GOTH WEDDING INSPIRATION: KAT OF ROCKNROLL BRIDE. GOTHIC LOLITA STEAMPUNK WEDDINGS, BLACK BRIDAL GOWN, DECOR.
A white wedding isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re of a Gothic disposition. Thank the Devil for alternative wedding blog Rock n Roll Bride. My friend Kat Williams posts unconventional marriage photos and tips, encouraging couples to put a personal stamp on their big day.
I’m thrilled to interview her for my blog and column in Lip Service Webzine. What are Kat’s favorite Goth weddings? How would she plan mine? Read on and be inspired. (More photos of Kat from her photoshoots here.)
† Tell me about your site.
I started Rock n Roll Bride when I was planning my own wedding in 2007. On discovering wedding blogs, I realised there was a whole world of inspiration out there that you didn’t get in traditional magazines. I started the site as an online diary — a place to gather my thoughts and inspiration.
However after the wedding I decided I rather liked this blogging thing. Although I loved the blogs I read, none of them really posted about alternative weddings. So, in January 2009, I moved to WordPress and started blogging about other people’s weddings — the kinds I loved.
† What was your wedding like?
Contrary to popular belief, our wedding was actually quite traditional. We had a black & white theme — I wore a long white dress but I added a black sash, and my hair was my natural brown! Looks weird to see me in those photos now, it doesn’t look like me at all.
I really only found out about all the amazing alternative weddings and suppliers afterwards. I was sick of being told what our wedding should be like by the wedding industry portrayed in the magazines, and I wanted to inspire other brides (like me) who don’t realize there is another way to do it.
Of course if Gareth and I were to get married again now, our wedding would be totally different to how it was back then, but I don’t regret the way we did it.
† What’s your advice for planning a Goth wedding, and dealing with resistance from family?
I am a massive advocate for people doing what makes them happy and showcasing their personalities. Some of the weddings are simple and laid back, and others are extravagant affairs with burlesque dancers. But at the center of every wedding I feature is a couple in love – that’s the most important thing, so I guess ‘keeping it real’ would be my number one piece of advice.
I think these days, families are more open when it comes to themes — the media has shown a lot of differently styled weddings. I would say physically showing them your ideas is a better way to approach it then just explaining. When I told my Mum we were having a black and white theme she said ‘oh Kat, it’s going to look like a funeral.’ Luckily when I showed her some photos I’d found, she saw that it was anything but that!
† How would you plan La Carmina’s wedding?
I’d imagine you with a very glam wedding — I’m thinking a sexy and tight-fitting PVC dress (maybe black or deep red!) and jewellery with crosses or skulls. I love this crown by Butler and Wilson and this amazing necklace! For your flowers and centrepieces it would have to be decedent deep red or even black roses in tall candelabras, maybe dripping with crystals. Black tablecloths and glassware and candles.
Your cake would have to be a Choccywoccydoodah. They are the most amazing cakes I’ve ever seen, and even do skulls. Your location would obviously be in your favourite themed restaurant in Japan and your music would be J-rock! Doesn’t that sound like an awesome wedding?
And now, a selection of Goth weddings featured on Rock n Roll Bride. The headers link to the full posts.
Darkly dramatic Goth & rock wedding (photos by Devlin Photography)
“We were inspired by all that is dark and whimsical: a fusion of Victorian vamp, fanciful garden beauty and Old-World luxe tweaked with flavours of Rock n Roll and Carnival/Circus. Elements included mismatched French style furniture, vintage silverware abound with roses and ostrich feathers and candelabras, all in a rich palette of blood red, deep plums, black and white. I walked down the aisle to Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N Roses.”
Sleepy Hollow marriage ceremony (photos by Made U Look Photography)
“My initial inspiration was Sleepy Hollow meets a carnival meets a dark wonderland. I also wanted all the guests to wear all black. The bridesmaids’ looks are inspired by 1930s cabaret look. DIY weddings are totally worth it because it ends up really making your day.”
