Gothic Weddings
Are you creepy and kooky? Mysterious and spooky? Altogether ooky? For the goth couple, the wedding day is a fine chance to put on a lavish gothic bash, one that celebrates their subcultural leanings in blood-curdling style.
A Bit Of Background
The gothic look borrows from literature, history and religion; it can be fun, romantic or scary, all of which can go towards helping to create a unique and memorable wedding day. Goth culture is often derided as being a bit silly but the romance at the heart of goth is eminently suited to a wedding.
Gothic weddings aren’t just for people who can name every Fields Of The Nephilim album in order. By borrowing bits of gothic style, non-goth couples might find that extra something that makes their wedding day pop, and if you’re a groom who just can’t cope with the basic mens wedding suit choices then a bit of goth might be what you’re looking for.
How to get the look
If you think about it, weddings are often pretty gothic occasions anyway. They take place in an old church, you can have photos done in a graveyard and people wear antiquated clothing like top hats.
But to give a wedding a distinctive goth spin takes some additional touches. Think about who needs to be dressed as a goth: will it just be the bride and groom, the whole wedding party or every single person there?
Also bear in mind that goth is a multi-layered thing. There’s a subtle goth look, achieved by touches of black and red, make-up and accessories, or at the other end of the spectrum there’s a fairytale goth look inspired by Alice In Wonderland and Tim Burton movies. If you’re looking for inspiration then can we point you in the direction of (the surprisingly not awful) Corpse Bride.
One of the most suitable goth looks for a wedding is Victorian goth, which seeks to emulate the fashions and spirit of the period: think bustles, velvet, satin and bodices for brides and long black coat and top hat for the groom.
For a more extreme gothic wedding, couples can really go the whole hog, arriving in a hearse, bride in a black wedding dress, blood red confetti and, er, a honeymoon in Transylvania. One Las Vegas chapel even offers the chance to get married in a faux graveyard, with Hammer Horror fog rolling over the astroturf and a minister dressed as the Grim Reaper.
Where to shop
For true gothic wedding clothing seek out special costumiers such as The Dark Angel, who’ll kit you out in the best gothic finery. We’re massive fans of The Dark Angel, not only because their clothes look good but they’re reasonably priced too – have a look at this Velvet Priory Coat – £140!
There’s a whole industry that’s built up around the extras too: Gothic Wedding Flowers specialises in, yup, gothic bouquets, Mark Tierney specialises in beautiful gothic wedding photography (Mark get in touch, we want to see some gothic grooms!), Gothic Limousines can provide the car and Argoth (ha!) is a one-stop accessories shop. We love the idea of a half-skull goblet for the wedding toasts.
Potential problems
Some vicars will baulk at the idea of a goth wedding, they’ll presume the couple to be pagans, Satanists or heretics and chase the congregation out with a crucifix and a super-soaker full of holy water, so you’ll definitely need to square the whole thing with the minister first. A civil or humanist ceremony would see no problem in it, or you could always opt for a (non-legally binding) pagan ritual.
Parents and guests could be another hurdle, as with all special touches you want to add to your wedding day, if you feel strongly about having a goth influence on your wedding then go for it but be prepared to explain why it’s important to you and how other people can help you celebrate your gothic wedding.
Further information
Check out Gothic Darling for more ideas.
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