Ask An Expert: Wedding Venue Woes

Guest Contributor

Natalescha

October 29, 2026

Why are wedding venues so expensive? Every venue I've looked at seems to double in price the second I mention it's a wedding. I know weddings take a lot of work, but I'm struggling to understand what I'm actually paying for. Is there really that much happening behind the scenes, or is it just the wedding tax?

Desert Vogue: Elopement in The Red Desert, South Africa

Kat

Stephen Michael

October 29, 2026

On South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal coast, a real couple stood together in the Red Desert (aka the "world's smallest desert") and told each other how they felt. An old wedding dress had been reworked especially for the occasion, the bride wore a hat veil and their vows were kept secret until the moment they were read aloud. While the setting and outfits had been planned by a team of wedding suppliers, the words they read came from their own relationship.

The Romance of Ruin: A Gothic Cemetery Bridal Shoot

Kat

Natalescha

October 28, 2026

At Barcelona Bridal Week earlier this year, there was one collection stopped us in our tracks. WONÁ Concept unveiled three new collections during its runway presentation, but it was the Heritage Edition that stayed with us. Made up of 25 couture looks, the collection celebrates the craftsmanship of WONÁ Atelier through sculptural silhouettes, intricate corsetry, fluid draping and dramatic trains. They even unveiled three new striking black designs, adding a darker edge we always love, without losing any of the couture elegance.

Bohemian Meets Viking Woodland Wedding

Kat

Lucie Carr

October 27, 2026

Bethanie and Thomas celebrated their marriage with a woodland handfasting, a Viking feast and a toast to the goddesses. The groomsmen wrestled while Bethanie danced on tables with her bridesmaids. Their children ran around with their friends’ kids, and the night ended beside a bonfire before the newlyweds retreated to their tipi.

How to Get Wedmin Under Control When You’re Already Overwhelmed

Guest Contributor

Tamara den Hartog

October 27, 2026

You’ve found a venue that will let you bring your dog, started looking at black wedding dresses and agreed that your first dance deserves a full emo moment. Then three supplier contracts land in your inbox at once, someone needs a deposit and your mum wants to know whether you’ve booked transport. Wedmin can be an instant vibe killer. The bad news is it can not be avoided but putting a few practical systems can help you get things moving, share the responsibility and protect some time for everything else in your life.

Medieval Tropical Wedding

Kat

Celeste Burns

October 26, 2026

Aurora and Thompson were married in Gainesville, Florida. Their day had a unique theme, Kermit and Miss Piggy leading the ceremony, and a guest list that stayed deliberately small. 35 guests attended and everyone stayed at the same bed and breakfast, owned by the bride’s aunt and uncle. Aurora described their theme as medieval tropical to anyone who asked, and guests dressed to match. Her gown was made by her mum and she bedazzled her own boots. All of the décor and flowers were DIY.

Western Pixies Meets Vintage Fae Wedding Planned in Six Months

Kat

O&C

October 23, 2026

Rosie and Tyler met through Hinge. Four months later they got engaged and just ten months after they first started talking, they were married. "It was a whirlwind romance", Rosie told us. "We knew instantly we were best friends and soulmates - people told us we were being crazy but we didn’t care! We knew what we knew. We heal the broken parts of each other and and lift up the beautiful mess. It was young love found in a generational hellscape of toxic dating culture."

Sultry, Spooky & Romantic Portland Castle Wedding

Kat

KMT Photos

October 22, 2026

Gargoyles, gothic poetry and cocktails with their cats’ faces on them. Averi and Roy’s wedding at Chateau de Harpe in Portland, brought together their taste for the spooky and their enthusiasm for making things. Garden lighting and fog set the atmosphere, while guests helped themselves to temporary tattoos designed by the bride.

Cleaning & Preserving Your Wedding Dress

Guest Contributor

September 16, 2026

After the wedding, a lot of dresses are shoved into the back of a cupboard without so much as a second thought. Whether you want to sell it, save it for your children, or even have it reworked to wear again, its really important to get it cleaned first. Even if it looks pretty clean, it probably isn’t. Sweat, sugar, alcohol, make-up, and dirt don’t always show up straight away, but they can cause discolouration and fabric damage over time. Times this by a thousand if your dress is white or ivory.

