I've photographed a lot of weddings in Albuquerque, but every once in a while, I get to photograph one that feels like it was made for me.
This was definitely one of them. 😂
A beautiful black wedding dress, deep red roses, romantic skeleton decorations, and Sleep Token playing during the ceremony AND the first dance? Yeah, I was having a pretty great time behind the camera.
This couple took everything they loved about Halloween and turned it into one of the most romantic weddings I've had the pleasure of photographing.
A Halloween Wedding with a Romantic Gothic Twist
What I loved most about this wedding was how much thought went into every little detail.
The entire celebration had this beautiful "Till Death" theme, complete with romantic skeleton decorations, deep red flowers, and a darker, elegant atmosphere that still felt incredibly warm and inviting.
The bride wore a stunning black lace wedding dress with an incredibly long black veil. Paired with her bouquet of dark red roses, the entire look was absolutely gorgeous. The groom complemented her perfectly in a black suit with red accents.
Even the guests embraced the Halloween theme! Some arrived in classy costumes that fit right into the celebration without taking away from the elegance of the day.
It wasn't just a Halloween party with a wedding attached. It was a genuinely romantic wedding where every detail reflected the couple's personalities.
Sleep Token, Alternative Rock, and a Wedding Soundtrack I Absolutely Loved
Okay, we need to talk about the music.
As someone who loves alternative rock and metal, I was already excited about the atmosphere of this wedding. But when Sleep Token started playing during the ceremony, I knew I was in for something special.
And then they played Sleep Token again for their first dance!
I don't think I've ever connected with a wedding soundtrack quite like I did with this one. They were playing so many of my favorite songs throughout the celebration that I was enjoying the music almost as much as I was enjoying photographing everything.
There's something really special about couples who aren't afraid to make their wedding their own. Whether that means walking down the aisle to an unconventional song, wearing a black wedding dress, or filling the venue with Halloween decorations, those personal choices are what make a wedding memorable.
And this couple absolutely nailed it.
Black Wedding Dress Portraits and Some Beautiful Albuquerque Light
One of my favorite parts of photographing this Halloween wedding was getting to work with the couple's incredible outfits and the beautiful natural light.
The contrast between the bride's black lace gown, her flowing veil, and the rich red bouquet made for some seriously beautiful wedding portraits.
We captured a mixture of romantic close-ups, candid moments, and full-length portraits that really showed off the dramatic wedding attire.
I also wanted to make sure we photographed the entire length of her veil. It was such a beautiful part of her look, and seeing it stretch across the grass made for some of my favorite images from the session.
The lighting couldn't have worked out better, either. It gave us the opportunity to create soft, romantic portraits while still keeping the bold colors and darker aesthetic that made this wedding so unique.
And of course, we had to create a few dramatic black-and-white photographs. Those worked especially well with the gothic-inspired styling.
The People Made This Wedding Even Better
As much as I loved the decorations, the music, and the photography, the people were what really made this wedding special.
The entire wedding party and family were so incredibly nice, funny, and easy to work with.
During our photo session, everyone was having a great time, and that energy made my job so much fun. I love when families are comfortable enough to joke around, enjoy themselves, and just be present in the moment.
It makes such a difference in the photographs, too.
Between the music, the beautiful lighting, the amazing details, and the genuinely wonderful people, this easily became one of my favorite weddings I've photographed.
I left feeling like I'd gotten to photograph an incredible wedding while hanging out with people who shared my taste in music. Can't complain about that!
Planning a Halloween or Alternative Wedding in Albuquerque?
One of the things I love about wedding photography is that no two couples are exactly alike, and I don't think their wedding photographs should be, either.
Whether you're planning a traditional New Mexico wedding, a gothic Halloween celebration, an intimate elopement, or something completely different, I want your photographs to reflect who you actually are.
You don't have to follow every wedding tradition to have a beautiful celebration.
Wear the black dress. Play your favorite band. Bring out the skeleton decorations. Make it yours.
I'm Emmanuel Morales, the photographer behind Photonuel, and I photograph weddings in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico with an emphasis on bold color, genuine moments, and cinematic portraits.
If you're planning a wedding and want photographs that feel like you, I'd love to hear what you have in mind.
Explore my Albuquerque wedding photography portfolio and get in touch to check your date.
