Black Wedding Unveiled: Exploring The Intriguing Meaning Behind The Monochromatic Ceremony

A black wedding has multiple meanings. It can refer to an ancient Jewish ritual where a wedding takes place between two mourners in a graveyard during an epidemic. The custom is believed to help end the epidemic by obtaining help from the dead. In modern times, a black wedding can also refer to a gothic-themed wedding, with guests wearing formal attire and the bride wearing a black wedding dress, a bold departure from the traditional white gown.

Black weddings as a Jewish custom

A black wedding, or shvartse khasene in Yiddish, is an ancient Jewish custom involving a wedding between two mourners. The bride and groom are selected by the community and are typically poor orphans, beggars, disabled, or homeless—individuals who would otherwise have no chance of getting married. The wedding is performed in a graveyard during times of crisis, such as epidemics, with the intention of warding off diseases and ending the epidemic with the help of the dead.

The custom of a black wedding is believed to have originated in the small towns of Eastern Europe, where cholera and other diseases were rampant during humid summers. The first recorded evidence of a black wedding was during Russia's first cholera pandemic in 1831, with another reference to one taking place in Krakow in 1849. However, there isn't much evidence of these weddings until the 1860s.

The black wedding ceremony is financed by the community, who also pledges to support the couple. The couple is chosen based on the belief that their union will please God and bring blessings. It is seen as an act of communal charity, with the hope that the souls of the deceased will reward their efforts and protect them from the evil decree.

Despite the good intentions, some have criticised black weddings as being more callous than charitable, as the individuals involved were often forcibly married with little regard for their feelings or consent.

Black weddings have been recorded in various Jewish communities around the world, including one performed at the Mount of Olives in 1909 and another in New York during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. More recently, a black wedding was performed in Bnei Brak in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Black weddings as a gothic theme

Gothic weddings are all about embracing the darkness and creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. If you're planning a black wedding with a gothic theme, here are some ideas to inspire you:

Colour Palette

The colour palette is essential to setting the mood for a gothic wedding. While the classic combination of orange and black is always an option, especially for a Halloween-themed wedding, there are endless possibilities for creating a moody and dramatic effect.

Consider a deep, true black for a macabre vibe, adding texture with layers of monochromatic black in different fabrics like sequins, lace, velvet and satin. For a bold statement, pair black with marbled patterns in grey and gold, or choose dark jewel tones like blood red, Bordeaux, deep plum, forest green and regal purple.

Venue and Decor

The venue and decor play a crucial role in creating the desired gothic atmosphere. Opt for a historic mansion, rumoured to be haunted, or an enchanted forest with dramatic shadows and wildlife. For a glamorous twist, choose an elegant ballroom adorned with decadent linens, dramatic flowers and vintage accents.

Decorate your venue with gothic details like skulls, pumpkins, candles, dried fruits, smoke bombs or a fog machine. For a more whimsical touch, add black balloons, celestial moons, crystals, and dripping candles for a hauntingly romantic effect.

Attire

Gothic weddings are the perfect opportunity to rock a black wedding dress. Go for an A-line gown with balloon sleeves or embrace sheer detailing and embellishments. If you want to incorporate the traditional white dress, add a gothic twist with a meaningful phrase emblazoned in a gothic typeface.

For footwear, swap the usual heels or sandals for black combat boots, embellished with sequins, spikes or studs.

Flowers and Bouquet

Flowers and bouquets add a touch of drama and mystery to your gothic wedding. Opt for unique blooms in dark hues like black, grey, burgundy and plum, combined with dried florals and foliage. Black orchids, tulips and hyacinths are unexpected yet elegant choices. For an extra eerie touch, add skulls, feathers or dark leaves to your bouquet.

Stationery and Signage

Your wedding invitations and stationery are the first glimpse your guests will have of your gothic theme. Opt for black cardstock with bold white or gold lettering. Continue the gothic font throughout your signage, from cocktail napkins to escort cards and seating charts.

Catering and Cake

Incorporate gothic elements into your catering and wedding cake. Use seasonal produce like squash, apples and pumpkins, and add a dramatic twist with dry ice in your cocktails.

Your wedding cake can be a stunning focal point, covered in black fondant and adorned with roses in red, purple and black. For an extra touch of gothic glamour, choose a cake with intricate details, glitter texture or gold accents.

