The story of Peter and Autra is full of mystery, romance and unexpected twists, all of which served as inspiration for a very unique wedding that they and their friends won’t soon forget. Victorian and Goth, Vampires, a murder mystery, a haunted mansion on Halloween, this wedding had it all!
Autra is a native Northern California girl who fell in love with England on a previous visit and decided to make it her home. But just days away from the big move, as fate would have it, she happened to check her last few matches for her online dating profile before closing her account and found Peter’s profile waiting for her. Not only was she intrigued by what she read, but although Peter had relocated to California from New Jersey, he was born in England. Was it just a coincidence, or was there a connection? It merited further investigation, to be sure…
The couple met for lunch on their first date. It was an awkward beginning and neither of them was certain that it would go any further. That could have been the end of the story, but perhaps there were unseen forces at work. It seems that there was just enough spark to justify a second date, which must have gone much better. Autra remembers “He looked at me with a big grin on his face and said, ‘I really like you!’” Peter adds, “She laughed at my corny old jokes and that made me feel special.”
After more than a year together, they embarked on a European vacation. Autra knew he had a ring and was waiting at every dinner for him to pop the question. His proposal came two weeks into the trip, on the deck of a yacht on the River Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower. Does it get any more romantic that that?
They set a date (thirteen months away) and started putting together wedding plans. No typical wedding was going to be suitable for these two, but Autra had a bit of an advantage here because she is a professional wedding planner and themed events are her specialty. This would be a wedding far from the ordinary; it would be the setting for a Halloween murder mystery!
Searching for just the right venue led them to the Sequoia Mansion in Placerville. As Autra says, “It’s a haunted Victorian Mansion. What more could you want?” The Sequoia Mansion, built in 1853, has been the scene of numerous unexplained incidents and sightings over the years, according to locals. But having a long history does not mean that the place is creaky and decrepit – just the opposite! It’s a beautifully restored historic home, lovingly tended and maintained. The perfect place for a wedding as unique as this one!
The couple planned the wedding down to the smallest details. The bride wore an elaborate custom Victorian gown that she designed herself and had custom made. The gown’s multi-layered design was dramatic and unique. Bridesmaids wore Victorian Goth dresses, each wearing a brightly colored wig of a different color, and the groomsmen wore Victorian formal wear with a steampunk flair. The guests joined in the fun with Victorian costumes as well. The guest list was small, limited to only family and close friends. The lavish décor featured colors that complemented the Bride’s unique wedding dress. The tables were covered with wine colored table cloths, with manzanita and pumpkins, and wrapped gifts of candy.
The bridal party entered to music played on piano in the mansion’s ballroom. They exchanged vows and both presented love letters to be sealed in a box with a bottle of wine to be shared at some future date. As the couple separated from the party for photos, a shocking scene was playing out in the mansion’s appropriately dimly-lit bar that set a mystery in motion: it was revealed to the guests that on this most joyous of nights, there had taken place a most heinous murder!
As the guests sat down to dinner, they found at each place setting, clues in picture frames to help them determine who the murderer was. They compared notes and tried to figure out who the dastardly villain was. Just then, the recently betrothed couple were announced. To the diners’ horror, Autra and Peter reappeared as vampires, in a change of outfits, and baring their newly acquired fangs! It was the Bride and Groom who were murdered!
During the toasting, the bride’s mother sang a beautiful song a cappella to honor the newlyweds. After dinner, the identity of the murderer was announced. It was the Man-of-Honor who had traveled all the way from Germany to perform this dastardly deed. And he would have gotten away with it too, if not for those meddling guests! The bride and groom made their way to the cake cutting under an arch of manzanita branches held by the wedding party, and everyone enjoyed the red velvet cake with its accent of red dripping down from the top.
Autra and Peter were completely happy with the way the day turned out. It was clear to all present that this was a couple in love, and everyone had a great time at a wedding they will long remember.
planner ECLECTIC WEDDINGS
venue WEDGEWOOD SEQUOIA MANSION
photos FARRELL PHOTOGRAPHY
makeup LEA BUEHLER
jewelry STYLE AVENUE STUDIOS