On October 29, 2025, SKYLIGHT opened its doors for a one-night transformation — but the true innovation came from behind the scenes. Designed and fully produced by Honor and Sophie of the 828 Planning Denver team, the ’Til Death Open House was a masterclass in in Denver wedding planning and venue transformation.
While SKYLIGHT is widely known for its clean, airy aesthetic, the planning team set out with a clear goal: create an immersive experience that challenged every expectation of what the space could be. Instead of the typical bright, minimalist feel, guests stepped into a dark, moody, atmospheric, and dramatically romantic reimagining of the venue — all crafted through 828 Planning’s vision.
This is the story of how the night came to life, and why it set a new standard for experiential weddings in Denver.
The Vision: A Seasonal, Moody Open House Led by Planning Strategy
Many open houses highlight décor or vendor features, but this one focused on showing clients how powerful planning choices can reshape a venue from the ground up.
“Because SKYLIGHT is such a blank canvas, clients often struggle to visualize how much they can change the look and layout,” Honor shared. “This open house was our chance to show them the full potential [of the space].”
With the event taking place during Halloween week, the team embraced the timing without leaning into kitsch or themed décor. The direction was elevated, seasonal, and intentionally unexpected.
“The theme was ’til death, but the direction wasn’t spooky,” Honor explained. “We leaned into dark and moody, with romantic textures, intimate lighting, and dramatic draping. The running joke was, ‘If a vampire had a wedding, this would be the vibe.’”
This vision became the guiding force for every design and layout decision throughout the night.
Planning the Transformation: Layout, Flow & Intentionally Minimal Design
From the first step inside, the experience was crafted with guests in mind . Honor and Sophie designed a full wedding within the space, complete with a ceremony setup, lounge area, family-style tables, checkered dance floor, and even a DIY tattoo station. Their thoughtful plan demonstrated how you can reshape a room without overwhelming it.
A Ceremony Setup That Redefined the Space
For this event, the ceremony installation became the focal point. The planners designed a forward-facing layout with dark red draping as the backdrop and black draping throughout the ceiling. The shift was transformative: it altered the venue’s proportions, deepened the mood, and created a visual identity unlike any previous open house.
Florals With Purpose
A red rose was the signature flower, a deliberate choice to show couples how impactful minimal florals can be when styled with intention.
Lighting as the Design Backbone
Warm candlelight, subtle uplighting, and a deeper overall palette were used to demonstrate how planning-led lighting strategy can completely alter the room’s energy, even in a naturally bright venue like SKYLIGHT.
The red roses and intimate lighting demonstrated how moody wedding decor in Denver can transform a blank-canvas venue.
Interactive Elements Curated by 828 Planning
Every major touchpoint of the night was selected to support the theme and elevate the guest experience.
Entertainment With Intention
The Get Down brought their full DJ collective, filling the venue with high energy and keeping guests circulating throughout the space. An electric violinist added a dramatic and romantic layer that paired perfectly with the moody aesthetic.
A Reimagined Photo Booth Moment
The SKYLIGHT photo booth — always a guest favorite — was given a full design moment with draping crafted from leftover linens. A simple planning pivot became a memorable installation.
Signature Cocktails Aligned With the Theme
Drinks also reflected the night’s energy. One crowd favorite: an espresso martini called Death by Decaf.
“We always try to highlight the drinks that are most popular in the current season, and with our clients, but with a twist” Honor explained.
Behind the Scenes: Creative Problem-Solving from 828 Planning
Even the most seamless events come with challenges. What sets expert planners apart is how they pivot.
One major element? Rentals.
“It can be hard to envision how everything will come together when you’re ordering,” Honor shared. “We ordered duplicates of some items to avoid leaning too far into ‘spooky, and it worked really well!”
Another unexpected win came from leftover linens.
“Those were extra linens we didn’t have a plan for,” Honor laughed. “But they ended up looking perfect.”
These moments highlight why full-service planning is invaluable: when challenges arise, planners turn them into opportunities for elevated design.
Collaborations, Culinary Details & What Made the Night Special
The chandelier installation and lounge area were the result of close collaboration between Honor and Sky from RlyRly Studio — a pairing that blended drama and softness in a way guests loved.
Catering partners embraced the color palette through their presentations, offering everything from poke to barbecue to seasonal desserts. The visual cohesion between food and design became another talking point among attendees.
Guests repeatedly praised two standout elements:
The ceiling draping, which many had never seen before
The symbolic simplicity of the single red rose
One bride even commented on how candlelight alone completely transformed the vibe of the room.
Community Response & Event Impact
While the open house was designed with weddings in mind, it also attracted guests interested in hosting holiday parties, corporate events, and nonprofit gatherings. The immersive design approach sparked new conversations around how SKYLIGHT — and 828 Planning — can support a range of event types.
Advice From 828 Planning Denver for Future Open Houses
Honor and Sophie offered this key takeaway for other teams designing open houses:
“It’s about wowing your clients while also showing them elements they can realistically incorporate,” Honor shared. “We didn’t use a ton of floral because that can be a big-ticket item. Instead, we focused on what we know clients love, what they’re leaning toward next, and how to create a meaningful experience that feels like ‘them.’”
The Power of Thoughtful Wedding Planning
The ’Til Death Open House proved what 828 Planning already knows: planning is the difference between a pretty event and an unforgettable experience.
Through intentional lighting, bold draping, smart rental decisions, and a cohesive design narrative, the 828 Planning Denver team transformed SKYLIGHT into a space that felt entirely new, without relying on heavy florals or overwhelming décor.
If you’re dreaming of a moody, elegant, seasonal, or completely unexpected celebration, reach out to 828 Planning Denver, your expert Denver wedding planners, to bring your vision to life.
Reach out to 828 Planning Denver to schedule a consultation or walkthrough today.
