Planning My Goth Wedding: How I Made It All Come Together
Planning a wedding is no small task, especially when you’re sticking to a budget and personalizing every detail to reflect your story. For our wedding on November 22, 2025, I took on the challenge of planning everything myself, staying within a budget of $15,000 while creating a day that’s meaningful and unforgettable. Here’s how I did it—and how you can, too!
Choosing the Perfect Time: A Sunset Wedding
One of the most important elements for our wedding was timing. I knew I wanted a sunset ceremony to capture that magical, romantic glow, so I started by researching the exact sunset time for November 22 in Somerset, TX. From there, I built my timeline:
Guests arrive at 5 PM, allowing everyone to settle in and enjoy the ambiance.
The ceremony begins at 6 PM, perfectly timed to coincide with the sunset.
This small detail added so much meaning to our day and didn’t cost a thing—just a bit of research and careful planning!
Finding the Right Venue: No Time Limit, No Stress
When we discussed what was most important to us, my fiancé had one request: a venue where we could stay as long as we wanted. Many venues have strict time cutoffs, which can add stress to an already emotional day. After some extensive research, I found 3B Ranch, a beautiful venue that fit all our needs:
No time limit: We could stay and celebrate without feeling rushed.
On-site accommodations: A few of our most important guests could stay overnight, making the evening even more special.
Outdoor space: Perfect for our semi-formal dress code and lantern-lit ceremony.
Staying on Budget: $15,000 Wedding Planning Tips
Planning a wedding on a budget meant prioritizing what truly mattered to us and finding creative ways to make it happen. Here’s how I kept everything under $15,000:
DIY Details: From the invitations to some of the décor, I embraced my creative side and saved money by doing it myself.
Smart Vendor Choices: I researched vendors who offered packages within my price range and compared quotes to get the best value.
Sponsorship Program: Our wedding includes Madrinas and Padrinos, sponsors who generously helped fund specific aspects of the wedding, like decorations and catering.
Adding Meaningful Touches
I wanted our wedding to be more than just a party—I wanted it to reflect our story and values. Here’s how I added special touches:
The Lantern Ceremony: Our wedding party will carry lanterns down the aisle, symbolizing our loved ones lighting the way to our future.
Handfasting Ritual: In addition to traditional vows, we’ll have a handfasting ceremony, a meaningful way to bind our hands—and our lives—together as one.
My Advice for Brides-to-Be
If you’re planning your wedding, here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way:
Start with your priorities: Whether it’s timing, venue, or budget, focus on what matters most to you and your fiancé.
Do your research: From checking sunset times to reading venue reviews, taking the time to plan every detail makes a big difference.
Think outside the box: Look for venues and vendors that can accommodate your unique needs—sometimes a little digging can uncover hidden gems.
Make it personal: Small, meaningful details can turn your wedding into a reflection of your story, creating a day you’ll never forget.
Our wedding is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this special day with the people we love. I hope sharing my experience helps inspire you to plan your own dream wedding, no matter your budget. Remember: with a little creativity, research, and heart, anything is possible.
