The Shining wedding: A subversive wedding theme for the not-so squeamish

Guest post by Pretty Cripple
Photos by Portraits by the Bay Photography
Photos by Portraits by the Bay Photography

When my best friend, Mini, announced that she was to marry in October, I was overjoyed. We have been best friends since high school — she has been at my side and offered guidance and support when I became wheelchair disabled from a car accident over 10 years ago. So I really looked forward to collaborating with her in the creative process of wedding planning.

And what I mean by that is planning a non-traditional event that many would consider subversive…

Mini decided to base her wedding theme on Stanley Kubrick’s macabre and terrifying psychological horror movie, The Shining. We have a wicked, creative sense of humor, and wanted to cleverly “unknot” the traditional wedding with this subversive wedding theme. As her friend and a graphic designer, I lent a hand. Here's what we came up with…

The Shining wedding invitation suite

The Shining wedding invitation front
This is the black and white image seen at the end of the movie. I superimposed the bride and groom’s heads in circles, then blew them up to resemble Bobble Heads.

Wedding invitation [back]
Wedding invitation [back]

The orange and brown graphic was deliberately used in this design, since it is a replica of the carpet pattern seen throughout The Overlook Hotel's hallways.

RSVP card [front]
RSVP card [front]

RSVP card [back]
RSVP card [back]

When Mini’s British mom saw this RSVP card, she inquired “What’s with the little kid?” Imagine her expression when Mini explained the significance of the creepy kid riding around the hotel on his Big Wheel.

Thank You card [front]
Thank You card [front]
Thank You card [back]
Thank You card [back]

Clearly this maze is from the movie where Jack Nicholson chases his family with an axe, but can’t find them and eventually freezes to death on a snowy winter Colorado night.

A Shining-themed wedding to-do list:

1. Lodging

Have your guests stay in a historic hotel like Timberline Lodge in Oregon, where parts of the movie were filmed. We stayed at the Berkeley Hotel — an historic boutique seaside hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey, which has a boardwalk and historic homes.

2. Dress code

The Shining wedding outfits

The groom was stylish, in a pair of red-laced Doc Martens to match his shirt. Of course, the most dapper dudes wear hats to their wedding. The bride dyed her hair pink and wore a Badgley Mischka gown.

Ask your guests to dress in period costumes from the '20s.

3. Sprinkle props from the movie throughout the wedding venue

This prop greeted wedding guests in the entrance way to the restaurant.
This prop greeted wedding guests in the entrance way to the restaurant.
Make sure to stick REDRUM signs on transfer vinyl all over the venue’s windows.
Make sure to stick REDRUM signs on transfer vinyl all over the venue’s windows.
Don’t forget those adorable murdered twins too.
Don’t forget those adorable murdered twins too.
Nothing like a good story board about The Shining for guests who have never seen the movie. This visual sure breaks the ice.
Nothing like a good story board about The Shining for guests who have never seen the movie. This visual sure breaks the ice.

4. Play music from The Shining

This song was playing while introducing the bride and groom right before vows were exchanged!

5. Dance and drink all night long since you never know when you’ll be axed

I can’t begin to tell you what a glorious weekend I had with friends at this Shining-themed wedding.

tumblr mo4werCfMS1qa70eyo2 r1 500 alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

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Comments on The Shining wedding: A subversive wedding theme for the not-so squeamish

  1. Can you ask your best friend for more information on her gorgeous dress? It is just fantastic!

  2. YASSS My wedding was at the Supper Club too just 7 days prior to this!!! I am also dying over her dress. It is, well, shining!

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