Would you like to get hitched on Halloween? Special event makes it eerily easy
Weddings usually are seen as romantic occasions, but with phrases like “Until death do us part,” and flowy dresses with floor-length veils that can make a bride appear like a ghostly spectre, they can arguably be a little spooky, too.
For those who like to embrace the unconventional, a Halloween wedding is an oddly charming way to pledge eternal love.
The Stanislaus County clerk will perform marriage ceremonies as part of a special event called Wedding Kisses and Halloween Wishes on Friday, Oct. 31. Couples can sign up to exchange vows at the Clerk-Recorder’s office in downtown Modesto.
Clerk-Recorder and Commissioner of Civil Marriage Donna Linder said this event started in 2022 and has steadily grown each year. She said 13 couples (a curiously appropriate number) tied the knot last year.
All ceremonies are individualized and take place under an arch adorned with black flowers, skulls and spiders. Each ceremony takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and couples can have up to 15 people attend.
The ceremonies are secular and can be conducted in both English and Spanish.
In the past, Linder said couples have shown up to be wed in costumes, but most opt for a dark theme with black dresses and moody florals.
“Couples planning to tie the knot on Halloween should reserve their wedding without delay,” Linder said. “Halloween may seem a long way off, but for couples planning their wedding, it’s just around the corner.’
The cost of the license and ceremony is $121, or $126 for confidential marriage licenses.
Weddings must be booked in advance, and ceremonies will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Weddings will be conducted at the Clerk Recorder’s Office, 1021 I St.
For more information, or to book a spirited ceremony, call 209-525-5269 or 209-525-5205. For assistance in Spanish, call 209-525-5230.
This story was originally published September 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM.
