Metal At A Wedding: Is It A Good Idea?

Metal fans getting married often wonder if they can play their favourite music at their wedding. While some are happy to go all out with a metal-themed wedding, others want to incorporate their love of the genre in a way that won't alienate non-metalhead guests.

Metal wedding playlist ideas

Metalheads getting married need not despair about their wedding playlist. There are plenty of ways to incorporate metal into your wedding without sacrificing your style or pleasing your guests. From the ceremony to the reception, there are numerous opportunities to play your favourite metal songs.

Ceremony

If you're looking for songs to walk down the aisle to, consider a softer metal song or an instrumental version of your favourite metal track. For example, one person chose to walk down the aisle to a piano cover of "Warmness on the Soul" by Avenged Sevenfold, while another opted for a harpist's rendition of the same band's "Exist". You could also look for string quartet-style covers of metal songs, such as those by Apocalyptica.

Reception

At the reception, you can play a wider variety of metal songs, especially if the older guests and children have already left. You could start with more traditional or tame music and then transition to club/metal when the dance floor opens. If you're looking for songs to play during dinner, stick to music that won't offend your non-metalhead guests. Save the heavy metal for personal events like the garter/bouquet toss or the newlywed entrance.

Specific Songs

• "Heir Apparent" by Opeth (wedding party entrance)
• "Follow the Map" by Mono (bride's entrance)
• "Theme from Hellraiser" (recessional)
• "Come Clarity" by In Flames (first dance)
• "Risk" by Deftones (father/daughter dance)
• "Bodies" by Drowning Pool (bouquet toss)
• "Feed My Frankenstein" by Alice Cooper (cake cutting)
• "Love" by Strapping Young Lad (head-banging competition)
• "Would?" by Alice in Chains
• "All Wrapped Up" by American Head Charge
• "SOS (Anything but Love)" by Apocalyptica
• "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol
• "Army of Me" by Bjork
• "Pray for Plagues" by Bring Me the Horizon
• "Yama's Messengers" by Gojira
• "The Serpentine Offering" by Dimmu Borgir
• "Close Yet Far" by CKY
• "Tragedy" by Coal Chamber
• "Nymphetamine" by Cradle of Filth
• "Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie
• "My Summer (Shove It)" by Deftones
• "Pray for Villains" by Devildriver
• "My Heart Your Hands" by Dommin
• "The Root of All Evil" by Dream Theater
• "The Watcher" by Enslaved
• "Midlife Crisis" by Faith No More
• "Act of God" by Fear Factory
• "Hard to See" by Five Finger Death Punch
• "The Pretender" by Foo Fighters
• "Away and Here" by Ghost Brigade
• "Gathering of Ghouls/Storm Is Coming" by GWAR
• "Heartkiller" by HIM
• "Wicked Game" by HIM
• "Touch of Red" by In Flames
• "Anna Molly" by Incubus
• "The Heinrich Maneuver" by Interpol
• "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden
• "Painkiller" by Judas Priest
• "The Element of One" by Killswitch Engage
• "Brackish" by Kittie
• "Twisted Transistor" by Korn
• "Enjoy the Silence" by Lacuna Coil
• "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin
• "Now I Lay Thee Down" by Machine Head
• "The Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson
• "MOBscene" by Marilyn Manson
• "Paradise Circus" by Massive Attack
• "Hangar 18" by Megadeth
• "Rational Gaze" by Meshuggah
• "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica
• "Enter Sandman" by Metallica
• "Everyday Is Halloween" by Ministry
• "Door 2.12" by Mnemic
• "Kick Start My Heart" by Motley Crue
• "Happy?" by Mudvayne
• "Bye Bye Beautiful" by Nightwish
• "Head Like a Hole" by Nine Inch Nails
• "Walk" by Pantera
• "Revolution is My Name" by Pantera
• "Judith" by A Perfect Circle
• "Sick, Sick, Sick" by Queens of the Stone Age
• "Down Rodeo" by Rage Against the Machine
• "Du Hast" by Rammstein
• "Somebody's Watching Me" by Raunchy

Metal wedding decor ideas

There are many ways to incorporate a metal theme into your wedding decor. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Centrepieces and Table Decor

Add a metal touch to your tables with centrepieces made from metal goblets or candlesticks. You could also use metal straws, shot glasses, or even a metal dog toy storage bin as a unique conversation starter. For a more subtle approach, opt for clear plates instead of white to complement your black linens and carry the metal theme throughout the table setting.

