Dark and edgy weddings are not only one of our favorites when it comes to styling, but a style that many more couples are requesting and we can’t get enough of! One of the things we love about moody wedding decor is the endless possibilities of how you can style everything from your ceremony to your tablescapes. We were so excited to participate in the styling of this styled shoot at Milton Street Substation planned by I Do For You and work alongside some other incredible vendors to bring these edgy wedding looks to life!

Milton Street Substation is a Christchurch venue that features a beautiful multi-purpose layout that also offers concrete floors and exposed brick and is truly the perfect venue for the couple wanting a modern, industrial vibe.

For the ceremony we went for a darker look that incorporated blacks and rust oranges. Our model wore a long sleeve gown with an open back which we loved as it gives you so many options styling wise whether keeping the look clean and classic, or adding some accessories from a veil or a fun headpiece.

The styling for the ceremony was minimal while also warm and welcoming. Many couples tend to think of industrial as being too cold, but by working with a stylist and choosing the right colors and textures, you can have a space that feels inviting, plus, you want to be able to show off what the venue already has to offer. We opted for black chairs, candlelight to line the aisle, a metal arch with hanging string lights, and a large dried floral display which created the perfect frame for our models at the top of the aisle. While the decor added a visual element to the ceremony itself, it didn’t take away from what everyone should have their eyes on—the couple!

With an edgy wedding style, don’t be afraid to go out of the box whether that’s with unique shapes for signage, a champagne wall, or fun neon signs! We also set up a seating area with a few velvet chairs and some dark (but vibrant) red and yellow pillows. These colors are great as they are still in alignment with the theme but helped balance the space to help it not feel too dark.

The reception portion of our shoot featured one of our favorite tablescape looks that has elements that would be perfect for many different themes and venues. Our model wore a beautiful, sparkling A-line gown with a slit which we thought was fun and edgy for the space. We decided on clear ghost chairs which are perfect if you have a smaller venue as the clear chairs help create the illusion that the space is larger (they also are multipurpose as they can look great with different styles!) We chose a linen tablecloth and then created texture across the table from the chiffon table runner to the varying florals featuring both dried florals and small pampas grass.

One of the things we find really important is creating height and layers without appearing cluttered and still looking and feeling well thought out. One way to do this is the placement of the place settings. The black plates spoke to us and looked beautiful atop our light linen tablecloth. We layered a pumpkin orange linen napkin between the plates to create a bit of dimension and added the arch shaped menus on top. We also loved the addition of the black candles among the multi colored florals. Candles of varying shapes and sizes are also another great way to create height and dimension atop your reception tables!

We love these looks that we were able to create alongside so many of the other amazing vendors, all captured beautifully by Rebecca Claridge Photography. While both moody and edgy, each portion of the shoot took on its own style which fit right into the modern, industrial walls of the venue.

Feeling edgy and ready to take this styled shoot inspiration to the next level for your own wedding? Get in touch and tell us what your vision is for your big day!

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