A.J. McLean plans gothic wedding

A.J. McLean has sent out wedding invitations which look like they've been splattered in blood.

The Backstreet Boys singer and his fiancée Rochelle Karidis are due to marry on December 17.

The nuptials will be unconventional, as was shown when guests received their invitations. The cards are black and feature ornate borders with words carved in blood-red, hinting there could be a goth-rock vibe to the day.

"[The invites] contain bloody lettering and creepy gothic imagery," reports TMZ.

The wedding is being staged at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and the happy day will be captured by photographer Tyler Shields. It's thought the nuptials will be a truly rock 'n' roll affair, with Tyler previously saying what is planned is "one of the craziest celebrity weddings ever".

No phones or cameras are allowed into the venue, although there have already been reports about the couple's unusual theme.

"I'm most looking forward to that because it's going to be quite unique," the couple's wedding planner Mindy Weiss has said. "They have a goth kind of theme going on and I'm going to take that and make it elegant. The challenge is on and I just adore them!"

A.J.'s bandmates Nick Carter, Brian Littrell and Howie Dorough are all thought to be attending his special day, as is former group member Kevin Richardson.