Have a Rock and Roll Wedding

Here's a mood board of what I think makes up an alternative rock wedding. I mixed a lot of blacks with white -- black trim on the cake, black lace, black accessories. I also envision an eclectic mix of casual and formal elements for both the bride and groom and the wedding paraphernalia. For instance, the groom and groomsmen can wear streamlined black suits with Converse Sneakers. The bride can wear faux jewelry and vintage accessories with her couture gown. I will talk more about this later into this guide.

Of course this is just my vision. Feel free to head over to Polyvore to create your own rock and roll wedding mood board.

Sophia Tolli Wedding Dress Analisa Y2952

This luxurious strapless wedding gown, Analisa by Sophia Tolli, has a floor length taffeta ballroom skirt and intricate hand-beaded lace appliqués on its gathered overlay bodice. The assymmetrical waistline and bold trim gives off an "alternative" and rocker chic vibe.

The key to choosing rocker wedding dresses is to look for gowns with unconventional and unexpected details. Rockers don't always obey the rules, after all.

18 Red Long Stem Roses

A lush bouquet of deep red roses will go perfectly with the theme. Secure the bunch of flowers with a black velvet ribbon, add a few silver studs on the handle and you're all set to walk down the aisle, rock and roll style.

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It's fairly easy to style a groom in rock and roll fashion, just look to your favorite rock musicians for reference. If your groom has longish hair, then he's already halfway there! If not, the rockstar groom look is still pretty simple to pull off. The trick is to choose a classic suit, but with a twist. That twist can come in the form of an unusual suit structure, a different color, a bold pattern or the addition of unexpected details.

Think David Bowie, one of the most stylish rockers around.

Your rocker groom will look dapper in the Etro Mens Suit with a stripe pattern pictured below. Ask him to pair it with a crisp shirt in your color motif, a tie with a bold pattern, and classic leather shoes and you're both well on your way to rocking the altar.

Etro Mens Clothing Fall - Winter 2009/10 - TWO PIECE SUIT WITH LARGE STRIPE

Versace Mens Shoes Fall - Winter 2009/10

Vitaliano Pancaldi Ties

Mori Lee Short Wedding Dress Voyage 6172

The short, strapless wedding dress by Mori Lee pictured above may look like your regular wedding dress. Once paired with a black or white faux fur stole and knee-high suede boots however, it suddenly transforms into a stylish and contemporary rock and roll bride ensemble.

Genova Boots in Stone

Mon Cheri Fur Stole "Audrey" 25203

Don't forget to accessorize. Vintage accessories with silver chains, black trim and semi-precious stones complement the rock princess look beautifully. Take care not to overdo it though, we wouldn't want you to end up looking too costume-y.

Jawan Wide Logo Ring

Mixed Chains Necklace with Jet Beads and Pearls

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The inspiration for this outfit is Coldplay's Chris Martin, Gwyneth Paltrow's rockstar husband. His laid-back rocker style is the perfect look for a less formal rock and roll wedding.

For this look, your groom can wear a fitted jacket, like the Versace suit jacket pictured below. The zipper pocket closures make it more edgy than the usual suit jacket. He can wear it with suit pants and sneakers -- yes, sneakers to a wedding! What can be more rock and roll than that? The Paul Smith check pants and Prada sneakers, also pictured below, are good examples to base your picks on since they're dressy enough to wear to a wedding yet hip enough to be worn by a rock star onstage.

Tip: If your groom is wearing sneakers to a wedding, it would be best to have his groomsmen wear sneakers too. This is so that your groom won't appear dressed down compared to them.

Versace Mens Clothing - Fall-Winter 2009/10

Prada Mens Shoes Fall - Winter 2009/10

Paul Smith Mens Clothing Fall - Winter 2009/10 - KAKHI CHECK PANTS -

Strapless Dress with Splattered Diamonds

One Shoulder Ruffle Dress in Black

The beauty of a rock and roll wedding is that there are no rules to follow. You can apply this principle to your wedding party's attire -- get the bridesmaids to wear dresses in varying colors of your motif. They don't all have to match. The groomsmen can wear suits in different patterns for an eclectic effect..

Etro Mens Clothing Fall - Winter 2009/10 - TWO PIECES GALLES SUIT -

Etro Mens Clothing Fall - Winter 2009/10 - TWO PIECES STRIPED SUIT -

It would be fun to have their neckties carry the rock and roll theme as well.

For the finishing touch, ask your groomsmen to wear sneakers to complement your groom's footwear of choice. The featured sneakers below are popular picks.

Onitsuka Tiger by Asics - Mexico 66 (Black/White Enamel) - Footwear

Converse - Star Player 75 Leather Ox (Black/White) - Footwear

Designing a rocker wedding is fun! You can use a black and white theme as your main color motif, then add a bold color accent -- red in this case -- to create contrast.

Keep in mind that you need not follow conventional wedding rules so if you want to go all out, you have creative license to do so. For instance, you can opt not to use flowers for your table centerpieces and go with a dramatic arrangement of candles instead. You can also hang concert posters of your favorite musicians all over the place. The important thing is to make it personal and significant to both of you.

You can certainly have fun with your rock and roll wedding invites. Depending on what kind of rock music you are basing your theme on, you can have your stationer design invitations inspired by concert posters, ticket stubs, vinyl records, and other things related to music.

Elegant Rock 'n' Roll Wedding (Black / Pink) by poptasticbride

Rock and Roll Grungy Heart (Pink) Save the Date by poptasticbride

Rock and Roll Wedding Invitation by poptasticbride

Rock 'n' Roll Wedding Invitation (Roses) by poptasticbride

On the other hand, you don't have to strictly stick to a music theme for your invitation. Choosing black and white, silver, or slate grey invites with bold trim and vintage graphics can also connote glam rock chic elegantly.

Chandelier Save the Date Cards
See more invitations at Minted. The Freshest Designs on Paper.

A black and white vintage design gives off a rock and roll feel so wedding favors printed with a black and white damask print will suit your rock-themed wedding just fine. There are tons more of these at MyWeddingFavors.com

Monogramed Lip Balm Damask Design

"Black Baroque" Elegant Place Card Holder or Photo Frame

Air Guitar

For this theme, naturally, the most fun aspect to plan will be your rock and roll wedding soundtrack. After all, isn't your love for rock music what inspired you to come up with this motif?

Guidelines in choosing music to play at your wedding:
1. March down the aisle to a rock love song.
2. Choose rock and roll wedding songs that are significant to the two of you as a couple.
3. Play quieter, more solemn rock songs at the ceremony and then go wild with the selections for the reception.
4. Remember that it's always best to keep within a library of tracks with kid safe or "general patronage" lyrics when there are children around.