Finding your kindred spirit in darkness is cause for celebration. It’s time to get all your family and friends together for a gothic wedding for the ages—but with a dizzying array of options out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Is your aesthetic more dark cottagecore or vampire chic?
To help you figure out how to plan a goth wedding, here are some ideas for a “black celebration”—to quote Depeche Mode—that will be as unforgettable as your love.
Goth Wedding Themes
It’s helpful to pick a theme first to help you narrow down your options and give you a framework to work with when wedding planning. (Of course, you might not want to be constrained by a very specific theme—and that’s fine too!) Here are a few ideas to spark some inspiration:
Masquerade
A masquerade ball is a beloved gothic motif, popping up in classics from The Phantom of the Opera to Labyrinth. You’ll love the sense of mystery and magic—and your guests will love wearing fun decorative masks.
Dark Forest
A dark forest wedding is a wonderful way to invoke a bit of gothic drama while celebrating your special day. This aesthetic embraces nature in all its darkness and vitality—think spooky woods, spindly trees, and curling vines of ivy.
Dark Fairytale
If you always wanted to step into the pages of a fairy story, this is your chance. A dark fairytale wedding can incorporate elements like storybooks, magic potions, and candied “poison apples”—the only limit is your imagination.
Dark Academia
The hallowed halls of ivy league colleges can hide dark and ancient secrets—and provide a brooding, polished aesthetic for a gothic wedding. If you love leatherbound books, dark vintage clothes, and classic silhouettes, a dark academia wedding could be the one for you.
Dracula
“I’ve crossed oceans of time to find you” is one of the most romantic lines in all of gothic literature, and the classic book it comes from can inspire a dark and spooky vampire wedding for the ages. (For a sapphic spin on the vampire mythos, try the Sheridan Le Fanu novel Carmilla.)
Medieval & Renaissance: Danse Macabre
If your sensibility leans more medieval goth, then prepare for a celebration right out of the Renaissance Faire. Dark tapestries, flower crowns, and flowing mead will transport you back in time. This theme will let you choose the princess gown of your dreams—and party like it’s 1499.
Hades & Persephone
The ultimate dark romance, the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone is loaded with gothic themes—after all, it’s about the King and Queen of the Dead. The pomegranates featured in the story would make for gorgeous (and delicious) decorations.
Boho Goth
If you prefer to keep things casual, this hippie-inspired goth aesthetic could be perfect for your wedding. Think long fringed shawls and dark linen pants—perfect for a nighttime beach wedding with a bonfire.
Dark Rustic
If you want a gothic wedding theme without the fuss, a dark rustic gothic wedding celebration could be just what you’re looking for. Combining gothic pieces with a country-inspired dark cottagecore look is casual yet spooky. Think about using antlers, animal skulls, dried flowers, and branches to DIY the reception of your dreams (and nightmares).
Tarot: It Was in the Cards
The tarot deck is laden with powerful symbolism, often romantic and signaling good fortune (as with the Lovers card). You can incorporate tarot imagery into things like invitations and signs, and even provide guests with commemorative tarot decks as favors.
Written in the Stars
Celestial imagery is beautiful and whimsical, and you can incorporate it in so many fun ways, from bridesmaid dresses to centerpieces and tablecloths. Hold your reception under the stars, and provide stargazing maps for curious guests (but be sure to have alternate plans in case the weather doesn’t cooperate).
Pastel Goth
You can still be goth with a soft pink or lilac color palette. If you want a gothic theme that’s fun and playful, a pastel goth wedding is the way to go. Skulls with pink bows, cute cartoon-style signs and decorations, and cuddly plush bats are a few examples of things to include.
A Circle of Witches
A witchy wedding isn’t complete without a truly diabolical party. Magical touches like candles, a cauldron of punch, a smoke machine, and a cozy bonfire will make this a celebration to remember.
Moon Over New Orleans
With its supernatural legends, famous cemeteries, and haunting charm, New Orleans is the perfect setting for a gothic wedding. If you can’t make it to the Big Easy, bring the city to you with jazz, Creole cuisine, and lush decorations like wrought iron dripping with Spanish moss, jasmine, and wisteria.
