Unleashing Elegance: A Hauntingly Beautiful Friday the 13th Wedding at the Stanley Hotel Pavilion

Jan 254 min read

In the heart of the majestic Rocky Mountains lies a unique wedding story that intertwines elegance with eerie enchantment. On Friday the 13th, of October 2023, Mel and Kyle celebrated their nuptials at the iconic Stanley Hotel Pavilion. Known for its stunning architecture and rich haunted history, this venue provided the perfect backdrop for a wedding that went beyond the ordinary.

This couple transformed their wedding day into a captivating celebration that blended romance with the macabre. Guests were treated to unforgettable experiences, from thrilling zombie burlesque dancers to a spectacular dinner from GB Culinary. We are beyond thrilled and proud to share the creative elements that we planned with Mel and Kyle to make this haunted wedding dream a beautiful reality.

Friday the 13th Bride and Groom in Estes Park Colorado — Mel and Kyle in the Pavilion at the Stanley Hotel surrounded by fog and Estes Park's stunning natural backdrop

Setting the Scene: The Stanley Hotel Wedding Pavilion

Nestled in the picturesque town of Estes Park, Colorado, the Stanley Hotel is famous not only for its beauty but also for its ghostly tales. For couples dreaming of a haunted wedding, this historic venue offers limitless creative possibilities. The Pavilion, with its vintage charm and breathtaking mountain views, served as a phenomenal backdrop for a spooky celebration.

Haunted Hotel Wedding on Friday the 13th — Mel and Kyle snuck away for a photo shoot inside the historic and haunted Stanley Hotel

Imagine entering a space illuminated by chandeliers dripping in flowers, tables adorned with dark, rich decor and flickering candles. Each element reflected the couple's vision, from their invitations, the live tattoo artists open to guests all evening, Miss Elena, the tarot card reader and the stunning cake by La Momo Mae's. This cake was a standout piece, showcasing their love of darkness and elegance.

Lambeth Wedding Cake, Bound by Blood and Bone — Vintage Style Lambeth Wedding Cake by La Momo Maes

October Friday the 13th Wedding Invitations — Custom Wedding Invitation Suite designed by the Groom

Pro Tip: When planning a themed wedding, ensure every detail reflects your personality and story. Incorporating personal elements, like your favorite places or symbols, will make everything more special. Don't just throw bunch of theme decor on a table. The ultimate theme of the wedding is you! Your journey and your life together. The rest is just frosting.

Black Wedding Dress and Black Wedding Flowers in Estes Park for a Colorado Wedding — Melanie and her stunning bridesmaids in Estes Park

The Dress Code: Embracing the Unconventional

Melanie chose a stunning black gown and it was such an embodiment of her and Kyle.

Their unique styles fully encapsulated the spirit of a haunted love story as they exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends, and FOG!

Estes Park Stanley Hotel Wedding — First Kiss in the Mists of the Pavillion

Unforgettable Entertainment: Zombie Burlesque Dancers

A haunted wedding wouldn’t be complete without thrilling entertainment, and this couple truly delivered. The evening featured stunning performances by zombie burlesque dancers from Equinox Entertainment Colorado. The dancers greeted guests with champagne flutes and enchanted guests with their eerie elegance and storytelling through dance.

Wedding Entertainment featuring Aerial Dancers — Aerial Dancer from Equinox Entertainment Colorado

Performing beneath the soft glow of chandeliers, these performers dressed in lace and creepy makeup. They brought the spirit of Friday the 13th to life. Each movement was a blend of grace and horror, captivating the audience and inviting them into a whimsical world.

Zombie Aerial Dancers — The Equinox Entertainment Colorado Dance Group performing for guests during the reception

Guests were also welcomed into the Stanley Pavillion by a hearse adorned with the creepiest of decor and a flame thrower.

Bat Wing Hearse from Zachary of Denver Hearse Association — Denver Hearse Association's own Zachary provided this incredible and extremely rare bat-winged-flame-thrower Hearse. We added cans of Liquid Death Seltzer (get it) to the back for a nod to a classic wedding tradition.

Expert Insight: To choose the right entertainment, chose something no one has seen at a wedding before.

Get the wow-factor and create lasting memories and connections among attendees.

Delightful Bites: A Themed Culinary Experience

No wedding is complete without an exquisite culinary experience, and this haunted wedding was no exception. The couple collaborated with top Colorado wedding caterer GB Culinary, to create a menu filled with delightful surprises, all fitting Mel and Kyle's appetites.

Spooky Wedding Tablescape, Black wedding details. Black, red and gold wedding. — Guest's place settings included, black stone plates, gold flatware and clear glass goblets from All Events in Longmont, Colorado. Each guest was given a small black coffin with treats. The bread course was a delicious house ash focaccia, salted butter with a roasted beet puree

Pro Tip: Work closely with your caterer to design a menu that not only tastes great but also resonates with your theme. Unique presentations and flavors can elevate the entire dining experience. GB Culinary Chef and Owner, Grant Buchanan, worked with Mel and Kyle to bring "elegant gastro pub" style food to their guests. They didn't want "wedding food" and they featured local produce and meat for their guests, who traveled from all over the country to Colorado.

Black and Red Wedding menu for elevated pub food wedding. Catering by GB Culinary in Longmont Colorado. Menu features creepy elements perfect for a Friday the 13th wedding at the Stanley hotel — Custom Wedding Menu designed by the Groom. This menu was a labor of love for Chef/Owner Grant Buchanan and his amazing team at GB Culinary

Crafting a Memorable Celebration

As the moon cast its glow over the Stanley Hotel, the Pavilion became a haven of laughter, love, and adventure. This couple masterfully blended charm and spookiness, creating a wedding that was a true reflection of their personalities.

For those considering a unique wedding experience, remember to cultivate an environment that resonates with your passions and journey as a couple. With engaging entertainment, captivating decor, and a distinctive dress code, this wedding showcased how to celebrate one's identity among a sea of cookie cutter weddings.

Ultimately, this gathering transcended a simple union; it was a joyous celebration of creativity and individuality. For couples eyeing venues like the Stanley Hotel, take a lesson from this couple—embracing the eerie can add an enchantingly beautiful twist to your love story.

Please Note: This wedding was featured in the New York Times! See More Here

Wedding Video from Homefield Weddings

Photographer Shea McGrath Photography