So many couples want to do something a little different or a bit quirky for their wedding day. As a result, there has been a huge rise in the number of unique and different wedding venues that can provide a one-off background. Alternative wedding venue’s like the National Justice Museum in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market are just one example of those now offering wedding services.
And we’re super excited to feature this Gothic Glamour styled wedding shoot held at the National Justice Museum to show how to pull it together! So here are our top 5 tips for getting the most out of these unique wedding venues!
Top tips for quirky wedding venues
MAKE THE MOST OF UNUSUAL FEATURES
GET YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER ON BOARD
CHOOSE A COMPLIMENTARY THEME OR COLOUR PALETTE
GO OUTSIDE!
RELAX AND ENJOY
Make the Most of your unique wedding venues features
If the building has unusual features, then make sure you use them. If there is a huge fireplace then get inside it, if there is a ballroom, use it for your wedding breakfast.
Our alternative wedding venue was the Grade II listed National Justice Museum. There has been some sort of court held on the site since 1375. It was also used as a prison since 1449 so it is certainly packed full of historical horror stories. We made us of the gallows and hangman’s noose for some truly alternative wedding photos. As well as the courtrooms and docks previously used for sentencing.
We then moved down to the old gaol (jail) rooms and managed some once in a lifetime shots with our bride and groom in jail!
Get your wedding photographer onboard
Sit with your wedding photographer beforehand and plan your photographs. Show them the features you’d like to capture. Even better meet them at the venue and have a walk around together. This planning will save time on the day so you can get back to your wedding guests, but you will also get those WOW factor photos. Just like the Police Call Box photo shown (think Doctor Who wedding!) below – all captured by Vicki Clayson Photography.
It may be necessary for you to have an extra half hour or so with your photographer to get those memorable and unconventional photos. Make sure your wedding guests are catered for while you’re off having photographs taken. Why not provide an extra reception drink, it will be so worth it when you get those images back.
Choose a complimentary theme or colour palette
Because of its dark past we felt that that our unique wedding venue was perfect for a ‘Gothic Glamour’ styled wedding. Linzi from ‘that black & white cat weddings‘ used rich dark colours in the venue styling to help provide the dark but stylish vibe. An abundance of candles in gold candelabras and gold charger plates (provided by Events by Tiana and Vintage Fare – Wedding & Event Decor) helped bring an opulence to the wedding breakfast setting proving that unconventional can also be classy! Stunning matching wedding stationery from Millie Stone UK Calligraphy provided the perfect luxurious finishing touches.
Our bride wore a fabulous two-piece dress complete with corset and tulle skirt. She also added a hand embellished cape (all from Fiona Elizabeth Couture). Accessories featured a hand painted leather jacket (by Ophelia Rose), custom made headpiece (from Doll’s Mad Hattery – Vintage Millinery) and lace boots (by House of Elliot). The groom wore a suit in complimentary colours. The modern & bold cake (by the talented Urban Cakehouse) was dark burgundy, and the opulent flowers complimented this beautifully.
Use the outside space at your alternative wedding venue
If you are on a farm jump on the tractor. If you are in an urban setting have your photos in front of the street art for those memorable shots. If there is a tree swing over a river then dare to swing on it. Just go for it!
We used the outside space at our alternative wedding venue and got some great photographs with the old red brick of the building as a wonderful background. We particularly LOVED having two different types of wedding bouquets. The real flower bouquet with ‘on trend’ pampas grass was by The Flower Fairy and our alternative bouquet was from Charlotte Laurie Designs. Both matched the space perfectly.
Relax and enjoy yourself
Your guests are here because they want to celebrate your special day with you so enjoy every moment. If you’ve picked a quirky and unique wedding venue, then your guest will be as charmed with it as you are and will talk about it for years to come. Now go out and find that amazing wedding venue and dare to be different!
The team behind this inspiring Gothic Glamour wedding themed shoot
Styling and Wedding Planner: Linzi from that black & white cat weddings and Unconventional Wedding
Photographer: Vicki from Vicki Clayson Photography
Venue: The National Justice Museum
Styling: Fi from Vintage Fare – Wedding & Event Decor & Tiana Birkett from Events by Tiana
Bridal wear: Fiona from Fiona Elizabeth Couture
Jacket: Suzanne from Ophelia Rose Hand Painted
Flowers: Lucinda from The Flower Fairy
Alternative bouquet: Charlotte from Charlotte Laurie Designs
Make up: Kerry from Beautiful You Beautician & MUA
Hair: Emma from The Little Vintage Beauty Parlour Nottingham
Model: Raven Lenore & Mike Rollason
Cake: Lisa from Urban Cakehouse
Stationery: Amelia from Millie Stone UK Calligraphy
Millinery / Headpiece: Amy (or Doll) from Doll’s Mad Hattery – Vintage Millinery
Shoes: Nicole from House of Elliot
Assisting on the day: Katherine from Katherine Howe weddings
And now for the out-takes!
A note from the planning and stylist for this shoot – oh that’s me! It was a pleasure to plan this styled shoot for such an amazing wedding venue, and, with such a great group of wedding suppliers. If you’ve reached this far, I’ve decided to treat you to some of our funny out-takes. Because weddings are FUN! Enjoy! Linzi x
Over on the blog - more alternative wedding ideas
Magical Elvish Wedding
Federica Cosentino is an alternative nature wedding planner. When she sent us her collaboration with photographer Valeria Forno, we were enchanted by the romantic, elvish wedding world they created. These Tolkien inspired photos tell the story of an elvish elopement in beautiful ivy woodlands, and we think you might just
Moody Elopement Wedding Shoot
We have a beautiful, moody elopement wedding shoot to share today! Sent in by Hannah from Finn & The Fox Photography, it demonstrates darker styling without being ‘gothic’. It includes a black wedding dress and Texas inspired styling in The New Forest, South England. Take a peep! How to rock
A Geek-Chic Science Wedding
Imagine an oddly romantic science fair…with the biology nerds all grown up and in love… Curious Magpie has brought this geek-chic vision to life amazingly! This styled shoot screams ‘Geek-Chic’ and is full of gorgeous quirks and touches. We love the adventurous use of colours, and the inclusion of our
Fairytale Wedding With An Alternative Twist
A fairy-tale wedding is a dream for many, but are you wanting something a little different from the traditional? Today’s blog is all about taking a classic look and adding personal touches, to create your own alterative fairy-tale wedding. Daniella from Magpie Event Planning aims to dispel the notion that
A Tipi Wedding in Wellies!
Are you wanting to add some outdoorsy touches to your big day? You’re in the right place! Today we’d like to share with you a gorgeous real wedding, sent in to us by Ragdoll Photography. This is a muddy one! Clara and Kyle embraced the outdoors and weren’t afraid to
A Rustic Winter Wedding
Wedding stylist and floral designer Brenna, from Wild Honey Weddings, recently sent us in this wonderful wintery shoot. We fell in love with the cool colours and quirky couple, and think you will too! Inspired by the icy month of November, this shoot is both edgy and bohemian, bringing you