Black wedding dresses have been growing in popularity, and it’s a great choice for alternative brides who are looking to stand out. Whether you’re having a Halloween wedding, a gothic-inspired wedding, or any number of themes, a black wedding gown is the perfect way to express your personality.
If you’re searching for the perfect black wedding dress, get inspiration from our extensive portfolio of black wedding gowns.
Jerika's Black Halloween Wedding Gown
Photography Credit: Jeremy Messmore Photo / Brittany Banister
Illinois bride Jerika dreamed of a Halloween-inspired mermaid gown for her emo-inspired wedding in 2024.
When she shared her obsession with bats, we were delighted to show her how we could incorporate that in her wedding gown! We used a bat and moon patterned velvet mesh on her corset bodice, then added tiny bat appliques to her slit to look like bats were flying up her leg.
The gown featured beaded lace cups, a transparent corset bodice with exposed boning, and a chantilly lace mermaid skirt with a chapel train.
We completed the look with a custom "Til Death Do Us Part" veil!
Alexis' Customized Zenith Gown
Photography Credit: Stephanie Wheelock Photography
Local bride Alexis fell in love at first sight with our new Zenith Gown, and with a few customizations, it became perfectly hers!
We lined the front of the bodice, added a lace-up ribbon back, unlined long sleeves, and not one but two sets of detachable accessories - celestial tulle shoulder bows, and a draped black tulle cape train with silver star appliques at the shoulders.
Her guests commented on how "Alexis" this dress was, and that's how we knew we nailed it with this design!
Sarah's 2-in-1 Black and Red Wedding Gown
Photography Credit: Moose and Bear Photography
Local bride Sarah fell in love with our Caroline Gown, Nora Gown, and our Cierra Gown, three of our most popular styles, so we combined her favorite parts of each into a dramatic and versatile wedding look for her intimate mountain wedding.
We started with the reception dress, taking the neckline from Caroline, the pleated skirt with slit from Nora, and the sequin mesh fabric from Cierra. We added a lace-up corset back for a flexible, comfortable feel.
Then we added a dramatic ball gown overskirt for her ceremony, taking the shape of the Caroline Gown's skirt, making the cascading ruffle out of the Cierra sequin mesh fabric, and adding a dramatic 4' train in shades of maroon and black tulle.
I also had the honor of going out to Colorado for her wedding in the mountains, assisting as her personal attendant after our time working together on her dress blossomed into a wonderful friendship!
Jessica's Black and Green Halloween Wedding Gown
Oklahoma bride Jessica came to our Nebraska studio to design her ultimate Halloween wedding gown. We customized our popular Caroline Gown, adding a v-neck bodice and 3/4 sleeves made from a sequin spiderweb lace, plus layers of green tulle to the black skirt for a multi-dimensional look.
Maranda's Black Lace and Tulle Wedding Gown
Nebraska bride Maranda wanted a black lace wedding gown for her Halloween wedding. We designed a gown with an illusion mesh neckline and sleeves, creating the perfect base for a unique neckline in the front and back. The lace appliques from the bodice and sleeves flowed down seamlessly into the black tulle skirt with a daring slit.
Kimberly's Silver and Black Satin Wedding Gown
Wisconsin bride Kimberly combined classic satin in a sheath silhouette with a unique black beaded lace that cascaded down her dress. We added detachable chiffon sleeves with black beads draped over her arms and back to complete the look.
Allysa's Black Lace Wedding Gown with Sleeves
South Dakota bride Allysa fell in love with parts of our Dahlia Gown, Stella Ball Gown, and our popular Nora Gown, so we did our "Franken-Dress" process and gave her the best of all worlds!
We combined the modified v-neckline of our Stella Gown with the pleated a-line skirt of our Nora Gown, added a layer of soft black lace throughout the entire gown, and completed the look with beaded lace appliques along the neckline inspired by our Dahlia Gown.
She loved the custom design process so much that she added a last-minute velvet jumpsuit for her rehearsal dinner, combining our popular Sandy Velvet Jumpsuit with the pleated neckline of our fan-favorite Stargazer Gown and adding fun flutter sleeves, all in a luxuriously soft evergreen stretch velvet.
Renee’s Black Lace Wedding Ball Gown
Tennessee bride Renee was married in a black lace ball gown dripping with detail! Her black ball gown featured an illusion mesh bodice with beaded black lace appliques, blending into the chantilly lace ball gown skirt.
Michelle’s Black Lace Mermaid Gown
Nebraska bride Michelle got married in a sexy black wedding gown with an illusion mesh bodice and sleeves, beaded black lace appliques, and a black lace mermaid skirt with a cathedral train.
Megan's Black Tulle A-line Gown
South Dakota bride Megan knew exactly what she envisioned for her wedding gown: an elegant, understated black tulle wedding gown with drapey swag sleeves, a ruched bodice, and a touch of lace around the waist. We added a chapel train and made the sleeves detachable for enhanced range of motion during her reception.
Theresa’s 2-in-1 Organza Black Wedding Gown
Omaha bride Theresa combined and customized our Cierra Gown with our Tiered Organza Skirt to create her dream 2-in-1 black wedding gown! Her organza overskirt featured an open front (because who would want to cover the gorgeous sequin lace fabric in the Cierra Gown?!) and could be removed for her reception.
Holly's Black Lace Mermaid Gown
Maryland bride Holly designed an elegant off-the-shoulder lace mermaid gown mixing delicate chantilly lace with detailed black lace appliques. We added a dramatic cathedral length train hemmed in scalloped alencon lace.
