Tanya Lynne Farrington and Luke Martin-Thomason were married on October 31, 2009 in front of 40 of friends and family members. The couple decided to forego much of the traditional wedding elements and instead opted for a fun Halloween-themed wedding that was still romantic and intimate. The double-ring ceremony was held at Bradbury Memorial Chapel in Canton Point. Built in 1890, the church is rustic and does not have electricity or heat. Lighting for the late afternoon ceremony was produced by chandeliers with oil lamps and candles, which according to the groom’s mother, Crystal-Lynne Williams of Hartford, the lighting “made for a magical glow. Soulful violin was performed by Sam Norli, friend of the groom, and organ music was provided by Beth Goodlief, sister of the groom’s father.” The couple traveled in style in a classic 1959 Chevrolet Nomad, owned by the bride’s uncle, Steve Hiscock.

The reception continued the Halloween theme with the 150-plus guests decked out in costumes of every sort. A life-size Dracula greeted guests at the door where they then entered “into an amazing, magical space,” said Williams. The Knights of Columbus Hall in Jay was transformed with Halloween decorations including dozens of pumpkins, flowers, strings of lights, and helium balloons all in purple, black, and orange. Black roses adorned the tables.

As a full-time student on a tight budget, the bride’s goal was to create a special day for everyone attending the wedding; she and family members collected Halloween decorations for the wedding during the year preceding the event. The wedding favors were “framed photos of the bride and groom, skull candles with the date” of the wedding, and “skull goblets with purple M&M’s with the bride’s and groom’s names imprinted on them,” said Williams. “The bride made a ceramic platter to be signed by the guests and the bride’s mother, Donna Farrington of East Dixfield, made the guest book and many of the boutineers.” Having friends and family pitch in with decorations and wearing costumes made the event homegrown and fun. Jackie Dupuis was the photographer.

The wedding cake made quite a hit with the guests as it was intentionally created to look lopsided and was dubbed the “Nightmare Before Christmas” cake in reference to the 1993 movie of the same name. The cake was topped with Jack and Sally, two characters from the same movie. Several guests, upon seeing the cake for the first time, “kept trying to prop up the cake,” said Williams. The guests must have known the wedding was going to be a “trick and treat” event as the invitations were sent with a sprinkling of glitter, “making for a fine mess upon opening,” said Williams. This unique wedding is still the talk of family and friends who attended it.

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