The most magical part of a wedding that we rarely shine a spotlight on? The moments when the sun sets, the formalities are done, and the magic really kicks off.

Welcome to The After Dark Issue. This June and July we wanted to explore what happens after dark at weddings.

Not just the aesthetic, though we love that. Candlelight and moody florals. Dark and dramatic styling. Black wedding dresses and gothic venues. After parties, late night food, the dance floor at midnight. The atmosphere shifts, the formalities drop away, the music gets louder, and the real celebration begins.

But also the other side of it. The unscripted hours. The speeches that were long and emotional. The guests who stayed until the end. The grief of loss sitting alongside the joy. The morning after. The post-wedding blues. The weight of planning a wedding while you’re in a pretty dark place.

Follow along here.

Header photo by Red Eclectic via Candlelit Eco Elopement Inspiration In The Perth Hills