When Donna Almendrala and Chris Joel tied the knot in August, they opted for a unique twist on the traditional black-tie affair.
The couple upped the whimsy at their ceremony and drew inspiration from the computer game series "Civilization." The theme went beyond just decorations -- Joel and Almendrala dressed up as leaders of empires from the game, the groom emulating Napoleon and the bride channelling Cleopatra. They even said their vows at a Stonehenge-replica altar.
Leslie Callan, Green Vintage Photography
In a conversation on HuffPost Live, the two shared how they came up with the idea for the nuptials and said that their friends and family helped make their dream wedding a reality.
"As the weekends approached the wedding, it was steadily getting hotter and we knew that costumes were going to be a tough sell when it's 100 degrees outside, but our family really came through for us," Joel told host Nancy Redd. "I would say that more than 50 percent of people came in some really elaborate costumes."
The guests were happy to join in on the fun, Almendrala added.
"It was a really amazing to see the engagement with which the guests were participating with us. It really felt like such a community involvement," she said.
Get all the details from the ceremony in the video above and hear more wedding stories in the full HuffPost Live conversation here.
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Also on HuffPost:
Real Weddings of the Week -- 10/05/15
(01 of24)
"Yue and Jordan made the trek from Denver to have their wedding in his parents' backyard in Ballston Spa, New York on October 4." - Kevin Ferguson (credit:<a href="http://www.fergusonweddings.com/index2.php#!/Home" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Ferguson Weddings" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.fergusonweddings.com/index2.php#!/Home" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="23" data-vars-position-in-unit="27">Ferguson Weddings</a>)
(02 of24)
"We were able to catch this last bit of sunset at Kelly and Ty's lakeside wedding!" - Keith Hitlin (credit:<a href="http://khitlinphoto.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Keith Hitlin Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://khitlinphoto.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="22" data-vars-position-in-unit="26">Keith Hitlin Photography</a>)
(03 of24)
"Stunning couple Alison and Daniel Bradley!" - Brady Puryear (credit:<a href="https://instagram.com/bradypuryear/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Brady Puryear/Instagram" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="https://instagram.com/bradypuryear/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="21" data-vars-position-in-unit="25">Brady Puryear/Instagram</a>)
(04 of24)
"Ashley and Theo were married in Apex, North Carolina this weekend. Despite all the rain, it stopped long enough to get a couple of shots outside." - Michelle Gunton (credit:<a href="http://www.michellegunton.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Michelle Gunton Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.michellegunton.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="20" data-vars-position-in-unit="24">Michelle Gunton Photography</a>)
(05 of24)
"Congrats to Kate and Justin who were married in Key West, Florida this weekend and for braving the conditions!" - Mike Freas (credit:<a href="http://www.fotobyfreas.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Foto By Freas Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.fotobyfreas.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="19" data-vars-position-in-unit="23">Foto By Freas Photography</a>)
(06 of24)
"Dancing in the dark! Kailee and Corbin Gardner were married this weekend in Savannah, Georgia." - Chad DiBlasio (credit:<a href="http://diblasiophoto.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="DiBlasio Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://diblasiophoto.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="18" data-vars-position-in-unit="22">DiBlasio Photography</a>)
(07 of24)
"Despite the threat of Hurricane Joaquin, Katie and Joshua managed to dodge the rain for a beautiful wedding at Rose Hill Plantation in Nashville, North Carolina." - Les Atkins Photography (credit:<a href="http://www.lesatkinsphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Les Atkins Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.lesatkinsphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="17" data-vars-position-in-unit="21">Les Atkins Photography</a>)
(08 of24)
"Jess and Harry just after their intimate wedding at The Cookery in Durham, North Carolina this weekend." - Robin Lin Photography (credit:<a href="http://www.robinlin.com/blog/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Robin Lin Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.robinlin.com/blog/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="16" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">Robin Lin Photography</a>)
(09 of24)
"Danielle and Trent come from families that are simply amazing -- creating a legacy of kindness, generosity and faith. It was a wonderful day to witness." - Leeann Marie (credit:<a href="https://instagram.com/leeannmarieg/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Leeann Marie Photography/Instagram" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="https://instagram.com/leeannmarieg/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="19">Leeann Marie Photography/Instagram</a>)
(10 of24)
"Hurricane Joaquin was supposed to wreak havoc on the East Coast this weekend, but turned out to sea. That didn't totally stop it from raining at Emily and Brian's wedding at Liberty Mountain Resort. However, I would like to think that we made the best of it!" - Scott Josuweit (credit:<a href="http://www.smjphotography.net/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="SMJ Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.smjphotography.net/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="14" data-vars-position-in-unit="18">SMJ Photography</a>)
