This is Your Permission to Not Change Yourself For Your Wedding

Rachel Darwin

Lauren Covelli

May 19, 2026

Right now, there is an ever-increasing pressure to “upgrade” our faces and bodies before getting married. Pre-wedding beauty expectations have escalated from a full head of foils and a manicure… to injectables, fillers, Botox, hair extensions and even extreme weight loss drugs (GLP1s). The loud, cruel, falsehood that a wedding requires you to look like "the best version of yourself” can be harmful to your experience and your enjoyment of getting married… not to mention what it can do to your mental and physical health in the long run. To me, it sounds more like an idea from the 1950s than the 2020s.

I Do Studio Makes Cher’s Clueless Closet a Reality!

Kat

May 18, 2026

Try on your wedding full outfit, style multiple looks, and don’t make any expensive purchasing decisions before using this Clueless-inspired styling service.

Elegant Meets Emo Utah Wedding with Blink-182 Played by a String Quartet

Kat

Beth Mac

May 18, 2026

Emily and Alex didn't set out to have an 'alternative' wedding, but they wanted an elegant affair that didn't feel stuffy and was unmistakingly them. The bride even planned her tattoo sessions around the wedding, having three sessions in 45 days to get her backpiece finished!

Dark, Moody & Budget-Friendly Minnesota Wedding

Kat

Sydney Kate

May 15, 2026

Ashlyn had known since she was eighteen that she would get married in black. Her grandma laughed when she first mentioned it. “You’ll change your mind by the time you get married,” she said. But guess what? She never did.

Soft Goth Runaway Wedding in Denmark

Kat

Natalescha

May 14, 2026

Dylan (from the UK) and Nadine (from Germany) met the way a lot of modern love stories now begin: online. Both musicians, they first connected through TikTok after Nadine commented on one of Dylan’s covers of Simple Math by Manchester Orchestra. He messaged her directly and before long they were talking every day, singing together over video calls while navigating a UK-to-Germany long-distance relationship.

Dark Academia Gothic Wedding at a Victorian Mansion

Kat

Sam Turchin Photo

May 13, 2026

A phone-free ceremony, a D20 vow roll, and a surprise Freddy vs Jason cake battle all featured at Joanna and Derek’s October wedding. Inspired by gothic fiction, horror films and dark academia, they filled the day with gaming references, library cards, and thoughtful details that made the day enjoyable for their neurodivergent guests.

Barcelona Bridal Week 2026: This is What Happens When Bridal Designers Stop Playing Safe

Kat

May 12, 2026

New York is all about trends. London is all about buying. Barcelona is all about art. Which is exactly why it’s our favourite.

Til Debt Do Us Part: When to Review Your Mortgage

Guest Contributor

Tilly Roberts Photo

May 11, 2026

Buying a house together, getting married, separating, switching careers, starting a family. Big life changes have a habit of forcing you to look at the practical side of adulthood, and your mortgage is usually somewhere near the top of that list. What worked a few years ago might not fit your life now, especially if your income, relationship status or long-term plans have shifted.

Non-Traditional Ideas That Actually Make Your Wedding Way Better

Guest Contributor

Leena Rose Photo

April 2, 2026

Having an “alternative” wedding isn’t about being different for the sake of it. It’s about crafting a day shaped around you and what you want it to look, and almost more crucially, feel like. If you blindly follow the formula, you end up with a timeline built around traditions you don’t question, photos you don’t even want, and a day that runs more like a production schedule than a party. It works, of course, but it isn’t always the right path, especially if you or your guests are neurodivergent.

The Honest Guide to Planning a Wedding on a Budget: How to Plan a Dream Wedding You Can Actually Afford

Jon Carpenter

Electric Sugar Elopements

March 31, 2026

From prioritising your budget, to recognising good deals, finding your people, and avoiding those oh-so-tempting money-pits - here’s a step-by-step guide to planning a dream day that won’t financially ruin you.

