My favorite Goth got married last month. I couldn’t imagine her Gothic wedding at Bill Miller’s Castle falling short of any jaw-dropping expectations, but her US Marine fiance added quite a bit to this uncommon story.
Long-Time Goth Client
I met Laramie in 2009, my third year in professional photography. She was one of the managers at the Gothic Renaissance boutique shop in Manhattan. We put together a fairly big production team and did a cool photoshoot with her and another manager, Stitch, at the St. George Theatre. The guys were so cool to work with that I had another project with the shop’s staff in 2013, trespassing into a freezing abandoned prison. Two other photo sessions with Laramie followed, a dark art fashion shoot and a boudoir marathon project.
You can tell how excited I could be when she contacted me and told me about her Gothic wedding… I haven’t shot one yet! I did the cool ones like steampunk, burlesque, fine art gallery, and grand museum, but not a Gothic wedding. I was sooo pumped, and definitely not disappointed. Here are the earlier jobs:
What is a Gothic Wedding?
A Gothic wedding is unique due to its dark and dramatic aesthetics, Victorian and medieval influences, alternative attire, and accessories like lace-up boots and dark gemstone jewelry. The venue is often historic or castle-like, with ornate features and thematic décor, including wrought-iron candelabras and velvet drapes.
Gothic weddings incorporate romantic and symbolic elements, with personalized ceremonies and alternative music choices. Wedding favors can be unconventional, and photography captures the moody, dramatic atmosphere. Gothic weddings stand out for embracing darkness, non-traditional elements, and individuality within the Gothic subculture.
Here’s a great article, 17 Ideas to Help You Plan the Gothic Wedding of Your Dreams.
A Gothic wedding wouldn’t be as such in a standard venue, however stylish and luxurious. You need a character, as a castle may have. I shot in several castles, the latest used earlier this year for an all-day epic boudoir shoot for a gorgeous visitor from Brazil:
We managed to create one of that Brazilian boudoir looks to match a Gothic vibe, but as for the other castle weddings I did, it was just a cool Medieval background for an otherwise typical wedding arrangement. Laramie’s wedding would have the true spirit, in and out.
She found a new entry for my list of unique venues—Bill Miller’s Castle in Connecticut.
Bill Miller’s Castle
Bill Miller’s Castle is a distinctive event venue located in Branford, CT. This unique establishment is not an actual castle from medieval times but is designed to resemble one. It’s known for its ornate and castle-like architecture, making it a popular choice for weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions.
The castle has a European medieval aesthetic, featuring stone walls, turrets, and towers. Its exterior creates a fairy-tale-like ambiance that’s perfect for romantic events. Inside, the castle is lavishly decorated with a mix of medieval and Victorian elements. It often includes grand chandeliers, antique furnishings, and ornate details, providing a rich and elegant atmosphere.
Bill Miller’s Castle typically offers multiple event spaces, including a spacious banquet hall and various rooms suitable for smaller gatherings. The banquet hall is often used for wedding receptions and can accommodate a significant number of guests. The venue has well-maintained grounds and gardens, providing picturesque settings for outdoor ceremonies, cocktail hours, or photo sessions.
Everything else blended perfectly into the Gothic wedding vibe—the wedding gown with the underlying black layer, the bridesmaids’ black dresses, their makeup and swords (!), the flowers, the cake, the dark house music, the cool guests… One of them was the fortunate matchmaker who introduced Laramie and John! Let’s dive in!
Dark Beauty of a Gothic Wedding
These are just the studio’s favorites, not the full gallery. Kindly refrain from re-uploading images to social media during the first week of the feature. “Share” instead and give credit to @ZorzStudios!
A Special Groom and His Daughter
The highlight of this Gothic wedding was a less-expected US Marine infusion. What a striking match! John, our groom, is a US Marine Major, and many of his guests were related.
The wedding also featured an honorable Marine Corps promotion ceremony wherein a Marine (or former Marine like Laramie’s father) gives the oath of office while the family pin on the new rank. John became a Lieutenant Colonel.
And, of course, the gem of the entire Gothic wedding was John’s daughter Lana, who even conducted part of the wedding ceremony. I can’t even explain the love I feel from Laramie to her. Really wanted to give them time for a very special and creative portrait.
Final Word
The anesthetics and delight of covering such a Gothic wedding were just overboard. My wife Lara (her video coming soon) and I couldn’t get enough of it. Not often are we sad when a wedding ends… I had three hours of driving into the night ahead of me, but I was in no rush, still standing outside and consuming the event’s vibe and dark beauty. We wish this new family lots of exciting and caring decades to come!
Here’s a quick video from the wedding day, to be followed by the full highlights video added to the blog:
UPDATE: And here’s the finished highlights film!
Credits
Hair and makeup: Nadia’s Beauty Spot, @nadiasbeautyspot
Wedding dress: Noya by Riki Dalal from the Shakespeare Collection “Juliette”, @poshbrides_sd
Wedding dress alterations (black underlayer): Monika of Escondido CA, @monika_alterations
Officiant: Debra Lynn Alt, @lovelightandmusicceremony
Band (Ceremony and cocktail/dinner): Ross Tucker and Hot Cat Jazz Band
Reception DJ: Stephanie Rivkin of Royal Beats DJ Services, @djstephaniestardust
Cake: J Cakes, @jcakesct
