From blood covenants to taxidermy, wildest Gothic-themed wedding traditions

As Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Baker, and their good friends Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly, plan their upcoming nuptials, fans can’t help but wonder how the sexy, alternative couples will celebrate their special day.

With less COVID restrictions, weddings are looking a lot like they used to but with one catch: many couples are giving tradition the ring finger, in favor of Gothic themes.

‘Many times it is less about a desire to “go goth” necessarily, but rather about an absence of conformity on your wedding day,’ says event planner and founder of Electric Sugar Elopements, McKenzi Taylor. 

‘Kat Von D’s wedding to Rafael Reyes was impressive,’ said McKenzi.

‘Because of its unapologetic use of red, and the craftsmanship of the handmade crosses and art pieces. 

‘We also were fans of Pete Wentz and Ashley Simpson’s dark Alice-In-Wonderland themed wedding from ages ago, because it showed us that even the “girl next door” has permission to celebrate the way she wants to on her wedding day.’

According to the expert, more often than not, couples choose a goth theme over traditional nuptials simply because they love the aesthetic.

‘Or because they want to express that their bond and commitment overcame something dark or challenging and now can’t be broken.’

Planning a goth wedding is no different for the expert and her team at Electric Sugar Elopements. ‘We celebrate couples by offering a safe space for off-beat ideas and celebrations that don’t fit the traditional mold.’ 

While western weddings have a lot of customs tied to them, none of them are necessary for a beautiful day or happy union. 

‘Contemporary weddings have such flexibility and tradition can be incorporated into even the most alternative wedding theme,’ said McKenzi.

COLOR AND DECOR   

‘It’s a misconception that goth equates to anger or sin –  rather it’s about finding beauty even in darkness – which makes its symbolism very deep for a wedding.’ 

The color palette of a Gothic ceremony is dark and moody. Shades of blood red, deep berry, jewel tones and black fit the bill. 

Elevate the space by ‘sourcing opulent items that represent the fantasy of a dark-themed fairytale and theatrics. Think: Tim Burton’s take on fairy tales and classic stories.’   

McKenzi suggests peacock or crow feathers, anything made with ornate metals and heavier fabrics like velvet. Also, fruits, taxidermy, skulls, and antique or steampunk pieces (inspired by Victorian-era industrialism).

She says candelabras and an obscene amount of melted candles, make for the perfect tablescape.  

‘It’s not a goth wedding if the dramatic element is missing,’ declares the specialist. 

A Gothic style wedding is not lacking in sophistication.

‘An elevated elegance can be found in the majesty of rental decor like thrones, retired church pews, or tufted couches for seating.’

Dramatic lighting is also important. ‘Many of our weddings are in outdoor locations, so we create a darker, yet elegant and almost aged tone to our couple’s photographs during the post-production process.’

‘Be sure to vary the height of décor and props like crystal chandeliers, bird cages, stone pieces, and mirrors, so that they are not uniform in height or look.’

Many couples play off the vow “Til death do us part” vow with decor that symbolizes the romantic sentiment.   

‘Pair all of it with dark wood and exposed brick to keep things balanced and modern,’ recommends McKenzi.

FLOWERS  

Flowers are an integral part of a wedding. Not only do they smell great and look beautiful, they help carry out a theme. 

‘Roses, dark calla lilies or a simple Protea can make a dramatic statement, plus they give a good bang for the buck,’ says the wedding planner.

‘Bouquet shapes should be cascading, not round, and accents of dried grasses and leaves work well.’  

MUSIC  

‘We love to hear romantic, haunting piano pieces for walking down the aisle – but nothing beats a live cellist,’ shares McKenzi.

‘Also, there is a cool dichotomy when we see Opera singers or a gospel choir present at this type of soul-stirring wedding. 

‘Yet after the ceremony, it’s completely up to the couple to choose what leads their guests onto the dancefloor.’

LOCATION   

Finding the perfect wedding venue is not easy. McKenzi suggests starting your search at Victorian gardens, dimly-lit mansions, and old industrial spaces.  

She says your subtheme should influence the venue you choose. 

‘For instance, are you going for an esoteric fairy tale mood, or more of a post-apocalyptic feel? Is it tribal-goth or cyber-goth? 

FASHION/BEAUTY

Brides are saying “I don’t” to white princess dresses.

They’re rejecting the bridal standard in favor of attire that better expresses their personal style and character.

‘Though most goth brides wear black, you don’t have to. Pastel goth does exist, and Dita Von Teese wore a stunning violet dress to her nuptials.’ 

According to McKenzi, the fabric and silhouette are what matter most to achieve the dark look.

‘Opt for garments made of luxury materials like velvet, silk, lace, and anything with boning or a corset.’

She suggests accessorizing with a floral crown or crystal headpiece, matte black nails, and smokey eye makeup.

For the guys, ‘waistcoats, tailcoats, and cloaks give off dark fairy tale vibes, and patterned fabrics create an aristocratic goth feel like classy vampires of the southern states.’

Each detail in an outfit expresses one’s personality, and every accessory makes a statement.

‘Ultimately, it’s less about the suit style and more about how it is accessorized. Studs and spikes are always a win, along with faux animal leathers and boots.’

For visual consistency, McKenzi suggests requesting that guests wear black.  

‘Many guests won’t know what to expect, so this takes some pressure off their attire. If you have a more adventurous crowd, you can suggest goth-inspired attire for fun.’ 

Electric Sugar Elopements specialize in elopements and micro weddings for couples who dare to break the mold.   

McKenzi reveals the wildest thing she’s ever seen is a blood covenant.

‘During the ceremony, they mildly cut their palms and rubbed them into each other. It wasn’t as messy as we anticipated and went rather well, surprisingly. 

‘An alternative to this would be symbolizing a “blood” covenant with juice or wine sipped from vintage style goblets with arms intertwined.’