This fall-inspired anti-bride wedding is coming at you just in time for spooky season! Carly and Patrick got married days before Halloween. They incorporated a loose Halloween theme by inviting guests to wear masks during cocktail hour and on the dance floor. After seeing it done so well, I want to shoot an all-out Halloween wedding—so please, it’s on my bucket list! (2024 couples, I’m looking at you!)

The best part about Carly and Patrick’s wedding day was how they did everything their way. These two are absolutely smitten with each other, and it was refreshing to see a couple go outside the box and do exactly what they wanted. In fact, their wedding was such a fairytale that it is featured in Chicago Style Weddings!! Check out Carly & Patrick’s Glittering and Autumnal Wedding.

Anti-Bride Weddings, Type B Brides, & Alternative Weddings

If you haven’t heard about the anti-bride era yet (are we borrowing from T-Swift here?), the name does not take a literal meaning. Instead, it simply means someone (or a couple) who chooses their own path and opts for a more unconventional wedding. Elopements, micro-weddings, unique attire, offbeat photo locations, and quirky cakes all fall under the anti-bride umbrella. It’s not so much a style as an attitude about embracing your wedding day your way.

I think there are a million things in the air about what an anti-bride is, but to me, it just means being in the moment, doing what you want for your wedding day, passing on outdated traditions, and making the day your own. Carly and Patrick did exactly that, which couldn’t have been more fitting for the two of them. (I mean, can we say anti-‘wedding’, not just anti-bride? We need a better gender-neutral term here.)

How to Embrace Your Inner Anti-Bride
(Grooms, Partners, Etc., too!)

Let’s start with their outfits. Carly’s dress needs a moment all to itself. My jaw dropped when I saw it—so beautiful and perfect. I wish every dress had shiny little mirrors on it! Carly looked like an elevated disco ball in the best way. Wow! She complemented the dress by adding a few little jewels around her eyes. Swoon. I’m obsessed with her creativity. Each little detail went together so well for a beautifully polished result. And Patrick was just the same with his olive suit, bolo tie, and marigold-hued boutonniere. Together, they belong on the cover of a fall edition wedding magazine. They’re the perfect example of embracing an unconventional or “anti-bride” spirit while rocking an elevated, polished look. 

Next, let’s touch on their photo locations: I mean, a cocktail bar, a sidewalk, the back of a parking lot, and a hot dog stand?! Those are all so unique, and most importantly, they were all places of significance for them. They sat at the same table where they had their first date together! I’m not crying; you are! And that was the hot dog stand they lived next to for a while.

Anti-Bride & Alternative Wedding Reception Inspiration

Little did I know, there was more to come! Everything was gorgeous, and I was having the time of my life photographing it. Everyone was having a blast; the locations were cool; the dress and the suit were giving; Carly and Patrick were down for anything—so in love but also down for creating some editorial moments with me. 

Then, I walk into the reception, and the room is covered in gorgeous fall florals with disco balls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. My jaw fell open again. It was the stuff of dreams! I had never seen anything like it (which is saying something!) The rest of the night unfolded beautifully, full of love, drinks, and good food…And So. Much. Dancing. Follow it up with an epic Halloween-inspired orange and green-fog newlywed shot, and this fabulous fall anti-bride wedding was complete! Cheers to the happy couple!

Love Notes

“The best thing you can do for your wedding is hire Hanna! She was the first vendor we booked after the venue. We had hired Hanna for our engagement photos and were blown away, so we immediately booked her for our wedding day. Her attention to detail, ability to improvise, and knack for direction all lend to her amazing photos. My husband and I are both a bit awkward with photos/shoots, but she knew exactly how to highlight the moment and direct us to get the perfect shot. Not only is she amazing at photography, but she is also so helpful in planning your day. She helped us with other vendor recommendations, timeline planning, location scouting, etc. If you want to have fun, colorful, unique, and personal wedding photos, Hanna is your girl!”

Carly & Patrick, Newlyweds

Need a Photographer for Your Alternative Wedding?

Contact Hanna

Anti-Bride Wedding Vendor Team

Photography @hannawalkowaik
Planner @wedicity_chi
Hair and Makeup @fearlessandbella
Floral @lifeinbloom
Caterer @fftchicago
Ceremony & Reception Site @fairliechicago
Officiant Suzanne Zaccone
Music/DJ @stylemattersdjs
Brides Dress Designer + Shop @kyhastudios
Grooms Suit Designer + Shop @indiochino
Grooms People Attire @theblacktux
Invitation @____salix
Videographer  @oldnorthfilmco