Maya and Collin chose Halloween season as the backdrop for their wedding. They kicked things off with a trip to Halloween Horror Nights, and wanted a day that was part goth, part fall harvest, part Day of the Dead. “We were thinking spooky romantic”, Maya said. Their florist, The Little Branch pulled their styling ideas together with dark plums, branches, moss, and skulls. The look felt old-world and atmospheric without needing much direction.

The choices they made for the ceremony and reception broke away from standard formats. Collin had left a conservative religious upbringing, and none of his family attended. That absence shaped the day and gave weight to the idea of chosen family. They walked down the aisle together, their two best friends officiated, and the vows were rewritten into something raw and specific. “Instead of the usual do you take this person in sickness and health etc, we placed our hands on each others’ chests and took each other in our power, pleasure, and pain”, they explained.

They skipped having a wedding party, a cake or any formal dances. Their focus was on the people who showed up with genuine support. A friend from Mexico brought Day of the Dead skulls for each place setting, tying their theme into something tactile and personal.

“We truly have no regrets!”, they said. “We are so happy we didn’t compromise on what we wanted for our wedding, even if it meant that some people didn’t come. That left us with an intimate group that truly supported us in our values.”