White has long been associated with weddings. Everyone has seen the colors soft cream, beige and bright white. They are at the forefront of matrimonial decor. Standard tradition dictates the bride must wear a white wedding dress.
Black, on the other hand, is often seen as a color for mourning and dismissed as a color to use for a wedding. However, using black can lend to equally elegant wedding decor. If you would like to plan an all-black wedding, there is nothing wrong with your ideas.
It may not have the same popularity as other colors, but it will provide an edgy alternative, glamorous darker hue or classic look only an all-black wedding can present.
How Much Black?
Some items you will want to consider at the wedding reception include a black wedding cake, a black welcome sign and black chairs. However, you might want to find just the right amount of black.
Instead of a black ribbon at the wedding ceremony, you can use a white background. An all-black table setting can be a bold statement.
Black-themed wedding planning can be challenging. Check out some suggestions below to achieve the perfect look for your dream day.
Black Wedding Decor Ideas for an All-Black Wedding
All-black decor is not just for aHalloween or gothic wedding. The inky, onyx hue creates a moody, vintage and elegant atmosphere. Whether you want an all-black wedding theme for everything or mainly black decor, there are many ways to celebrate the color’s beauty.
You can have black chairs or a black wedding cake. If you are unsure how much black you want in the wedding theme, you can consider adding pale pink. A white tablecloth presents surprisingly versatile options, especially if you go with a black cake.
The ceremony space at a black wedding will need the correct black details. However, you can add some traditional white aspects if you choose.
Here are some of our favorite black wedding decor ideas to add to an all-black wedding theme.
1. Enter with Black Ceremony Decor
Skip using bright white ribbons and colorful flowers as your first impressions to your guests. You will impress your guests with black seating and floral aisle arrangements.
If you want a moody look, you can add black lanterns. The candles add a level of romance as they are lit.
2. Under a Black Wedding Arch to say “I Do!”
A drop-dead gorgeous black wedding arch is an excellent alternative to white flowers with greenery. Choose an abstract arch with geometric shapes to present a modern twist. A simple black and minimalistic arch are great. You can add dark-hued florals for romantic flair.
3. Incorporate Dark Floral Arrangements
Black bridesmaid bouquets are undoubtedly elegant. Black flowers have become increasingly popular in the bridal bouquet, giving dramatic flair.
Black floral arrangements are a simple method to make a statement at a wedding. Plus, they are one of the best areas to add wedding colors.If you are seeking specific black flower color choices, consider black roses, calla lilies and dahlias.
Remember, there are no naturally occurring black flowers. If there is a particular flower the bride loves, a florist can turn it into the perfect all-black wedding bouquet.
If all-black feels too intense, add some elements in deep crimson hues. Doing so will help lighten up the scenery around the bride while keeping the moody vibes.For a winter wedding, a great choice is navy blue hues so there can be an icy feel on the big day.
4. Black Aisle Runner to Make your Entrance
As the bride walks down the aisle on a black aisle runner, she’s sure to pop. You will want to choose a rich black fabric like velvet for afall wedding. You can also use glitter or sequins for a glam look.
5. Dreamy Black Wedding Gown Attire
An all-black wedding dress on the bride can truly make a statement that your guests will remember. Choose from modern and black wedding ball gowns with geometric necklines. Black tulle wedding dresses are fantastic options for an all-black wedding.
The bride can opt for an all-black Victorian bridal gown with black lace for a more gothic feel. The long sleeves and beading can present a dramatic look, while a simple A-line gown assembles a more minimalistic sense.
In addition, you should utilize bold lip colors such as red to light up the basics of your outfit. You can wear rose crowns in these colors and then dangle them over your hair to create a country-chic wedding look.
6. Dress the Wedding Party in Black
If wearing a black wedding dress makes you uncomfortable, have your bridesmaids and groomsmen don the black attire for you.
Black chiffon bridesmaid dresses add elegance to an all-black tuxedos’ tall, dark and handsome look. The hue provides elegant vibes and perfectly contrasts the bride wearing a white dress to stand out.
A stunning idea is to wear a bright-colored wedding dress as everyone else wears black. As the bride at an all-black wedding party, you will be the focus. Though if you opt for a specific color, you will need to write in the dress code not to wear your wedding day color.
7. Commit to Black Wedding Rings
Say “I do” can be romantic with enchanting black engagement rings and wedding bands. Choose fromdark gemstoneslike black diamonds, pearls and opals.You can also look at dark metals and woods for wedding bands, including tungsten and ebony wood.
8. Utilize Black and White Signage
Black and white signage are great for welcoming your guests at the door. The elegant writing will guide them on where to go by displaying their names at the ceremony and reception seats. Black name tags also tie in nicely with black table decor. White or metallic lettering presents a romantic element and is easy for guests to read.
