red and black rose wedding bouquet gothic wedding ideas

64 Gothic Wedding Ideas

Photography by Stephanie Butt Photography

What does a gothic wedding look like? We’re here to show you with 64 gothic wedding ideas! With everything from black wedding dresses, skull decorations, and coffin-shaped signage, you can live your gothic dream vicariously through us and throw your own gothic wedding with ideas so unique that your guests will never forget your one hell of a big day. We couldn’t resist putting together this spooky wedding inspiration just in time for Halloween. Get in the spooky spirit with us!


‘Till death do us part! 64 best gothic wedding ideas from black wedding dresses to skull decorations

Black Wedding Dresses

Black wedding dresses and alternative brides are a match made in heaven (or hell). The opposite of the traditional white wedding dress, black wedding dresses don’t actually symbolise the opposite. Associated with loyalty, intelligence, mystery, and power, these dresses can be more of an empowering choice for brides who don’t want to embrace a white gown. Black wedding dresses are meant to signify undying devotion to the person you’re committing your life to, it takes ‘till death do us part very literally. If you don’t want to go for a black gown, you can always add black to your accessories or wedding nails!

Bride in tulle black wedding dress on crescent moon
Bride in black satin bias off the shoulder wedding dress
Bride in black wedding dress with strapless style in front of moongate
Bride in illusion lace black wedding dress at gothic style wedding
Gothic wedding ideas with bride in tulle layered wedding dress
Bride in long sleeve black wedding dress with hat accessory
Bride in black ruffled wedding dress carrying red rose bouquet with black accessories
Bride in black wedding dress with leg split holding autumnal bouquet

Gothic Wedding Tablescape 

Wedding tablescapes are one of our favourite things to write about. They’re so aesthetically pleasing and are always immediately added to our Pinterest. Seriously, our wedding tablescape board on Pinterest is where it’s at! The inspiration below shows off just how to do a gothic wedding table. Most couples chose a white tablecloth or opted for just a table runner to show off the natural table material. This is so that when your photographer captures your stunning tablescape, you’ll be able to see all the details from your napkins to your place name cards. 

'till death do us part wedding plates
Gothic wedding ideas and tablescape with black taper candles
Black table runner over wooden table with black taper candles
Gothic moody Halloween wedding table decor with macrame and more
White heart anatomy vase holding red and black wedding flowers for monochrome gothic wedding
Black napkins, candles and more at wedding tablescape in marquee
Wedding country house decorated with gold and black decorations for subtle gothic wedding theme
Sweetheart table with peacock chairs, fairy lights and gothic black bunting sign

Black Wedding Cakes 

Black wedding cakes are where it’s at! Although black isn’t the first colour your mind would typically go to when thinking of food, it makes for a delicious-looking cake and/or icing colour. Wedding cakes are fabulous because not only can they be your wedding dessert or favours but also your wedding decor! The talent of cake makers honestly blows us away because we’ve seen some really beautiful structural and creative designs just like the ones below!

Two tier black and gold wedding cake with red rose wedding decor
Two tier white, grey and black painted style iced wedding cake
Two tier buttercream iced wedding cake with black painted design with cake topper
All black wedding cake with dried wedding flowers and personalised cake topper with red roses and thistle

Gothic Wedding Stationery & Signage

Your wedding stationery is the first glimpse your guests will get into the theme of your wedding because the first thing they’ll receive is your save-the-dates or wedding invitations! Use your wedding stationery to give your guests an exciting teaser into what they can expect on the day and then carry it through the rest of your on the day wedding stationery and wedding signage. The coffin-shaped table plan below is everything!

Black and gold wedding welcome sign with candle lanterns, roses and more
Black and gold wedding welcome sign in shape of a coffin for gothic wedding
Black and white wedding table plan and seating chart
Wedding welcome sign for registry office wedding with goth theme
Leopard print and red heart black and white wedding welcome sign in frame
Black wedding coffin sign table plan and seating chart
Black and white on the day wedding stationery and menu
Black and white wedding welcome sign

Black Bridesmaid Dresses

It goes without saying that having all-black wedding outfits just makes sense if you’re having a gothic wedding. We personally love these black bridesmaid dresses. You can use the fabric of your bridesmaid dresses to add or take away from a certain feel. Satin adds a sexy vibe, sequins and sparkles make everyone look party-ready, but the style you should choose for the gothic bridesmaid dress of dreams is black velvet! 

