Why

Duh. Love and stuff.

Why Halloween?

It's Caren's favorite holiday.
It's the time of year for celebrating family and good fortune.
Our backyard will have decorated itself with fall leaves and free acorns.

Why the alternate party a few seasons later?

We originally wanted to get hitched at our beach cottage in the Outer Banks, which we've recently purchased as an investment/rental property and vacation home; we're stoked to share our good fortune with family and friends. But then we got real about the logistics. The Outer Banks is somewhat secluded. One would have to fly into Nawwwffok (Norfolk), VA, and then drive more than an hour. Also, it seems cruel to invite people to a beach when it's almost winter.

Some of our friends live far away. We don't get to see them very often, and a wedding is not the best time to catch up. If you're going to drop a lot of dough on a plane or train ticket or gas, you may as well come to the beach and party with us when we can actually hang out with you. We'll have a lot of work on the house finished by then--it'll be an Einzugsparty.