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With our eyes set on the end of the Coronavirus pandemic, all those wedding plans can once again move forward. And if you’re looking for dramatic landscapes, black-sand beaches, or ancient cities as backdrops to your post-Covid wedding, you’ve come to the right place for a spot of inspiration…

Make sure you get comprehensive insurance if you do plan to get married at a far-flung destination to avoid losing out.

We've adventured around the globe to bring you the best destinations for a Gothic wedding in 2021.

Grab your suitcase and let's dive right in.

6. ICELAND

When it comes to dramatic vistas, Iceland doesn't just take the cake; it takes the whole damn bakery.

No matter where you go in this incredible country you're guaranteed to be blown away by how amazing everything looks.

Even the city of Reykjavik (above) can do Gothic better than some of the most ancient European cities.

While all this is great for a holiday, it can make settling on a Gothic wedding venue a bit tricky. And as Iceland has become a modern classic for destination weddings, the wealth of options just keeps getter bigger and bigger.

So to help you decide we've picked two places that we think are excellent choices for an alternative wedding in Iceland.

Our top Gothic wedding venues in Iceland

Reynisfjara Beach is our first, and features those famous black sands and dramatic rock formations that wedding photographers love.

Godafoss is our second choice. It's a cascading waterfall that plunges through a field of ancient lava with the roar of a thousand charging horses (and we've got the perfect wedding dress for this one).

5. IRELAND

A verdant land of music and poetry, Ireland has long been considered one of the most romantic old-world countries in Europe.

And that makes it a perfect location for a Gothic couple looking to elope.

In terms of Gothic and unusual wedding venues, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Ancient castles and overgrown ruins pepper the rural landscape, ready to welcome you and your guests.

In Dublin you'll find gorgeous places like Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, which provides a warm storybook wedding location right in the heart of the city.

So where should you start? Here's our favourite venue, and one that you might like to consider for your Gothic wedding in Ireland.

Our top Gothic wedding venue in Ireland

Blackwater Castle takes the sceptre, because this 12th century medieval castle doesn't just do wedding ceremonies: you can actually hire the entire castle for your wedding day!

That means you can live out your fantasy of being the Queen of your own domain, or of holding your own Game of Thrones wedding (only without any stabby shenanigans).

4. ITALY

The home of Dante is guaranteed to have some excellent Gothic wedding locations, and we can tell you straight away that Italy doesn't disappoint on that count.

Whether you're looking to tie the knot in one of the country's many Gothic or Renaissance churches, or whether you'd prefer to say your vows in a gorgeous vineyard or Tuscan retreat, options for the alternative bride are myriad.

Of course, Italy does also offer some wedding venues that are a little more suited to a Gothic or tattooed bride.

Our top Gothic wedding venue in Italy

Enter the floating city of Venice on a midnight-black gondola, and climb the canal-side stairs to the beautiful 16th century Palazzo Cavalli for the ultimate romantic wedding experience.

If you arrange your wedding for carnival time (generally late January to mid-February), you and your guests can dress in full masked costume for the ceremony.

Then once your vows are said, go off and explore Venice's mysterious streets, passageways, and secret places.

But don't forget to get the perfect Venetian wedding gown before you go.

3. CZECHIA (CZECH REPUBLIC)

The recently renamed Czech Republic has an enormous Gothic diamond set in the centre of its tiara: Prague.

The city of a hundred spires came into its own during the 13th century, and as a result is awash in jaw-dropping examples of Gothic architecture that make for stunning backdrops to your wedding.

But don't make the mistake in thinking that the capital is the only place in Czechia fit for your destination wedding.

There are many villas and châteaus dotted around the impressive countryside just waiting to host your private wedding ceremony.

We've got a couple of excellent suggestions for your Gothic wedding in the Czech Republic.

Our top Gothic wedding venues in Czech Republic

Prague's Old Town Hall is one of the most recognisable buildings in the city, thanks to its almost Hogswartian Astronomical Clock.

A wedding ceremony at the Old Town Hall is remarkably affordable, and offers a stunning architectural backdrop for your all-important wedding photos.

Alternatively take a look at Martinicky Palace for the ultimate in Renaissance excess (though say goodbye to affordability; it's literally a palace).

2. GERMANY

It should come as no surprise that the homeland of the Brothers Grimm is packed with Gothic and fairytale locations for your alternative wedding.

One of our favourite places is the Black Forest: an ancient thorny woodland whose canopy is often pierced by the turrets of overgrown castle ruins.

But Germany doesn't just cater to the storybook aesthetic.

Berlin, Dresden, and Munich all have thriving alternative scenes with locations that are ideal for a wedding between two tattoo lovers or industrial metalheads.

Picking a favourite is difficult. But a couple of places do spring to mind as awesome venues for a Gothic wedding in Germany.

Our top Gothic wedding venues in Germany

Does a Sleeping Beauty wedding sound attractive to you?

Well we've got good news, as that's exactly what you'll be getting from Neuschwanstein Castle (above image). An incredible fairytale castle perched high in the forested mountains of Füssen.

Prefer something a little more unusual? How about a wedding on a platform suspended over 55 meters above Berlin?

You can't get more unusual than a wedding that's literally floating amongst the clouds...

1. NORWAY

For a heavy metal or Viking wedding, it has to be Norway.

This beautiful Nordic country jostles Iceland for the frozen crown of the north, and with its many fjords, northern lights, and mysterious midnight sun, it's easy to see why.

All this magical scenery makes it tough to go wrong when planning a Gothic wedding in Norway.

After all, you could pick anywhere in the countryside at random and it'd make for some spectacular wedding photography.

But where's the best place to have the actual ceremony?

Here's our favourite location for your alternative wedding in Norway. Get ready to have your socks blown right across the room.

Our top Gothic wedding venue in Norway

In the winter, head for Sorrisniva Ice Hotel for what we think is one of the most magical wedding venues in the world.

Give your vows and entertain your guests in cavernous rooms carved from the Nordic ice, then relax in an outdoor jacuzzi beneath the shimmering Aurora Borealis.

And when morning comes, head out into the snow fields for a stunning photoshoot amongst wild reindeer. You can't get any better than this.

STILL LOOKING FOR A GOTHIC DESTINATION WEDDING DRESS?

At Ivory Black we have a fine selection of Gothic wedding dresses for your destination wedding, wherever you might choose to go.

Each dress is made by hand and is created from scratch in our British studio.

We can even design you a gown from the ground up. Just send us a message and we’ll arrange a friendly consultation.

SEE OUR WEDDING DRESSES

GOT YOUR OWN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING?

Let us know in the comment below. You could make a Gothic bride-to-be very happy.