5 Tips for throwing an gothic/alternative wedding

Are you having some trouble trying to plan your gothic or alternative wedding? Here are some tips for throwing an gothic or alternative wedding that will help streamline your wedding planning process!

Tip Number 1: Choose the Right Vendors

When you choose the right vendors who truly specialize in the style you're after, the journey toward bringing your vision to life becomes that much smoother and more enjoyable. While you're searching for those vendors, be as specific and detailed as possible when describing your ideas to them or to someone like me—an alternative florist who delights in creating all sorts of imaginative, offbeat wedding themes. Take the time to review their profiles and past work before you book an appointment so you can be confident their aesthetic aligns with the mood and vibe you want for your big day.

Tip Number 2: You Don’t Need to Check All the Boxes

Weddings don’t have to be a tick-box of “must-haves.” Instead of following a checklist, ask yourselves what truly matters on your day — and what feels uniquely you. Celebrate the quirks that make your partnership distinct.

Are you both inked to the hilt and your friends would jump at a flash tattoo? Book a tattoo artist for the day who can design a custom flash sheet — guests leave with a permanent keepsake and a story to tell. Obsessed with theater? Host your celebration in a playhouse, print your invites as vintage tickets, or design a playbill that tells the story of your love. Devoted to the local music scene? Hire the band you adore. Enchanted by sleight of hand? Bring in a magician to weave table-side magic during dinner.

These personal touches are what people remember. Choose moments that reflect who you are as a couple, and your wedding will be talked about — and treasured — for years to come.

Tip Number 3: Don’t Be Afraid to Stray from the Norm

If you’re craving something other than traditional white on your wedding day—do it. Absolutely, unapologetically, and with joy. After designing over 300 weddings, I can say with full confidence that color, texture, and unexpected details make a ceremony unforgettable. Bold gowns in jewel tones, ink-black slips, and cocktail-length ruby numbers are not just fashion choices: they’re declarations of who you are together.

The black dress with a crimson veil? To die for. It’s dramatic, romantic, and utterly cinematic—an instant signature moment that photographs like a dream. If you love the silhouette and comfort of a classic white gown but want to inject edge, consider an embroidered or specialty veil. A veil hand-stitched with florals, baroque motifs, or metallic thread can transform a simple dress into something fiercely personal and artful.

Don’t stop at dresses. Embroidered suits—ornate lapels, subtle brocade panels, or tonal filigree—paired with a droopy, loopy bow tie strike the perfect balance between elegance and whimsy. They’re stylish, playful, and show that tailoring can be as expressive as any gown.

Above all, remember: wedding style is about telling your story. Mix textures, play with color, layer in unexpected accessories, and let your aesthetic lead. The possibilities are endless—and absolutely worth exploring.

Tip Number 4: Trends Can Be Fun, but Don’t Get Lost in the Fading Trend

Trends can be fun, but don’t lose your vision in what everyone else is doing. It’s all too easy to get swept up in the desire for a giant champagne wall, a DJ who spins the very songs you secretly dislike, or a Basque-waist wedding dress chosen just because someone said Taylor Swift might wear it. Hold close the elements that reflect you and your partner’s unique story—those are the details that will make the day feel truly yours. You don’t want to look back and think, “I wish we had stuck with our original plan,” after being buffeted by a tide of Pinterest boards and fleeting online fads.

Tip Number 5: Your Wedding is for YOU!

At the end of the day, this celebration belongs to you and your partner. So make it PERSONAL — infuse it with your quirks, your tastes, and the little details that mean the most. Combine your interests and weave them through every choice so the whole day feels unmistakably, beautifully and UNIQUELY YOU.