“Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly.”
Morticia Addams
I was so excited when Lex, our excellent photographer and event organiser (along with Revelry Events), chose me to make a gothic Morticia wedding dress for this styled Addams Family inspired photoshoot.
I love creating looks that push boundaries but that brides can use as realistic wedding inspiration. For me, Morticia embodies so many powerful ideas. She represents bold female sexuality, confidence, intelligence and unashamed pride in the body she lives in. She is passionate not just about Gomez, but about love, sensuality and fidelity.
I wanted the wedding dress I designed to express these ideas by being both revealing and modest; understated and bold; bridal and gothic. Morticia’s duality is so interesting to me and designing this dress was such a wonderful challenge to my creative soul.
We set our photoshoot in the delightful gloom of Ettington Park Hotel. This was the perfect gothic backdrop for my dress. The venue has stained glasses windows, dramatic stone arches and it’s own atmospheric cemetery.
Design notes
I made this bespoke gothic Morticia wedding dress using two layers of sheer fabric; a sequin tulle with a subtle black and silver lace underneath. The effect of the layering is beautiful, with glimmers peaking through when the dress moves.
I chose a simple, feminine plunge neckline to contrast with the powerful padded shoulders. The dress was mainly backless, with a gothic arch shape neckline to support the art-deco beaded back jewellery.
I designed a bombshell bodycon silhouette. I wanted the fishtail shape of the wiggle dress skirt to show off our Morticia’s curves and more than hints at the sexiness of Moritica’s soul. The chiffon ‘godet’ panels of the lower skirt lengthen at the back into a statement train with beaded motifs finishing each point.
The final touch was the cathedral length black veil. I wanted it to be a simple statement piece. This dress is perfect for an Addams family wedding – hauntingly beautiful and devastatingly dark!
An Eye for the Finer Things
Some of my favourite details about this dress include the long, tight fitting sleeves with a small waterfall drape at the wrist.
For the back necklace I threaded 1,000 black glass beads in loops to create a five pointed pentagram star that appears where they cross.
I also made a dramatic overskirt from 10m of black tulle. I attached it to the dress with a beaded lace yoke at hip level, left open in front. Morticia is not afraid to take up space!
Jaded Jewellery
Bloody Mary Metal supplied the gloriously ghoulish jewels to go with the gothic Morticia wedding dress. Complimenting perfectly with The Lucky 6pence’s gorgeous, ornate headpieces.
“Your bright little eyes, like dead stars in a dark sky”
Make up and hair by Makeup In Orangeries. They worked to give our bride the gothic pin-up glam to make the whole look complete. Isn’t she giving Carolyn Jones or Anjelica Huston from the early Addams Family films?
Delightfully Dark Décor
The wedding table was laid with black table clothes from Just 4 Linen. Then it was beautifully set with golden bronze cutlery, white pumpkins, vintage candlesticks, deep red candles (all supplied by Wilderness Prop Hire). The amethyst crystal towers came from Shop Necromantic. A delightfully dark tablescape!
“We Gladly Feast On Those Who Would Subdue Us.”
What a beautiful Morticia quote, and what a beautiful wedding cake! At first glance you wouldn’t believe that this is a cake. You could be fooled into thinking it was made out of wrought metal. But it isn’t! It looks so much like an antique urn (maybe the kind you might keep the ashes of a dearly departed), covered in black icing and with fine filigree details. Expertly crafted by Daisy Cake Company, not only does this cake look like a work of art, it also tasted amazing well. Blood red velvet anyone?
Creepy Calligraphy
The gorgeous black letter stationery was made by Peach Wolfe. She designed the perfect way of setting the tone of the whole affair; dramatic, macabre and elegant.
Get Yourself a Gomez
“Gomez, last night you were unhinged. You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again.”
It would be remiss of me not to mention our absolutely perfect Gomez, the only match for Morticia. Gomez teaches us that you can both deeply respect your partner, whilst being completely wild for them. The original goth goals couple were portrayed flawlessly by Megan Rose and Mason the Healer.
Fabulous Florals for Fabulous Freaks
Iris and Co. Flowers really delivered with their incredibly array of gothic arrangements. Boasting burgundy and mottled cream roses, deep plum carnations and bright rose hips. The bouquet, arrangements and buttonholes all looked wild and mysterious. It is as though they had been picked from the grounds of a castle and artfully thrown together by the eccentric bride.
More Alternative Bride Inspiration
If you loved this gothic Morticia wedding dress, then you can order it on my Etsy.
Or if you’re still looking for more inspiration, I’ve made more black wedding dresses, including this red and black corset dress for a classic Goth wedding. Or, if you’re looking for another fantasy film-inspired dress, then this one is based around the masquerade ball gown from Labyrinth. And this Couture wedding dress design was inspired by the recent Disney ‘Cruella’ costumes by the wonderful Costume designer, Jenny Beavan
Spooky Suppliers
Concept & Photography: Lex Fleming.
Concept & Planning: Revelry Events UK
Venue: Ettington Park Hotel
Hair & Make-up: Makeup In Orangeries
Flowers: Iris and Co. Flowers
Dress: Felicity Westmacott
Suit: ASOS
Jewellery: Bloody Mary Metal.
Headpieces: The Lucky 6pence
Props: Wilderness Prop Hire
Cake: Daisy Cake Company
Stationery: Peach Wolfe
Crystals: Shop Necromantic
Peacock chair: The Hullabaloo Collective
Models: Megan Rose & Mason the Healer
Linens: Just 4 Linen