One shoulder style black bridesmaid dress
Bridesmaids in mismatched black bridesmaid dresses with leather jackets
Bridal party in black bridesmaid dresses with bride in lace boho dress
Black gowns for bridal party with moody autumnal gothic theme

Gothic Wedding Flowers 

Red roses are the ultimate gothic wedding flower. A bouquet of these stunning red roses is exactly what you need. The blood red shade is just perfect for enhancing other dark colours that you’ll use throughout your day. Other gothic wedding flowers and foliage we love includes black roses, thistles, black lilies, and dyed dried grass! Because of the drama these flowers give, we think a round-shaped bouquet is the ideal bouquet shape. The simplistic design lets the beauty of these flowers shine through. 

Red wedding flower bouquet for gothic style winter wedding
Halloween theme wedding with moody autumnal flower bouquet for the bride
Bride holding red and black rose wedding bouquet with dyed lilies and more in round shape bouquet
Bride in black faux fur cover up holding dark toned wedding bouquet
Dried bunny grass red and black aisle decorations at barn wedding
Black wedding bouquet with thistle and more seasonal flowers and foliage
Gothic style wedding with red wedding flower columns
Bride holding round red rose bouquet

Gothic Decor Ideas 

Wondering how to have a gothic wedding? The answer is simple. You need some skulls. Closely associated with all things gothic is death, so if you’re having a gothic wedding, it makes sense to include decor that represents this. The real weddings below have included skull alcohol bottles, glassware, and vases. Choosing to have skulls made from glass or a metallic material makes them more decorative rather than realistic and highlights them as a decorative piece that works in theme. It’s the little details that make the whole theme cohesive! 

Tequila glass bottle shaped like a skull for edgy alternative wedding
Skull glass bottle decorating at rock n roll barn wedding
Red skull shaped vase full of black wedding flowers for table decoration
Wine bottle shaped with crystal lid for gothic wedding

Wedding Transport 

Arriving in style isn’t something you should neglect. One of the real brides below rocked up to her big day in London’s black double-decker ghost bus! Spooky! Adding something that looks vintage or old-fashioned just adds to your gothic theme. You can opt to style your wedding car with a classic white ribbon or some lace doilies to complete the look too. Getting your chauffeur to look the part with a Victorian top hat or velvet suit would be an incredible touch. As we said above, it’s in the little things! 

Black haunted London ghost bus wedding transport
Vintage brown wedding car for the groom
Vintage wedding car with white ribbon
White retro double decker bus with white ribbon

Gothic Grooms

Grooms, there’s so much you can do with your look! We’ve got 8 of our most stylish grooms below to showcase just how you can have a gothic wedding. With burgundy suits,  velvet tuxedos, red rose buttonholes, and bespoke jackets, we’ve got the best groom looks! Adding some silver chains and metallic accessories will be the finishing touch you need to complete that edgy alternative style. 

Groom in three piece red burgundy suit for gothic wedding
Groom in black and white classic wedding suit for intimate wedding
Groom in burgundy suit for gothic theme wedding
Groom in black suit with paisley patterned tie for dark autumn wedding
Halloween wedding with groom in all black wedding outfit and hat groom accessory
Groom in leather jacket with custom motif for gothic theme
Groom in burgundy velvet wedding tuxedo holding the bridal bouquet
Groom and best man in black velvet tuxedo for gothic wedding idea

Gothic Wedding Venues 

You’re going to need a venue that enhances the theme of your wedding. A gothic wedding requires something grand that looks a bit aged. Gargoyles would be amazing but some other religious iconography like stained glass windows are also ideal. Plus, the more isolated the venue, the better! That kind of unsettled spooky feeling you get from countryside venues that lie in the middle of nowhere makes them the perfect gothic setting. If it looks like somewhere Edgar Allen Poe would set one of his poems, you can’t go wrong. 

Gothic wedding inspiration at The Asylum Chapel
The Pilgrim's Rest gothic wedding venue with bride and groom
Stained glass windows at gothic wedding venue, The Mount Without
Preston Court country house wedding venue for Halloween wedding
Fasque House intimate elopement wedding with dark gothic theme
Normanton Church gothic wedding inspiration
Parley Manor gothic country house wedding venue
Garthmyl Hall gothic wedding venue

If Edgar Allen Poe would be proud, you know you’re heading in the right direction with your gothic wedding!


Gothic weddings are amazing at any time of the year, but having one in October (the official spooky month) is unbeatable. We have plenty of autumn wedding ideas to help you embrace the season. Need a cover-up to keep you warm? Here are the best wedding leather jackets


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