Moody, Magical & Unapologetic: A Love Letter to "Black Dress Weddings"
If you’re planning a non-traditional wedding and dreaming of walking down the aisle in a black (or any colour) wedding dress—please do it. Whether you’re a bride, a groom, non-binary, queer, or simply someone who wants their wedding to reflect who they really are, let this be your sign: white is NOT a requirement. Also, when I say wedding dress, I don’t only mean an actual gown; for the purposes of this blog I will keep referencing a wedding dress, but know that I mean all types of wedding attire being worn by the couple. The term “black dress bride” encompasses not only a bride wearing a black gown, but a confident attitude that radiates authenticity and arriving 100% as yourself.
As an alternative wedding photographer, I’m here for every love story—especially the ones that don’t fit into a box. And in my experience? The people who choose a black dress on their wedding day? They’re often the most fun, most fearless, and most joyfully themselves. Let’s be honest—choosing a black wedding dress is rarely about just liking the color. It’s about owning your identity. Whether you’re goth, glam, minimalist, maximalist, punk, queer, witchy, or whimsical—wearing your favourite colour says: “I’m showing up as me.” And that authenticity? It makes for absolutely unforgettable wedding photos. The confidence, the intentionality, the pure “f*ck it, I do what I want” energy radiates through every frame.
Whether it’s a queer forest elopement with matching black gowns, a tattooed couple saying “I do” under a neon moon, or two non-binary babes rocking bespoke suits and veils—these are the moments that light my creative fire. Black dress weddings tend to come with all the details: candlelit altars, celestial bouquets, vintage rings, witchy vibes, and moody florals. We need to break the myth that a black dress = serious or somber. Whether you're femme, masc, both, neither, or somewhere in between, rocking the “black dress attitude” can give you the confidence to show up exactly as you are—bold, joyful, and unapologetic.
There’s something about the contrast of a bold outfit against a natural backdrop or candlelit venue that turns every photo into a film still. If you’re wearing black—whether it’s a dress, suit, jumpsuit, cloak, or something totally original—your photos will have texture, drama, depth, and soul. You’ll be able to look back at those photos years from now and be so glad you did exactly as you wanted.
If you're dreaming of a wedding (or elopement or boudoir session) that celebrates you—your love, your story, your style, your body—I would be honored to capture it. The non-traditional is where my heart lives, so whether you’re saying your vows in a haunted house, a redwood grove, a downtown rooftop, or your best friend’s backyard, let’s make it yours. And if you’re rocking black? I’m already in love with the vision.