the bride laughed.

The couple skipped anything that didn’t feel aligned. No bouquet or garter toss. No matching bridesmaid dresses. Haley didn’t wear a veil, and they didn’t cut a cake in front of everyone, they just cut a personal one in private. Her mum and dad walked her down the aisle, and both Nick and Haley wrote personal and public vows.

At the reception they served espresso martinis, flaming donuts, and let guests explore a hidden prohibition room via a winding ‘dungeon’ staircase. There were temporary tattoos. George made it onto the dance floor again. “Honestly it was a recipe for the best night ever!” Haley said. “However the real highlight of the wedding day was being surrounded by so many people that we love and that love us back.”

If they could do it all again with an unlimited budget, Haley says she would have picked the clear tent instead of the last-minute white one. “The price difference was ASTOUNDING,” she said. “I loved the courtyard at The Howey Mansion and I didn’t want to cover it up. In the end, the white tent was fine and actually made our dinner with our guests feel more intimate and cosy.”

Now that it’s over, there’s very little they would change. Haley says she might have taken more time with her dress alterations and hair, but those things didn’t matter in the end. “Our wedding day was perfect for us in every way.” One thing she does wish? That their son Oli could’ve been there. “We got pregnant a month after our wedding, and I wish more than anything that our son, could have been at the wedding. He is just so cool!”

“Everyone has an opinion. ‘Why don’t you do this, why don’t you do that…’” she concluded. “But. at the end of the day, the wedding is yours. Who cares if they don’t like the skeleton hanging around or the punk music playing late into the night?” My favourite part of planning was working with all of our vendors. They were all so kind and excited to help us have the best wedding. We trusted them with a lot, and they delivered on every single thing.”