How to Pull Off a Black Wedding Theme
For too long, the color black has been banished from a couple’s big day because it was viewed as morbid, too dark, or macabre. But a black-themed wedding can be elegant, modern, refined, and so much more than simply gothic, so long as you pair your black accents with complementary hues in a well-thought-out color scheme.
In fact, a black wedding theme can show off your unique style just as well as any other wedding color palette. We dive into what you need to know, including:
- What other colors to pair black with at your wedding, such as metallics
- How and where to incorporate black into your big day, from the dress to the flowers
- Black wedding decoration ideas, including tablescapes and the cake
- What black theme weddings can symbolize
What You Will Learn
Black Theme Wedding Ideas
The color black fits in well with broader wedding themes, including minimalist weddings, winter weddings, contemporary weddings, gothic weddings, medieval weddings, celestial or night sky-themed weddings, and Art Deco weddings, among many more ideas.
If you don’t have any ideas for an overarching theme, you might start by picking other complementary wedding colors. While some might argue that any color will go with black, that’s not always the case. For example, unless you’re planning a Halloween wedding, you’ll likely want to avoid pairing black with pumpkin orange, whereas yellow paired with black may make your guests think of bumblebees.
Black Wedding Theme Color Pairings
Beyond orange and yellow, many colors pair well with black for a wedding and can inform your broader wedding theme. For example, a black-and-white wedding color palette will work well for a minimalist or contemporary wedding theme. Meanwhile, black paired with gold accents perfectly suits an Art Deco or Great Gatsby theme.
Consider These Black Wedding Color Themes for Inspiration
Don’t be afraid to mix and match potential pairings until you find the best fit. Pro tip: If you want help when considering potential color pairings, head to the paint department of your local hardware store and grab some paint swatches.
Of course, you also have the option of an all-black wedding theme, with no other colors, but all-black weddings tend to trend more gothic.
How to Incorporate Black into Your Wedding Outfit
While you can always swap the traditional white dress for a black wedding dress or an all-black tux (no white shirt underneath), other, less dramatic but still eye-catching options exist — for example, black accessories, like a black lace garter, black pearls, or a black bowtie.
You can even choose black wedding rings made of tungsten, carbide, or titanium, and featuring black diamonds. These precious metals are not only sophisticated but are also incredibly durable and have become more popular in recent years because of that benefit.
Ask Guests to Wear Black for Your Wedding, Too
For some black-themed weddings, couples specifically instruct their wedding guests to wear black to the wedding ceremony and reception.
It’s an old, outdated rule that you shouldn’t wear a black dress to a wedding, and your guests may appreciate this more modern dress code. Nearly everyone already has a black dress on hand and, even if they buy a new option for your wedding day, it’s something they can wear many more times.
If you’d like your guests to dress to match the black theme, be sure to note this in the wedding invitations so they have time to prepare.
Black Wedding Décor: Reception and Ceremony Ideas
Some of the easiest ways to incorporate black décor into your reception are linens, draping, flowers, and cake. For linens and draping, you can request that your venue use a black runner for the wedding aisle, draping for black chairs, and black linens on the reception table.
For florals, pairing white flowers (like white roses) with black flowers provides a glamorous and stark contrast.
Black or near-black flower varieties include:
- Black calla lilies
- Black scabiosa
- Chocolate cosmos
- Black tulips
- Black dahlias
- Black irises
Even if you don’t want to infiltrate all your florals with dark hues, you might still use black bouquets and boutonnieres for the bridal party, including the bride and/or groom.
For your cake, consider an entirely black wedding cake or one with black accents. You could also stick with the traditional white cake, but serve it alongside black cupcakes.
What Do Black Wedding Themes Represent?
When used in wedding décor, black can symbolize strength, power, nonconformity, elegance, and sophistication — all traits that any couple would be happy to share.
Additionally, if anyone questions your choice for a black theme wedding, you might remind them that in some cultures, wearing a black dress for wedding attire was the norm — more so than even white! Even today, some cultures view black as a color of good luck on the wedding day.
Black Themed Wedding FAQs
What Are the Benefits of a Black-Themed Wedding?
In contrast to a white wedding theme, black provides a stylish contrast to many other colors, and hues of black create drama, romance, and elegance within the wedding color palette.
Can You Put Your Wedding Party in Black Dresses?
Yes, choosing black bridesmaids dresses is a smart choice for multiple reasons. Not only does it allow you to incorporate black into your wedding attire without ditching the traditional white bridal gown, but black dresses are often universally flattering and can be worn after the wedding to other formal events (something you can’t say about a lot of brightly colored bridesmaids dresses).
What Are the Best Colors for a Minimalist Wedding?
For a minimalist wedding, stick to only two or three colors at most and choose neutral options such as white, black, gray, and cream colors.
When Do You Have to Pick Your Wedding Colors?
Picking your wedding colors should occur early in the wedding planning process. Your colors will inform your theme, which will in turn inform some of the earliest decisions you’ll need to make, such as choosing a venue.
How Do You Pick Wedding Colors?
Talk with your spouse-to-be about your preferences and then pick colors that will work well within any chosen themes and are as flattering as possible.
Whatever Your Wedding Theme, Don’t Forget Wedding Insurance
Now that you’re equipped with a handful of black wedding ideas, make sure you’re not overlooking a key part of the wedding planning process: buying wedding insurance.
Real weddings are never perfect, but wedding insurance can help you recoup your losses if the unthinkable happens, like someone is injured at your reception, a guest damages your venue, or one of you gets cold feet. In these instances, wedding insurance ensures you’re not out tens of thousands of dollars or more.
Learn more about wedding insurance and get a quick, free quote from BriteCo now.
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