The Ultimate Guide to Creating the Perfect Corpse Bride Costume
Halloween and cosplay events offer a unique opportunity to transform into favorite characters, and few are as hauntingly beautiful as Emily, the Corpse Bride. Created by Tim Burton, this character has inspired costume enthusiasts with her ethereal beauty, ghostly gown, and mesmerizing backstory. If you’re ready to turn heads as the Corpse Bride, this guide will walk you through everything you need to create an authentic and unforgettable Corpse Bride costume—from makeup techniques to choosing the perfect gown and accessories.
1. Understanding the Corpse Bride Look
The Corpse Bride costume captures the look of Emily, a young woman who died tragically on her wedding day. Tim Burton’s version features strikingly surreal, dark, and romantic aesthetics. The key elements include:
- Pale, skeletal-like makeup with hollow eyes.
- An elegant, tattered wedding dress with shades of blue, white, and gray.
- A flower crown or veil and an ethereal appearance.
- Delicate, yet haunting accessories that enhance the undead bride vibe.
2. Choosing the Perfect Corpse Bride Dress
The most essential part of your Corpse Bride costume is the wedding dress. While you can buy premade costumes online, creating your own or enhancing a second-hand wedding dress will allow you to personalize the details to suit your style.
DIY Corpse Bride Dress Tips:
- Find a Base Dress: Thrift stores are great places to find inexpensive, vintage-looking white or light-colored dresses. Look for lace, layers, and flowy fabric, which will add to the ethereal look.
- Color It Blue: Emily’s dress has a distinct blue-gray hue, symbolizing her undead status. Use fabric dye or lightly spray blue fabric paint on a white dress to achieve the look.
- Add Tattered Details: For an authentic worn-out effect, tear the hemline or sleeves lightly and add uneven fabric patches. Cheesecloth or lace strips also work well for a decayed, layered look.
- Accessorize with Lace and Beads: Sew lace appliqués, beads, or pearls to your dress for a ghostly, wedding-appropriate effect.
3. Creating the Corpse Bride Makeup Look
The makeup for a Corpse Bride costume is one of the most fun and challenging parts of this transformation. Tim Burton’s animation gives Emily a hollow, doe-eyed, skeletal look that is both beautiful and eerie.
Key Makeup Tips:
- Pale Skin Base: Use a pale foundation or face paint as the base to mimic Emily’s ghostly complexion. Blend it down to your neck and shoulders for continuity.
- Big, Hollow Eyes: Emily’s character design features large, sunken eyes. Use dark blue or black eyeshadow to create a shadowy effect around your eyes, extending slightly to give them a larger-than-life appearance. Applying white eyeliner on your waterline will also make your eyes appear larger.
- Contour and Hollow Out: Use blue or gray eyeshadow to contour the cheekbones and temples, mimicking Emily’s skeletal appearance. This will make your face appear more hollow and give that hauntingly beautiful undead look.
- Bold Lips: Choose a lip color that’s pale, dusty pink, or lavender, similar to Emily’s lips. Add a slight black or gray outline for a more dramatic and animated effect.
- Finishing Touch: Use a setting spray to keep your makeup looking fresh and in place all night. Optional: add fake scars or a stitched effect on your arms or neck to enhance the tragic bride look.
4. Crafting the Corpse Bride Veil and Headpiece
A Corpse Bride costume isn’t complete without her veil and headpiece. You have various options to recreate Emily’s flower crown or traditional veil.
Making Your Headpiece:
- DIY Flower Crown: Use a pre-made flower crown as a base and add silk flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white. For an undead effect, slightly darken the edges of the petals with blue or black paint.
- Tulle Veil: Emily’s veil is often depicted with tattered edges, reflecting her tragic fate. Purchase white or light blue tulle, then use scissors to cut holes and uneven hems along the edges for a ghostly effect. A fabric spray with blue or gray can add a faded, haunting look.
- Attach to a Headband: Attach the veil to a headband or small hair comb for easy placement. This method is comfortable and keeps your veil in place throughout the event.
5. Additional Accessories for a Complete Look
Adding a few extra touches will make your Corpse Bride costume feel even more authentic.
- Blue Body Paint or Stockings: If you want to create a fully animated look, consider painting your arms and legs with blue body paint to match the dress, or wear blue stockings for a less messy option.
- Bone or Skeleton Gloves: Skeleton gloves or bony arm warmers can help achieve Emily’s skeletal look without needing extensive makeup on your hands.
- A Rose Bouquet: Carrying a wilted or dried flower bouquet adds to the wedding theme. Spray-paint the flowers with a hint of blue and black for that post-mortem effect.
6. Embracing the Character
Stepping into the role of Emily, the Corpse Bride, requires more than just a costume. Her character has a sweet, tragic demeanor, so practicing subtle, mournful expressions can add authenticity to your portrayal. Move gracefully and slowly, reflecting her ethereal quality. Watch the movie for inspiration on her mannerisms, and try adopting her elegant, dreamlike expressions and movements.
7. Where to Buy Corpse Bride Costumes and Accessories
If you’re short on time or prefer a ready-made costume, here are some top places to find a high-quality Corpse Bride costume:
- Amazon: Known for a wide variety of costume options, Amazon offers Corpse Bride costumes in both adult and children’s sizes. Read reviews carefully to ensure you’re getting quality materials.
- Etsy: For custom, handmade Corpse Bride dresses, check out Etsy. Many sellers specialize in creating Tim Burton-inspired costumes and accessories that are unique and high-quality.
- Spirit Halloween: This Halloween superstore often stocks Corpse Bride costumes, makeup, and accessories. This is a good option for those who want to shop in-store and try items on before purchasing.
8. Important Tips for Lasting Comfort in Your Costume
To ensure that your Corpse Bride costume lasts through a night of festivities, here are some comfort-focused tips:
- Layer Strategically: If your costume is thin or has open lace sections, layer with lightweight undergarments to keep warm without adding bulk.
- Stay Hydrated: Wearing heavy makeup and potentially tight costume pieces can make you feel dehydrated faster, especially if you’re at a party or dancing.
- Pack a Small Repair Kit: Keep a small sewing kit, safety pins, or even some fabric glue in case any parts of your costume tear or detach. A small makeup kit can help touch up smudged makeup.
9. Inspiring Ideas for Couples and Groups
The Corpse Bride costume can be easily adapted for couples or groups. Consider pairing up with a partner as Victor, Emily’s love interest, or ask friends to dress as other characters from the movie. You could also opt for a general Tim Burton theme with friends, with others dressing up as characters like Jack Skellington or Beetlejuice.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much time does it take to make a DIY Corpse Bride costume?
A: Depending on how detailed you want to get, it could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Thrift shopping and DIYing certain parts can also extend the timeframe.
Q: Can I make a Corpse Bride costume on a budget?
A: Absolutely! Thrift stores and affordable fabric paint make it easy to create a unique costume without spending a lot.
Q: Do I need special makeup for this look?
A: While Halloween makeup kits are helpful, regular eyeshadow, face paint, and eyeliner can work wonders for a Corpse Bride look.