What To Expect at a Goth Wedding

by Dani

So you’ve been invited to a Goth wedding and you’re looking for guidance. Cool, I’m proud of you. This invitation means that your Goth friends a) love you and b) know you’re fun enough handle it. You’ll have a blast.

So what religion is this going to be?
That depends on the Goths in question and how big a stink their parents are putting up. Most Goths of my acquaintance go for nondenominational weddings – they tend to be big fans of Unitarian officiants or friends who have been ordained by the Universal Life Church. Goths who skew a little more Medieval in their style will sometimes go for a Celtic [[handfasting]] ceremony. If they’re pleasing the parents, the happy gloomy couple may go for a Christian or Jewish ceremony with a few Goth touches, but it’s unlikely that you’ll see anything in a strict tradition – Goths are proud of their individuality, and your friends will almost certainly write their own vows and want decidedly nontraditional music.

How weird are we talking?
Actually, except for the color scheme, your Goth wedding may be the most exuberantly old-fashioned wedding you ever go to. Goths love romance and taking the time and care to dress beautifully. It’s just that they’re also comfortable with the darker side of life – and have a touch of humor about it. Think of a wedding designed by Tim Burton. You’ll probably see a lovely layered bridal gown and a beautifully tiered wedding cake, but neither one is likely to be white. Speaking of the cake, be sure to check out the toppers – Goth brides and grooms tend to have great senses of humor about them. You’ll see anything from bats to carefully handpainted makeovers of traditional bride and groom figurines.

You may see some (very upscale) Halloween-style decorations or some spooky touches around the ceremony venue, and both real and makeup-assisted pallor among the guests. If you’re in the wedding party, don’t be surprised if you head out to a local ruin or graveyard for the photos, or if the getaway car is a modified hearse. Don’t worry – there’s nothing evil about it. Just a comfort level with death as a part of life that most people don’t have.

What do I wear?
The bride and groom will probably give you some direction in that regard, as Goth styles can range from dark medieval fairy tale to Victorian splendor. As a rule, you’ll want to go for dark elegance. Dress to the nines – but not to outdo the bride and groom. Even if the wedding is in June, you probably don’t want to go for your filmiest pastels. Go for deep reds and purples or even dark blues and greens. Black and gray will always be welcome.

If someone says you look like death, that’s a good thing.

Get a 2nd opinion!
Love it!