Bring romance and mystery into your nuptials with a moody wedding celebration. This elusive wedding style ranges from elevated gothic to sumptuous and dreamy — making it the perfect vibe for the non-traditional couple.
We’ve searched through thousands of real weddings on PartySlate to find our favorite dark and moody wedding elements. Discover bold wedding color palettes, enchanting candlelight, and dramatic tablescapes. Romance is about to meet its edgy counterpart, and the results are wow-worthy.
1. Incorporate Purple, Burgundy, & Plum Into Your Wedding Color Palette
Wedding colors set the mood and tone of an event. Capture a dark, moody wedding aesthetic with luxuriant purples, rich burgundies, and lush plums. Think beyond wedding party attire and incorporate your wedding color palette into wedding flowers, ceremonial backdrops, and centerpieces. We especially love how you can soften or brighten your moody wedding colors with a pop of cream or orange.
2. Set the Scene With Moody Wedding Invitations and Print
Your wedding experience starts from the moment guests receive their invitations. Select dark crimsons, forest greens, and burnished golds for a moody aesthetic. Moody wedding invitations and escort cards often feature lush floral designs and dreamy watercolor brushstrokes, as well.
Use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find an invitations and print team for your wedding. You can also search PartySlate’s Idea Gallery for more wedding invitation inspiration.
3. Dim the Lights for a Romantic Moody Wedding
Consider hosting a twilight wedding ceremony or simply dimming the ballroom lights for a moody, yet ultra-romantic vibe. There’s no such thing as too many candles (on and off the table). Twinkling string lights, ornate chandeliers, and amber uplighting all contribute to a romantic atmosphere. Trust us, wedding lighting should always top your to-do list.
4. Go Dark and Moody With Wild Greenery
Create a wild and romantic vibe with lush wedding greenery. Trailing vines, boxwood backdrops, and luxuriant foliage can stand alone or be combined with dramatic florals and lighting. You can even utilize candlelight to create a shadowy play of foliage on walls and tablescapes.
Make sure to “heart” any photos you like, so you can share them with your florist. You can also use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find an available wedding florist near you.
5. Add an Edge With Black Tableware and Tapered Candles
Lend drama to your tablescape with black details like sleek menus, bold chargers, and sophisticated goblets. We also love how tapered candles (both in dark and creamier shades) amplify the dramatic look. Make sure to check out PartySlate’s Wedding Idea Gallery and Best Wedding Centerpieces [Guide] for even more tablescape ideas and inspiration.
6. Soften the Vibe With Romantic Drapery
Lend softness to your moody wedding with romantic drapery. Think outside of the window frame and consider adding drapery to everything from your wedding arch to tablescape. We especially love how watercolor invitations and signage can hint to billowy drapery found throughout the ceremony and reception. Ask your wedding planner how to best incorporate drapery into your celebration.
7. Accent With Luxe Velvets
Crushed velvet brings a sumptuous and unique look to your wedding reception tables. Moreover, crushed velvet adds texture and dimension to each tablescape, creating a beautiful layering effect. You can find a luxury rental and linen company through PartySlate’s curated directory.
8. Elevate Cocktail Hour With Moody Sips
Cocktail hour is ripe for creativity and Instagram-worthy moments. Take your cocktails and mocktails to the next level with moody color schemes, custom cocktail names, and ornate bar décor.
Find premier bar and beverage services through PartySlate’s curated directory. You can also find additional cocktail inspiration in the Wedding Idea Gallery.
9. Sweeten the Mood with Dramatic Shades of Frosting
Extend your dark moody wedding theme all the way to dessert with wedding cakes in dramatic hues. Sleek all-black wedding cakes and edgy marbled-berry designs are equally stunning options for a one-of–kind dessert hour.
Don’t forget to find your wedding bakery on PartySlate. Click into each baker’s PartySlate profile to find real examples of their beautiful work.
People Also Ask …
How do you have a Halloween wedding?

There are many ways to pay homage to Halloween with an elegant and traditional wedding aesthetic. We love how this Halloween wedding makes subtle nods to the season with chic white pumpkin escort cards and ghostly baby’s breath. Of course, you can also embrace the holiday with more overt décor. See how this Halloween surprise wedding featured skeleton floral décor, swirling fog, and costumed attire.
What is a masquerade wedding?

A masquerade wedding invites guests to wear lavish costumes and decorated masks. Like the masquerade balls that originated in 14th century Europe as part of carnival season, masquerade weddings often feature glamorous attire and décor. We love how this masquerade wedding wowed with ornate architecture, dark jewel tones, and stunning costumes — proving a fun wedding theme can still be elegant and elevated.
Where can I find a venue for my moody wedding?
Head to PartySlate’s curated venue directory to find an available wedding venue near you (or in your preferred destination locale). Use the filters to narrow your search by location, guest count, venue type, amenities, and more. If you see a venue you like, make sure to click into the PartySlate profile to see how the venue utilizes the space for real wedding celebrations. You can also reach out to a venue directly through the directory.
Moreover, you can use PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find your entire wedding vendor team. Use the filters to narrow your search by vendor category, services, and more.