Lares' Black Nora Gown
Colorado bride Lares customized our ultra-popular Nora Gown by adjusting the neckline and sleeves.
Melinda's 2-in-1 Black Wedding Dress with Victorian-inspired Bustle
Photography Credit: Complete Weddings
Nebraska bride Melinda designed a unique black lace wedding gown featuring a ruched bodice inspired by our Stargazer Gown, a transparent illusion mesh midriff with exposed boning and lace applique, and a soft, flowy silk chiffon skirt. Her 2-in-1 wedding dress featured a removable Victorian-inspired ruffled lace train for a dramatic entrance to her ceremony.
Fallon’s Black Lace Wedding Gown
Nebraska bride Fallon was married in 2020 in a black chantilly lace gown with a flowy English net skirt and a lacy open back. HCC designer Hannah Nodskov had the pleasure of attending this wedding! We loved her design so much that we named a new gown after her - check out the Fallon Gown inspired by this bride.
Kassy’s Black Ball Gown
Texas bride, Kassy, got married in a stunning black tulle wedding ball gown, featuring delicate eyelash lace sleeves, a beaded lace applique bodice, and a ball gown skirt with gold glitter and black alencon lace along the hem.
Destiney's Black Lace Mermaid Gown
Arizona bride Destiney wore a stunning long-sleeve black lace mermaid gown with a chapel train, scalloped lace edges, and a pop of color with her lime green corset lacing.
Mariah’s 2-in-1 Black Wedding Jumpsuit
Photography Credit: Jesi Lee Photography
Omaha bride Mariah was married in a 2-in-1 jumpsuit, which featured chantilly lace sleeves and velvet wide-leg pants (based on our Sandy Velvet Jumpsuit). The look was completed with a multi-colored, tiered tulle overskirt with an open front and horsehair braid edging, which was detachable after the ceremony!
Broghan's Black Leafy Lace Wedding Gown
Photography Credit: Courtney Hunt Photography
Iowa bride Broghan designed a v-neck wedding gown using the lace from our Ivy Gown, with illusion mesh straps covered in hand-sewn lace appliques. Her simple a-line skirt allowed the gorgeous leafy black lace to shine!
Emma’s Lace and Organza Ball Black Wedding Dress
Nebraska bride Emma was married in a stunning black lace ball gown, featuring 7 different layers of chantilly lace, tulle, and organza - this gown included over 70 unique pattern pieces, but it was so worth the effort!
Steph’s Black Lace Wedding Gown
Nebraska bride Steph customized our Victoria Gown to create her dream dress. She adjusted the sleeves, neckline, and back and added a sweep train.
Emily’s Black Noir Wedding Gown
Emily was married in 2020 in a black and silver sequin lace gown. She customized our Noir Gown by changing the colors and lining the black lace sleeves with silver satin. See more from her wedding here, including a guest appearance by a T-rex!
Jessica’s Black Crepe Wedding Gown
Nebraska bride Jessica tied the knot in Bora Bora in a black sequin lace and crepe wedding gown with off-the-shoulder bishop sleeves and a slit. The main criteria for this dress? Something that would survive a jump into the ocean at the end of the ceremony!
Torrie’s 2-in-1 Black Tulle Wedding Gown
Nebraska bride Torrie customized our Barbera Gown with Beaded Tulle Skirt, adding detachable off-the-shoulder lace sleeves and mixing black and purple tulle for her skirt. Her beaded tulle skirt was detachable, so she could remove both the sleeves and tulle skirt for her reception!
Aubrey’s Black Lace Wrap Wedding Dress
Texas bride Aubrey customized our Aria Gown, swapping out the lace with a black boho-inspired lace with scalloped edges. Her dress featured a wrap-style top with a gathered skirt and a daring slit.
Margaux's Black Wrap Wedding Gown with Lace Sleeves
Photography Credit: Elements Studio Photography
Missouri bride Margaux also fell in love with our Aria Gown, swapping out the lace sleeves for a different style of soft, bohemian lace. Like the original Aria Gown, her dress featured a faux wrap-style surplice top with a gathered skirt and slit.
Our Emmy’s Red Carpet Plus Size Dress!
Okay, so this one isn’t a wedding dress, but our Barbera Gown with Satin Rosette Skirt was worn on the red carpet at the 2021 Primetime Emmy’s by Bridgerton producer, Leila Cohan-Miccio!
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Hannah Caroline Couture’s Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok to see which black wedding gowns we’ve made recently!
If you’re considering a custom gown, check out these 12 tips for ordering a custom wedding gown online. Then, learn how to find the right custom dressmaker for your wedding here.
This blog post was all about black wedding dress inspiration.
What to Read Next
I hope these photos have given you plenty of inspiration for your own black wedding gown! Here are a few other helpful posts to check out:
- Simply Chiffon: 7+ Dresses to Inspire Your Chiffon Wedding Dress
- Stunning in Satin: 7+ Ideas for Your Satin Wedding Dress
- Inspiration for Your Custom Crepe Wedding Gown
- 8+ Gorgeous 2 in 1 Wedding Dresses You'll Love
- 3+ Otherworldly Celestial Wedding Gown Ideas
- How to Break with Wedding Traditions: Tips & Encouragement for Non-traditional Brides
- How to Find the Right Custom Dressmaker: 18 Questions to Ask to Find the Right Fit
About Hannah Caroline Couture
I am proud to specialize in creating custom wedding gowns for brides of all sizes, with a passion for providing an amazing customer experience whether I get the chance to work with you in person or at a distance. While I love making garments in any size and for any personal style, I get a little extra excited about working with plus-size brides and brides that want to get married in something really unique and non-traditional.