Dark Desert
This is an interesting spin on the dark forest theme, a celebration of nature at its most spellbinding. Cattle skulls and cacti are a few examples of decorations that would suit this theme. If you want to give your goth wedding a Western touch, a dark desert wedding is the perfect idea. Don’t forget your black cowboy boots!
Goth Wedding Reception
Charcuterie Board with Pomegranates
Striking red pomegranates are gorgeous additions to a gothic celebration—as are any other deep red fruits that strike your fancy. A charcuterie board with cheese, fruit, and cured meats guests can eat from at their leisure creates a casual yet elegant atmosphere.
Blood-red Punch and/or Themed Cocktails
If you want to commemorate your “love like blood,” a ruby red punch could be the perfect choice. Dark red or black cocktails will also convey a touch of dark whimsy—and get your guests out on the dancefloor.
Cute Skull Cupcakes
For a pastel goth wedding, cute cupcakes decorated with skulls provide a bit of lighthearted sweetness.
Mulled Wine or Cider
If you’re planning a fall wedding, get cozy with some hot mulled wine or cider. Everyone will love the cinnamon and spices, and you’ll love creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere.
Blackberry Cakes
Cakes or pastries with pitch-black blackberry filling are a tasty treat that would perfectly suit a gothic theme.
Blood Orange Sangria
Sangria is always a crowd-pleaser, and using dark red blood oranges gives it a subtle gothic twist. Serve with tapas like mixed olives, garlic shrimp, and chorizo to bring a bit of Spain to your wedding table.
Themed Food & Drinks
Let your gothic wedding theme be your guide! For example, serve up bloody cocktails for a vampire theme, honey mead for a medieval feast, or sazeracs and beignets for a New Orleans theme.
Witch’s Cauldron Punch
We’re big fans of serving punch and other “communal” drinks at weddings—they’re inexpensive compared to having an open bar, and they let everyone share in the festivities. (Though of course, other drink options should be provided for guests who prefer beer, liquor, or nonalcoholic drinks.) For a witchy wedding, place the punchbowl in a cauldron—and add some dry ice for an extra smoky effect.
Coffin Photo Booth
People love wedding photo booths, and you can have a lot of fun with a gothic theme by letting your guests take pictures in a replica coffin.
Halloween Toys
Inject some fun into your goth wedding by raiding your local Halloween store and presenting toys and trinkets (and candy) your guests can enjoy throughout the reception. This lets your attendees participate in the theme in a casual, carefree way.
Provide Halloween-themed jewelry and toys like plastic spider rings, glow stick necklaces, vampire fangs, plastic bat barrettes, etc.
Coffin Ice Chest for Drinks
Show off your dark sense of humor by serving cold drinks out of an ice-filled wooden coffin you can buy or DIY. This would work great for a dark rustic theme.
Smoke Machine
Create a spooky atmosphere on the dancefloor with a smoke machine for some spectral white fog.
Firepit or Bonfire
A lot of gothic weddings take place around Halloween/Samhain, so if you’re hosting guests at an outdoor venue or one with a patio or courtyard, a firepit creates a cozy atmosphere. Place some marshmallows and sticks with graham crackers and chocolate, and invite your guests to make s’mores.
Purple or Red Dancefloor Lighting
Creating a gothic mood often comes down to the lighting. With a few well-placed purple or red lights, you can create a dark and moody dancefloor that’s ideal for summoning all your closest ghouls.
Dried Flower Garlands
Dried flowers fit a lot of aesthetics, from dark forest to dark cottagecore, and they can easily be strung into garlands with a needle and thread or made into “curtains” to create a magical glade. This is a beautiful option for DIY wedding decor.
Goth Wedding Centerpieces
Coyote Jawbones & Raven Skulls
It might seem morbid, but you can easily obtain real or replica bird skulls and coyote jawbones from craft suppliers and use them to decorate tables and create centerpieces. Arranged with candles and flowers, they would bring a subtle touch of wilderness to your wedding table.
Tall Candles with Antlers and Flowers
An arrangement of candles is always key to creating a gothic look, and displaying them with antlers or other bones adds a macabre twist. Place flowers at the base of the candles for a romantic touch.
