Los Angeles Halloween microwedding at Huron Substation

Weddings by ClickNikki Photo & Boudoir

Dress from @cocomelodyoffical

Los Angeles Halloween microwedding
at Huron Substation

A story about choosing smaller—and choosing love anyway.

PROOF OF LOVE

There’s a quiet moment from this day that I’ll never forget. Not the chandelier. Not the tarot pull upstairs. Not even the black Cocomelody gown floating down a wooden stairscase like a gothic smoke plume. It was the look on the groom's face when he saw her. The way his eyes filled and he didn’t even try to hide it. The way she held his cheeks like she was steadying the rest of his life.

That’s what small weddings make room for: the visible proof of love.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Videographer Fawn of Fawn and Flesh recommended me to a Los Angeles couple looking for a photographer. Giselle and Boogie booked me almost instantly—we just clicked.

Fast forward to October 13th, 2025: their spooky love fest of a wedding day. Fawn and I had flown in from Houston the day before, ready to capture every moment.

Before the wedding, I built a custom shot list using their pre-wedding questionnaire. That prep made all the difference. I already knew what mattered most to them: the emotional first look, signing their witness papers, the first dance, and their private tarot and vow reading (my personal favorite part of the day—so unique and intimate).

Working with event coordinator Lily Manavi of Orange Blossom Special Events was a dream. We made a small timeline tweak to catch some golden hour portraits, which turned out to be magic.

Detail-wise, Giselle was clear: she wanted her rings, florals, and gothic details photographed beautifully. The flowers, created by The Little Branch, were jaw-dropping—decadent, moody, and intentional. You could tell the florist cared deeply about craft and precision, which I always appreciate.

From the start, it was obvious that family and connection were everything to this couple. They wanted their guests’ reactions captured naturally, alongside a mix of posed and candid portraits of themselves. Between Fawn’s direction for video and my own prompts, we found this effortless rhythm that made the day flow like a film set. Dream team status. 🎯

After the wedding, Giselle told me something that stuck:

“Of course your skills are amazing, but many photographers I’ve met aren’t as personable as you are. You made us feel safe and comfortable and confident. You made us feel like best friends. That’s so important.”

And that feeling is what drives me every single time.

THE MOMENT I’LL NEVER FORGET

The private vows. That’s the one that lives rent-free in my head.

They snuck away upstairs for sixteen minutes of raw, unfiltered emotion while guests mingled downstairs. Fawn filmed. I photographed. And I swear, it was like watching a love story unfold in real time. Boogie—usually reserved and quiet—became this open, expressive force of devotion. You could feel it in the air.

I’ll admit, I had to step away for a minute afterward to collect myself. The energy in that room was so strong I started crying behind my camera. That’s the thing about documenting love—it reminds you how powerful it really is.

The vendors that day worked like clockwork. Huron Substation and Lily with Orange Blossom Special Events ran everything seamlessly. And yes, the timeline ran a little behind—because it’s a wedding—but we still nailed every shot. 😮‍💨👌

Huge shoutout to DJ Shammy Dee, who kept that dance floor alive all night. Even with a smaller crowd, the energy stayed high.

Later, when Giselle got her sneak peeks, she sent me this message that I’ll treasure forever:

“I’ve never felt so beautiful in any photos. Maybe it’s because I’m way too picky. But there’s not a single thing I’ve seen in your shots where I hate myself. Maybe that’s a strong word. But it’s true. I feel like I’ve never seen myself in that light before. I also love that you caught the exact moment he looked at me walking down the aisle. Sometimes in life we don’t always realize how loved we are or we don’t see it on someone’s face. I will forever cherish that photo. It’s a reminder of how much he loves me. Thank you.”

That’s the power of photography—it lets you see yourself the way love sees you.

WHY CHOOSE A MICROWEDDING?

We’re taught that weddings need an audience. That love should be performed in front of a hundred people, with a packed bridal party and a strict timeline.

But couples like Giselle and Boogie remind me that the opposite can be true.

They chose intimacy over performance. A moody Los Angeles venue instead of a ballroom. A black wedding dress instead of white. Tarot instead of garter toss. Meaning instead of noise.

And the result didn’t feel small—it felt distilled. Like love, reduced down to its purest form.

THE VENUE: HURON SUBSTATION

Huron Substation is a dream for cinematic souls. Brick walls. Soft window light. Iron beams. Texture for days. It’s moody and raw and absolutely perfect for a Halloween-inspired wedding.

Fun fact: it was also used as a filming location for True Blood—the Vampire Authority Headquarters. Fitting, right?

Upstairs, Giselle got ready surrounded by orange and black garlands twisting along the stairs. Downstairs, Boogie adjusted his cufflinks, calm and grounded. They leaned all the way into the vibe—gothic but soft, spooky but sincere. Halloween, but make it romantic 🖤

WHAT GISELLE SAID AFTER

When I asked her what she remembered most, it wasn’t the decor or even the venue. It was how safe she felt.

Her husband, usually camera-shy, had relaxed completely. She felt seen. She felt beautiful. That’s what small weddings allow—the space to actually experience your love in real time, not just perform it.

THE LOOK THAT SAID IT ALL

And then there was that look. She walked down the aisle. He saw her. His entire face changed.

She told me later she didn’t even know he looked at her that way until she saw the photo. Proof of devotion, caught in a frame.

FOR THE ONES REWRITING TRADITION

If you’re exhausted by the “big wedding” script, you’re not alone. You’re allowed to build a day that feels like you—even if that means black lace instead of white satin, forty guests instead of four hundred, or vows whispered in private.

Maybe the biggest loves don’t need the biggest stage. Maybe the smallest weddings are where love gets loudest.

VENDORS

Huron Substation — 2640 Huron St, Los Angeles, CA 90065
📍 Los Angeles, California

• Bride: @itsgisellemusic
• Groom: @theboogiemeistertv
• Venue: @huronsubstation
• Planner: @orangeblossomspecialevents
• Makeup: @juliecashbeauty
• Florals: @thelittlebranch
• Officiant: @laurensneadlove
• Dress: @cocomelodyofficial
• DJ: @shammydee
• Videographer: @fawnandflesh

HASHTAGS

#microwedding #houstontravelphotographer #travelweddingphotographer #destinationweddingphotographer #halloweenwedding #blackweddingdress #htxphotographer #californiawedding #californiamicrowedding #caliwedding #gothicwedding #darkandmoody

Travel Wedding Photography by ClickNikki Photo & Boudoir