Tons of gothic wedding decor ideas at this laidback motorbike-fueled Samlesbury Hall wedding

Offbeat partners: Mollie (@zombikergirl) & Richard

Date and location: June 13, 2025 at Samlesbury Hall, Preston, UK

Our Gothic, motorbike-fueled, laidback wedding at a glance:

We first met through mutual friends and soon discovered we actually lived just five minutes apart – clearly, fate (and convenience!) had a hand in bringing us together.

Richard’s passion for motorbikes quickly became a big part of our story, and before long, Mollie caught the bug too. What started as tagging along for rides turned into a shared love of biking, so much so that Mollie went on to get her full licence as well. It’s been a hobby that’s taken us on countless adventures and plenty of road trips together.

When it came to choosing a wedding venue, we wanted something that reflected our personalities and love for a bit of fun and mystery. Samlesbury Hall was the perfect choice, not only is it gorgeous and full of moody character, but it also happens to be one of the most haunted venues in England! It tied in perfectly with our “’Til Death” theme, a playful twist that made the whole celebration feel very us.

From there, everything started falling into place. We’ve loved putting our own spin on tradition, planning a day that feels unique, full of laughter, and a little bit spooky in the best way possible.

Tell us about the ceremony:

We decided not to write or say our own vows, as Mollie has anxiety and didn’t want to speak in front of everyone, so we kept things simple and stress-free. It was important that the ceremony felt comfortable and true to us, and it absolutely did.

The space was styled beautifully by Foxglove and Black, who completely brought our “’Til Death” vision to life. We had a coffin as a statement piece, a glowing neon “’Til Death” sign, and touches of chains and skulls throughout the décor. It was dramatic, a little dark, and totally unique, exactly the atmosphere we wanted.

Even without spoken vows, the ceremony felt incredibly special. Standing together, surrounded by the people we love, in a setting that reflected us perfectly, that was more than enough.

Tell us about the reception:

Our reception was exactly the kind of celebration we wanted, relaxed, fun, and completely us. We didn’t want anything too formal, so we went for a laid-back soirée with delicious food and plenty of personality. Guests tucked into fresh pizzas and canapés, and instead of a traditional wedding cake (since neither of us are big cake fans), we had an incredible flapjack and brownie tower that went down a treat.

The music set the perfect tone, nothing but punk and rock all night long. It was the ultimate soundtrack to our story, and seeing everyone dancing, singing along, and just enjoying themselves was everything we hoped for.

To top it all off, we added a few unexpected twists: axe throwing for a bit of friendly competition and even free tattoos for our guests! It made the evening unforgettable, a mix of laughter, music, and moments that perfectly captured our “Til Death” vibe.

What was the most important lesson you learned from your wedding?

Our biggest emotional challenge was honestly worrying about how we’d look in the photos. Richard was convinced Mollie would hate every single picture… it’s so easy to get caught up in nerves and self-doubt! But the moment the day unfolded, all those worries melted away. Not only did we have an incredible time, but we we love how we look in the photos, and seeing ourselves so happy and relaxed made every worry completely pointless.

Our advice to anyone planning an offbeat or unconventional wedding? Trust the process and stay true to yourselves. Pick the things that feel right for you, not what others expect. Whether it’s your venue, your décor, or even whether you write vows, do what makes you comfortable — and excited! In the end, the day is about your love and your story, and everything else falls perfectly into place when you let yourselves enjoy it.

The vendors

• Photos: Marina Walker Photo
• Venue decorator: Foxglove and Black @foxgloveandblack
• Artificial bouquet: Bloomin Weddings @bloomin_weddings
• Entertainment: Diamond Edge Axe Throwing @diamondedgeaxethrowing
• Photo booth: Warren’s Vintage VW Photo Booth @warrensvintagevwcar_hire
• Banner: Boho Belle Decor @bohobelledecor
• Wedding favours: Enigma Tattoo & Piercings @enigma.studios.ltd
• MUA & hair stylist: Hannah Gill MUA @hannahgillmua
• DJ: Press Record Live @pressreclive
• Wedding dress: Legend Bridals @legendbridal
• Headdress: Howling Moon @howlingmoonuk
• Earrings: The Pretty Potato @the.prettypotato.official
• Veil: Shleif Dress @shleifdress
• Groom’s buttonhole: Maddison Rocks Floral @maddison.rocks.floral
• Bride’s press-on nails: Gracie Ghouls Tattoo @gracie_ghouls_tattoos
• Wedding rings: Hell Cat Jewellery @hellcatjewellery
• Necklace & ring: Mysticum Luna @mysticumluna
• Jewellery: Black Hearts Jewellery @blackheartsjewellery

Samlesbury Hall gothic wedding gallery