In a world where wedding trends often lean toward the predictable and the polished, the union of Cristi and Sean stands as a defiant, artistic, and deeply personal masterclass in authentic celebration. Merging their shared passion for the performing arts with a love for the macabre and the glamour of the 1970s, the couple transformed a superstitious date—Friday the 13th—into an iconic backdrop for their marriage.
The Prologue: A Chance Encounter Under the Spotlights
The story of Cristi and Sean did not begin with a grand gesture, but with a dropped script. Though the two had been fixtures in their local community theatre scene for years, their paths had remained strictly parallel. It took a production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie to force their orbits to collide.
As Cristi recalls, the moment was cinematic. Having dropped her script on the way to her car, she turned to find Sean already on one knee—not to propose, but to retrieve the pages she had lost. It was a fleeting, serendipitous moment that resonated with a rare, instant certainty. "I immediately texted my friends that I just knew I had met my husband that night," Cristi says. Years later, in a beautiful act of narrative symmetry, Sean returned to that very same spot to ask for her hand in marriage, cementing their love story within the walls that had nurtured it.
The Setting: Fate at the Hotel Herringbone
When it came time to plan their nuptials, the couple’s original vision was modest: a courthouse ceremony on their fourth anniversary, which happened to fall on Friday the 13th. However, when the courthouse proved unavailable, they pivoted toward a more expansive celebration. Their search led them to the Hotel Herringbone, a venue that perfectly mirrored their aesthetic sensibilities.
For a couple who had shared the stage in productions like Dracula and The Rocky Horror Show, a Friday the 13th wedding wasn’t just a date; it was an aesthetic and philosophical choice. "We were sold on the date as Sean and I are big into spooky stuff," Cristi explained. "It felt like another instance of fate."
The Aesthetic: Where ’70s Glamour Meets DIY Heart
The visual identity of the wedding was a carefully curated collision of eras and influences. Eschewing the muted palettes of contemporary wedding design, the couple opted for a riotous blend of ’70s glamour and rich, saturated jewel tones.
The personal touch was not merely an accessory but the foundation of the event. Every decorative element was a labor of love, primarily crafted by Cristi’s mother. From plush velvet banners hand-painted with the couple’s favorite song lyrics to bespoke signage that guided guests through the venue, the decor served as a visual biography of their relationship.
"Every single piece of our wedding told our guests who we are as partners," Cristi reflected. "From my college professor officiating the ceremony to our favourite song lyrics on velvet banners, everything was specifically designed to pay tribute to the partnership we will be nurturing for the rest of our lives."
Chronology of a Non-Traditional Celebration
The wedding day was structured to prioritize guest comfort and intimacy over rigid formalities. The couple opted to abandon the traditional three-course sit-down dinner in favor of a relaxed, communal atmosphere. Wood-fired pizzas and an array of artisanal appetizers allowed guests to mingle freely, encouraging a flow of conversation that a traditional seating chart often stifles.
The culinary experience continued with a departure from the standard multi-tiered cake. In a nod to their personalities, the couple served a selection of cronuts from the hotel’s sister business. A standout feature was the custom banana cream pie flavor, created specifically for the event—a sweet, quirky detail that delighted the guests and underscored the couple’s desire to keep the celebration grounded and authentic.
The Struggle for Inclusivity in Bridal Fashion
While the event itself was a triumph of design and emotion, the journey to the altar was marked by significant industry-wide hurdles, particularly regarding bridal fashion. For many plus-size brides, the experience of finding a gown is fraught with anxiety, and for Cristi, this was no exception.
Her initial experience at a boutique was, in her own words, "awful." Faced with limited size ranges and a lack of support, she nearly abandoned the idea of wearing a traditional wedding gown altogether. "As a plus-size person, the wedding dress shopping was something I dreaded," she admitted. "Feeling like I was being stuffed and tied into sample sizes almost made me want to elope and not wear a wedding dress at all."
The tide turned when she visited House of Taylor, where she met Suzy, a boutique owner whom Cristi describes as a "fairy godmother." The difference was not just in the inventory, but in the empathy. After a brief conversation, Suzy intuited a vision for Cristi, texting her about a peach floral gown she had dreamed about. That gown, the Flora by Tara LaTour, was waiting for her in the corner of the shop. "As soon as miss Flora was on my body, I knew I couldn’t look at anything else," she recalled.
Implications for the Wedding Industry
Cristi’s experience serves as a sobering indictment of current bridal retail standards. Her message to the industry is clear and urgent: "Please don’t market yourself as a plus-size friendly boutique if you only have five dresses above a size 14! Plus-size brides deserve to feel just as beautiful as any other bride."
Her critique highlights a systemic issue where marketing often outpaces inclusivity. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage boutiques to stop using "plus-size friendly" as a buzzword and start investing in diverse sample inventories that allow every bride to feel respected and empowered during the shopping process.
Reflection: The Lessons of a Lifetime
When asked if she would change anything about the day, Cristi’s answer was poignant. While the logistics were handled with grace, she identified one singular regret: the lack of a professional record of the ceremony and speeches.
"We decided not to have a videographer or content creator, but I wish we would have captured the super personal aspects of the day so that we could always remember how our loved ones sounded that day," she noted. It is a common sentiment among couples who prioritize the live experience, serving as a reminder that while the moment is fleeting, the desire to preserve the voices and emotions of those we love is universal.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Authenticity
The wedding of Cristi and Sean was more than just a celebration of their love; it was a testament to the power of staying true to oneself in the face of industry pressures. By curating a day that honored their theatrical roots, their affinity for the macabre, and their commitment to inclusive values, they created a blueprint for modern weddings that prioritize substance over spectacle.
As they move forward, the couple’s legacy from this event is one of intentionality. They proved that a wedding does not need to follow a prescribed path to be meaningful. Whether it is through a hand-stitched banner, a custom cronut, or a dress that finally makes the wearer feel like themselves, the most memorable celebrations are those that fearlessly reflect the people at their center. In the end, their Friday the 13th wedding was anything but unlucky—it was a perfectly scripted act of love.
