In a striking affirmation of personal freedom and unconventional commitment, Neona and Hickory, a couple celebrating 13 years together, exchanged vows at The Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts, as part of their distinctive "666 Wedding Package." The ceremony, held on June 6, 2026, was a testament to their desire for a meaningful union devoid of traditional pomp and expense, instead embracing an aesthetic deeply rooted in gothic romance and individual expression, complete with permanent fangs and a ceremonial handfasting before the imposing Baphomet statue.
The Journey to the Altar: A Timeline of Unconventional Love
Neona and Hickory’s enduring relationship began in high school, a foundation that has since supported their respective career paths. Neona has cultivated a successful career as a tattoo artist, a profession that visibly manifests on her own skin through intricate sleeve tattoos and a prominent back piece. Concurrently, Hickory has immersed himself in the world of hot rods, a passion they mutually support. After over a decade together, the decision to formalize their commitment arose, but with a shared aversion to the protracted planning and conventional extravagance often associated with modern weddings. "We didn’t want the pomp and unnecessary expense of a traditional wedding," they articulated, echoing a sentiment increasingly common among couples seeking more authentic and personalized celebrations.
The catalyst for their unique wedding date emerged when The Satanic Temple in Salem announced its "666 Wedding Package." This exclusive offering was available only on specific dates in June 2026 that ended in the digit six, creating a unique and symbolic window of opportunity. Upon discovering the package, the couple immediately seized the moment, declaring, "When we saw the 666 wedding package, we decided June 6 would be our wedding date!" This specific date, June 6, 2026, or 6/6/26, resonated with the package’s numerical theme, transforming a casual intention into a concrete plan with an undeniable deadline.
The Satanic Temple, Salem: A Hub of Religious Pluralism
The choice of The Satanic Temple (TST) as a wedding venue provides significant context for Neona and Hickory’s celebration. Founded in 2013, The Satanic Temple is a non-theistic religious organization that advocates for secularism, social justice, and the separation of church and state. Crucially, TST does not worship Satan or promote evil; rather, it uses Satan as a literary figure representing rebellion against arbitrary authority, advocating for compassion, reason, and individual liberty. Its core tenets include:
- One should strive to act with compassion and reason toward all creatures in accordance with reason.
- The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
- One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
- The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo one’s own.
- Beliefs should conform to one’s best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one’s beliefs.
- People are fallible. If one makes a mistake, one should do one’s best to rectify it and resolve any harm that might have been caused.
- Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word.
The organization gained federal recognition as a religious entity in 2019, underscoring its legal standing as a legitimate faith group. Their headquarters in Salem, Massachusetts, a town historically synonymous with the infamous Witch Trials of 1692, adds another layer of symbolic resonance. Salem, a place where religious intolerance once led to tragic persecution, now hosts a diverse range of spiritual expressions, including TST, making it a poignant backdrop for a ceremony centered on individual autonomy and acceptance.
The building itself, dating back to 1868, once served as a funeral parlor—a darkly fitting precursor to its current incarnation. It now houses the Salem Art Gallery and is prominently graced by an eight-and-a-half-foot bronze statue of Baphomet, flanked by two smiling children. For TST, Baphomet symbolizes duality, balance, and the embrace of knowledge and reason, rather than a deity to be worshipped. The couple described the Temple’s interior as "cozy and old world," replete with art and gothic décor, a setting they felt perfectly suited their intimate, yet elaborate, vision.
The "666 Wedding Package" itself, while leveraging a number often associated with negative connotations in popular culture, is a marketing strategy by TST to reclaim and recontextualize symbols, aligning with their ethos of challenging conventional norms and embracing individuality. For Neona and Hickory, it provided not only a unique theme but also a pragmatic incentive, transforming the abstract idea of "someday" into a tangible date.
A Tapestry of Personal Expression: Bridal Attire and Embellishments
Neona’s bridal attire was a striking embodiment of her unique style. She chose a vibrant red 72styles Maxi Infinity Dress, sourced from Amazon, which she artfully wrapped into a crossed halter neckline with a keyhole at the chest, tying into elegant long sash tails at the back. The open back prominently showcased her extensive black-and-gray back piece tattoo, complemented by full sleeve tattoos and a rose inked on the shaved side of her head. Her ensemble was completed with black Jessica Simpson Cali pumps. Neona’s commitment to personal touch extended to her beauty regimen, with her makeup (Colourpop) and nails (Apres Gel-X) being artfully self-applied. Her hair, featuring a distinctive cut and color, was crafted by Keith Ford at Michael Thomas Salon in Manchester, New Hampshire, with wedding-day styling by Daelynne Boudreau from the same salon.
Perhaps the most distinctive elements of Neona’s appearance were her permanent fangs, a unique dental modification from Mann Family Dental, also in Manchester, and her split tongue. These bodily modifications are not merely aesthetic choices but powerful declarations of self-ownership and a rejection of conventional beauty standards, resonating deeply with TST’s tenets of individual sovereignty.
Hickory complemented Neona’s striking look with a dark Van Heusen suit, a gray shirt, and a dark tie. For the throne-room portraits, he added black sunglasses, enhancing the gothic aesthetic. His hair, like Neona’s, was expertly cut by Keith Ford. The couple’s overall presentation underscored their shared commitment to an identity that celebrates the unconventional and the deeply personal.