When Someone You Love Can’t Come to Your Wedding

Rachel Darwin

Silver and Light Weddings

September 15, 2026

You’re going to have a wedding! Isn’t that the best thing ever? A whole day with everybody you adore, celebrating your beautiful love story. What could be more exciting and thrilling than that? For five years, I have written in this gorgeous magazine about how important it is to embrace this opportunity to have your day your way. I have sung from the rooftops about telling unsolicited opinions where to go. I have urged all rock ‘n’ roll brides to plan their weddings unapologetically. But, all along, I have never failed to add one teensy weensy caveat… Don’t be a dick about it.

The Nearlywed Diaries: Saying Yes to the (Green) Dress

Guest Contributor

Darkride Creations

September 9, 2026

It’s so hard to write an article about a wedding dress that doesn’t yet exist. But here goes nothing! When I think of my wedding and walking down the aisle, the last word that springs to mind is tradition. I’ve always been the black sheep of my family and proudly so. So, when it comes to wedding dresses, where do I even begin?

The Wedding Is Over, Now Its Time to Disappear

Guest Contributor

Shell de Mar

September 4, 2026

You have spent months answering questions. Round tables or rectangular? Plated dinner or buffet? Blush, bashful or a third shade of pink that kinda looks exactly the same? And don't get us started on all the guest questions that were already covered on your perfectly organised wedding website (eye roll!) Even the most relaxed wedding can generate way more decisions than you expected.

Let’s Clown Around and Get Married

Kat

Carrie Pollard

June 3, 2026

Cynthia and Michael, who were married on Halloween in Vegas, may go down in history as having one of the most punk rock, unique weddings we've ever seen. The clown makeup was Cynthia's idea - why? Well honesty, why not?

Hellvis, Burlesque & Baby Elvis: Inside This $5K Las Vegas Wedding Shot Entirely on Film

Kat

Cactus Bloom

May 25, 2026

EErin and Thomas got married at Sure Thing Chapel with Hellvis officiating, a burlesque dancer surprising the guests midway through the ceremony, and their one-year-old daughter dressed in a miniature Hellvis costume. The whole thing was shot entirely on film, which suited the mood perfectly.

Vintage Meets Vegas Elopement on Their Own Terms

Kat

To Have Her

May 21, 2026

Amanda and Connor got married at A Little White Wedding Chapel at midday, ate burgers at In-N-Out by 1pm, spent the afternoon inside Meow Wolf, then ended the night in dive bars before heading to the Neon Museum. From the beginning, they knew exactly what they didn’t want: a big, traditional wedding with timelines, formalities and months of pressure.

Love Turned Up to 11: A Vegas Wedding with Dog Stickers, Hellvis & a Vintage Buick

Kat

Jamie Y

March 13, 2026

Louisa and Bernie had already shared two decades of life before deciding to get married. Their story began more than twenty years earlier during a brief meeting in London. They didn't get together right away, but years later, Bernie walked back into Louise’s life and the timing finally felt right.

Mid-Century Inspired Warehouse Wedding with a Tattoo Exchange Ceremony

Kat

Gabriel Conover

September 3, 2026

Adeline and Hunter chose to do a private elopement in Big Sur two weeks before the bigger wedding. Back in LA, they hosted a party at Mica Studios, huge studio warehouse which they styled with mid-century style furniture they bought mostly on Facebook marketplace.

The Anti-Tradition Wedding with Handmade Fashion, DIY Décor and Bingo

Kat

Kat Shot This

September 2, 2026

Leah repeatedly referred to her wedding as a “fake wedding” because she and Mark skipped so many of the expected traditions that, apart from the legally binding bit, their day had very little interest in seeming like one. There was no aisle, personalised vows or first dance. There were six ceremony guests, several handmade outfits, competitive bingo and a table of temporary tattoos. It also happened to be on Leah’s 30th birthday! “I love my birthday but don’t love the idea of being centre of attention so thought what a good way to have a party, combine the two!" she said. "I got to spend the day with all my favourite people!”

