Gothic Weddings

Imagine your big day! The venue is just as you wanted. Hundreds of black candles light the room, and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2 in C Minor fills the room. Your guests are in their best gothic clothes and wait patiently for your arrival. The black carpet rolled out for you and strewn with red rose petals to be crushed beneath your feet as you walk toward your lover. Your bridesmaids look bewitching in their crimson and black bridesmaid dresses, with black rose bouquets in hand. You, my dear, are absolutely stunning. Your hair and makeup are on point, and your black wedding dress fits flawlessly. Everything comes down to this moment. This day is utterly yours.

Themed weddings are becoming more popular every year. But, none so much as the Gothic Wedding with vibrant color palettes and dark Victorian overtones. The Goth subculture has only grown over the past few decades. Since it's beginnings in the UK in the 1980s, Goth has spawned subcultures or varying types of Goth within itself. Traditional Goths are the most common, the grassroots of the post-punk era, with their black gothic clothes, pale skin and dark makeup. Steampunk Goths, one of my personal favorites, mash together items of the industrial age, such as clocks, gears, and other machinery with classic Victorian fashions. Colors mostly consist of various shades of brown that depict the grime and dirtiness of the industrial age mixed with pops of red and purple.

Other goth types include Cyber Goths, Hippy Goths and even Fetish Goths, to name a few. So, what type of Goth are you? What style of Gothic Wedding do you want to plan? Do you desire a romantic Victorian-style wedding with red velvet and black roses, or would you prefer a Steampunk or Halloween theme wedding? Whatever type of Goth you are, there are gothic clothes and black wedding dresses for every style. There was a time when finding gothic clothes was nearly impossible, depending on your location. Or, you had to make them yourself, which was an arduous task in itself, nevermind if you don't know how to sew! Today, gothic clothes have all but become mainstream. You can easily purchase them at local specialty boutiques, albeit, these are usually found in larger city centers. Or, you can buy your favorite gothic clothes and accessories online and have them delivered to your door. But isn't the ease of online shopping that is exciting, it is the ABUNDANCE of variety that there is. Goth enthusiasts and especially goth brides have a terrible time finding clothes and decor and often have to resort to Halloween decorations and stuff that they have made themselves. And, there are very few bridal shops that carry black wedding dresses or anything besides white or ivory for you to try on. Some might be able to be ordered in black, but they are difficult to find or are custom made dresses that cost a fortune.

Before the traditional white wedding dress that we know today, brides would wear dresses of all colors like Gothic red wedding dress. Since it didn't seem financially practical to buy such a lavish dress only to wear it one time, they would most often wear the fanciest outfit that they already owned. The white wedding dress was made famous by Queen Victoria when she married Prince Albert. At the time of her marriage, most brides would wear red for their weddings. But Victoria was a bit of a rebel and stood against the norms. She demanded a white lace dress in an attempt to help the struggling local factory that made the lace.

Shopping for your wedding dress shouldn't be a stressful event. Have fun with it, maybe experiment with styles if you can find a shop to try them on. It is the best part of wedding planning and should be fun and reflective of you. Wear what you want to wear, not what your mom or anyone else wants you to wear. Think of your dress is an extension of who you are. Show your lover your beautiful personality and show off your style in the most grandiose way you can. Whether you choose a lacey fitted skirt like this long black fishtail to show off your curves or would like a more traditional style dress, these black wedding dresses will surely ignite some wedding planning inspiration. And may even please the ficklest of mothers.

With the theme, dress and decor decided on, what about music? One of the most essential elements when trying to create a themed atmosphere is music. Why is music important? Music makes people feel different things, it sets the mood for the occasion; it is unlikely that you will hear The Dave Matthews Band or Brittany Spears played at a gothic themed wedding, they just don't go together. Take some time with your partner and search the internet and your music apps for gothic composers, such as Mozart or Carl Maria von Weber. Listen to the darkly romantic, haunting classical chamber music with intent, and find what moves you. This is what you want to play while your guests arrive and are seated. The reception can be a little more challenging to choose music for, especially if your 80-year-old grandparents are there. Classical chamber music is also a good choice for before and during dinner. Now it is time to party,but you don't want to start playing Death Metal just yet. There is an abundance of gothic love songs out there, all singing about a love that will only be changed by death. "Love you to Death" by Type O Negative is one of my favorites. Again, take the time to listen and choose the songs that move you, be you and don't stress about the little things. Everything will be the way it is meant to be. One last piece of advice, if you mix in The Chicken Dance or The Macarena for the grandparents, everyone will enjoy themselves and have a great night.