With creativity and attention to detail, your black wedding with a gothic theme will be a hauntingly beautiful celebration to remember.

Black weddings in Black American culture

Jumping the Broom

The most widely known and one of the top contenders in African-American wedding traditions is "jumping the broom". This tradition dates back to the time of slavery when enslaved people were forbidden to marry. To symbolise their union to their community, the couple would jump over a broom, which is said to represent the sweeping away of the past and stepping into the future as one. The broom itself has become just as important as the tradition, with some couples opting for custom-made brooms that include family heirlooms or other unique items.

Tasting the Four Elements

While not as common as "jumping the broom", the "tasting of the four elements" is a tradition that is becoming more popular at Black American celebrations. This ritual, borrowed from the Yoruba people of West Africa, involves the couple tasting four different flavours: sour, bitter, spicy, and sweet. These flavours are meant to represent different aspects of married life, and the couple's promise to stay committed through the various stages of their marriage.

Tying the Knot

The colloquial expression "tying the knot" has its roots in an age-old African ritual where the couple's wrists are tied together with rope, kente cloth, or cowrie shells before exchanging their vows. The officiant then ties a knot to confirm their commitment to each other.

Libation Ceremony

The libation ceremony is a ritual deeply rooted in African-American culture, including weddings. Alcohol or holy water is poured out in each of the cardinal directions while prayers and toasts are recited to honour ancestors and invite their blessings and guidance for the newly married couple.

Money Dance

The reception is an opportunity for couples to proudly honour their heritage and include guests in cultural traditions, such as the "money dance". This tradition varies, but typically involves guests tossing or pinning cash onto the couple, wishing them good fortune and prosperity in their marriage.

Honoring Fraternities and Sororities

For couples who are members of Black Greek fraternities or sororities, the wedding reception is a chance to celebrate and honour these bonds. Members may perform their organisation's stroll or serenade, with songs and dances specific to their group.

Black wedding attire

Black-tie weddings are highly formal events that require guests to dress accordingly. While black-tie weddings don't always mean black suits and dresses, there are some rules to follow when it comes to black wedding attire.

Black-Tie Attire for Men

For men, a black-tie wedding means wearing a tuxedo or a fitted dinner jacket. A dinner jacket is made from a different cloth or texture from the formal pants it is paired with and can be colours other than black, such as navy, coral or patterned. A formal white shirt is required underneath, and this can be paired with either a bow tie or a long tie in a dark colour. For shoes, Oxford shoes are the most common choice, but a modern alternative is a velvet slipper.

Black-Tie Attire for Women

For women, black-tie dressing means a floor-length gown. The colour of the dress is important, as it is considered poor taste to wear white to a wedding unless specifically asked for by the bride. Black is a traditional and classy option, but not required. The best colours to wear are jewel tones or solid colours. It is also acceptable to wear a short black dress to a black-tie wedding, as long as the wedding is in the afternoon or evening. Heels are usually worn with a floor-length gown, but it's a good idea to bring a pair of flats for later in the evening.

History of black wedding gowns

The history of the wedding dress is shorter than the history of weddings and marriages. In the past, weddings were more like business deals, with two families joining forces for beneficial arrangements or alliances. Brides typically wore their finest dress to the ceremony, even if it was a dark colour. In fact, many brides wore black. Only a few colours were avoided, such as green, which was considered unlucky. Blue was a popular choice as it represented purity, piety, and a connection to the Virgin Mary.

The first documented instance of a princess wearing a white wedding dress was Philippa of England, who wore a white silk tunic bordered with squirrel and ermine in 1406. However, this was not a widespread trend. Before the Victorian era, brides wore any colour, with black being popular in Finland.

In 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in one of the first heavily photographed royal weddings. She chose to wear a white dress with Honiton lace to support the struggling factory where the fabric was created. Illustrations of the wedding were widely published, and many brides opted for white in accordance with the Queen's choice.

Wealthier brides started wearing grand white gowns because they could afford to have their attire professionally cleaned. However, white dresses did not become popular until after World War II. During the Great Depression and the war, fancy fabrics were hard to come by, so luxe white wedding dresses were replaced with simple suits in non-white hues. After the war, white wedding dresses became more available, and by the mid-20th century, they had become customary.

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