The Ghoulmores’ Night of the Living Wed (photos by Al Overdrive Weddings)
The colorful duo runs the horror-themed clothing company Kreepsville 666. Their ghoulish, retro-horror themed wedding took place on Friday the 13th. The cake was a skull and all the attendees took home a set of cast-silver effect fangs that said ‘fangs for coming’ [groan].
Deep Purple Wedding Gown and Ceremony (photos by Annamarie Stepney Photography assisted by Kim Hawkins)
The venue: a deconsacrated Roman Catholic Church in the centre of London. The bridesmaids wore 1950s-style swing dresses and birdcage veils. The cocktails followed the theme: Black Russians, Raspberry mohitos and passionfruit bellinis.
Fabulously theatrical Gothic ceremony (photos by Toast of Leeds)
“We got prices from Kirkstall Abbey (ludicrously cheap to hire) and the whole thing grew arms and legs all by itself. The lights, fog, music, shrubbery… we had an insanely theatrical wedding with a rock music soundtrack to boot.”
Mad Alice in Wonderland wedding (photos by Freyja Photography)
“It was like gothic Alice in Wonderland meets Avatar. The reception areas were filled with the giant mushrooms and flowers and you felt so tiny when you entered the room. For the party I asked for an old-queen crown, like Count Dracula era. I love vampires.”
Tim Burton Wedding (photos by D Park Photography)
“We were inspired by a visit to Disneyland’s holiday-decorated Haunted Mansion. After looking more at the work of Tim Burton, we decided we wouldn’t limit ourselves to just one of his movies but try to select something from all of them. The purpose wasn’t to be creepy and eerie but to help describe us (like many of his characters) as off-center.”
Burlesque Gothic reception (photos by Eden Exposed)
“The theme for the wedding really revolved around my dress, which was designed and handmade by the amazingly talented Kim Denman. 1950′s underwear themed colour scheme of dusty pink and black, with plenty of feathers, beads, and netting thrown in. Oh, and a massive stuffed pink bow on the back!”
For more corpse brides, you can revisit my Gothic Lolita Weddings post.
Which ceremony’s your favorite? How would you plan a Goth wedding? Please share your gown, decor, food and theme ideas in the comments! Links to photos and inspiration are welcome.
Song of the Day: Murderdolls – White Wedding
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LA CARMINA
42 Comments
Gorgeous! Thanks for the awesome story LC, inspirational photos :D <3
I’m so happy you liked it!
Great blog and pictures! :)
is the second photo taken in camden market?
Yep!!!1
I want a wedding like that!
I’d love a gothic wedding -^.^-
I would too if I ever get married.
Love the Tim Burton-themed wedding!
the last wedding is my favourite
Should my boyshape and I marry I plan on wearing a dress similar to the one Kirsten Dunst wears in the ballroom scene of Marie Antoinette (the part where Hong Kong Garden by Siouxsie and the Banshees is playing…Which would also certainly be a very “me” choice of Wedding song as I’m not fond of cliche Goth Wedding staples like Temple of Love), but I haven’t really thought beyond that.
Boy-shape!! Love that word ehehe. And great ideas so far.
ughghgh want, that first pic is so beautifull!
♥♥
Love it! Love everything about it! After all it’s really the couples day, who’s to say they can’t have exactly what they want?
My parents have always said they want me to have a simple and traditional wedding… but that’s not me at all. What would be the point of having gorgeous wedding pictures if the woman in them doesn’t even look like your daughter?
I’m not a fan of large weddings anyway, but even with a small guest list I want it to be something everyone remembers! I want them to look back and say “yeah, that was totally all her idea” XD
It only happens once (hopefully XD)!
That’s right – it should be an opportunity to create something grand and personal!
Goodness those dresses are AMAZING!
Goodness those dresses are AMAZING!
I think I found my future wedding dress ♥
This is simply amazing!
xoxo
Wooooow!
sigh* so lovely :3
oooooh nice one!
Cool!
Are you gonna get married?!!! If so, congratulations!!!
My wedding had a gothic lolita feel to it. It was featured in Offbeat Bride’s site (http://offbeatbride.com/2011/11/bali-multicultural-wedding).
