Dracula: A Love Tale

Resurrecting our Dracula inspired gothic wedding shoot: for alternative couples exploring dark romance for their wedding day...

"I have crossed oceans of time to find you..." - Bram Stoker's Dracula

Hi! my name is AJay, welcome to Blue Jay Photography. Travel back in time with me to the distant memory of 2022 where I recount our awesome Dracula: A Love Tale inspired alternative wedding shoot at the hauntingly beautiful Gloucester Blackfriars Priory!

Organised by the devilishly talented Becky of Foxglove & Black, a bunch of ragtag wedding suppliers across the West Midlands joined forces to create a gothic masterpiece; united by an eternal love and fascination of all things dark and gothic, we set about creating a styled wedding shoot for like minded gothic romantic's seeking wedding suppliers who understand them...

Dracula inspired Wedding Shoot: A Gothic Love Tale photo by Blue Jay Photography

The Devil's in the Details: Dracula's Love Tale

I'm like a magpie at a wedding - obsessed with taking photos of the tiny shiny things that glisten in the light; and how stunning are these tiny shiny things?! Nobody creates handmade tiny shiny things like Bunny loves Evie (in fact I hired her to make my OWN wedding day accessories... let me know if you want a blog on that!) the tiara and earrings are darkly stunning, and combined with Sammy's epic personalised biker jacket make for an injection of badassery into the bloodstream of our wedding day.

Your guest's experience starts with your stationery. Your invitation is the first glimpse your guests have into the story that will unfold on your wedding day. It sets the tone and expectation and nips any whispers of 'will they be traditional?' in the bud! Bring along a set of your invitations for me to snap a flat lay photo to include in our gallery!

Stationery designed by becky at Foxglove & Black

Earrings and tiara handmade by Bunny Loves Evie

Leather jacket artwork by Sammy lea's retro emporium

Blood Bonds

Okay - not literally! But did you know you can do a wine (i guess it's blood coloured?!) ceremony as part of your vows! (Provided you have a celebrant led ceremony that is...)

There are plenty of 'non traditional' ways (that are perhaps a bit more you) to show your love in front of your friends and family; if you're into sultry red's and dramatic commitments, a wine ceremony might just be for you!

The idea is you both take a sip, and then pour the wine from each-others glasses into one glass. once blended it cannot be separated again, much like your life long love for eachother (and eerily similar to the siring process of becoming a vampire...).

Tying the Knot

Rooted in ancient paganism (in fact you may have seen this once or twice on the show Vikings) a hand-fasting involves tying a decorative rope or cord (sometimes made by a loved one) around your hands and pulling it tight from each end at the same time! This is where the expression 'tying the knot' originates from, and the reason rain on your wedding day is good luck! After all, a soaking wet knot is harder to untie.

Til Death

Becky's spectacular custom made COFFIN (OMG an actual freaking coffin?!) deserves it's own special mention! Specially made for the shoot and now available to hire for your very own 'til death' wedding, it really is a unique piece of gothic wedding decor you wouldn't be seen dead without... (was that too cheesy?)

The coffin combined with modern neon 'til death' sign makes a bold statement to your wedding guests that you are PROUD to be who you are. What better way to be unapologetically YOU on your wedding day?!

Here's what Becky had to say:

"Bram Stoker's Dracula has always been my favourite gothic horror story, so when it was its 125th anniversary, it felt the perfect time to celebrate it with a styled wedding shoot! 🦇🖤

My styling embraced the roots of this iconic Victorian novel, with cut glass candlesticks, antique tlight holders and hanging crystals from the tree centrepieces, to replicate those used in Victorian chandeliers. I also wanted the theme to have a modern twist, so I used a 'Til death neon sign which hung from the coffin backdrop. The coffin shape was also incorporated into the stationery I designed, alongside bats! The florals were kept wild and romantic with darker coloured flowers, but with bright pops of red from the Roses."

Decor and flowers by Becky at Foxglove & Black

Dracula inspired gothic wedding photo by Blue Jay Photography

If Looks could Kill

On your wedding day - you look as good as you feel. That's why finding the right team for your hair, makeup and attire is so damn important. A team who GETS you is a team who helps you to feel your best self - besides... if you can't go all out on your wedding day look, when can you?!

My best advise? Don't be afraid to be YOU.

Be bold. Step out of the shadows. Ditch the nude lippy and natural look - you deserve that KILLER look for you wedding day. Paired with blood red lips and a death stare smokey eye, Sophie's lashes are dramatic enough to bat away any notion of a 'normal' wedding!

When planning my own wedding I struggled to find a makeup artist who understood my unique style and the fact I actually LIKE my ghostly pale complexion. If you're an elder emo alt gal (or guy like me, and want your style and identify reflected in your makeup look, then i'd recommend checking our Selena and Elegance - they celebrated the dark side of this shoot and leant into Sophie's dramatic look with enthusiasm and excitement.

Make-up by Selina

Hair stylist Elegance Hair Design

Dressed to Kill

And finally we come to the pièce de résistance of your wedding day makeover... the outfits!

Zoe over at Scarlet Tayla has an exceptional eye for detail, the gothic cathedral-esque style lace applique hem and lace bat applique design lends itself perfectly for a dark love story such as Dracula. The raw silk shimmers too - creating luscious texture and contrast that your photographer will love.

Check out more of her work over at Scarlet Tayla

www.scarlet-tayla.com

Let them Eat Cake

As someone who has tried hee hand at amteur baking (and failed miserably) let me tell you... black icing is HARD.

"For dark devotion that demands a cake to match"

The first words you'll see when you visit Seven Crows website. I've never seen fondant artistry quite like it - the stone effect on our love never dies Dracula inspired cake makes you feel like you're looking at a real tombstone, and the dark andrich tones of red look tantalisingly tempringto indulge in. Although we didn't get to taste test on the day, i bet it tastes pretty bloody good too.

Seven Crows

Love Never Dies

Not only does our rag-tag gang of alternative wedding suppliers believe in your undying love, but we also have an undying love for you guys and all things quirky. We are so passionate about helping you have the day YOU want, a day that reflects YOU, that celebrates YOU and we feel privileged every day that we get to be a part of these moments.

I also love being a photographer.

Speaking vulnerably for a second, I don't know what I would do if I couldn't do this job. It fills me with joy, keeps me grounded, and reminds me every day that there is good in this world and of what matters. Meeting amazing people, hearing their stories, seeing their best selves is just such a wonderful experience and it keeps my heart whole.

I hope you've enjoyed this little blog, you can read more about this shoot head over to the OG Dracula: Love never dies blog on Unconventional Wedding (which is an awesome directory by the way!) and enjoy more images from this shoot below! My nerdy little emo heart was in her element with this one...

Thanks for getting this far, I hope to hear all about your undying love story some day.

love, AJay x