The Nightmare Before Christmas inspired a whole wedding subculture

polygon.com:

With its iconic spooky-but-not-too-scary look and infectiously catchy songs, The Nightmare Before Christmasisn’t just a Halloween staple — it’s a phenomenon. The movie has had a grip on alternative culture since it came out 30 years ago.

In Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloweentown, author Emily Zemler (Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara) dives into the movie and the subculture that’s grown around Disney’s stop-motion animated film. The fandom for 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.

At the end of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack and Sally embrace on Spiral Hill, the snow gleaming underneath 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