Makylah and Anthony’s wedding was a unique celebration, inspired by the music video for My Chemical Romance’s Helena. The couple exchanged vows inside the Little Ivy Chapel at Denver’s Fairmount Cemetery, dressed in all-black attire.
Their ceremony included some non-traditional elements, such as a handfasting ritual and self-written vows. Makylah’s parents walked her in together, and the couple chose not to have a maid of honour or best man.
The officiant closed the ceremony with the line, “You may kiss the groom,” flipping a traditional phrase on its head. The couple also commissioned several pieces of music for the day, including a version of The Legend of Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke for the processional.
Cornfield Chase from Interstellar was played during the bride’s entrance, and electronic music from Odesza and similar artists was played during cocktail hour. These musical choices added to the overall atmosphere of the wedding.
Much of the styling came together with the help of family and friends. Makylah’s mother created the decorations and wedding-party accessories, while family friends handled the day-of coordination, alterations, setup, and teardown.
These contributions helped the couple save on décor and tailoring costs and placed the people closest to them throughout the making of the day. The couple appreciated the help and support they received from their loved ones.
One of the highlights of the day was taking the photos with photographer McKenzie. Makylah said, “She kept us on time and made us feel comfortable in front of the camera.”
The couple also worked with videographer Austin Day, who gave them another way to relive the day. They were impressed with the final video, which captured the love and magic of their wedding.
Behind the finished images, there were hundreds of tiny choices being made. The couple noted that the decision fatigue was real, and managing everything themselves was the hardest part of the experience.
In hindsight, they would have liked to redirect their budget to hire a wedding planner. Despite the challenges, they wouldn’t change what they did for their wedding, as it felt right for them.
Makylah and Anthony’s wedding was a true reflection of their personal style and preferences. The couple’s attention to detail and willingness to include non-traditional elements made their wedding a memorable and special day.