Love-Filled Wedding with Vintage Details, Eclectic Vibes, and a Cake on Every Table

Kat

Kaitlynn Faith Photo

August 18, 2026

Rachel and Jada had already booked their venue and started planning their spring 2026 wedding when the political climate in the US began to change. As a lesbian couple in Utah, waiting another year and a half to become legally married began to feel like a risk. “We weren’t sure what would happen before our wedding or if we’d still be able to be legally married,” Rachel explained.

It was Never a Phase: How to Have an Emo Themed Wedding

Kat

Gem Wright

August 13, 2026

If you're reading Rock n Roll Bride, its highly likely that you had an emo phase... but that actually it wasn't a phase at all. You're probably still loving all things checkerboard, wearing too much black eyeliner and internally debating whether you're team Vans or team Converse. If you love the idea of an emo themed wedding then read on because here's how you can pull it off without it just becoming a mid-2000s costume party.

Gothic Glam at the Golf Club

Kat

Randi Rae

August 3, 2026

Ashley and Colin had known each other for 20 years before their friendship turned into something deeper. Neither had expected their relationship to take a romantic turn, but once it clicked there was nothing like it. This simmer they gathered 200 people for a goth glam wedding at a golf club, and are now expecting their first baby girl in September.

Curtain Call: Classic Bridal Shoot with a Rebellious Edge

Kat

Kirsty MacKenzie

July 6, 2026

For the issue 68's cover shoot we wanted to explore the contrast between classic bridal styling and a more rebellious presence. A little bit gothic, but not overtly so. Our model Clo’s heavily tattooed skin brought an edge that felt perfect against the refined interiors of the newly renovated The Trafalgar on King’s Road in London.

Celestial Gothic Wedding for a Couple Who Share the Same Birthday

Kat

Tom Jeavons

June 23, 2026

What happens when a bartending Swiftie marries an electrician? Sparks fly…literally. After nine years together, Tayla and Joe tied the knot at Cooling Castle Barn in Kent. Sharing the same birthday inspired their celestial theme, and in front of a moon arch with a string quartet playing, they promised to love each other forever.

Forbidden Love: Red Velvet Drapes, Pearl Chains & Clouds of Dry Ice

Kat

Fien Vonk

May 22, 2026

Birgitte and Anthony met when they were teenagers, but didn't stay to fall for each other until a lot later in life. They went to a theatre with mutual friends, and sparks started to fly. "The theme for our wedding was forbidden love", Anthony told us. "This is because our love was a little secret in our early days. We we didn't want anyone to know about it from day one so we had a lot of secret dates."

Curtain Call: Classic Bridal Shoot with a Rebellious Edge

Kat

Kirsty MacKenzie

July 6, 2026

For the issue 68's cover shoot we wanted to explore the contrast between classic bridal styling and a more rebellious presence. A little bit gothic, but not overtly so. Our model Clo’s heavily tattooed skin brought an edge that felt perfect against the refined interiors of the newly renovated The Trafalgar on King’s Road in London.

The Importance of Freeze Framing Your Wedding Memories

Kat

Lilia Abrahamsen

June 30, 2026

Getting married is such a crazy, whirlwind of a time - engagement celebrations, planning the biggest party of your life, dealing with family politics.. you know the score! There is so much happening all at once but then suddenly, almost as quickly as it all started, it's over. You're married and onto the next chapter of your lives. Many couples say the wedding day itself goes by in a flash, but that run-up period does too.

Pride Is 365 Days a Year: Why Representation Still Matters in Wedding Media

Kat

William Judd

June 25, 2026

Every June, the internet turns rainbow. Logos change colour, brands dust off their Pride collections and social feeds fill up with statements of support. Then, on July 1st, many of those rainbows disappear.

Woodland Disco: A Wedding Shoot Full of Queer Love, Body Diversity & Gender Expression

Kat

Espy Creative

June 17, 2026

Wedding themed photo shoots and editorials often follow a very particular formula, but when wedding planner Catalina Rojo of Celebrations by Catalina set out to organise one, she knew she'd be taking a very different route. Rather than focusing on a couple, or a single bride model, she called in help from a diverse collection of models and suppliers who she knew would help her celebrate inclusivity, creativity, and some really bold design ideas.