9. Deck Out a Dark Reception Space
Go big with your all-black wedding theme. A dark reception space is an excellent option for a black wedding. Set up black tablecloths, candelabras and chairs as centerpieces. You can even add black lace if your scene is a gothic wedding. Add gold or metallic decor to incorporate a glamorous texture. Metallic or onyx silverware will present a regal look for when it is time to eat.
10. Enjoy a Dark and Delicious Wedding Cake
A black wedding cake is a great way to treat your guests. They will remember the cake, so don’t simp on the details. The bridal couple can design a celestial-inspired cake with glittering stars. Or you can go with dark floral elements for an earthier vibe.
11. Get Wedding Guests to Join in on the Fun
In your wedding invitation, outline to your wedding guests the wedding attire. It is essential to trace the dress code to wear black wedding attire. Make your request clear, as all-black weddings might be foreign to many of your attendees. The clarification can also include whether it is okay to wear additional colors or avoid specific ones.
Check out our other favorite wedding themes:
- Black and Red Wedding Theme Ideas
- How to Decide on Your Wedding Theme
- Choosing a Color Theme for your Wedding
Tips to pull off the all-black wedding theme
Black can get away from us when done too much as it’s a very bold yet dull color. Here are a few tips to help you curate your dream décor
Make use of candles and neon backlights with warm hues
As much as black is a neutral color it is also a dull color. When used as the base color for your décor, it can create a darker ambiance. We get it! This may be exactly what you’re going for however, a balance has to be reached to achieve the perfect look. You can add warm lights by using candles and signs pointing to the dessert cart, bar, and other areas. If you’re concerned about the risk of real candles around a drinking crowd, you can go opt for led candles which are equally as effective.
Add a touch of gold
Everything looks better with a touch of gold and we mean it! You can incorporate golden hues in your décor by adding candle holders with golden borders, napkin holders, and charger plates without breaking the bank. The gold contrasts perfectly with black acting as an accent color that adds character to the otherwise dull consistency.
When adding gold, try not to go overboard by making the colors compete with each other as the décor may end up looking cheap and rushed. More importantly, try not to DIY your accent pieces, trust us the gold spray paint will not give you the desired outcome.
Embrace crystal
With all the warm lights and golden hues all around your venue, crystals may be just the finishing touch you need. We know that crystal ornaments can rack up décor costs but here’s the good news. You don’t need the ornaments…. at least not at each table. You can simply opt for crystal wine glasses to be placed at each place setting to accompany the dinner setup. It’s a classic case of killing two birds with one stone. The glasses will act as décor pieces for the better part of the night creating that magical sparkle and your guests can use them to enjoy the wine accompanying their dinner.
Feel free to add another deep color
Even if your main theme is black, there’s no harm in adding a few deep colors in moderation if you decide to. We suggest deep colors as they are less likely to get overwhelmed or overshadowed by black. A great idea is to incorporate the colors according to the season your wedding falls in. Burnt orange would be great for fall while a deep red would work perfectly during the winter season.
Invite white to the party
Maybe it’s just us having a soft spot for white at weddings but we always welcome hints of white. You don’t want all your background drowning into an abyss of darkness and a little hint of white here and there can help keep the lines clear and give your décor a little oomph.
All-Black Wedding Invitations
Choose from mysterious and gothic designs that are abstract and artsy. Whatever your preferences, you can find an invitation design to fall in love with. Each invite is entirely customizable, so you can easily adjust the color palettes and typography for an all-black wedding invitation. Wax seals are a perfect way to seal these black wedding invitations.
1. Fancy-Free Dark Invitation
Black and glittery wedding invitationsfeature a dark black color palette. You can insert a photo into the wedding invitation. It can include the bride and groom’s favorite snapshot. It’s ideal for all-black weddings with modern themes to have a photo of the couple in the invite.
2. Big Details Invitation
For those that love a bold style, go with ablack-and-white invitation. Modern and minimalist elements are an excellent touch for these styles of invitations. They best suit contemporary wedding themes rather than gothic or vintage events.
3. Dark Radial Blooms Invitation
Ablack and white invitationwith radial blooms is excellent for couples that love dark wedding styles. The sweet dark blossoms lend a springtime feel. Consider using the metallic radial greenery to add romance and sophistication to an all-black spring wedding.
4. Gilded Bouquet Invitation
Avintage black wedding invitationcan incorporate dark flowers and light greenery accents to develop a dramatic impression. Your wedding details are to take center stage when you invite your guests to your big day. As you outline the dress code, it can be framed with black, silver and gold floral elements. Customizing the typography with your wedding color palette for the evening is ideal.
Serena Lawrence
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
By giving you everything you need to make your dream wedding attainable, you can eliminate stress, get the ‘wedding glow,’ and focus on spending this rocking day with the person you adore. Discover their podcast for more information
