First meeting at a comic-book convention in New Orleans, Mara and Dan spent hours walking around and talking about Star Trek, getting to know each other, and getting lost in the city. “We stayed in touch, became friends, and over time, fell in love,” smiles Mara. 

With 16 months to plan their wedding, Mara and Dan hired Natalie Sofer Weddings and Events to finalize their special day. “Our amazing planner Natalie Sofer, who came on board relatively late in the process, had an answer to every question and made sure our wedding was everything we wanted it to be,” shares the bride. 

They selected a rooftop venue at a hotel offering gorgeous views of Los Angeles, an ideal location for the couple that had a stunning backdrop for their alfresco ceremony. Preceded by 10 “Friends of Honor” in lieu of traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen, the couple walked up the aisle to exchange vows in front of a geometric arch adorned with bold blooms in one corner and black hurricane candles at the base, which also lined the aisle. 

The bride was gorgeous in a sparkling V-neck, low-back sheath gown, which she accessorized with two black-diamond necklaces, black-and-white diamond earrings, and a black-and-white diamond ring, as well as elbow-length, fingerless black gloves emblazoned with “til death” and the couple’s wedding date in roman numerals. She carried a deep-hued moody bouquet that complemented her floral crown. The groom donned a smart velvet tuxedo jacket in a deep navy hue that paired well with his black dress shirt and pants to fit in perfectly with the décor. 

“Modeled after some of our favorite horror movies, we wanted our Halloween wedding to be spooky and moody, but not in a way that featured ghosts, pumpkins, and severed limbs.”

After the “I dos,” the couple was excited to celebrate with their loved ones on the rooftop, which had been transformed into the “spooky forest at night” that they desired. “Modeled after some of our favorite horror movies, we wanted our Halloween wedding to be spooky and moody, but not in a way that featured ghosts, pumpkins, and severed limbs,” notes Mara. To achieve the look, a color palette of black, navy, silver, and white with burgundy accents was selected. 

“Natalie suggested that we hire a candle vendor to come in and help make the space feel on theme for us,” describes Mara of the candles, which provided a classy, yet spooky vibe throughout both the ceremony and reception. “It was the best piece of advice we got because it made all the difference… The décor, combined with the candles and our reception taking place during the evening hours, gave us exactly the vibe that we had in mind,” affirms the bride. 

Reception centerpieces were kept simply beautiful with a monochromatic look that included anemones, eucalyptus, and baby’s breath, accentuated with pops of textural flowers. The couple’s impressive sweetheart table showcased oxblood florals and rich greenery, midnight-toned chairs, and of course, tall black hurricane and taper candles to set the desired ambience. 

In addition to the bar and dinner selections, guests enjoyed two signature cocktails: a custom Moscow mule with edible glitter for Mara and a custom White Russian with fall spices for Dan. Slices of the wedding cake, which was displayed in front of a greenery wall decorated with a “til death” neon sign, were savored, and before their departure, guests were given a midnight snack to enjoy: delicious, New York-style black-and-white cookies to cap off the perfect Halloween night.

Some of the links included may be affiliate; however, everything we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. When you make a purchase, we may receive revenue. Thank you for your support!