Industrial Wedding with
Tattoo-Inspired Details
Industrial wedding styling doesn’t have to mean cold or harsh. This styled shoot at The Italian Mill, Museum of making – Derby Museums shows how dark metallic tones, tattoo-inspired details, and bold fashion choices can bring personality and atmosphere to an incredible urban space. From a black beaded gown to creative signage and a showstopper black cake, it’s all about celebrating contrast and making the most of a venue with serious wow-factor.
Photos throughout from Doodah Photography
industrial ceremony styling
Styling the wedding Venue
The Civic Hall at the Museum of Making (Derby Museums) was the perfect setting for this industrial wedding ceremony.
“With such a fantastic and unusual backdrop, there was no need to bring in any kind of arch or curtain.” Deb from Bee Sweet Occasions tells us.
They kept the styling simple but striking, with black candlesticks, lanterns, and rows of navy sashes dressing the chairs. An asymmetric aisle, lined with church candles and black petals, added drama without hiding the venue’s incredible features
ceremony
Celebrant Leni Robson (Ceremonies by Leni Robson) led the ceremony with her usual mix of warmth and fun. She created personalised vows for the couple, weaving in playful Alice in Wonderland references (including a drink me element) that brought a touch of storytelling magic. Dressed for the occasion as always, she showed just how much personality a celebrant-led ceremony can bring.
Industrial reception inspired by tattoos
After the ceremony, the celebrations moved upstairs to the Loom Room. Bee Sweet Occasions created an intimate banquet-style table dressed with a deep navy table runner from Luxury Linen Hire, towering candelabras and chic glass charger plates for sophistication. Lanterns and candles from the ceremony were reused here too, keeping the styling simple but striking. Terracotta chairs and napkins complemented the warmth of the raw brick walls, echoing the industrial vibe of the space.
“We took tattoos as a theme for some of the design work which seemed to fit nicely with the dark alternative style and we hinted at the brick and rust textures found in the museum in the choice of accent colours.” Emma from Doodah Photography tells us.
Wedding Stationery
Different Day Studio created a full stationery suite featuring their Tattoo Flash collection, including invitations, menus, place names, and table numbers. They even sent over temporary tattoos – a fun idea for guests at a wedding.
Tattoo inspired signage
Samarah from Burnt Bouquets brought the theme to life with hand-crafted pyrography signage. Each piece featured quotes and imagery designed in a tattoo style – including nods to Alice in Wonderland – tying the celebrant’s ceremony script into the décor and creating a consistent theme across the day.
Wedding Cake and Florals
No industrial wedding is complete without a showstopper cake, and Red Velvet Bakery delivered a four-tier matte black creation. It was decorated with large artificial flowers in autumnal shades, echoing the fresh bouquet and buttonhole by Selena’s Contemporary Flowers.
Wedding Rings
The rings from Invictus Rings were the final touch. Made from titanium, each multifaceted ring reflected light in a different way – a unique detail that perfectly matched the one-of-a-kind industrial vibe of the shoot.
Tattoo Inspired wedding looks
amber
The couple’s outfits were a real highlight of this shoot. Amber wore a jaw-dropping off-the-shoulder gown from Ashleigh Richards. Covered in intricate beading, the dress sparkled with a Gatsby-style glamour while it’s dramatic train cascaded down the staircase.
Naomi from Killer Contourz styled Amber’s hair in an elegant updo that showed off both the gown’s back detail and her tattoo. Makeup artist Sam from Life of a Beauty Girl completed the look with a smoky, dramatic eye for Amber and a light touch of coverage for Alex.
Alex
Alex wore a biscuit-coloured three-piece suit from Brigdens, styled with a dark tie, pocket square, and shoes. The softer tones of his outfit balanced beautifully against Amber’s darker metallic look, creating a striking contrast between the two.
Planning your glam team? Check out our Hair and Beauty directory members
Industrial Wedding Backdrops
Emma from Doodah Photography made full use of the museum’s unusual spaces.
Portraits of Amber and Alex were taken in The Assemblage, a display where hundreds of objects are grouped together – the perfect quirky backdrop for alternative wedding photos. Other shots highlighted the building’s striking artwork and industrial textures, showing the contrast between modern design and historic brickwork.
This shoot shows how much character a venue like the The Italian Mill, Museum of making – Derby Museums can bring. The industrial architecture, the mix of dark metallics and warmer brick tones, and a few carefully chosen styling details all work together to create a look that’s full of personality.
Love this venue? Then check out Bright Creative Museum Wedding which is also set at the Museum of Making, Derby.
supplier dream team
Photography: Doodah Photography
Planner and Venue: The Italian Mill, Museum of making – Derby Museums
Celebrant: Ceremonies by Leni Robson
Styling: Bee Sweet Occasions
Cake: Red Velvet Bakery
Flowers: Selena’s Contemporary Flowers
Hair: Killer Contourz
Makeup: Life of a Beauty Girl
Dress: Ashleigh Richards
Suit: Brigdens
Stationery: Different Day Studio
Pyrography signage: Burnt Bouquets
Linen: Luxury Linen Hire
Rings: Invictus Rings
