Natalie and Trevor’s wedding blended soft gothic aesthetics with the idea of a garden in winter. With black candlesticks, pearls intertwined with grapes, and Miu Miu ballet flats, the couple’s moody vision had nods to a medieval aesthetic and vintage touches, or as Natalie described it, “a Sleeping Beauty illustration personified.”
Their celebration, filled with personal touches and DIY details, showcased a side of winter weddings that’s rarely seen but deeply inspiring. “I wanted deep, rich elements but still a contrast with soft white,” Natalie told us. “I liked the idea of flowers that looked romantically forlorn but still sculptural. It was hard to find winter wedding inspiration, as many featured weddings usually showcase summer and outdoor venues. Summer is so gorgeous and I adore all things lush, colourful and bright, but I hope our wedding can inspire other winter-loving aspiring unions!”
The day began with a Catholic mass, where the bride walked herself down the aisle, before they moved to their reception space, which they’d decorated from top to bottom themselves. The space was filled with black candlesticks, cascading drapery, and sculptural single bud vase flowers. Their stationery, designed by a friend, was reminiscent of gothic gates.
Much of the wedding was DIY, which saved them money and allowed them to get really creative. They also had lots of friends helping with many of the décor elements. “We entwined pearls onto grapes for the tablescape, cut our own silk flowers, and went to resale shops and Home Depot to customise a gothic gate and adorn the space with personal, unique touches,” Natalie said.
Despite the many hands involved in the preparations, Natalie reflects on the difficulty of not having her mother there. “The hardest moment was not having my mother by my side. She passed away in 2021, and I could have never imagined my wedding day without her. My sister, and wonderful maid of honour, was with me every step of the way. I used a lot of my mother’s style and flair (she was so, so fashionable!) and I just know she would have adored every little detail!”
Natalie’s advice to other couples? “Not everything you see on Pinterest, Instagram or trending media is doable in the way you may think,” she advises. “I used my own resources and findings to create something that had a similar vision but my own flair. I would see so many stunning, editorial-looking aesthetics but reminded myself that our wedding didn’t need to look exactly like that. It is more striking and breathtaking when a wedding is done in a way that hasn’t been seen much before.
