This Bride Wore A Stunning Black Dress For Her Moody Fall Wedding

A dark and dreamy affair on a Virginia vineyard.

Gretchen and Luke opted for a ceremony that reflected their distinctive love and opted for a non-traditional approach. In addition to beautiful vows and heartfelt promises to one another, the couple incorporated a time capsule ceremony, symbolizing their commitment to preserving their memories. They included cherished photos, a bottle of wine, and a pair of Mickey ears, “because we love going to Disney World. We got engaged on Disney property and went there for our honeymoon,” says the bride.

Embracing their edgy spirit, Gretchen and Luke chose a theme of moody elegance. Black and olive green colors exuded an enchanting atmosphere, creating a unique backdrop for their special day.

Who says weddings need to conform to tradition? Gretchen discovered her perfect dress – a stunning black gown that beautifully contrasted her vibrant red hair. “I thought I was going to stick with the traditional white wedding dress, but then I tried on a black wedding dress … MY wedding dress. The minute I put it on and looked in the mirror, I knew that was the one.” The black dress paired beautifully with her garden-style bouquet filled with lush greenery and white anemone flowers, with a special photo memory charm attached to it that had photos of her grandfathers who had passed. Their bridespeople carried hauntingly beautiful black calla lilies.

Luke, elegance embodied, donned a suave suit highlighted by an opulent olive green tie and pocket square perfectly complementing their wedding colors.

Greenery hung from the reception space's wooden beams, and gold dinnerware shined against the table's black linens. Pillars and votives gave the room a romantic glow.

While humorous anecdotes like Gretchen breaking three ribs the day before the wedding (“due to intense coughing? We can laugh about it now because it's so ridiculous,” exclaims the bride) added a touch of levity to the tale, the memory that stands out the most is the tango with Mother Nature herself. Rain threatened to dampen their blissful celebration, but just minutes before the ceremony, clear skies emerged, revealing a breathtaking sunset over the pond.