How to Have a Gothic Wedding

Bride in black wedding dress kissing the groom at their outdoor, candlelit ceremony — Photo by Harwell Photography

One of the most important steps of planning your wedding is identifying your aesthetic, or the overall look and feel of your big day. Modern, bohemian, tropical, or rustic are some of the more conventional themes couples tend to choose, but one concept that’s more nontraditional and distinctive than the rest is a gothic wedding. These types of affairs are defined by an all-black palette (with optional hints of dark jewel tones) paired with strategic lighting. The result? An edgy, moody event, says planner Jamie Yacksyzn of Rock N Romance Elopements. If your wardrobe is filled with black ensembles, you’re a Halloween enthusiast, or you gravitate toward horror movies, a gothic wedding might be a fit for your big day.

Meet the Expert

Jamie Yacksyzn is the owner and lead planner of Rock N Romance Elopements based in Las Vegas. She’s been planning weddings for 13 years.

If you’re thinking about planning nuptials with a dark and moody flair, Yacksyzn recommends choosing a wedding date in the fall and opting for a complementary venue, such as a bar, an old hotel, or a forest. In terms of decorations, the planner suggests first brainstorming your priorities and then planning the rest of your adornments around that focal element. While primarily black color schemes are a must, you can also reinforce the theme by decorating your space with candles, drapery, lace linens, and dried florals. If elements of a gothic wedding appeal to you but you’re hesitant to go all out, there are also plenty of ways to incorporate a moody touch in an elegant way.

Read on to learn more about planning a gothic wedding, from the attire to the décor.

01 of 20

Design Dark Invitations

Black invitations with white font for a September wedding — Photo by Chaz Cruz Photographers

Your wedding invitations are the very first design element your loved ones will see, so mailing gothic invites will set the expectation for your upcoming soirée. At this backyard wedding in Illinois, the bride and groom created a stationery suite with black cardstock and a bold white font. Take cues from this duo and use a dark base for a moody, mysterious look; lighter lettering offers contrast while also highlighting the information.

02 of 20

Rock a Black Wedding Dress

bride in black wedding dress and sunglasses taking photos with groom in white tuxedo jacket around downtown Atlanta — Photo by Harwell Photography

Since a gothic affair is known for its dark hues, swap the standard bridal white fashion for a black wedding dress to stay on-theme. That's exactly what this bride she: Shw chose an A-line gown with a pleated skirt and balloon sleeves for her sentimental nuptials in Atlanta. We also love the idea of all-black tulle fabric, semi-sheer detailing, and embellishments, like beadwork or floral appliqués—all will help you execute your vision.

03 of 20

Add an Edgy Flair

bride's graphic Vera Wang wedding gown with "I do" engraved in black — Photo by Jeremy Chou

If you don't want to give up the traditional white wedding dress, adding a gothic touch to your classic getup will communicate your theme just as effectively. Consider emblazoning a meaningful phrase like “I do” onto your ensemble in a gothic typeface as a nod to both your vows and aesthetic—which is what this bride did at her edgy function in Los Angeles. The dramatic detail will make a statement in a tasteful, refined way.

04 of 20

Lace Up Combat Boots

Black wedding boots with crystal embellishments and white bouquet wrapped in black ribbon — Photo by Harwell Photography

Most brides tend to wear heels or sandals when they tie the knot, but for a gothic wedding, you’ll want to slip on something with more edge. Enter: black combat boots. These chunky shoes will fit the vibe and color scheme of your event, plus they’ll provide more comfort than a stiletto. You can even trim them with accessories that fit your style or wedding dress, like sequins, spikes, or studs.

05 of 20

Carry a Moody Bouquet

moody bridal bouquet with roses and dried florals in dark hues — Photo by Ana Hinojosa

Holding an arrangement of moody blooms will hint at dark, moody vibe of your gothic wedding. To give your assortment eerie flair that suits your aesthetic, focus on deep hues, like black, gray, burgundy, and plum, and dried florals and foliage. You can also mix in fresh blossoms; anemones are one of our favorites because they have a bold black center and are also available in dark purple shades.

06 of 20

Dress Your Bridesmaids in Black

bride in jacquard gown poses with bridesmaids in long black dresses holding classic white bouquets — Photo by Alicia King Photography

Another seamless way to include black in your big-day fashion is by asking your bridesmaids to wear the shade. You can either select a certain style or give your crew the autonomy to choose one that suits them. Not only will the black hue fit your aesthetic, but it’s also a timeless and elegant option that flatters every skin tone and body type. If you’re really committed to the theme, you can even request an all-black dress code for your guests.

07 of 20

Create a Dramatic Ceremony Site

ceremony setting with black octagonal arch decorated with flowers and black chairs — Photo by Laffler Photography

Your ceremony is the opening act of your wedding, so you’ll definitely want its surrounding décor to introduce or emphasize your theme. At this duo’s theatrical wedding in Brooklyn, black taper candles bordered the aisle, while a cluster of black chiavari chairs faced a black octagonal structure and wine-colored velvet draping. With dark details and rich fabrics, you’ll evoke a mysterious, otherworldly appeal your guests will never forget.

08 of 20

Combine Dark Details With Airy Accents

ceremony space in garden with black chairs, white flower petals down the aisle, and a white floral arch — Photo by Jeremy Chou

Maybe you’d rather incorporate a more subtle gothic touch into your ceremony design. If that’s the case, consider focusing on one particular element to paint in black, like your chairs. Then, pair them with other contrasting colors to make sure that the dark color pops. Black garden chairs placed beside white flower petals and a white floral arch, for example, will bring a lush feel to your ceremony without overshadowing the moody hue.

