This stunning and elegant goth wedding in a cave will charm all black hearts

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 | Photography by IZO Photography
Elegant goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

The Offbeat Bride: Tash, Land sales agent (of body love fame!)

Her offbeat partner: Jay, Pastry Chef/Patisserie owner

Date and location of wedding: Lakeside & Cabaret Cave, Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, Western Australia — November 14, 2015

Our offbeat wedding at a glance:

We had an elegant goth wedding with a vintage vampire queen feel… IN A CAVE! There was no way that we were to have a white, princess-y, cookie-cutter wedding; it would be so uncomfortable as it's just not us at all. I remember, after getting engaged, visiting a bridal expo and oh boy did I feel out-of-place! Everything was the same thing in my eyes. From that moment on I knew that I had to source everything myself.

Elegant goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Elegant goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Elegant goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

For the colour theme, think generous servings of black, lashings of burgundy/red, and a pinch of white here and there for contrast. The decor consisted of lots of red roses, black and white stripes, damask print, and black lace.

Elegant goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Here are some highlights: personalized odds and ends (cufflinks, toasting glasses, wishing well chest), my custom-made black wedding dress and veil, amazing burlesque, DIY centrepieces, a coffin ring box, and bleeding candles.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Tell us about the ceremony:

Tall vases with red roses lined the black and white striped aisle runner, leading down to the beautiful willow trees beside the lake at Yanchep National Park.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

We decided against having a wedding party — we wanted everyone attending to full enjoy themselves with no responsibilities and the focus to be on us, with only my son by our sides. With no bridesmaids, I walked alone, meeting both of my parents halfway.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

We included a sand ceremony to tie my son into the ceremony, blending us as one like the sands combined. It all sounded beautiful, but in reality it was hilarious as the sand spilled everywhere and we all lost it laughing.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Being the metalheads we are, we had to incorporate some sort of metal into the music, even if it was on the softer scale for us. We managed to sneak in some Metallica, and Bullet for my Valentine, and the guests were none the wiser.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Tell us about your reception:

The reception was in a cave and it was incredible! I was so glad to be able to access the cave the day before and set everything up the way I envisioned it so I wasn't stressing about it on the day.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Another highlight were the incredible thrones we hired to sit on. We caught quite a few of our guests sitting on them throughout the night and some even taking selfies on them. We entered to Metallica's “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and cut the cake to Marilyn Manson's “Sweet Dreams.”

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

We didn't do bonbonnieres/favors as such, instead we put together a candy bar ourselves and decorated black Chinese noodle boxes as name place cards on the tables.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Our guests also had an amazing (and hilarious) time with the open photo booth we hired through our photographer. We added Halloween masks to the prop table and brought our own black damask print curtain for the backdrop. There were 440 photos alone from the photo booth.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

What was your most important lesson learned?

Don't be afraid to DIY. I sourced most things on the internet (Etsy, I love you!) and if I couldn't find it, I made it. Because I had no bridesmaids, I didn't have help at the ready as most brides might. Still, it wasn't as hard as I'd heard. I did have some help from a few family and friends, which was so helpful.

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Goth wedding in a cave as seen on @offbeatbride

Vendors

Now head over to Offbeat Home to get an amazing dose of body positivity, written by the bride!

Meet our fave wedding vendors

Comments on This stunning and elegant goth wedding in a cave will charm all black hearts

  1. Your wedding cake is so beautiful. And gothic. And beautiful. And gothic. It’s amazing!

  2. The picture of you in front of the logs and greenery is STUNNING. And your dress suits you perfectly. Congrats!

  3. I am absolutely in love with this wedding! That black dress with the white veil – swoon! its so beautiful – you did an amazing job with everything!

    I am also curious as to why you stood on opposite sides than normal during the ceremony – was it just to buck tradition or did it have a special meaning… Im dying to know… 🙂

  4. Give me a moment to pick my jaw up off the floor. Every detail is stunning!

  5. I love anything involving caves. And the cake topper is wicked awesome : )

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