One of the dresses I wore that day was a black burlesque vegan crocodile-skin corset dress. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12024574@N08/sets/72157628201582237/)
By the way, I’d love to make several hair flowers and/or a silk bouquet for you. They’ll be my gifts for you. Please check my site (http://www.angelica-brigade.com/#!__eshop) and my facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Angelica-Brigade/205402069513750) to see my past works & works in progress. (I’m the in the process of completing scepter bouquets, one of them has a lot of claw spikes on it).
I can customize your flowers in any style/size/shape/color you want; and they don’t have to be wedding flowers. If you are interested, please contact me via twitter (@angelicabrigade)
Oh wow, your wedding and dress are gorgeous!! So flamboyant – it’s very me haha. I’ll email you about the flowers – thanks!
Thank you for all your great comments guys! you can see more from each shoot/wedding by following the links to my blog which will also let you know who the dresses are by etc.
Alexandriaweb check out Ian Stuart dresses (like the one im wearing in the top picture) very marie antoinette!
Chio yes that shoot was in camden! you can see the full thing here: http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2010/05/punk-rock-n-roll-bride-camden-photo-shoot-with-uk-photographer-emma-case/
Again THANK YOU to La Carmina, I’ve loved this blog for as long as Ive been blogging so im so EXCITED to be featured!
You are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
adorable <3
La Carmina’s geting married!
Ehyyyyyyyyyyy?
These are all so cool! I especially love the purple themed one. Unfortunately, I’m quite positive Catholic church in Italy wouldn’t allow 90% of this stuff for the church ceremony part, unless you find a REALLY open minded priest… which is stupid, since it’s YOUR marriage, not the church’s. I wonder if Catholic church in other countries is more relaxed or if these were all civil marriages?
that’s a GREAT question. I think some are non-Catholic or non-religious marriages. And also, I think in USA, Asia and Britain (where many of these weddings took place), priests are much more relaxed about the type of weddings that take place.
Thank you so much for posting these wonderful images! I am
in the process of planning my own offbeat wedding (I would describe it as
vintage, macabre, with a touch black forest). Now, in my search for inspiration,
I am sad to say that (if I’m honest) most of the Gothic wedding images I’ve
seen have looked kind of tawdry. What I’ve seen is that a lot of couples (the brides
in particular) are determined to incorporate “unique” and offbeat
details without worrying if they’re tying together a cohesive theme, if the
details stand on their own, or if anything in the wedding even matches!
The biggest example I see of this is the bride going for a
Gothic wedding dress simply based on color or whimsical detailing, and ending
up with a dress that doesn’t fit her properly or suit her body type. I can
totally understand if these kinds of details are less important to some couples
than to others(to each his own!), but feel like I keep seeing women getting stuck in the only red
and black dress in the bridal shop just for the sake of being offbeat. It seems
like there aren’t many options out there; I feel like we’re being shunted into
a lot of Martha Steward-y directions if we want to plan a design-minded
wedding. We don’t want to have to choose between truly expressing ourselves or having
a lovely, classy, timeless wedding.
It is very nice to see some truly cool visions come to
fruition! This blog gives me hope that great Gothic weddings can be done! I
seriously don’t mean to bash on any other weddings, because each occasion is special and not every couple cares if if their even makes good photographs as long as they have a wonderful celebration. Personally however, it’s a huge difference
to see a dress that truly flatters a bride and details that create a cohesive
feel (pretty much every wedding you featured!) in a classy and well thought out
way. It gives me some really great inspiration! I want other Gothic brides out
there to see these different options, thank you so much!
I’m so happy to hear!! :) Keep your eyes peeled, there’s more Goth fashion and design coverage on the way. http://lacarmina.com
Love all the Ideas !! May I ask where is the shop located that has the sky painted roof with al the corsets?? Thanks for all the Great Weddings & ideas :)
mandi1910
Where is the Alice in Wonderland place its amazing
love, love, love the Tim Burton Style wedding. so awesome!!!
Brilliant ideas, superb shots. Beautiful contents, thank you for posting.
Wonderful natural Images
These images are fantastic, so full of life and energy.