A white wedding isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re of a Gothic disposition. Hail Satan 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 column in Lip Service Webzine. What are Kat’s favorite Goth weddings? How would she plan La Carmina’s? 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 on my La Carmina blog.
† Dark Wishes †