Curious about how you can pull off a gothic aesthetic with your wedding day look and still feel like a bride? From intricate lacework to dramatic accessories, here’s our guide to infusing a goth influence with a devil-may-care attitude into your wedding wardrobe.

We are all big fans of Tim Burton’s Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice here at Rock n Roll Bride magazine and, of course, the genius of the his long-time collaborator, costume designer Colleen Atwood! Her styling has become synonymous with gothic charm, from Sleepy Hollow to Fantastic Beasts and Edward Scissorhands.

The Dress

The goth movement started as an offshoot of the post-punk music scene and is characterised by its emphasis on dark romanticism, individuality and the arts. Styling typically mixes Victorian and Edwardian fashion, notes of macabre classic horror literature and elements of punk subculture into one darkly enchanting aesthetic.

What the Wednesday show did so well was to give a new Gen Z twist on the look by using high end designer pieces (that Alaia prom dress!), as well as playful black versions of everyday casual looks, oversized hoodies with sports socks, bomber jackets and checkered t-shirts. It’s exactly this mixing and matching and experimentation we endorse to find your personal bridal style.

When it comes to the dress, you can find pretty much every style imaginable in gothic black. A high neck with long sleeves and lace will evoke the romantic Victoriana gothic vibe, but frothy black tulle is also a fun way to counter the traditional white bridal look. Or why not play up to your sultry, inner Morticia Addams with a figure-hugging silhouette and corseted bodice?

The modern goth aesthetic has dominated the runways for Autumn/Winter 2023 and beyond, so you may be pleasantly surprised to find black gowns available from all the mainstream designers as well as the high street. Bridal brands who offer gothic pieces that we rate include Legend Bridal Designs, Bête Noire, Ritual Unions and Beyond Bridal.

Accessories

Gothic style has many sub-genres, from cyber to industrial, fetish to emo, and I hold my hands up to not being au fait with all the facets of each, but what I do understand is how important accessories are. Gothic literature from the likes of Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, horror films, art and the aesthetics of the macabre all provide a wealth of visual and artistic references to draw from. Carefully considered accessorising will play a vital role in completing your unique goth-inspired wedding outfit.

Personally, I feel it starts with a dramatic headpiece, such as a black lace veil. Go for plain black or experiment with something more statement with lace edging or custom embroidery (I love seeing a literary quote) and pattern. There are incredible pieces (hello spiderweb veil!) to be discovered by independent designers such as Holly Winter Couture. Etsy is my go-to shopping destination for unique accessories and designers that want to go above and beyond to create something special.

If a veil doesn’t feel like you, then you could adorn yourself with a dazzling headpiece or vintage hat. This is one you may even want to DIY in order to mix in some of your own goth treasures and personal items. I love Carbickova Crowns, Awon Golding, The Lucky Sixpence, Mysticum Luna and Regal Rose.

Jewellery will depend on your overall vibe, but it’s an easy way to add a hint of goth glamour to any outfit. You could have black diamond or onyx earrings, a symbolic pendant, a choker or a bold cuff bracelet. Add in a modern twist to the styling with layers of black pearls over a lace gown, or a custom silhouette cameo on a ribbon belt. Whatever you choose to experiment with, this is where you can give the most striking personal style to your ensemble.

Flowers

Opt for dark rose varieties, black calla lilies or deep purple orchids if your overall wedding look has a dark gothic aesthetic. Don’t forget to consider how the flowers are tied as this provides another opportunity to incorporate a personal element, such as tying flowers with lace or fabric off-cuts from your dress, securing with vintage cameos or symbolic brooches.

One thing I’m constantly trying to shoehorn into our shoots is alternatives to traditional floral bouquets. Rosary beads, bags, dried flowers and baskets can all work too, and will last longer than a fresh flower arrangement.

So, why not be more Wednesday with your approach to your wedding look? Be stubborn, single-minded, bold and obsessive. This is your time to see it as an opportunity to be your most authentic self, embrace your individuality and celebrate what is uniquely yours.

About Alexandra Merri

With a background in art, film marketing, music PR and fashion styling, Alexandra’s reference points for wedding inspiration are diverse. She is the founder of The Bijou Studio, a boutique event planning and design studio and continues to work as a fashion stylist for editorials and brands.

This article originally appeared in issue 52 of Rock n Roll Bride magazine. You can purchase the latest edition here, or why not subscribe to never miss an issue?

These photos originally appeared in Rock n Roll Bride: The Ultimate Guide for Alternative Brides published by Ryland Peters & Small