Sarah and Chris built their wedding around the premise of ’til death do us part. They fully went for it with the gothic symbolism, inspired The Addams Family and their own relationship. Stoney Creek Castle in Earlville NY provided the setting with it’s stone walls and heavy doors perfectly matching the tone they wanted for the day.

They filled the space with dried flowers, bones and found dead bugs, which were arranged in jars and wrapped in lace. Every décor element was homemade by them or someone they love. The vases were wrapped by the wedding party, the ring box was handmade by the ring bearer, and the favours were coffin shaped candles poured by Sarah and Chris themselves.

After a first look, the couple walked down the aisle together. “To us it was more important that this was a decision and a commitment that we were making to each other,” Sarah, who wore black, said. Their vows were written in a handmade book created by a close friend.

Their flower maiden and ring bearer were adults, chosen for their roles in Sarah and Chris’s lives rather than their age. The ceremony itself stayed small and only family, the wedding party, and their partners attended. More guests then arrived for the reception.

“At times, it felt like every decision was met with an ‘are you sure?’ and raised eyebrows, so we spent more time figuring out if it was a truly bad idea or just not something that people were use to”, Sarah continued. “We wish people would let the couple have what’s important to them.”

Yet they stayed strong and true to themselves, creating a wedding which focused on what mattered to them. Their advice reflects that experience. “It’s okay not to love every moment of wedding planning”, she concluded. “Some people really like it, wedding planning has been so overly romanticised that any feeling besides that can feel taboo. Just remember to keep what’s important to you as a couple.”.