Signage

Custom metal signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding decor. From welcome signs to family name signs, you can find a variety of options on sites like Etsy. These signs can be used as door hangers, wall art, or even as a unique way to display your wedding date.

Lighting

Create a romantic and metal-inspired ambiance with lots of drippy candles and ambient lighting. You could also use stage lights with deep gel filters to avoid overheating while adding a dramatic touch.

Flowers and Nature

Incorporate nature into your metal wedding by decorating with trees, as they are a common feature on metal album covers. For an unexpected twist, consider using bat flowers or bleeding heart flowers in your bouquets or centrepieces.

The Cake

Your wedding cake can also reflect your metal theme. Consider a black and white cake with metallic accents, or go for a more subtle approach by using metal-inspired cake toppers or a metal cake stand.

Fashion

For the fashion-forward couple, a metal wedding provides an opportunity to make a statement. The bride could opt for a tea-length dress with a 50s-style hat and veil or a traditional white ball gown with a soft matte black leather sash. The groom might choose a red leather rose boutonniere or a rock bride t-shirt.

Metal wedding attire ideas

For those who want to incorporate their love of metal into their wedding attire, there are several ways to do so with a touch of metal throughout, or going all out with a full metal-themed wedding.

For brides who want to stick to a traditional white dress, a cropped leather jacket can be added for a metal edge. Alternatively, a black dress with a leather jacket is a great way to embrace the metal aesthetic. For an even subtler nod to metal, a traditional dress can be paired with a soft matte black leather sash with a rhinestone brooch.

Grooms can wear a leather boutonniere, perhaps in the form of a red leather rose, and a leather ring pillow can be used during the ceremony.

For those who want to go all out, a black dress with a leather jacket is a great option, or even a tea-length dress with a 50s-style hat and veil. For grooms, a black suit with a leather lapel and red details can be a stylish way to embrace the metal aesthetic.

Accessories are another way to add a metal touch to wedding attire. For example, black stemware and clear plates can be used to carry through a black colour scheme. Black leather bouquet wraps, and even a leather guest book, can add a metal twist to the wedding décor.

Metal wedding cake ideas

Metal-themed weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and cakes are a great way to showcase this theme. Here are some ideas for a metal wedding cake:

Cake Toppers

Cake toppers are a great way to add a metal twist to your wedding cake. You can opt for classic "Mr and Mrs" toppers in metallic finishes such as gold, rose gold, or silver. These can be simple and elegant, or more ornate with rhinestones or glitter.

Color and Design

Black and metallic colors like gold and silver are a great way to incorporate the metal theme. Consider a black cake with gold or silver leaf, or a marble effect with metallic hues. You could also add some moody dark hues like terracotta or charcoal, or go for a bold, dark-hued cake with dotted and geometric designs.

Shape

For a truly modern and metal-inspired cake, think outside the traditional round tiers. Square-shaped cakes or even a hexagonal design will give your cake a contemporary edge.

Music-Themed

If you're a fan of a particular metal band, you could incorporate their album art into the cake design. Alternatively, use sheet music from your favorite metal songs or add musical notes and instruments as decorations.

Rock and Metal Details

Add some rock and metal details to your cake, such as black leather, studs, or skulls. You could also incorporate Nordic mythology themes for a black metal vibe.

With these ideas, you can definitely have your metal wedding cake and eat it too!

Metal wedding activities

There are many ways to incorporate metal into your wedding. Here are some ideas for activities to give your wedding a metal theme:

Music

Many couples choose to include metal in their wedding music. This could include walking down the aisle to a metal song, or using metal instrumentals for ceremony music. You could also have a metal playlist for your reception, or even a metal-themed brunch for close friends. If you're worried about non-metalhead guests, you could play other music too, and save the metal for personal events during the reception, such as the garter or bouquet toss.

First dance

You could have a metal song for your first dance. Some couples choose to dance to a metal version of a non-metal song, such as a waltz. Others opt for a metal ballad, or a song from a metal subgenre such as metalcore or power metal.

Competitions

One couple held a head-banging competition at their wedding, with guests competing to win the centrepiece. Another couple, who were both musicians, held a shredfest.

Decorations

To give your wedding venue a metal vibe, try decorating with trees (as these feature on many metal album covers), or using metal goblets as candle holders. You could also use stage lights for ambient lighting, or go for a gothic look with black table linens and clear plates.

Frequently asked questions