09 of 20

Use Wordplay

custom til death do us part black cocktail napkins with a colorful floral arrangement — Photo by A Sea of Love

“‘Til death do us part” is an important part of traditional wedding vows, but the phrase takes on a whole new meaning at gothic weddings. Consider adding the words onto your cocktail napkins (and other signage) for a thematic play on words, like this duo did at their fairy-tale wedding in Rhode Island. Black napkins are a must, but you can play around with the font color: Try gold for more glamorous affairs or white for modern nuptials.

10 of 20

Select Gothic Drink Menus

Black acrylic cocktail menu with three signature drinks — Photo by Norman & Blake

Serving signature cocktails is one way to create a celebratory atmosphere at your reception, but you’ll need signage to designate your specialty drinks. Why not use these signs to hit home your gothic theme? Set up a black acrylic option (like this couple did at their rustic bash in Santa Barbara), which will create a supernatural effect by reflecting candlelight in a dimly-lit room. You can even name your refreshments with your theme in mind; consider “Black Magic” or “Midnight Fog,” and incorporate dark ingredients, like blackberries or activated charcoal, into your beverages.

11 of 20

Opt for Eerie Escort Cards

black studded goblets with stirrers as escort cards — Photo by Plum & Oak Photography

For your escort cards, black goblets with studded bases will complement the grungy look of a gothic wedding while directing friends and family to their tables. We love this idea if your event has more of an old-world style. By filling each glass with a welcome drink (red wine is a great fit) and using drink stirrers for each guest’s name, you’ll make your escort cards even more practical and memorable.

12 of 20

Give Life to Black Signage

Black seating chart at wedding reception decorated with candles, flower petals, and pink flowers — Photo by Amy Anaiz Photography

Seating charts are a suitable alternative to escort cards, and they provide plenty of opportunities to reinforce your gothic theme. Writing the names of each of your guests on a black board or frame is ideal for moody weddings, and you can decorate your sign in ways that fit your aesthetic. Consider scattering flower petals and votive candles across the base of your seating chart and draping flower garlands along the structure, which is what this pair did at their tropical fête in Miami. Deep, dark tones are best, but you can also choose light and bright hues for contrast.

13 of 20

Create a Mystical Entrance

barn venue at twilight with greenery around the door frame and a pathway lined with black lanterns — Photo by Norman & Blake

Before your guests even set foot in your reception venue, they’ll notice the exterior. So, why not decorate your entrance in a way that grabs their attention and hints at the overall theme? A trail of black lanterns at twilight is the perfect way to welcome guests to your gothic wedding reception. Implementing uplighting will cast shadows across the walls and give plants and greenery a chilling effect.

14 of 20

Install a Dark Canvas

Reception site with black linens and chairs, taper candles, and floral arrangements — Photo by Laffler Photography

One of the best ways to create a gothic feel at your reception is decking out the space in black chairs, linens, and candles—and turning the lights down low. This will create a spooky vibe, especially if your venue has soaring ceilings with gothic architecture. If you don't love the idea of designing all-black tables, break up the dark hues with white floral centerpieces.

15 of 20

Showcase Unique Uplighting

moody reception with tall, feathery floral centerpieces and purple uplighting — Photo by PS Photography + Films

With uplighting, you can play up certain details around the room (while downplaying others). For your gothic affair, use this form of lighting to highlight tall centerpieces on your head table (which is what this couple did at their nightclub wedding in Miami) and make the rest of your tables look dark—almost imperceptible. If you use feathers in moody hues for your arrangements, the uplighting will also make them look animated and fantastical.

16 of 20

Focus on Mood Lighting

wedding reception dinner decor with black linens and gold chandeliers — Photo by Dos Mas En La Mesa

According to Yacksyzn, lighting is one of the most important elements of a gothic wedding. At this duo’s romantic nuptials in Colombia, they dined in a dimly-lit room with floating chandeliers and lanterns, which created a dark, but ethereal atmosphere. Tables engulfed in black linens won’t only complement the aesthetic, but they’ll also allow the light fixtures to take center stage.

17 of 20

Incorporate Black Taper Candles

black-tie tropical wedding reception decor with mirrored tables, black chairs, and black taper candles — Photo by Amy Anaiz Photography

Black taper candles are another form of lighting that will hint at your gothic aesthetic. These candles will look beautiful and mystical scattered down the center of a banquet table, but placing them in glass candelabras will give the setup a glamorous, vintage touch. For a cohesive, color-coordinated display, pair with black chairs. Then, set everything up on a table with a mirrored surface to create an optical illusion.

18 of 20

Infuse Pops of Plum

Reception tables with black napkins, purple taper candles in gold candle holders, and a purple runner — Photo by Harwell Photography

Black is the quintessential gothic wedding color, but there are other dark shades that work well with the hue. One of our favorites is plum. The deep purple tone has a similar effect to black, but it will add more depth to your affair—especially autumnal nuptials. To combine the two, choose chargers, flatware, and chairs in black and taper candles, napkins, and a runner in plum.

19 of 20

Set the Table With Gothic Chargers

place settings with black chargers, gold and black flatware, and dark glassware — Photo by Norman & Blake

Your place settings have a lot of potential when it comes to enacting your vision. Layering black chargers on wood tables, beside dark glassware and gold flatware with black handles, will give your tablescapes an edgy feel. Instead of implementing only black details, which could result in a flat look, break up the dark tones with white menus.

20 of 20

Serve an Edgy Wedding Cake

black wedding cake decorated with red and pink roses with dark leaves — Photo by The Day Weddings

A wedding cake covered in black fondant is a natural fit for a gothic wedding. While leaving your confection bare will get your point across, you can also embellish the dessert with roses in red, purple, and black tones. Bonus points if you choose a flavor with a black color, like chocolate or cookies and cream, for the middle.

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