Rachel Darwin

Planning a Wedding While the World is on Fire

Rachel Darwin

Valentin Tatarinov

September 3, 2025

From the post-pandemic engagement gap to the ever-mounting cost-of-living crisis, it’s hardly surprising that the wedding industry is having a tough time. It’s also not a shock to find that more and more couples are opting out of having the big wedding they always dreamed of, perhaps due to the rise in rent, mortgage rates, or the endless instability caused by the current state of global affairs. But just because it isn’t shocking… doesn’t mean it isn’t sad. So, from one rock ‘n’ roll bride to another, I want to offer you a great big hug and tell you… I get it. Planning a wedding when the world is on fire is really, really hard…

How to Set Boundaries with Family When Planning Your Wedding

Rachel Darwin

Jaci Berkopec

August 5, 2025

When it comes to a wedding or a new marriage, the merging of families can prove to be a turbulent time. Making sure both sets of families are comfortable with the changes and expectations of the day can be challenging, and finding the confidence to speak up for yourself, your opinions and your needs can be very difficult.

Choosing Your Wedding Entertainment with Equality in Mind

Rachel Darwin

Sam Ponsford

July 9, 2025

Whether you’re thinking of an acoustic duo for your afternoon, a full swing-style big band for the evening, or a DJ throughout the day, let’s face the music and talk… EQUALITY!

Feminism, Equality & The Meaning of Your Wedding Flowers

Rachel Darwin

Erica Whiting

May 20, 2025

Do you ever play the people-watching game in big train stations? As somebody who first met my now-husband under the clock at Waterloo, I love giving back-stories to strangers as I wait. My favourite time to do it is when I spot somebody carrying a bunch of flowers. I wonder if those ranunculi mean “congrats on the new job”, or if those red roses mean “I’m sorry for being a prick”. Whatever the meaning, when it comes to flowers, there is always a message being sent. And, sometimes, there is even a whole secret language in bloom. So, why not use your flowers to help send the messages you want to on your wedding day?

Don’t Do It Yourself: Why Some Wedding Tasks are Best Left to the Pros

Rachel Darwin

Juliana Noelle Jumper

March 4, 2025

There is nothing I love more than getting together with a friend or two for a crafternoon of sewing, making and creating. When I got married, I spent a weekend with one of my bridesmaids, who (major friend flex) just happens to be a set sculptor for Hollywood films. We made 12 gorgeous little hobbit houses for the tables, a postbox for the cards, and I designed all the invitations, stationery and signage. For anyone with a penchant for making, the idea of a DIY wedding can be a dream. - a great way to add your own unique identity to your day - but that’s not the sort of DIY I want to focus on in this article. Instead, I’m going to look at those moments of wedding planning when perhaps you shouldn’t be doing it all yourself. When actually it might be better to ask for help or even to employ a professional!

How to Ignore the Naysayers & Make Your Wedding Feel like YOU

Rachel Darwin

Nick Maciarz

January 23, 2025

When you’re planning your wedding, it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring your friends and family together to celebrate all the different layers that make the two of you… you! All those hobbies, interests and passions you share can be whisked up to make a sweet, unique, you-flavoured cake, with all the sprinkles and decorations you might fancy. Unfortunately, however, a wedding day is often viewed by others as an opportunity to throw their own ingredients into the mix. When this happens… how can you express yourself and stand up for what you want… so that you can get the sweet result you dreamed of

Why Rock n Roll Bride?

Rachel Darwin

Devlin Photos

January 2, 2025

I always love writing for Rock n Roll Bride in January. I love picturing all the new readers, who got engaged over the holidays, giddily unwrapping their first issue and settling down with a hot chocolate by the fire. I love thinking about some of our more seasoned readers, who can now start saying that their wedding is “this year” instead of “next year” … (Eeee! So exciting!) And I love having a chance to remind every Rock n Roll Bride reader out there exactly WHY they have chosen this wonderful magazine as their sparkly little helper on their wedding-planning journey.

Something Old, Something New, Something LGBTQ!

