In the Dark Ages, black was the norm for wedding dresses. In fact, white was the anomaly right up until Queen Victoria and Prince Albert tied the knot. So, if you’re a bride who wants to go against the grain or if white simply isn’t your colour, take a look at what we have to say below…
Choosing to opt out of the traditional white wedding gown and instead donning a creation inspired by Gothic fashion is a bold decision. But, it’s one that will allow you a lot more choice when it comes down to the style and colour of your dress.
The Gothic
Although we recognise Goths today as people who wear dark clothing and makeup, the Goths were originally a race of East Germanic people. They lived in the first few hundred years AD before all-but dying out.
Later, 12th century French art scene developed as “Barbaric” and architecture across Europe followed. A resurgence in the 16th century led to an influx of literature based upon horror and romance.
In conclusion, the Gothic terms that we are familiar with today have come about from centuries of art, literature and architecture.
The Darkness
Be bold with your wedding gown and choose black. Your wedding day is all about you and your partner. If you’ve always dreamt of walking down the aisle in a daring, black dress, go for it.
Gone are the days when we only associate the colour black with funerals. Whether you’re simply a lover of minimalism or you want to make a statement, a black wedding dress is a beautifully brave choice.
Some brides may feel that wearing a full black dress a little bit too extreme. So, why not opt for a white dress that has been customised with black accents? This could be in the form of lace or embroidery.
The Colour
A Gothic wedding gown gives you the option of expressing your personality through colour. For instance, you could show a vampy-feel through red satin material. On the other hand go for a romantic style by wearing a purple dress inspired by a long gone era.
Purple is a spellbindingly rich and deep colour. Therefore it is perfect for one of the biggest and happiest days of your life.
We get seriously witchy vibes from purple, and we’re not mad about it. Don’t hold back with the accessories; you could even find a statement headpiece to complement.
Furthermore, how about blood red? A dominant primary colour with associations of love and passion, we can’t think of a better reason to wear it on your wedding day. Pair your red gown with a vampiric makeup look to finish off the look.
Whether you go for black or a rich, dark aubergine or crimson, your wedding dress will stand out from the crowd.
The Material
The mysterious style of Gothic fashion often makes use of luxurious materials such as satin, silk, leather and velvet. Gowns often incorporate corsets, alongside Elizabethan or Victorian styles of tailoring.
Velvet is a lush material. Instead of wearing an entire velvet dress you could invest in a velvet sash, or brave a beautiful embroidered bodice.
Leather would also work wonders. Similarly to velvet, you could get your hands on a leather bodice for your dream dress.
Lace is usually a key element of a Gothic gown (and many traditional wedding gowns) and can be included on any feature of the dress. This could be on the bodice, or on the veil or the skirt itself.
For something a little extra, your gown could feature black rhinestones, adding a mystical sparkle. Or, you could go even further and wear a black veil, which would certainly add a unique twist on tradition.
The Style
Classical examples of a wedding gown are likely to fit with the Gothic style more readily than modern dresses. So, you should consider A-line, ball gown or empire style shape.
These cuts have an olde-worlde look that should fit in really well with your theme. Or, a dramatic black fishtail gown or tea-length gown is sure to make you impossible to forget.
An A-line gown can be done up with layers of black tulle on the skirt for volume and Gothic drama. Furthermore, there are a number of black and red corset-style wedding dresses. It won’t be tricky to find the right one for you.
The traditional gowns usually incorporate a ruffled dress under a tight black corset for an astounding effect. You could even consider adding black elbow-length gloves for added glamour and sophistication.
Strapless ball gown dresses can also work really well. Their decadent shades, beading and gorgeous lacing can add a truly ethereal accent to a dress.
The Embellishments
Your shoes, veil and accessories are the perfect places to add a little bit of something different.
Firstly for shoes, consider a pair of Louboutin heels. The black shoe with red sole makes a striking impact. Instead, you could pair your dress with a pair of combat boots for an interesting contrast.
Consider a dark, black veil. Likewise, imagine a flower crown of deep red lilies. Of course hair can make a big impact to any look, but the Gothic style allows for so much choose. In fact if you have ever wanted to do something different to your hair, like dying it a rich violet, this is the perfect opportunity.
Have your nails and makeup done in dark colours. You can really engage the witchy vibe with long, black nails, and a dramatic smoky eye would help.
The Look
Finally, once you have decided on the dress, there are plenty of ways of theming the rest of your wedding.
For instance, imagine travelling in a Victorian horse drawn carriage. Subsequently, arrive at a Neo-Gothic castle. Imagine bannisters wrapped with ivy and vases stuffed with dark red lilies. After that, cut a black wedding cake which oozes raspberry jam. Well, you get the idea.
We hope that we have given you some ideas and inspired you to start searching for your dream Gothic wedding dress. Do let us know if you have any other ideas, or if you used a dark, Gothic theme for your special day.
