When Catherine and Richard set out to plan their wedding, they wanted a day that truly reflected their unique journey and personalities. Catherine, an avid reader of Rock n Roll Bride, has always had an exquisite taste for the finer things and so together, they created a wedding that combined edgy gothic elements with the haunting beauty of Venice, where Richard proposed.
“Richard proposed to me on a black gondola lined in blood red velvet in Venice as it meandered through silent canals, past gothic buildings as the sun set on the inky water”, the bride told us. “It was eerily beautiful. This whole experience, enriched by the stunning Venetian masks we saw at every turn provided the perfect blueprint from which to design our wedding.”
The December wedding took place at the Pilgrims Rest, a stunning gothic building that served as the perfect backdrop for the theme. The rooms were adorned with pops of red, festive poinsettias and candles that started as black and dripped ruby red when lit. Masks for the guests were mandatory and could only be removed and identities revealed when prompted by their masked celebrant – what mystery this created!
The ceremony included a unique twist with the serving of Negronis mid-ceremony. This surprise element was very well received! The bride also read a poem, Venice – Love and Ghosts and Gondoliers, which she didn’t tell anyone at the time, but she’s written herself. It left everyone in tears when the secret was revealed.
Catherine’s dress was a real showstopper, a creation of red tulle on white tulle, embellished with hand-sewn red feathers and blood-red gems. Her ensemble was completed with handmade ruby red jewellery, and a gothic bouquet featuring a skull, raven, and antlers. Richard, unaware of the bride’s dress details, coincidentally chose a bold, rose-embellished red suit that perfectly complemented Catherine’s attire. Bridesmaids wore black velvet and capes and the best men donned gothic coats.
“We had a strong vision so finding the outfits, suppliers who would embrace the theme, someone who would tackle that cake, was not without its challenges!” Catherine told us. “Thank goodness for Felicity (my dress designer), who interpreted my vision so brilliantly and Holly from The Cake Labs, who never shies away from a cake challenge!”
At the reception, Catherine’s dramatic dress transformed, revealing a shorter, feathered vision perfect for dancing. The couple chose their “Death Row” dinner menu and the room, filled with gothic objects from their home, was a perfect reflection of their style.
“Our favourite part of the wedding was just the love in the room”, Catherine concluded. “We had a small wedding yet everyone there loves us and we love them! Our friends stepped outside their comfort zones to be present, to be part of our celebration and to bask in the love.”