Candles in Lanterns
DIY centerpieces are easy to make—all you need is a can and a hammer and nail. Use it to punch holes in the metal cans in patterns like stars or moons or at random, paint the outside of the can black or gold, and place a tealight inside for romantic mood lighting.
Stick Bundles with Greenery
Channel your inner Blair Witch by gathering sticks and twigs and creating arrangements with them. Add flowers, moss, and greenery for a dark forest touch, or leave them bare for a minimalist approach.
Gothic Wedding Cake Decorations
Matching Tombstones
If you have a cheeky sense of humor, skip the traditional cake toppers and place some tiny matching tombstones on top of your cake for a look that says “‘til death do us part.”
Dancing Skeletons
For a medieval or Renaissance theme, the danse macabre motif of dancing skeletons is the perfect blend of joyful and morbid.
Dark Flowers
A medley of real or artificial dark flowers would add an air of enchantment to your gothic wedding cake. If you prefer edible decorations, stick to flowers made from icing or fondant.
Dried Flowers & Twigs
Dried flowers have a haunting yet homey character that would be perfectly at home in a rustic, dark forest, or dark cottagecore wedding. Add some dry twigs for a slightly scary, witchy touch.
Sugared Roses
Sugared roses are an elegant (and edible!) cake decoration. If you would prefer midnight blooms, white roses can be dyed black with food coloring, or you can use black roses made out of icing.
Gothic Wedding Rings
Onyx or Black Stone Rings
Rings inlaid with onyx, garnet, hematite or other dark or black gemstones are an everlasting testament to your dark romance.
Memento Mori Rings
Rings with memento mori imagery—Latin for “remember you will die”—were popular throughout the Renaissance. Skulls and skeletons are common memento mori themes, cast in yellow gold, silver, or white gold.
Rings Made from Bone
If you’d rather incorporate actual bones as a reminder that your love transcends the mortal realm, there are many sellers on sites like Etsy that create custom wedding rings inlaid with bone or antler.
Engraved Rings
If you’d rather keep your rings subtle, have them engraved on the inside with a favorite goth song lyric or lines from a poem. This keeps a reminder of your love close all the time.
Goth Wedding Venues
Your chosen venue sets the stage for your celebration, so be sure to find somewhere with an appropriately mysterious mood.
Nature Parks or Wooded Areas
For a dark forest wedding that incorporates a bit of wild enchantment, keep an eye out for parks, nature preserves, and arboretums that host events—or find a secluded spot of your own if you or someone you know owns some wooded property.
Historic Buildings & Museums
A museum is a wonderfully unique setting for a wedding, especially if it has old-fashioned architecture and macabre exhibits that would suit a gothic theme.
Historic Cemeteries
A cemetery of historical interest would be a lovely site for your unholy matrimony—just be sure to conduct your wedding in an older part of the graveyard out of respect for any mourners, and get permission from the caretakers.
Castles
Who doesn’t want the full Bride of Dracula experience? If you’re lucky enough to live near a castle or old manor house, it could be the perfect spooky setting for your “I do.”
“Haunted” Hotels
Haunted hotels and B&Bs are the ideal spot for a gothic wedding, and chances are there’s a place with ghostly lore not far from your area.
Botanical Gardens
Botanical gardens and greenhouses are just the right mixture of enchanting and uncanny to make for a magical setting for your ceremony.
Planetariums
If your love was written in the stars, then share the night sky with your guests at your local planetarium.
Caves
Cave systems that have large caverns open to the public and offer guided tours are the perfect uncanny venue for your goth “I do.” (You might even see some bats.)
Private Gothic Estates
Estates and manor houses with gothic elements like wrought iron gates and tall spires will set a mysterious and haunting tone for your ceremony.
Goth Wedding Ceremony
Your ceremony can be as nontraditional as you are, as long as it’s meaningful. Here are a few romantic goth wedding ideas:
Dark Romantic Poetry Reading
Read aloud from a poem by a dark and macabre poet of your choice—Poe, Dante, Byron, Keats, Mary Shelley, and Oscar Wilde have all written love poems with a gothic twist.
Handwritten Vows
Writing your own vows is a beautiful way to express your love, and you can even use a quill and parchment for some uniquely gothic flair.
