Black wedding dress
I've been waiting to see if the much-discussed black wedding dress trend would actually come to fruition this year.
I mean sure, there have always been fabulous gothic brides who wear black, but rumor had it this was going to be the year that ladies other than my Brides Of The Night broke out the black dresses.
...And it looks like it's finally coming to pass.
Want to know more about black wedding dresses?
- See photos from dozen of weddings with black wedding dresses.
- Read advice from a bride who wore a black wedding dress.
Not that I have anything against Etta Jame's "At Last" or Michael Buble's "Everything," — they're both perfect first dance songs — but I've heard them both WAY to many times at weddings. So, combining my database of musician friends (some of whom made the list), Shrie's music writing experience and Ariel's... whatever the hell Ariel listens to (which, I believe, includes everything from deep neo-soul to esoteric Euro dance pop), the OBB team has compiled a list of totally not overused first dance songs, from the silly, to the romantic, to the extremely controversial!
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About Ariel Meadow Stallings
Author of Offbeat Bride: Creative Alternatives for Independent Brides, Ariel acts as the publisher of all the Offbeat Empire websites. She lives, loves, and dorks out hard in Seattle, WA.







mzblue said
Finally! Now I'll have something to show my fiancé when he gives me crap about wearing black to our wedding! I love that someone's doing it. I probably won't go this fancy, but still. I love the blue on her bridesmaids as well. Beautiful bride!
Winterhart said
That is a *beautiful* dress (on a beautiful girl)!
Rachel said
What a beautiful picture! And the dress (and woman) are gorgeous! Yay for the black wedding dress!
Crystal said
BEAUTIFUL! People gave me shit for wanting black. That dress is drop dead hot!
Ms. Erica said
Black dresses rock, My wedding dress is infact black aswell! And think about it, black is soooo a wedding color the boys wear it 90% of the time! We girls can wear what ever color we want!
Butterbean said
That bouquet is gorgeous as well.
Chris Kisela said
Thank you for the recognition, I have posted more photos as per request
Coley said
I love the pic of the groom dipping the bride! SO great.
Ariel said
PS: How hot is that sleeveless groom? WHO NEEDS TWO TICKETS TO THE GUN SHOW!?
Jenine said
I've been searching for the designer of this dress.
I found out it's likely an Allure Quinceanera gown # ALUQ032
Now I'm seriously considering one of their gowns # ALUQ032 in ivory.
Although I'd probably hand embroider a black shadow line around the silver.
I love the detachable train option.
Jenine said
Yikes, it's not ALUQ032, it's ALUQ112 that I have developed a serious and possibly incurable dress-lust for.
Angel said
Oh how funny…wedding dresses started out black, and now have come full circle.
MrsAlmostK said
I am pretty relieved that this is coming into fashion. We're having a "HalloWedding" in October, and my dress is black and dark purple, from fairygothmother.com.
My mother and other family members are balking at my dress colors but I'm excited!
olivierlalin said
I have shot two beautiful Black wedding gowns this year already in Paris- both from Max Chaoul Couture!
Clairwil said
Black is such an elegant choice. It's good to see people getting a little more adventurous with wedding fashion.
Cynzia said
Hey Im planning a Halloween wedding too!And been looking for a perfect dress too I have a white gown but it was given to me by someone who knew I didnt want a all white wedding gown.So Ive been searching for a colored wedding gown and I dont have alot of money since we are paying for the wedding ourselves and Im a single mom so its tough to find something.I may have to just add color somehow to the gown and hope it will work out! I am planning on wearing a wing with it to be an angel or butterfly or something of that nature. Anyways Congrats to the couple!!, great wedding photos too!
Kelly said
I am also wearing a "black" wedding dress, although it's an ivory dress with a black lace overlay. Ladies wear whatever you want!!!
B.T. said
Where did you find a dress with black lace overlay? That is exactly what i am looking for!
Miss R. said
I desperately wanted to wear this gorgeous black dress to my wedding but my future mother-in-law freaked out.
So I'm wearing black and red. Glad to see someone rocking the black!
Almost Mrs. JJ said
I was so inspired by this article that with 3 weeks left before the wedding I decided I didn't want to wear my ivory dress so I got a black one! No one is very surprised, I almost always wear black and I was not comfortable in ivory. The dress is a bridesmaid dress from David's Bridal, I'm going to add a long ivory sash to make it feel more "bridal" and my tailor is turning the zipper into a corset back. I'm so excited, the wedding is in 2 weeks and the best part… the groom doesn't know i'm wearing black!
Erica said
I am relieved to know that Black is rumored to be the new white……just today I was doubting my ivory with black overlay dress for my 1950's inspired wedding…..I am now convinced that it is ok!!!
Joy said
I too am wearing a black wedding dress! I bought the dress in a cute little shop (not a wedding shop) and I knew straight away this was the dress I wanted to be married in. It cost under $300 and I'm sure it would have been in the thousands if it was in a wedding dress shop. It's gorgeous and makes me feel like the belle of the ball – it's like "Old Hollywood" style and has diamontes all in the front. I can't wait for the big day! Good luck to all on your big day!
ValdisLS said
Nice dress, nice bride… YES for the Black weeding dress. I hope that my future bride will wear a Black weeding dress.
Insanity comes to those that belive in their own redepmtion
DecBride said
I am wearing a long black evening gown and I LOVE IT!!! Most people are a bit freaked out but when I tell them I am bride and I get to do what I want they leave me alone!!
vxvx said
I bought a black French Victorian dress,the people who i tol about who othwis would not like to see me in a black dress love it!
HEDpe said
Great dress. I actually never thought they had anything, but white wedding dresses. Now I have something I like to wear at my wedding.