Alternative Engagement Ring Stones That Aren’t Diamonds

Guest Contributor

Devlin Photos

March 25, 2026

By now you’ve probably already heard the story about how and why diamonds became the go-to stone for engagement rings. But just in case you haven’t, the answer is marketing! Before the mid-20th century, diamond engagement rings were not the universal tradition they are today. In fact, many people proposed with other gemstones or family heirlooms.

What No-One Tells You About Eloping (And How to Make It Still Feel Special)

Kat

Jenn and Pawel

March 23, 2026

For a long time, eloping meant running away to get married in secret. But today it usually means the couple have chosen to elope because they want a wedding that feels calm, intentional and focused on the two of them rather than the expectations of everyone else. Some elopements even include a small guest list (although these should more accurately be called micro weddings). But while elopements are often portrayed as effortless and carefree, there are a few things people rarely talk about when planning one. So, if you’re thinking about eloping, here are some practical things to know and simple ways to turn it into a meaningful experience rather than just a quick legal formality.

Dolly Parton Meets Mars Attacks with a Wes Anderson Spin

Kat

Of Colour and Hue

January 20, 2026

Tattoo Artists’ Low Maintenance Vegas Wedding

Kat

Christina Sforza

January 16, 2026

Angela and Garrett wanted to elope, but they also wanted a few of their favourite people with them, So they had the best of both words with their micro wedding in Vegas. They invited a few guests but it was 'lets just run off to Vegas' elopement vibes through and through.

Wild West High Noon Wedding in Vegas

Kat

Mayhew Photo LV

January 12, 2026

Adam and Kitty got married in Las Vegas with a guest list of six and a budget of around £5k including travel and accommodation from the UK. The ceremony took place at High Noon at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, followed by a limo ride out to the Valley of Fire for portraits.

Crown of Thorns: A Gothic, Las Vegas Celebration

Kat

Christina Forza

January 9, 2026

Alex and Chaniel's wedding was built around the symbol of a crown of thorns. For them, it marked suffering, redemption and spiritual resolve they found through their relationship. It reflected the changes they made to arrive at marriage together.

Halloween Party Meets Graveyard Gothic Wedding on a £1,500 Budget

Kat

Amy Davies

March 26, 2026

Chloe and Grant planned a fully themed gothic wedding, but their original idea looked very different. Like many couples, they started by mapping out a larger celebration and quickly watched the numbers climb. “Our original plans were going to cost almost £16k", Chloe told us. "We found it all very stressful so ended up cancelling everything. We went online and booked a registry office ceremony for £150 and didn't look back! We have zero regrets. I did my own make-up, made my bouquet, put together the decorations - everything! We didn't even have a photographer for the wedding itself, all the photos were taken on my Instax or by friends. The most important thing to us was to be married."

Honky-Tonk Disco & Bowling Wedding

Kat

Wren and Rose

March 24, 2026

Morgan and Sam got married in a place where people usually go to drink beer, bowl and hear live music. Butch and Anne’s in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is a dive bar with a vintage bowling alley tucked inside. The wedding photographer bride and musician groom first met while working the same wedding. Having both worked in the industry for years, they already knew exactly what they didn’t want.

Sunrise Lover’s Leap Elopement

Kat

Stag and Bird

March 17, 2026

April and Brandy married twice, both in ways that made sense for them. In July, under a willow tree in the garden of their friend and photographer Courtney of Stag and Bird, the couple made it official. By autumn, they decided they wanted a second day that marked the marriage in a different way. So, in October they drove four hours south from where they live in Kansas City to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Waiting for them were Courtney and her assistant Kendal, along with a loose plan to say some vows at sunrise at Lover’s Leap, a scenic overlook just outside the town.

