A Halloween Wedding to Remember

Who says a wedding can’t be full of tricks, treats, and a little bit of magic? On October 31, 2018, my husband Jacob Stein and I said “I do” in the most *spooktacular* way imaginable—a kid-centric, costumed Halloween wedding at McMillan Grange Hall. With family and friends coming together from all over, we crafted a day that was equal parts sentimental, festive, and fun. And let’s be real—what better way to get married than with the streets full of trick-or-treaters, flash mob vows, and a surprise bat as one of the guests?

A Family-Centered Celebration

We didn’t just pick Halloween because it’s our favorite holiday ever and happened to be our first date season, though, both of those are solid reasons. One of our daughters was on a rotating schedule with her biological parent, so we had to be strategic about our wedding date. Halloween was our holiday per the parenting plan, which made it the perfect time to gather everyone together and celebrate our marriage in a way that prioritized family and togetherness.

The best part? Friends and family were all-in on the Halloween theme. As they cleaned out storage units, hall closets, and attics, they donated Halloween decor left and right. It was like a spooky treasure hunt! We even sourced about 40 glittery white pumpkins from Facebook Marketplace, giving our venue that perfect blend of whimsy and eerie charm. 

As parents, we wanted our kids to feel like they were part of the celebration, too. While we snuck off for some couple’s portraits, the kids roamed the “Street of Treats,” a local trick-or-treating event where they hit up all the businesses for candy. It was important to us that our day wasn’t just about our vows, but also about creating memories for our children.

My Wedding Dress Transformation

Every bride has *that* dress story, and mine? Oh boy. I took a leap of faith when I bought my wedding dress on eBay. Yep, you read that right—eBay! When the dress arrived, it wasn’t quite what I envisioned (read: disaster). But instead of panicking, I turned to The Productivity Parlour for Artful Living in Tacoma. They completely tore the dress apart and worked their magic, transforming it into a stunning, revamped skirt that I adored.

Want to read more about my wedding dress journey? You can check out the full story on our website: From Disaster to Dream Come True

Flash Mob Vows & Spooky Surprises

We had always wanted a wedding that felt less like a formal event and more like an epic party, and that’s exactly what we got. In true Halloween spirit, we sought permission from the city for a flash mob-style pop-up wedding during Sumner’s annual “Street of Treats” celebration. The streets had already been closed for the event, and we thought, *why not get married right in the middle of it?* The Sumner Police Department even joined in, snapping photos and Instagramming our wedding as it happened in real-time.

With store owners, bystanders, and trick-or-treaters watching, we exchanged our vows right there in the street. It was spontaneous, filled with laughter, and totally us. 

But the surprises didn’t end there. As we headed back to McMillan Grange for dinner and dancing, we encountered a truly unexpected guest—a live bat flew out of the attic and swooped down into the reception area! We like to think it was one of our ancestors stopping by to check in on the festivities (our ofrenda had already honored those who couldn’t be present, so why not add a bat to the mix?).

A Party to Remember

After the flash mob vows, trick-or-treating, and bat sightings, we settled in for a cozy, family-filled reception. Our friends and family pulled out all the stops for a giant sweets table that was a highlight of the night. Picture Jack Skellington-themed Oreo pops, circus peanuts (a nod to Grandma Louise’s favorite treat), and endless amounts of candy to keep the kids sugar-happy all night.

We didn’t want a traditional wedding cake, so we had our incredible friends and family bring their cake magic to the table. My mother in law assisted our daughter Emi in creating a gluten free pumpkin cake, while our friend from Holly Cakes made a cutting cake full of bones. After all, who can say no to sweets at a Halloween party? And with a taco bar catered by our family and friends, there was plenty of delicious food to keep everyone fueled for dancing and partying the night away.

Our DJ, Rhiannon Owen, kept the music flowing while the kids danced, snacked, and prepped for round two of trick-or-treating later in the evening. As the night wore on and the candy supply dwindled, the kids—now sugared up—headed back out to hit up more local businesses for treats, while Jacob and I packed up and made our way to Leavenworth for a well-earned honeymoon weekend.

Looking back, our Halloween wedding was everything we wanted and more. From the unique decor that friends and family pitched in to create, to the pop-up flash mob vows in the middle of Sumner’s Street of Treats, every moment was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. It wasn’t just a wedding—it was a celebration of family, friends, and our love for each other, wrapped in the fun and festivity of Halloween.

And let’s be honest, when else do you get to trick-or-treat and dance with your kids while dressed in costumes? Our wedding wasn’t just a party, it was an adventure, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Want to see more of our fun and creative wedding adventures? Check out our portfolio and latest work at www.markiejonesweddings.com, or follow us on Instagram @markiejonesphotographyllc and Facebook Markie Jones Photography LLC. If you’re planning your own unique wedding or want to learn more about our work, reach out—we’d love to chat!