Rachel Darwin

Ashley White Photos

October 15, 2024

Hello and welcome to the year 2024, where anyone with even a fractionally-open mind will throw their arms up and rejoice in the knowledge that any two consenting adults can tie the knot, regardless of their race, gender or religious beliefs. In this rainbow-obsessed issue, we feel it would be remiss of us not to take a moment to raise our LGBTQIA+ Pride flags high above our heads, and shriek at the very top of our lungs, that here at Rock n Roll Bride magazine… LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE IS LOOOOVE.

Thinking OUTSIDE The Perfect White Wedding Box

Rachel Darwin

Shrigley

September 25, 2024

As a Rock n Roll Bride reader, you’re probably already thinking outside those four church walls… literally and laterally! But what actually happens when you’re brave enough to do it? How do you actually go about making your dream “out there” wedding a reality?

When Two Become One (Not One Hundred)

Rachel Darwin

Alexandria French

August 8, 2024

It’s often assumed that the bigger the wedding, the more stressful it might be to plan, but we’re not so sure that’s true. While planning any sort of wedding, you’re likely to come up against many hurdles along the way and eloping is no different! Whether you're still weighing up your options, or you’re firmly on the elopement path, my goal is to offer understanding, support and perhaps a bit of inspiration on how to get yourself through the unique course of obstacles an elopement can bring.

When “More!” Becomes Too Much

Rachel Darwin

Kimberly Tran

July 8, 2024

In many cases, when it comes to planning your rock n’ roll wedding, more is more is MORE. More cake? Yes please. More flowers? Don’t mind if I do! Another few inches on your glittery rainbow tie-dye veil? Just a few inches? Ha! Are you kidding? Give me another metre! Within the chaotic colourful cacophonous cornucopia of planning a wedding… it can be very easy to get completely carried away.

The Nightmare Wedding Guest

Rachel Darwin

Claire Roige

April 18, 2024

Any couple planning their wedding can exercise control over the napkins, the choice of wine, the four different flavour combinations of the cake. But, how can we properly prepare ourselves for one of the scariest monsters a couple can contend with at their wedding… the nightmare guest?

Shopping Small For Your Wedding is a Feminist Act

Rachel Darwin

Chris W R Cox

February 7, 2024

For a few fun years in my 20s, my singing career led me to singing at a whole bunch of weddings… and I ab-so-lute-ly LOVED it. After some time singing for other peoples’ bands, I decided I wanted to create my own. Funnily enough, that’s how I first met Kat, exhibiting at a wedding fair in 2015…

I Do … & I Don’t – A Feminist Guide to Weddings & Marriage: Budget Embarrassment

Rachel Darwin

Applehead Photography & Design

October 3, 2023

You might be so rock ‘n roll that you couldn’t give a monkey’s about feeling embarrassed about or ashamed of your wedding budget. If you couldn’t care less about what society has tried to tell you that you ‘should’ be doing when it comes to your wedding then I have just two words for you… GO YOU.

I Do… & I Don’t: The First Year of a Feminist Marriage – People-pleasing

Rachel Darwin

Jamie Y

March 28, 2023

In 2021, we had the pleasure of publishing Rachel’s journey of planning her feminist wedding. We loved her contributions so much that we’ve invited her back to continue the series by talking about the first year of her feminist marriage. In this article, she’s talking about people-pleasing.

I Do … & I Don’t: The First Year of a Feminist Marriage – The Honeymoon Period

Rachel Darwin

Kathleen Whittemore

November 15, 2022

In 2021, we had the pleasure of publishing Rachel’s journey of planning her feminist wedding. We loved her contributions so much that we’ve invited her back to continue the series by talking about the first year of her feminist marriage. In this issue, she’s looking at the honeymoon period.

I Do … & I Don’t: The First Year of a Feminist Marriage – What it Means to be a Rock n Roll Bride

Rachel Darwin

The Saums

August 30, 2022

wedding. We loved her contributions so much that we’ve invited her back to continue the series by talking about the first year of her feminist marriage.