Taylor and Erik wanted a wedding that doubled as an adventure. They found it in Moab, Utah, surrounded by red rocks, sandstone arches, and the perfect amount of eerie timing. Taylor told us, “We originally chose our wedding date purely for the spooky thrill of getting married on Friday the 13th, but once we realised the eclipse was the next morning, it felt like the universe’s way of telling us: Yep, you picked the perfect time and place to kick off your life together as husband and wife.”

Moab held layers of meaning for them. It echoed their first date in Sedona, Arizona and spoke to Erik’s love of off-roading. Their theme, which they called “southwestern goth” was inspired by their personal style. They wanted all-black attire, black linens and neutral florals in textured arrangements. At the centre stood a six-foot Texas longhorn skull that appeared on both their stationery and their ceremony arch. It’s now mounted in their living room.

The ceremony itself was designed as an immersive experience. Guests arrived to classical covers of bands like Rammstein and Ghost, then took their seats to a piano version of Paint It Black. Frankincense smoke drifted down the aisle while Apocalyptica’s cello cover of Nothing Else Matters played. Taylor walked in to Ghost’s Helvetesfönster. The incense was something I’d never experienced in a wedding before, and ultimately became one of my favourite aspects of the ceremony,” she explained. The scent now instantly takes them back to that moment.

For the bride, the black wedding dress was non-negotiable. She found it through Evangeline Bridal, who worked with designer Colby John to create a black-on-black custom version of one of his gowns. “From the moment I put it on, I knew it was the one from the core of my soul”, she said. “Not wearing that dress would have been the real regret.” The entire wedding party wore black to match.

Halloween has also always been part of their shared identity, so it filtered through the details, too. The sweet station was stacked with spooky-season treats while skeleton statues in cowboy hats held the menus. They served dry-ice cocktails which bubbled like cauldrons and even the table numbers carried a backstory, designed from a photo shoot the couple had modelled for years earlier. “We were dressed in full skull makeup and dramatic black attire and set in front of Arizona’s Superstition Mountains at sunset”, Taylor explained. “The result was a romantic and eerie collection of photos that integrated perfectly into our southwestern goth wedding.”

Moab turned into a full-scale adventure for everyone in attendance. Guests were encouraged to go hiking, climbing, jet boating, and road-tripping around the national park. The day after the ceremony, the couple organised an eclipse-viewing Jeep tour that wound through canyons to a remote overlook. “Witnessing the fun that unfolded and memories that were made by everyone that weekend was the most special gift for both of us.”

Taylor reflected on the process with a message for other alt couples: “One of the most beautiful and unexpected parts of the journey was discovering how many vendors were genuinely stoked to be part of a wedding that stepped outside the norm. I had feared that we would face rejection and resistance for our unconventional ideas, but instead Erik and I felt overwhelmingly embraced to celebrate who we are as a couple.”

And her advice? “If you’re planning a wedding that’s alternative, offbeat, or uniquely you in any way – don’t be afraid to fully embrace it. If you are planning your wedding and come across a vendor who doesn’t seem genuinely excited to bring your vision to life, keep looking. There are incredible people out there who will celebrate your creativity, honour your individuality, and help you craft a wedding that feels like a true reflection of who you two are. Never settle for less than that.”