Alternative Wedding (gig reception!) – Denise & Paul

Rebellious Lovers, Wedding Gold

June 29, 2023

An Alternative wedding: the bride (wearing a leather jacket) and groom at a goth chick wedding in front of some urban artwork.

First thing’s first: This couple were an absolute blast to work with, and I’m so thrilled they chose me as their wedding photographer. Denise and Paul cleverly blended elements of both traditional and unique into their day. And they pulled it off masterfully. A true alternative wedding! I’m excited to show you all these highlights from this badass pair’s wedding day. Enjoy!!

The Morning Prep!

Denise spent the morning of her alternative wedding getting ready with some of her closest family and friends. They got together to get ready, armed with mimosas (the best drink for a wedding morning, IMO). The make-up artist did a stunning job of Denise’s look, so natural and so ‘Denise’. Finished off with some party-ready, classic eyeliner flicks, of course.

This gorgeous bride chose some floral embroidered white Vans as her wedding shoes. Turns out that for the events of the day, this was the perfect choice! Not just a casual and cool vibe, but also super practical for the walk on the beach. Oh, and for hours of dancing at the alternative wedding party (or should I say gig!) later on. Aren’t they amazing??

A friend helps the bride to finish getting ready by buttoning the back of her dress. The dress has covered buttons down the back.

An Alternative wedding: A goth chick wedding, with details on the shoes, dried flower bouquet and pearl necklace and earrings.

Alternative Wedding Details

Topping off the alternative bride look, Denise had a personalised black leather jacket made for the day. The words written across the back read: ‘Til Death’. This is surely becoming the slogan for alt weddings and anti-brides, and I’m so here for it. You all know I love a bride who embraces her style and personality, and adds it in to the wedding through personal touches.

The wedding transport was a white vintage campervan! Such a great idea, not only for aesthetics, but also you can fit your whole crew in the back (even ones in wedding dresses!). The cream colours and white ribbons made for a stand-out journey to the beautiful church ceremony venue.

An Alternative wedding: Details from a goth chick wedding with a satin wedding dress, long veil and shoes.

An Alternative wedding: The bride's leather jacket is black and decorated with roses. It reads: 'Til death' on the back.

An Alternative wedding: The wedding transport is an old cream camper van, decorated with ribbons.

Paul got ready just down the road with his best pals. He dressed in a deep burgundy three piece suit, paisley tie, and a statement gold watch chain. He looked so classic with an alt twist as he leaned in the doorway, ready to go. I’m so glad I caught the moment!

Pau’s boutonnière tied his suit together perfectly, with the tones giving a nod to the bride’s accessories through purples, pinks and reds. Denise had chosen strong, deep blooms with lots of texture and different shapes for her bouquet, staying away from the traditional, softer shapes like roses. She leaned more into blue thistles and dried flowers.

The groom wears a burgundy coloured suit with a waistcoat and buttonhole. He holds a drink and has a gold watch chain to accessorise his attire.

The groom leans in the doorway, looking outside. He wears a burgundy coloured suit with a waistcoat and buttonhole, he has a gold watch chain to accessorise his attire.

The Wedding Ceremony – Traditional Church Venue

This really was a day of two halves! The wedding ceremony was at the Catholic Church nearby, with a traditional wedding service by the local priest.

Denise arrived in the campervan with her super contagious happy and excited energy, while Paul was waiting inside with the guests, ready for his bride to walk down the aisle. A traditional start to this beautiful, eclectic wedding day.

This couple had invited their closest friends and family to attend the wedding vows and share this special time. There were only about 30 gathered in the pews in total. Intimate, private, and close.

The front elevation of the Catholic church where the wedding ceremony will take place.

The bride climbs out of the wedding transport - an old cream camper van, decorated with ribbons. She smiles and lifts her skirt to climb out.

The inside of the church where the wedding ceremony will take place. Some guests are gathered in the seats.

The bride walks in down the aisle of the church. She smiles at the guests who have turned to face her. The groom of this wedding is in the burgundy suit, looking back at his bride.

The bride and groom exchange vows at their Catholic wedding ceremony in front of the priest.

The bride and groom smile at their Catholic wedding ceremony in front of the priest.

The bride and groom share a kiss at their Catholic wedding ceremony in front of the priest.

The bride and groom exchange rings at their Catholic wedding ceremony in front of the priest.

As a wedding photographer, I always want there to be about 3 other clones of me to be able to capture all the emotions on everyone’s faces… But this couple were just so chill, soaking up their ceremony, and you can totally see it all from their relaxed expressions.

Denise and Paul left their church wedding ceremony to clouds of red, orange, pink, and white confetti thrown by their happy guests!

For my top tips on how to get the best confetti photos, check out my post from a few weeks back!

The bride and groom leave their Catholic wedding ceremony to a shower of confetti from their guests. They smile and laugh.

Graffiti Walls and Arcade Time!

One of my favourite parts of any wedding day: the couple shoot. We headed off into the town centre. Denise and Paul were such a fun bride and groom, they were seriously so easy to photograph, so we easily found loads of good locations to stop in where they just looked perfect.

First up was a bright mural wall of the Green Man. The pop of colour worked so well, and was a great contrast with their darker styled tones.

We went for a walk on the beach for a few more romantic, moody couple photos and then headed off to the arcade.

This was such a cool alternative wedding day activity! The guests all loved the games, including the bride and groom.

Even a little rain didn’t stop the laughs as they headed to the fish and chip place for their wedding laid-back meal.

An Alternative wedding: The bride and groom leave their wedding ceremony to go into the town, the bride is wearing a leather jacket and drinking beer, the groom is driving. The wedding transport is an old cream camper van, decorated with ribbons.

An Alternative wedding: Details from a couple's shoot with a bride and groom after their wedding ceremony. The bride wears a leather jacket in a goth chick vibe. The groom has his arm around her and they smile in front of a graffiti wall.

An Alternative wedding: A couple (bride and groom) walk on the beach during their photo shoot on their wedding day

An Alternative wedding: A couple (bride and groom) stands on the beach during their photo shoot on their wedding day

An Alternative wedding: A bride and groom rent a gaming casino by the coast for their entertainment. All the guests celebrate by playing arcade games.

The Wedding Gig – Alternative Wedding Style!

Denise and Paul really didn’t want a formal wedding reception, so they decided to put on a gig instead (obsessed).

After loads of hugs, laughter, happy tears, and some more food and speeches, the gig kicked off!

They had asked some friends in a heavy metal band to play at the end of the night… Which probably explains how Paul ended up on stage playing guitar! The most badass groom move probably ever.

The dancing popping off, and all the guests were such a great crowd for the band.

Denise and Paul’s wedding really was a testament to their love, and just how much you can truly be yourself on your wedding day. Getting married is a reflection of you as a couple, so celebrate your unique selves when you get hitched, with no details left out!