Handfasting
Tie the knot—literally—with a handfasting ceremony. For a gothic touch, use a black velvet ribbon.
Choose the Right Officiant
Some clergy members might raise their eyebrows at a goth wedding, so it’s best to make sure your officiant understands the “vibe” of your celebration beforehand if you’re planning a religious ceremony. When in doubt, a friend or family member can perform the wedding.
Goth Wedding Bouquet
A bridal bouquet of nightshade blooms complements your gown and shows off your amazing taste.
Night Blooming Flowers
For a subtle gothic idea, try night-blooming flowers like jasmine, and accent them with dark and ghostly foliage like Spanish moss.
Black Flowers
Black flowers like majestic black baccara roses are as dark and dramatic as your special night.
Eucalyptus Leaves
Fragrant, almost-black eucalyptus would set off any type of dark flowers beautifully.
Dark Calla Lilies
Rich maroon calla lilies are sleek and sophisticated, ideal for a minimalist gothic aesthetic. Try adding some white lilies for variation.
Red Roses
Of course, nothing says gothic romance like a bouquet of blood red roses. Carry them on their own, or have them arranged with other flowers to add some interesting colors and textures.
Thistles
Thistles and other spiky plants are an unexpected touch that will add a touch of Morticia Addams glamor to your wedding bouquet—just be sure to wrap the stems.
Goth Wedding Attire
Gothic Wedding Dresses
Black Wedding Dress
The classic goth bridal look is a black wedding dress, often with lacy details or see-through mesh with applique or beaded details. There are so many styles to choose from, from a strapless bodice to a Victorian gown complete with a corset and full skirt.
Gothic White Wedding Dress
If you prefer to keep the gothic touches to your wedding day low-key, choose a white dress that has gothic elements like lace and/or vintage styling. You can play up the goth aspects with jewelry, makeup, and a dark bouquet.
White Dress with Black Lace Details
A white or beige dress with black details like mesh, lace, and applique is the best of all worlds, letting you have a fairytale gown with just a hint of gothic darkness.
Long Black Veil
Many a goth girl longs to haunt the moors in a lacy, long black veil, and your wedding celebration is the perfect opportunity to let your inner ghostly beauty shine.
Bridal Cape
If a veil isn’t quite your style, you can still channel a bride of Dracula with a long, dramatic black cape. Find a gothic evening gown with a cape, or shop for a separate one that would complement your dress.
Customized Bridal Gown
A goth wedding dress is the ultimate canvas for your imagination! Find a dress you like and add lacy black details, applique, a long train, or anything your heart desires.
If you or someone you know doesn’t have the sewing skills to create a dark transformation, find a shop that does custom dresses and alterations and give them some reference photos and sketches of what you have in mind.
Goth Bridesmaid Dresses
Black Dresses
Black dresses for bridesmaids are a classic choice. For a bit of variety, you could let your bridesmaids express their individuality by choosing their own black dresses. Other colors could be dark red, gray, purple, deep green, or gold—depending on your theme and color scheme. Of course, if the bride’s dress is also black, you will probably want to go with a different color.
Dark Flower Crowns
If you’ve chosen a medieval or dark forest look for your celebration, flower crowns are the ultimate finishing touch. Woven with dark flowers, they’ll cast an unforgettable spell for you and your bridal party.
Goth Groom Attire
There are many ways to gothify a classic black wedding suit. For example, choose a tie and/or pocket square with a gothic motif like ravens or snakes. The suit can also incorporate velvet or brocade and a tailored waistcoat to become a gothic wedding suit.
Black Flower Boutonnieres
Don’t let the groomsmen feel left out! Give them some moody black boutonnieres to express the gothic theme. Matching ties with subtle goth details in blood red or silver would also be an excellent touch.
Lacy Fingerless Gloves
For an added dose of dark sophistication, black lace gloves are a fantastic accessory to add to your bridal ensemble. Long opera-length gloves or dainty wrist-length gloves can each suit your dark aesthetic.
Gothic Headpieces
A goth headpiece or tiara is a beautiful alternative to a veil or wearing flowers in your hair. Choose one with dark gems or crystals that will make your dress and makeup stand out.