(11 of24)
"Rain and cool temperatures didn't stop Tonya and Tim from sharing a kiss along the garden of fall flowers at The Shoresbrook Inn in Towanda, Pennsylvania on Saturday." - Ed Boardman (credit:<a href="http://edboardmanphotography.weebly.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Ed Boardman Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://edboardmanphotography.weebly.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="13" data-vars-position-in-unit="17">Ed Boardman Photography</a>)
(12 of24)
"Emily and Colin said their vows at the Canadian Southern Railway Station in St. Thomas, Ontario." - Sandra McMahon (credit:<a href="http://www.lifeisbeautifulphoto.ca/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Life is Beautiful Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.lifeisbeautifulphoto.ca/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="12" data-vars-position-in-unit="16">Life is Beautiful Photography</a>)
(13 of24)
"Kristen and Warren were married in the groom's airport hangar, making the industrial space warm with a barnwood wall and marquee lights." - Erin Woodgate (credit:<a href="http://erinwoodgatephotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Erin Woodgate Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://erinwoodgatephotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="11" data-vars-position-in-unit="15">Erin Woodgate Photography</a>)
(14 of24)
"Adilene and Jose were married on a private land in Four Oaks, North Carolina."- Charity Starchenko (credit:<a href="http://www.onecrazylove.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="ONE CRAZY LOVE" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.onecrazylove.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">ONE CRAZY LOVE</a>)
(15 of24)
"In spite of the rain, Lizzy and Dave traveled from the UK and still had the NYC elopement of their dreams, complete with a vintage checkered taxicab to ferry them around the city." - Jocelyn Voo (credit:<a href="http://www.everlystudios.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Everly Studios" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.everlystudios.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Everly Studios</a>)
(16 of24)
"Elizabeth and John luckily had rain-free skies for their super fun wedding in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are an amazing couple!" - Johnny (credit:<a href="http://ticoandred.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Tico and Red" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://ticoandred.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="12">Tico and Red</a>)
(17 of24)
"Amanda Zlenka and Mark Wagoner's Youngstown, Ohio wedding. Even in Ohio, these two 'felt' Hurricane Joaquin but had nothing but smiles and love all day for their wedding!" - Christin Berry (credit:<a href="http://bluemartiniphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Blue Martini Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://bluemartiniphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">Blue Martini Photography</a>)
(18 of24)
"Cassie and Mitchell were married this weekend at The Legend at Bergamont in Oregon, Wisconsin. They celebrated with an amazing wedding party and 140 of their closest friends." - Rich Henry (credit:<a href="http://www.vitalimage.com/rich/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Rich Henry/Vital Image" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.vitalimage.com/rich/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">Rich Henry/Vital Image</a>)
(19 of24)
"Nathan and Claire were married this Saturday at Surg on the Water in Milwaukee, Wisconsin." - Larry Gamble (credit:<a href="http://www.vitalimage.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Larry Gamble/Vital Image" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.vitalimage.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="9">Larry Gamble/Vital Image</a>)
(20 of24)
"Alex and Sheena had a beautiful wedding at the Swann Plantation in Sevierville, Tennessee." - Shane and Beth Hawkins (credit:<a href="http://www.shanehawkinsphoto.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Shane Hawkins Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.shanehawkinsphoto.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">Shane Hawkins Photography</a>)
(21 of24)
"Jeni and Darrin were married Sunday in Cedarville, Michigan in the Les Cheneaux Islands." - Paul Retherford (credit:<a href="http://www.paulretherford.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Paul Retherford Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.paulretherford.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="7">Paul Retherford Photography</a>)
(22 of24)
"Nikkia and Tim in Lakeridge Farm in Ballston Lake, New York on October 3." - Tracey Buyce (credit:<a href="http://www.traceybuyce.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Tracey Buyce Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.traceybuyce.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="6">Tracey Buyce Photography</a>)
(23 of24)
"Dan and Amanda's fairytale wedding from Hyde Park Church in Cincinnati, Ohio." - Max Surikov (credit:<a href="https://maximphotostudio.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Maxim Photo Studio" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="https://maximphotostudio.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">Maxim Photo Studio</a>)
(24 of24)
"Congrats to Andrea and Tony King who tied the knot on October 3 in Continental, Ohio." - Dan Kinzie (credit:<a href="http://bluemartiniphotography.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Dan Kinzie/Blue Martini Photography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5612ca57e4b0af3706e1a454" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://bluemartiniphotography.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="4">Dan Kinzie/Blue Martini Photography</a>)
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