I’m extremely humbled to present today’s Skully Wedding. When I first began dreaming and planning our wedding, I scoured the internet for other gothic weddings with which to draw inspiration. I found very few. One of these was Sandra and Shane’s beautiful gothic wedding. Married in 2000 and still blissfully happy, you can tell from their writings and their wedding website that these two are inspiring people who were destined to be together.

Cemetary kiss

WHO BE YOU?

Sandra Landeros Thomas (Make-up Artist, Musician) and Shane Thomas (Computer Scientist, Musician)
 

WHAT MADE YOUR DAY A ‘SKULLY WEDDING’?

Shane and I both decided we wanted to have our wedding viewed like a scene from the Dark ages. The story of our love had unraveled an amazing history of two hearts that had been torn from one another in a long ago time. When we found each other, the depth of our love was reunited and heaven and earth had become one. 

We asked our guests to dress in medieval attire or wear all black. My talented mother made my wedding dress by hand.  We chose different pieces of the dress from several patterns to come up with something unique and beautiful.

Sandra's amazing dress, made by her talented mother

dark and sensual wedding flowers

We chose to have our wedding on the night of October 28th, 2000. This date was as near as practical to our favorite holiday, Halloween. The Location was at a wine vineyard in the rolling hills of California’s central coast.

the dramatic dark ages ceremony

the string quartet

The music during the ceremony was performed by a string quartet. The Vows were written by my husband Shane.

Sandra looking like the happiest lady in the world

Shane, looking handsome

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE WEDDING DETAILS:

We had hired an amazing photographer to take pictures of us for the entire day. From getting ready for our wedding ceremony, to the makeup and hair, the 30 minute limo drive, and our visit to the old Paso Robles cemetery.

Standing at the cemetary gates

Visiting the cemetery before our wedding was very special. I had visited this cemetery many times in the past because it was so peaceful and beautiful. I took Shane to see the grave that was the oldest one there. This man who was buried there had died October 28 1888. Coincidentally, it happened to be October 28, 2000. Our wedding day! Our favorite picture was taken there in front of the tomb stone.  

cemetary portrait

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:

Months before the wedding, we told our friends that the only thing we wished we had control over was the weather. To us, the sunny skies we were use to in California weren’t as romantic as a stormy grey sky. We wanted it to rain.

And as we began our ceremony the sky turned dark, and a light mist of showers fell from the clouds. It was the best wedding gift of all.

The wedding carriage arriving as the skies darken overhead

The carriage leaving the ceremony

TELL US ABOUT THE MUSIC AT YOUR WEDDING:

We didn’t want the music to suck. Wedding DJ’s have a bad reputation for playing bad music, so Shane and I made a play list. Siouxsie and the Banshees, Switch Blade Symphony, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, U2, Radio Head, Enigma, etc…     

I love the elegance of this simple gothic cake

table decor

tables under the moonlight

ANY ADVICE FOR WEDDING SKULLS?

Find a creative, inspiring photographer. If possible, have them photograph your entire day, not just the wedding itself. Also, ask all of your guests who have video camera’s to video your wedding.

a sweet kiss in the carriage