Tiny Gretna Green Wedding with a Jellycat Bouquet

Kat

I Love You Thirteen

March 11, 2026

Laura and Jordon married in the original marriage room at Gretna Green with 13 people present, including themselves. The day was intentionally small. The couple got ready together and walked from our hotel to the venue hand in hand. They also walked to the anvil together. "Jordon struggles with anxiety at times so being with me helped reduce a lot of nerves for him", Laura wrote. "We also only had 13 people including ourselves at the wedding and then wedding meal with no big evening do. We wanted the wedding to reflect our love and not put on a show.

Emerald Green Middle Earth Inspired Wedding With all Florals Crocheted by the Bride

Kat

Amy Faith

February 18, 2026

Hannah and Josh built their wedding from the ground up using yarn, paper, music, and the memories they share together. The day had a theme which combined Lord of the Rings and Elven references with boho, rustic, and rock influences.

A Private Wedding at The Satanic Temple, Salem

Kat

The Witchtographer

February 17, 2026

Did you know you can get married at The Satanic Temple in Salem!? Ceremonies at their 'Little Black Chapel' are officiated by the temple's Ministers of Satan and the space is already decked out in a dark red and black colour scheme, complete with candles and flowers, so you really can just show up and get married with very little stress. That's exactly what Aimee and Joe, who got married in December, wanted. They could arrive, focus on the ceremony, and leave without having to manage logistics or guests.

Colourful Yet Gothic Wedding in Italy with Tarot Cards, Ouija Boards & Nerdy Details

Kat

Studio Fotografico Bacci

February 16, 2026

Sara and Alessandro waited eighteen years before getting married so they wanted full control over how the day looked, felt and functioned, without having to compromise for other people! Sara is a wedding florist, so did all the flowers herself. They wanted the day to have a gothic, nerdy flair but also have colour. They were married in Italy at La Fornace di Sammontana.

Coffee & Crystal Candelabras: Romantic Romeo + Juliet Inspired Wedding

Kat

Alesia Hardy Films

February 3, 2026

The main visual reference point for Jenna and Chad's wedding was the final church scene in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. They wanted candles everywhere, a blue neon crosses, dark red velvet drapery, vintage furniture and low lighting.

Cherry Bomb: A Rock ’n’ Roll Wedding Shoot for the Wedding Rebels

Kat

Juliana Noelle Jumper

November 4, 2025

The concept for Cherry Bomb came straight from Vegas glitz and rock ‘n’ roll grit. Conceptualised by Heavy Petal and shot by Juliana Noelle Jumper, this shoot palette slams the door on restraint, leaning into saturated reds, punchy pinks, and metallic shine - all with an unruly 70s edge.

A Hauntingly Beautiful Corpse Bride Editorial

Kat

Lauren New

October 31, 2025

Nothing says Halloween wedding more than the Corpse Bride and this shoot may be one of the best homages we've ever seen. In fact we loved it so much, we made it the cover shoot for our November/December print issue which dropped yesterday! It blends slight Victorian-inspired details with modern drapery and design elements, bringing together a touch of the past and present for a hauntingly beautiful, editorial goth vibe.

This ‘Goth Glam’ Shoot Is Proof That Weird Is the New Luxury

Kat

Stag & Bird

October 29, 2025

This shoot, dubbed Goth Glam by everyone involved, was created out of a need to shake things up. The team wanted to bring together Kansas City’s weirdest, boldest, and most unapologetic creatives and make something that proved “high-end” doesn’t have to mean beige. They called it a love letter to the alt-lux side of weddings: velvet and smoke, drama and decadence, edge and elegance. The goal was to show that goth, glam, and alternative can sit right alongside luxury, without losing the grit.

Forbidden Fruit Alternative Bridal Editorial

Kat

Tia Leigh

October 23, 2025

A single bite can change everything. That’s the energy behind Forbidden Fruit, a conceptual bridal meets boudoir shoot dreamt up by Suzy Marrero of Pepper Lavender Events. She calls it her “version of temptation meeting wedding day glam, where indulgence, lust, and allure take centre stage". It’s unapologetic. It’s decadent. And it dares you to look a little closer.