If you’re dreaming up a The Grand Crown Point wedding and you want it to feel more like “our people, our vibe, our kind of party” than a cookie-cutter ballroom night, Katie and Edmund’s wedding is going to hit you right in the spooky little heart.
They got married at The Grand in Crown Point, a historic venue with major character that looks insanely good once the sun goes down and the building lights up. Add in black and purple Halloween details, a handfasting ceremony, and a room full of friends who are equally into anime, cosplay, DnD, Ren Faire energy, and video games, and you get a wedding day that felt personal from start to finish.
Why They Chose The Grand
Katie and Edmund picked The Grand because it already felt like them.
It’s historic. It’s dramatic at night. It has those antique features that don’t need much “decorating” to feel special.
And for their Halloween theme, the venue’s local haunted stories and old-building vibes were the perfect match.
Getting Ready: Spooky Details, Sentimental Pieces
Both Katie and Edmund got ready onsite at The Grand, which made the day smoother and kept everyone in one place.
Katie asked us to focus on the details that mattered most: her dress and shoes, any spooky items, the memorial table, and the handfasting cord. These are the kinds of details that make your gallery feel like your wedding, not just “a wedding.”
Katie also shared that Edmund’s parents have passed, and she wanted the memorial touches documented. Those moments are quiet, but they carry so much weight, and we’re always honored to preserve them.
The Dress, The Shoes, and The Main Character Energy
Katie’s dress had a whole story, and it was worth it.
She found it online while browsing Morilee’s designs long before the wedding, then tracked it down through Paris House of Bridal. She tried on six dresses, including a white Morilee with a similar silhouette, just to be 100 percent sure.
The winner checked every box: sparkle, sequins, lace, detachable sleeves, and yes, it was named “Galadriel.” That alone felt like a sign.
And the shoes? Demonia. Because obviously.
The Ceremony: Handfasting at The Grand
Their ceremony was indoors at The Grand with Rev. Scarlett Mullikin officiating, and the centerpiece was a handfasting ceremony.
If you’ve never seen a handfasting in person, it’s one of those things that feels ancient and intimate in the best way. It’s symbolic, it’s grounding, and it gives you something to do with your hands when you’re both trying not to cry or laugh at the same time.
Katie and Edmund were not the “spotlight please” type. They both admitted the ceremony was the part that made them the most anxious leading up to the day. The funny thing is, once it actually started, it became one of their favorite parts because it was full of small moments that helped them stay connected.
Holding hands. Locking eyes. Trying not to tear up. Trying not to lose it laughing.
That’s real.
First Look Nerves, Then Pure Relief
Katie and Edmund chose to do a first look, and even though they were nervous, it gave them a private moment together before guests arrived.
They talked later about how much they loved those quieter pockets of the day. The first look, the first dance, the private last dance, and the moments where they could just breathe and be like, “Oh, this is actually happening.”
The Reception: Spooky, Fun, and Built for Their People
Their three words for the wedding were: Spooky, haunted, funeral. Iconic.
The reception at The Grand leaned hard into Halloween in the best ways:
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A coffin arch built by Edmund and the best man
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Handmade florals and decorated brooms instead of classic bouquets
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Pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns throughout
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Piano skeletons
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Purple and black everywhere
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Glow sticks ready for the exit
Katie and Edmund said their most anticipated part of the day was getting to have fun with their favorite people at the reception, and that’s exactly what this night delivered.
Also, they expected the day to be stressful. It wasn’t. They credited it to the people they surrounded themselves with, plus having a solid plan and vendors who kept the energy calm.
That is the goal.
Glow Stick Exit at The Grand
They planned a glow stick exit, which is a very underrated way to end the night.
It’s fun, it looks amazing in photos, and it gets everyone involved without feeling like you’re trying to wrangle sparklers in a panic.
Katie’s advice afterward was simple and spot-on: eat food, drink water, breathe, and take moments to actually soak it in.
Katie & Edmund’s Wedding Day Vendors:
Photography: @WestleyLeonStudios // Venue: @grandeventscp // Officiant: @naturalelementceremonies // Dress: @parishousebridalandprom (Morilee gown) // Shoes: Demonia // Groom Attire: Dunhill Tuxedos // Groom Shoes: Dr. Martens // Hair: Ashley Murphy // Makeup: @neapolitanmelli // Cake: Cakes By Karen // DJ: A Sound Decision (verybestdj.com) // Photo Booth: @WestleyLeonStudios
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