Goth Wedding Guest Attire
Guests to a goth wedding are encouraged to embrace the theme and have fun with it, whether that means wearing an all-black ensemble or incorporating some whimsical gothic elements like necklaces, buttons or pins provided at the wedding.
Goth Wedding Invitations
Your invitations are how you’ll convey your gothic wedding theme to your guests, so be sure to choose some that suit your dark aesthetic.
Tarot Card Theme
Tarot iconography is beautiful and timeless, just like your dark romance. Choose a card like The Lovers to announce your love to the world.
Skeletons
Cute and cheeky dancing skeleton invitations will convey your wedding’s gothic theme so your guests know exactly what to expect.
Victorian Postcards
For a Victorian goth aesthetic, create invitations that incorporate whimsical motifs from vintage postcards.
Daguerreotype-style Pictures
This is a great opportunity to have a lot of fun editing one of your engagement photos to create the perfect eerie 19th-century look. Don’t forget the haunting stare!
Vampire Theme
Nothing says dark and brooding fun like a vampire wedding, and you can create “bloody valentine” invitations that reflect the theme.
Moon Phases
A moon phase invitation shows your love will last through every changing phase of life. This would be a wonderful prelude to a gothic wedding with a witchcraft-related or celestial theme.
Ouija Board
A classic Ouija board that spells out “I DO” sets a lighthearted yet ghostly tone for your celebration.
Commission an Artist
It’s easy to find artists who work in a gothic style on social media and commission drawings or digital paintings—and they’re often surprisingly affordable. If you participate in an online fandom, hit up one of your favorite fan artists, or browse a site like Redbubble to find an artist whose style you love.
(This is also a great way to immortalize one of your wedding photos.)
Goth Wedding Music
No goth wedding is complete without a selection of dark and romantic music to dance the night away. Here are a few ideas to get the party started:
Goth Cover Band
Live music (or undead, as the case may be) is something that always gets guests excited to get out on the dancefloor. Skip the traditional wedding bands and find one that plays Sisters of Mercy and Bauhaus covers instead.
Moody Dark Jazz
This would be a ravishing choice to go with a New Orleans-themed wedding. Downbeat jazz adds a vintage touch and elegance to a gothic celebration. Hire a jazz band or create a dark jazz playlist to capture the mood.
Goth Love Song Playlist
You can always curate your own playlist of gothic love songs for your big night. This is a budget-friendly wedding option that also lets you have complete control over the music. Now that’s a win-win!
String Quartet
If you prefer the dulcet tones of a string quartet or piano trio, there are many dark classical pieces to choose from—such as Schubert’s Piano Trio in E-flat or Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
Goth Wedding Guest Favors
Show your appreciation for your guests with these fun wedding favors:
Candle Holders
Glass or metal candle holders or lanterns with scented candles will allow your guests to bring a touch of spooky atmosphere home with them.
Mulled Wine Spices & Glass
This idea would be great for an autumn wedding where mulled wine or cider is served. Provide a packet of mulling spices and a commemorative glass so guests can bring home a cozy memory.
Tea Blends with Commemorative Mug
A special tea blend is a perfect souvenir for a wonderful, witchy wedding, especially paired with a mug your guests can treasure for years to come.
Incense & Holder
For an enchanting keepsake, have incense holders made for all the guests, and include a special blend that will remind them of your dark and dreamy ceremony.
Engraved Tumblers
Engraved crystal glasses with your names and wedding date and a gothic design of your choice are useful wedding favors your friends and family will cherish long after your wedding day.
Teapot
A teapot and cup set is a cute and whimsical way to show your guests appreciation, especially if your wedding has a dark cottagecore or other cozy gothic aesthetic.
Cocktail Shaker
Keep the party going with commemorative cocktail shakers with cute coffin or skeleton designs so your guests will remember your special day whenever they mix a drink at home.
There you have it! Hopefully this list of gothic wedding ideas will spark your creativity and get you one step closer to your special day. Crafting the perfect dark wedding aesthetic from the ground up can be a challenge, but if you let your senses be your guide, the result is bound to be pure black magic.
Want more dark and dramatic wedding ideas? Check out our Goth Wedding Pinterest board.