A Symbol of Enduring Bonds: Rings and Remembrance
The wedding rings chosen by Neona and Hickory carried profound emotional significance. Both bands, crafted by the Etsy shop Whiskered Keepsake, were designed to hold the ashes of their beloved Rottweiler, Shieba, who had passed away in November prior to the wedding. "She was our baby, and we wanted her to be a part of our ceremony and with us as we started this next chapter," the couple expressed, highlighting the depth of their bond with their late pet and their desire to include her in this pivotal life event. This poignant choice not only honored Shieba’s memory but also provided a unique, tangible link to their shared past as they stepped into their future. Neona’s engagement ring, a distinct piece, was sourced from Pandrid Design, another artisan on Etsy, further illustrating their preference for unique, handcrafted items over mass-produced jewelry. The rings, displayed in a red hexagonal velvet box on a pentagram plate, were photographed amidst candlelight, embodying the dark romanticism of the occasion.
The Ceremony: Handfasting Before Baphomet
The wedding ceremony itself unfolded within the gothic elegance of The Satanic Chapel, the designated event space within The Satanic Temple’s Salem headquarters. The venue’s rich interiors, adorned with red flocked damask walls, red satin curtains, and ornately carved wooden thrones upholstered in tufted red velvet, provided a dramatic backdrop. Horned helmets hung above round shields, contributing to the medieval-gothic ambiance. Another room featured blue velvet drapes and black damask wallpaper, with a mirror-tiled goat head perched above a red gown and candelabras entwined with roses, creating a truly immersive aesthetic.
The ceremony was intimate, with each partner bringing one witness: Hickory chose his close friend Keith, and Neona was supported by her sister, Timeya. A key ritual of their union was handfasting, an ancient Celtic and Pagan tradition that involves binding the couple’s hands with cords to symbolize their union. For Neona and Hickory, their joined hands were wrapped in a braided black-and-red cord with trailing ribbon tails, a symbolic gesture offered as an add-on by the venue. This incorporation of a historically significant ritual underscores TST’s embrace of diverse cultural practices that align with their principles of self-determination and meaningful commitment, rather than adhering to rigid dogmas.
The logistical coordination for their unique wedding was expertly managed by Ivy McKenna, the wedding coordinator for The Satanic Chapel. The couple specifically commended Ivy, stating she was "always quick to respond and keeping in contact during the whole process." They described the entire experience as "easy and comfortable," a sentiment that might surprise those unfamiliar with The Satanic Temple but highlights the professionalism and welcoming atmosphere cultivated by the venue for couples seeking alternative celebrations.
Visual Narratives: Photography Amidst Gothic Grandeur and Historic Streets
Katlyn Reilly Photography meticulously captured the essence of Neona and Hickory’s wedding, skillfully utilizing the Temple’s unique architecture and art as props. The photographs transitioned from the opulent interior spaces, showcasing the couple on their red velvet thrones beneath horned helmets, to romantic moments beneath ornate gold chandeliers in the gothic hallways. Reilly’s lens then followed the couple outdoors into the historic landscape of Salem.
After dark, the photoshoot moved through Salem’s brick pedestrian streets, past local landmarks like Rockafellas. A particularly striking series of images took place in a local cemetery, where flash photography from behind the couple cast an ethereal, neon green glow upon the grass between ancient slate headstones, creating a surreal and beautiful contrast. The final shots were taken at a classic white colonial house with black shutters and urn-topped gateposts, providing a quintessentially New England backdrop. The couple expressed immense satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "We love how much personality came through in the photos," affirming that Reilly had perfectly encapsulated the spirit and individuality of their day.
The Unforeseen Hitch: A Hearse’s Reluctant Stand-in
Even the most meticulously planned unconventional weddings can encounter unexpected challenges. Neona’s cherished 1984 Cadillac hearse, intended to transport the couple to the former funeral parlor venue, suffered mechanical failures. First, the brakes gave out, prompting Hickory and a friend/neighbor to attempt repairs. However, their efforts were thwarted when the power steering pump subsequently failed, rendering the hearse immobile. Despite the disappointment, the couple remained positive, noting, "The effort put into trying to make it happen meant a lot to us." This minor setback served as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life, yet it did not diminish the joy and significance of their day, highlighting their resilience and focus on what truly mattered.
Beyond the Novelty: The Deeper Meaning of a "666" Union
The "666 Wedding Package," while undoubtedly a novelty on paper, served a far more profound purpose for Neona and Hickory. For a couple 13 years into their relationship, it acted as a definitive deadline, transforming the abstract notion of "someday" into a concrete date on the calendar. It offered a streamlined path to marriage, bypassing the often-stressful and costly traditional planning process that they sought to avoid.
Neona’s own summary on Instagram encapsulated the sentiment perfectly: "I married my best friend on June 6, 2026." While the hearse may not have made it, the critical elements of their day were undeniably present: "surrounded by the people we wanted there, in a place where our love and true selves felt welcome." This statement underscores the core appeal of The Satanic Temple as a wedding venue for many couples: a space that actively champions individual authenticity and provides a non-judgmental environment for expressing love in its myriad forms.
This wedding also carries broader implications for contemporary societal trends. It reflects a growing desire for personalized celebrations that truly represent a couple’s values and identity, even if those identities challenge mainstream norms. It highlights the increasing visibility and acceptance of alternative belief systems, demonstrating how organizations like The Satanic Temple are carving out spaces for their members to observe life’s milestones in ways that align with their philosophical commitments. Neona and Hickory’s "666 wedding" is not merely an eccentric event; it is a powerful affirmation of love, identity, and the freedom to define one’s own sacred moments in an increasingly diverse world. Their union stands as a testament to the idea that true commitment is found not in adhering to conventional expectations, but in embracing the authentic self, surrounded by those who truly understand and celebrate it.
