Gothic Wedding Ceremony

From LoveToKnow Weddings

Even if you don’t ascribe to goth philosophy, you can incorporate certain elements of a gothic wedding ceremony to create a sense of drama and mystery.

What It Means to Have a Gothic Wedding Ceremony

The goth movement is an offshoot of the punk rock movement of the 1980s. Its philosophy is too complex to be enumerated here, but the main tenet is the rejection of mainstream belief and values. Goths style themselves as free thinkers, unafraid to delve into taboo subjects such as magic, mysticism and the darker side of life. Following this line of thought, a gothic wedding ceremony is a rejection of traditional wedding practice and the relationship that it implies. Goths prefer to define relationships and values in their own way.

A fully traditional gothic wedding ceremony can incorporate elements of mysticism and ancient Druidic practice. Some choose to keep wedding tradition intact, while incorporating the darker color scheme and dramatic feel of a gothic wedding ceremony. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to affirm a philosophy or simply create a look.

Creating the Look of a Gothic Wedding Ceremony

A gothic wedding ceremony can be characterized by a darker color scheme. Black wedding attire, dramatic hues and candles are all reminiscent of a gothic wedding ceremony. If you don’t want to go extremes, you can choose a palate with richer colors such as ruby red, navy and emerald green. A touch of dark velvet for the groomsmen and stunning ruby red gowns for your bridesmaids can add just the right flare. In addition, crimson roses and dark ivy lend a striking backdrop to your wedding ceremony or reception.

If you want all the elements of your gothic wedding ceremony to come together, you need to do some careful planning. If you want your guests to “get” the theme that you are trying to create, all aspects of the ceremony should be in harmony. For instance, playing light jazz music as your guests enter the reception area would probably not fit within the gothic landscape. A classical overture with haunting and melodic rhythms would be a far better choice for a gothic wedding ceremony.

Another way to goth up your wedding is to choose an appropriate wedding venue for your celebration. Look for venues with an older feel that invoke a sense of drama. Think burgundy velvet chairs, fireplaces, high arches and oak paneling. Of course, be sure to inquire about the venue’s regulations regarding adding additional decoration to the existing set-up. You may need to add some gothic touches here and there to enhance the atmosphere.

Finding Gothic Wedding Gear

If you decide to move forward with your plans for a gothic wedding ceremony, you will need to find supplies to make your vision a reality. If you live in a major metropolitan area, you can probably find a store specializing in gothic paraphernalia. If your budget permits, you can also have your wedding attire and favors handmade. Otherwise, you can probably find what you need online.

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Comments

Thanks for sharing your tips, Kim! It sounds like you have some fabulous ideas and are doing really well to have a beautiful, creative wedding. Congratulations!

-- Contributed by: Melissa Mayntz

I found a great dress actually on ebay. It's crimson and has beading...very very beautiful. My search keywords were: black crimson quinceanera gowns. I found lots of very full gowns that didn't have a train, which is great because I am limited to time and very clumsy too. Hope this helps. As far as my flowers go, I am going to get black roses from my local hobby store, and crimson colored glitter, I'm going to dip the tips of the roses in clear glue, then dip the ends into the glitter, that way I can get both colors. If you don't say "Wedding" most salons will do an updo for a decent price, and I rented a theater for my ceremony and reception. It gives it the whole creepy/gloomy theme without my having to decorate a lot. There are a ton of overseas places that will have things for gothic styled weddings, I know it's a distance, but from what I have done, I am finding the prices well below my budget and very good quality. Good luck and congratulations!!!

-- Contributed by: Kim

Nichole - Since you want such a specialized gown, I'd suggest looking for a wedding dress pattern you like and finding a local seamstress willing to create the dress in the colors and fabrics you prefer. If you want to buy a ready-made dress, you can look for special occasion dresses instead of straight wedding gowns, or look for high-end costume designers who specialize in gothic attire. Best wishes!

-- Contributed by: Melissa Mayntz

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