Black is back and this time it’s making a splash in the wedding scene! You may have never considered a black wedding dress, but we’re here to say ‘why the hell not?’
Black is bold, powerful and assertive – just how you want to feel on your wedding day, right? We want to break down the barriers and give you the biggest choice of options for your wedding day! From gothic weddings to moody elopments, we LOVE it!
So how exactly do you ROCK a black wedding dress?
Feature Photo – Dress Ryley and Flynn Vintage with Dani Lou Photography
Feature photo: Vicky Clayson Photography with BexBrides – see full team details here.
Ways to style a black wedding dress
Mix it up with colour
You don't have to go for all black. Combining with soft pastels or dried flowers (as pictured) gives a powerful yet dainty look.
Go for the gothic, moody look
Elope away in a stunning black wedding dress with skull and boho detailing
rock a corset
Why not make a statement with a black corset?
ACCESSORIZE
Mix it up further with black capes, dip dye veils, fabric paint and embroidery
EMBRACE YOUR INNER GODDESS
Just as it says above! Go for a statement wedding dress.
Match your black wedding dress with pastel florals
Black doesn’t have to mean gothic or dark! Soften the look with pastel colours and dainty florals. We love the way the intricate detail of the lace is highlighted in these examples. And yes, you can still have that awesome flower crown if you want!
Alternatively, you could opt for an elegant updo and gold headpiece. You could also add colour with shoes/clutch/accessories! Bright/light venue styling is another way to make your black wedding dress stand out.
Feature photo: Paylor Photography with BexBrides – see full team details here.
Go for the Gothic wedding look
Now tell me you don’t LOVE this black wedding dress style. Dramatic black wedding dress meets dried flowers and muted tones. We especially love the boho wedding touches with the macrame. I’m going to put it out there that I think sunset wedding photos looks especially EPIC when a black wedding dress is involved!
For more of this black wedding dress styling, check out the blog here!
Photo above: Vicky Clayson Photography with BexBrides – see full team details here.
Photo above: Artisan X Photography with Scarlet Tayla – see full team details here.
Rock a wedding corset
Dress by Bespoke Bridalwear designer Felicity Westmacott Photo by Allan Breeze Photographer
We LOVE a corset here at UW. It’s the way it holds you all in and irons out the squishy bits! (well I’m just being honest). It’s all about the waist darlings!
This option is perfect for adding a splash of drama to your bridal look, even if you don’t opt for a full on, black wedding dress. We are totally in LOVE with this black duchess satin dress with red detail from Felicity Westmacott Bespoke Bridal, or, how about the moody look from Haizea Arranz.
Dresses by Haizea Arranz. Photo 2 with white & black corset by Juanjo García
Accessorize all the way
We LOVE the little touches here at Unconventional Wedding HQ. Perhaps you don’t want to go the full on black but still want to include it in your wedding day.
So what are your options?
- How about adding a dramatic wedding cape? Perfect for colder winter weddings or how about a little Game of Thrones themed wedding action?
- Dip dye, or ombre, veils are all the rage. We think they look so dramatic with a grey / black ombre. Especially if you go for a full, cathedral length veil
- Or go down the hand painted option – the ultimate in personalisation – we love this hand painted, black wedding shawl
Photo by Chloe Mary Photography. Check out our Alternative Fairytale Wedding blog here.
Handpainted bridal shawl from bridal designer Aylin White Designs. Cape/ Veil from Haizea Arranz, and, Ombre veil from Bexbrides.
Embrace the goddess that you are with a WOW wedding dress!
You deserve to feel like the goddess that you are in whatever colour, style or themed wedding dress you choose for your wedding day. Speak to your local independent bridal designers (you can find our own supplier members below!). They’ll create you something one-off, truly unique, which will make you feel absolutely AMAZING on your wedding day. Let them work their magic!
Dress Ryley and Flynn Vintage with Dani Lou Photography
Dress (handmade!) by Shoes For You By Red, Photo by Fly On The Wall Photography. See the full blog here.
Check out our awesome bridalwear suppliers
Aylin White Designs – Unique, handpainted bridalwear
Aylin White Designs create beautiful bespoke, hand painted, wedding gowns which truly reflect each bride’s personality and passions in life.
ECLECTIC BRIDES BY BEXBRIDES
Hi there, I’m Bex of Eclectic Brides and Bexbrides. I have a quirky Bridalwear Studio in the northeast. Not nearby? I also sell worldwide on ETSY. I design wedding dresses from scratch and also upcycle vintage and retro wedding dresses. There is a huge collection in our studio for you to
My little Wedding Shop
My little Wedding Shop is an independent boutique established in 2011 in the beautiful market town of Bridgnorth, Shropshire. We specialise in providing a once in a lifetime experience for our brides. From the moment we say ‘hello’ through to packing your perfect bridal gown and accessories ready for your special
Hand Painted Wedding Wear by The Casual Reply
Hand painted wedding wear for brides, grooms, wedding party, or family. Bespoke designs as well as pre-painted items for purchase or rental. Painted dresses, ties, scarves, or suit coats can be wonderful expressions of personality and love, as well as unique and memorable gifts.
Felicity Westmacott – Bespoke Bridal
Welcome to Felicity Westmacott Bespoke Bridal. I make bespoke, alternative wedding dresses and unique ensembles for passionate, fashion-adventurous brides. I’ve been working in bespoke bridal for 15 years, helping brides of all shapes and sizes feel comfortable on their wedding day. The thing I love most about what I do
Haizea Arranz – Alternative Wedding Dresses
At Haizea Arranz, we’ve been creating unique wedding dresses for more than ten years. Our dresses are handmade, taking care of every detail and using the best materials. We’re specialized in alternative wedding dresses: gothic, steampunk, fantasy, vintage… And of course, in corsetry. The corset is the key piece of all
Ryley & Flynn, Vintage and Bespoke Bridal
Beautiful, unique wedding dresses designed and handmade in Staffordshire.
Your wedding dress – your way!
Maisie Darling Bridal Boutique – Leicester wedding dresses
Maisie Darling Bridal Boutique will open her doors in January 2020. The Boutique will be located in Lutterworth, South Leicestershire. Maisie is passionate about finding each Bride their ‘meant to be’ wedding dress. We are looking forward to hearing each Brides love story and this will really helps us to
Perfect Fit Bridal Couture
I am a bespoke wedding dress maker, designer and bridal alterations specialist. With over 30 years experience, together my small team we love nothing more than being in the studio creating beautiful, enchanting one off bespoke wedding dresses for today’s fashion forward bride looking for something unique! As the founder
Over on the blog - more wedding dress ideas and inspiration
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This Purple Wedding Dress is WOW!
We love alternative bridalwear here at UW, so we are so excited to show off this shoot from our ‘Unconventional’, Felicity Westmacott. It features a city wedding backdrop, a stunning purple wedding dress, and a burlesque style ‘big reveal’! This awesome bridal look spans both ‘elegant’ and ‘sexy’ – with
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