Olga & Sergei's dark, gothic, wine-country escape
Posted by Offbeat Intern · Real offbeat weddings

Remember when we introduced you to the "My Black Wedding" wedding? Well, here's the whole scoop behind the beautifully goth celebration…

The Offbeat Bride: Olga, Web Designer

Her Offbeat Partner: Sergei, Network Engineer

Location & date of wedding: Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana, New Zealand — 8.05.2009

What made our wedding offbeat: We decided on black rings, black dress, no cake, no dances, and a non-traditional gothic style wedding (although we are not hardcore goths). We also decided to make all the decorations, invitations, etc., ourselves to make sure none of the mainstream stuff would get in.

Our parents were shocked to hear the details, and one of them threatened to "photoshop" the black dress. We instructed our Celebrant to be as short as legally possible and to certainly keep "god," out of it.

Most of the guests were shocked to see the black dress (as most of the people are traditional minded) but at the end they liked the theme.

Our biggest challenge: Biggest issue was getting the rings. Unfortunately every single jewelry shop we went into, had all the standard, mainstream choices of diamond/gold/silver jewelry. We were after black, preferably tungsten, rings. When we told the sales people what we are after they asked, "Are you are after black diamonds?" And when we explained what we really after they told us that they don't have and can't get something like that. So we had to order them online.

The first set what we got were the completely wrong sizes, but the company was nice enough to refund us. Then we got one ring for the groom that was perfect. And we ran into problems with bride's ring as it arrived the day before the ceremony only to be completely different to what we expected. So we had to rush into one of the mainstream jewelry shops and buy the least repulsive ring we could find for a temporary fill, until we coult get the real black ring.

Then there was problem with make up artist. We had booked one only to have him call back and cancel. Then we booked a trial with a lady who arrogantly told me that the make up looks bad because of my skin. Luckily, I found a make up artist that agreed to do me just before the wedding without a trial, in a very inconvinient time for her. She was great.

My favorite moment: When I was waiting behind the doors before main ceremony, Nightwish was playing, and my husband-to-be was waiting for me outside in the light rain. Then I walked out and every one was surprized, as they haven't seen me in my dress before.

My advice for other offbeat brides: Don't listen to your relatives, just do your wedding as you like. Don't get sucked into traditional mainstream, as the wedding is about you and not about how other people imagine it. Don't be afraid to do a lot of things yourself (it is the best way to achieve what you want).

Care to share a few vendor/shopping links?:

• Dress – Modes
• Black parasol – Thorn Apple
• Black tungsten rings – Titanium Kay
• Groom's "Criminal Damage" coat – Violent Delights
• Photos – Sandra Henderson
• Amazing make up artist – Maza White

Enough talk — show us the wedding porn!: