Some events stay in your mind for years before you finally experience them.
For me, vampire balls were one of those things. I remember being much younger, barely even old enough to go out, and hearing people talk about them in Salem. I would pass by and see glimpses through windows:
- Dim lighting
- People dressed in elaborate, gothic outfits
- Music and movement just out of reach
And every time, I thought the same thing: “One day, I want to go to one of those.”
The Event
That moment finally came with my first Endless Night Vampire Ball. They host these events in multiple locations, and while this one is often referred to as the “Boston” event, it’s more accurate to say metro Boston, meaning the exact location can vary (including Salem). It can change, and you’ll want to stay somewhere convenient once the final location is confirmed.
One important tip: Do not book your hotel until the official venue is announced.
The Concept
For this event, I knew I wanted to lean into the theme. The aesthetic of a vampire ball isn’t just “costume” it is:
- Elegant
- Dramatic
- Slightly gothic
- And often very opulent
The theme for this particular event had strong gold elements, so I decided to build my look around that. But instead of committing to one outfit immediately, I did something I now highly recommend: I bought multiple dress options.
The Dresses (Trial & Decision Process)
I ended up with three different gold dresses, all with very different:
- Textures
- Cuts
- Visual effects on camera
- And this is where things get interesting.
- When it comes to metallic fabrics, especially gold:
- They photograph differently
- They reflect light differently
- And they fit differently depending on structure and material
There were dresses I thought would be perfect and… they weren’t. And then there was one I wasn’t fully confident in… That ended up being the one I chose.
Why Multiple Options Matter
This experience taught me something important, even if something looks amazing:
- On a model
- In product photos
- Or even in person
…it doesn’t always translate the same way on your body or in motion. Having multiple options allowed me to:
- Compare fit
- Test comfort
- See how each one moved
And ultimately choose what felt right, not just what looked right.
The Final Look
The dress I chose fit well, felt comfortable, and worked with the lighting of the event. To complement it, I added:
- Gold accessories
- A gothic-style book purse (which ended up getting the most compliments)
The purse added a subtle, thematic detail that tied everything together without being over-the-top.
Hair & Headpiece Challenges
I originally planned to include a more dramatic headpiece. However, it didn’t work out the way I hoped. The issues:
- It kept shifting and falling
- It sat high and flat, making it unstable
- It required constant adjustment
And realistically, the last thing you want while dancing is to feel like: you have to keep your head perfectly level just to keep something in place. On top of that, I chose to use my natural hair, which at the time was shorter (shoulder-length). If I had longer hair, I might have been able to secure the piece better by wrapping or anchoring it; but with finer, shorter hair, it just wasn’t practical. There’s also the comfort factor: Some headpieces press into the temples, and after a while, that becomes distracting. So, I made the decision to skip it.
Shoes & Practical Styling
For footwear, I went with:
Red pointed flats (originally from my Wicked Lady / Sailor Moon cosplay)
They wrapped around the ankle and were both:
- Comfortable
- Easy to move in
They’re discontinued now, but similar styles are easy to find. Comfort was key here, especially for an event where you’ll be standing, walking, and dancing for hours.
The Experience
The event itself was everything I had imagined years ago. There were:
- Professional dancers
- Atmospheric lighting
- People in incredibly elaborate outfits
- A full immersive environment
I opted for an upgraded ticket (Diamond tier), which gave access to:
- A second-level space
- A separate bar
- Included food
It added a more relaxed area to step away from the main floor, which I appreciated. There was also a photographer capturing ghostly, stylized portraits, which added another artistic layer to the experience.
Vampire Details (or Lack Thereof)
One thing I chose not to include:
- Fangs
As much as they fit the theme, I already knew they wouldn’t work well for me. Between:
- Tooth shape
- Fit issues
- And general discomfort
They tend to be more trouble than they’re worth in my case. Instead, I kept it simple and added a subtle detail:
- Small “bite marks” using lipstick
It wasn’t perfect, but it added a playful nod to the theme.
Final Thoughts
This experience lived up to everything I imagined and more. It also taught me:
- Preparation matters
- Comfort matters
- And flexibility matters
There were people there with much more elaborate looks, even participating in costume contests, which I hadn’t originally considered. If I go again, I might:
- Go more elaborate
- Or even enter the contest
But for a first experience, this was exactly what I needed.
Costume Notes & Condition
All three dresses are currently stored. Two are wearable as-is for future events (New Year’s, holiday parties, etc.) One may be altered or repurposed, depending on how I want to use it This is another reason I don’t regret buying multiple options; they all still have value.
