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
Unique Wedding Venues ft. Dinosaurs, Castles and Kilts!
We love a unique wedding venue here at UW, and this brilliant wedding features TWO! Lina and Tom Photography captured Richelle & Tom’s quirky wedding day, ensuring the couple received images which celebrated the venues they chose as well as a nodding to their self-confessed geeky nature. The couple had
Stay Wild, Flowerchild! Fun Autumnal Wedding
When Nicki Shea Photography sent us these fun autumnal wedding photos from Tanja and Chris’ wedding, we just had to share them! So much love radiates from these photos, and they feature the cutest dog ever! The motto for this wedding was ‘Stay Wild, Flower Child’ and we’re loving the
Bombay Sapphire Wedding- Lee & Simon’s Gin Filled Day!
A Bombay Sapphire Wedding… A day filled with your favourite gin and your favourite person sounds like a dream! Lee and Simon combined their love of gin and Motown into a beautiful day filled with love and family. They broke a lot of convention on their wedding day- with no
Bold & Badass Glitter Wedding!
We have some bridal badassery to share with you today! This gorgeous glitter wedding is unapologetically bright and loud, blasting the senses with iridescent festival vibes! The whole thing was inspired by Buttercup Bus, wanting to capture images of their new, glitter popup bar. The concept for the shoot quickly
Quirky Rainbow Wedding Ideas
We were sent in this quirky rainbow wedding shoot by Matt Glover Photography, and it instantly made us smile! These photos capture so much fun and love, and we ADORE a splash of colour. If you’re considering a fun and colourful wedding, you’re in the right place! https://vimeo.com/333545896 How to
How To Make A Statement With Your Wedding Flowers
It’s finally springtime! The sun is shining, and the flowers are in bloom. We’re getting all the spring vibes from this beautiful wedding shoot, sent into us by Olive Owl Flowers. It’s full of floral inspiration and shabby-chic loveliness. Snapped by Olivia Whittaker Photography, the shoot was built around the