Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas inspired a weird wedding subculture

With its iconic spooky-but-not-too-scary look and infectiously catchy songs, The Nightmare Before Christmas isn’t just a Halloween staple — it’s a phenomenon. Since its release 30 years ago, the movie has gripped alternative culture.

You can also find out more about the following: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond HalloweentownAuthor Emily ZemlerDisney Princess Beyond the Tiara) dives into the movie and the subculture that’s grown around Disney’s stop-motion animated film. The fandom of The Nightmare Before Christmas remains so passionate that it’s gone beyond just fashion and decor. As Zemler discovers, it’s actually a surprisingly common theme for weddings and other romantic celebrations — looks like Jack Skellington’s sheer charisma transcends Halloween and Christmas.

Read on for a peculiarly romantic excerpt from Zemler’s book, which is out now.

Romance Weddings

The end is near Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before ChristmasJack and Sally are embraced on Spiral Hill with the snow shining beneath them. It’s a poignant moment to conclude the story, which is about finding a sense of belonging with other misfits.

“I wanted something quite simple because he’s misguided and she’s got her own issues and it felt real to me,” Burton recalls of concocting the couple’s romance. “He’s so single-minded and she’s a fragmented character but with equal passion and focus in her own way. It just felt like a real relationship to me.”

Because of that authenticity, Jack and Sally’s love story has transcended the film and become a focal point for many fans. Couples, no matter their sexuality, relate to the pair’s journey to find a soulmate. That has translated into themed Valentine’s Day celebrations, engagements, bachelorette and bachelor weekends, anniversaries, and, of course, weddings, all of which take inspiration from Jack and Sally’s eventual coupling up in the film. Nightmare The wedding cake that is based off the design or color scheme of the film has become popular. It’s all a way to make the onscreen fantasy into reality.

Disney Books/Epic Ink

Disney Books/Epic Ink

“I think the reasons why The Nightmare Before Christmas makes for wonderful inspiration for décor and wedding styling are very much the same as why it’s a film everyone loves and watches again and again,” explains wedding planner Valentina Ring. “The colors, aesthetic, and details are absolutely iconic and one-of-a- kind, and frame a love story that isn’t perfect or typical and is all the more endearing for it. At its core, the story is about love that can transcend all barriers of space and time. It’s a nostalgic and romantic cult reference, particularly for a certain generation, and one that offers couples a way to express themselves and weave their own style into their celebration.”

Ring created a particularly emotional elopement in London to mark the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. In collaboration with Kayleigh Keen and her hair and make-up artist, they imagined the nuptials between Jack and Sally in an abandoned church. They wanted to echo Burton’s work in the details of the wedding with a dark, moody color palette and a wooden carving of Spiral Hill. Keen’s three-legged dog stood in as Zero in a tiny black bow tie.

“Since then, I’ve had a lot of clients refer to these images and ask for particular details or nods to be incorporated in their wedding design, as a way of personalizing their celebration and adding fun little surprises for their guests to discover,” Ring says. “I love that this photoshoot has inspired couples to think outside the box when it comes to their wedding styling, and helped them let go of preconceptions and expectations of what a wedding should look like. Weddings are an opportunity to tell a story, and so should reflect the quirks and histories and values of each individual couple.”

Julie Shepard’s husband Doug and she had spent several years cosplaying Sally & Jack before they got married. It was therefore even more meaningful when Doug referred to the movie during their wedding vows. “At the end of his vows, he started reciting, ‘My dearest friend, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you by your side,’” Shepard remembers. “And of course I joined him—through my tears—to finish the quote as Sally does in the movie.”

Image: Disney

Shepard felt that channeling this onscreen couple was relatable. “I think it appeals to couples because Jack and Sally are not a traditional romantic pair,” she says. “How often do a skeleton and a living rag doll even get to be shown as more than monsters? They are not only fully-realized characters with flaws but they also fall in love. It’s a nice thought for those of us who feel more raggedy than royal that we get happy endings too.”

Kristen Vaughn Smith married Avery Smith in 2021 in Cleveland Tennessee at The Old Woolen Mill. They went one step further, and themed the entire event around Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Every element of the celebration was inspired by the film, from the cake to the invitations to the wedding gown to the décor.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas has always been a connecting factor for us,” Vaughn-Smith explains. “Avery always knew it was my favorite movie and he gifted me the soundtrack on purple vinyl for the first birthday of mine that we celebrated together. Avery and I shared the movie for the very first time. We feel that we have a special ‘Jack and Sally’ connection. We knew we wanted a theme for our wedding that wasn’t too over-the-top or childlike with Halloween decorations. We wanted something that would represent us, be timeless and memorable. Something as unique as the film.”

Details of the wedding reflected film elements. The ring box, engraved with “Simply meant to be,” was coffin-shaped and featured images of Jack and Sally, while a “’Til Death” neon sign illuminated the wedding venue. During the reception, the couple sat in ghost chairs decorated with corresponding “His Sally” and “Her Jack” lettering. The pair walked down the aisle to a song from the film and played blink-182’s “I Miss You” as their wedding party was introduced. Although not everyone had watched the film, the welcoming feel it provided was perfect for the nuptials.

“Our guests seemed to genuinely enjoy the theme,” Vaughn-Smith says. “Many said they were expecting scary due to the old venue’s appearance on the outside and the theme, but they instead found the wedding to be beautiful and unlike anything they’d ever seen—in a good way. They also said they wouldn’t have expected anything less from us.”

The couple Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas It was an opportunity to appeal to their nostalgic side and highlight the romance of the film. Since their wedding, they’ve had other couples reach out looking to do something similar. “I think the love story is so inspiring to people because it’s different,” Vaughn-Smith reflects. “It demonstrates that no matter how different, weird, or unique you are or how you may not fit in with others, there is a person out there for you and that person actually understands you.”

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloweentown It’s out!