Cherry Velvet Noir | Gothic Romance at Cappella Weddings & Events

Dark, decadent, and undeniably romantic, Cherry Velvet Noir blended gothic glamor with modern design for a wedding that felt like stepping into an Old Hollywood film—now in color! A bold red color palette, luxurious velvet accents, dramatic bridal fashion, and candlelit details created a moody aesthetic that complemented the historic architecture of Cappella Weddings & Events in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Coordinated and designed by OSO IN LOVE Wedding & Event Curators, this striking editorial offers creative inspiration for couples considering a more dramatic take on timeless love. With thoughtful styling and a distinctive atmosphere, this styled shoot invites couples to explore a more expressive approach to wedding design and discover the magic of a celebration that reflects their own unique vision.

In addition to concept and design by OSO IN LOVE Wedding and Event Curators, Cherry Velvet Noir was brought to life by Savannah Steiger Photography, Boxcar Photography, Bloom and Knot LLC, Whimsical Design & Decor, Charlotte’s Bridal & Formal Wear, Hair Dressed by Kristyn, Makeup By Sarah Koblitz, Orange Door Event Rentals, Event Essentials, Velvet Rentals, Linda’s Bakery, and models from Privileged Model Management.

Click play on the video below to see the highlights from Boxcar Photography, then keep reading to learn more about the vendors involved and see all the details captured by Savannah Steiger Photography.

Whimsical Design & Decor designed bold, vampy stationery and signage throughout the wedding, starting with printed pieces photographed on red velvet drapery from Velvet Rentals. The pieces blended a classic, calligraphic typeface with a bold, modern typeface featuring sharp corners and heightened crossbars reminiscent of the Art Deco movement.

The pieces stayed consistent with the cherry red, burgundy, black, and white color palette. They varied in size and shape, with most pieces square or rectangular, while the invitation and RSVP both featured contour-cut edges. Recurring elements included bold frames and a custom couple’s monogram designed inside a disco wall with devil horns and an angelic halo.

Whimsical Design & Decor’s layered menu also doubled as a name card. After finding their seats thanks to names printed on the bottom of the piece, guests could pull a tassel to reveal the full menu inside a decorative sleeve. Additional pieces throughout the wedding design included a welcome sign, table numbers, a statement seating chart, a bar sign, and custom matchbook favors.

Photographer Savannah Steiger Photography later took the pieces outside for playful photos, making them appear to levitate against the sunny blue sky.

Once the First Methodist Episcopal Church of La Crosse, Cappella Weddings & Events is a venue with a rich history and beautiful architecture. While renovations made the event spaces more comfortable, the team carefully preserved many original elements, including the wooden floors, brick walls, and stained-glass windows. Today, Cappella Weddings & Events is a premier, inclusive location for any couple to tie the knot.

With vaulted ceilings, warm lighting, and a stunning organ, the Cappella Ballroom was the perfect spot for a moody, film-noir-worthy wedding ceremony. Bloom and Knot LLC designed a daring, split-arch floral backdrop brimming with red and burgundy blooms, including red roses, sculptural red-orange anthuriums, snapdragons, and dark foliage.

Model Kayla Marie wore a glamorous basque-waist gown from Charlotte’s Bridal & Formal Wear. The dress featured spaghetti straps, a V-neckline, sheer fabric, exposed corset boning, intricate beading, and an elegant, statuesque skirt. She accessorized with a high-low tulle cape featuring layered, pleated edges and sparkling drop earrings.

Also from Charlotte’s Bridal & Formal Wear, model Jaron wore a classic black tuxedo with a crisp white dress shirt, black tie, and black shoes. A floral boutonniere from Bloom and Knot LLC completed the look.

The reception moved into Cappella Weddings & Events’ Stella Ballroom, with wooden paneling, rustic brick backdrops, and stained glass windows. The venue provided the tables, Chiavari chairs, and uplighting, while Event Essentials added velvet linens, satin napkins, plates, and crystal water glasses. Additional pieces included candles, chargers, and silverware from OSO IN LOVE Wedding & Event Curators, table numbers, menus, and a seating chart from Whimsical Design & Decor, and floral centerpieces and arrangements from Bloom and Knot LLC.

The couple toasted with champagne at an artful tower setup by Velvet Rentals, grounded by a three-piece arched backdrop from Orange Door Event Rentals. Savannah Steiger Photography used light and shadow throughout the design, highlighting focal points, sharp angles, and reflections in the glassware. The resulting couple portraits feel straight out of a dark Hollywood film.

Also in Stella’s Ballroom, the team set the scene for an intimate lounge and bar experience. A black couch, red pillows, and small, black round tables from Orange Door Event Rentals served as the foundation, while velvet drapery from Velvet Rentals and linens from Event Essentials added texture that separated the lounge from the rest of the reception.

Lighting played a fundamental role in the overall feeling and aesthetic of this wedding design. The final gallery displayed multiple iterations of overhead lighting, floor lighting, candles, and lamps, as well as full flash photography.

A three-tier, cherry red cake from Linda’s Bakery set the focal point at the dessert spread. The monotone cake also featured an oversized red bow decoration with ribbons cascading down to the bottom. Carefully placed uplighting created additional shadows and dimension to the space, especially on the desserts and on the velvet drapery from Velvet Rentals.

Linda’s Bakery also provided mini cakes and tarts, which were displayed on lower tables. The mini cakes were one or two-tiered and topped with cherries or red ribbons.

While the Cherry Velvet Noir styling leaned into a vampy aesthetic, the models were not afraid to step outside and embrace a little sunshine through the clouds. They posed for couple and individual portraits that showcased the hair styling by Hair Dressed by Kristyn and makeup by Makeup By Sarah Koblitz.

Hair Dressed by Kristyn chose an edgy, asymmetrical twist on the traditional bridal updo. Kayla Marie’s hair was pulled back into a neat bun, with a section left loosely curled at the front. The stylist added volume, swept the loose hair into a dramatic side part, and finished the look with a beaded hairpiece in place of a veil.

Makeup By Sarah Koblitz also brought the drama without overwhelming the model’s natural features. The makeup look paired smoky brown tones with cherry red, featuring a subtle smoky eye, sculpted cheekbones, and a bold red lip.

Dark, romantic, and full of personality, Cherry Velvet Noir is a reminder that wedding design can be as bold and unconventional as the couples celebrating. Keep exploring the WedPlan La Crosse blog for more wedding inspiration, creative ideas, and talented professionals serving La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the surrounding region. Follow us on social media for more styled shoots, real weddings, and inspiration to help you envision a celebration all your own.