Royal Steamline The Blog | Inspiration for Brides & Grooms

We’ve been meaning to post about this for a while, but you know how other things always seem to crop up. Well, no more excuses!

Earlier this year, Royal Steamline was invited to participate in a wedding concept photoshoot co-coordinated by Jessica Monnich (of Jessica Monnich Photography), Erin Coleman (of Peppermint Pretty), and Beth Bennett (of Stylish Happenings). The shoot, held at the Three Points Ranch outside of Austin, Texas, had a vintage carnival theme, so we thought that our Two Ring Circus design would be a perfect match:

Two Ring Circus invitations (as well Steamside on center right) -- photo montage by Jessica Monnich

And here’s a fun shot of the matching Table Cards:

Two Ring Circus table card at the Austin shoot -- photo by Jessica Monnich

There are tons of great images from the huge shoot, which included amazing fashions, cute couples and…fire eaters!

Flames of Love -- photo montage by Jessica Monnich

Please check out the full spread at Jessica’s blog or see the awesome compilation over at Utterly Engaged (our invitation is on the cover!).

Finally, thanks to Jessica, Erin, Beth and everyone else who made this a fantastic project. We were so happy to be a part of it!

Love all the Gorey details in this Portland wedding captured by the fabulous Jessica Hill Photography. See more of this wedding on her blog.

Wow — have we been busy! Hope everybody’s wedding planning is going well!

While we’ve been working with a lot of May/June/July brides in recent weeks, there also have been a few couples with their sights on 10/31/10. What a great date to get hitched!

And just as I was working on a client’s Halloween invitation set, what should arrive in the mail this afternoon but a (very) early holiday treat from my dad:

I have to admit, the guy knows what I like. With my penchant for both skeletons and models of all types, he’d seen this “squelette” and thought I’d appreciate it. I’ll be posting images of the completed skeleton as soon as I make it!

How great would a platoon of these skeletal greeters look on your reception tables, maybe even holding the table cards! (The finished height is about 14″ — perfect centerpiece dimensions.) And while I like the look of the natural wood, I’m sure it could dyed to just about any color. These guys are apparently available at Michaels, so acquiring the proper number shouldn’t be too hard.

Here’s my point: you never know when inspiration will strike! And always be sure to plan for the wedding you want to have!

Offbeat Bride’s post on the spider in the wedding bouquet reminded me it’s been way too long since I’ve checked in on artist  Ann Wood’s blog. I try to stay up-to-date on her creepy (and not so creepy) creations. These stunning pieces are made up of lovely scraps of vintage fabric and buttons…and I want them all.

Here’s a round-up of my favorite so far…

Black Bustled Spider

Chillingworth Owl

Strolling Spider

Botanical Experiments

I’ve always been a sucker for vintage ephemera, so I was thrilled to find these hand-altered tags from Brandywine Boutique. These “vintagized” tags are perfect for a darker, Fall or Winter wedding. Besides the obvious gift tag, here are a few ideas to use hang tags in your wedding:

• Tie the tag to a skeleton key with twine or vintage seam binding for an easy-to-make escort card
• Add a unique look to your favors
• Use them as labels for each station at the buffet table

How would you use vintage ephemera in your wedding?

{Halloween Mix Tags}

We’re on the countdown to Halloween season, but you don’t have to wait for Fall to start celebrating. Here’s an ode to some of our favorite body parts on Etsy…

From top left:

1. Industrial Heart Pendant by Monster Kookies
2. Skeletie by Toybreaker
3. Heart Tie Tack by Tilly Bloom
4. Brain in a Jar by Your Organ Grinder
5. Tin Woodsman’s Heart badge by Cici’s Stash
6. Crochet Oxygenated Blood Cells by Concertina Pieces
7. Tell Tale Invitation by Royal Steamline
8. Anatomical Brain Placemats by Girls Can Tell

Created from new and old design books and paper samples, these recycled paper flowers by Lei Chartru are a lovely alternative to the traditional bouquet. I love how typography petals mingle with swirly patterns and metallic hues (we’re huge fans of Stardream’s paper colors).

Does anyone have other examples of recycled design magazine crafts? We’d love to hear your ideas!

{Blueberry Lime Truffle - Magnolia Flower Paper Bouquet}

{Breathe of Fresh Air - Magnolia Flower Paper Bouquet}

You want your wedding to be perfect. And this naturally applies to those who’ve boldly committed to non-traditional affairs. But we’re faced with challenges that more traditional brides and grooms just don’t have to tackle. For example, if you’re going to have a Steampunk wedding, how do you really convey a sense of the neo-Victorian era? Or how do goth brides and grooms establish a suitably macabre atmosphere?

Well, there are of course lots of answers, but here’s an original solution: go Hollywood. Who else could offer set decorations and props that look straight out of your favorite horror, fantasy or sci-fi film? And here’s how you do it: 20th Century Props in North Hollywood, California, is auctioning off its inventory today through Saturday as it’s going out of business.

{Period lighting galore}

{The owner, in a prop electric chair}

{Prepping the groom?}

{There is something inherently steampunk about a submarine - even if it's only a movie set}

So if you’re in SoCal and have an upcoming Steampunk, goth, or other themed wedding, be sure to check out this auction…and let us know what you picked up!

I love the quirky twist on these vintage-influenced portraits by the Canadian artist Mademoiselle G. You can find prints of her work in her Etsy shop.

{Mr. and Mrs. Wood}

{Mr. and Mrs. Dear}

{Evelyne and Victor}

I’m more on the PETA side of the line when it comes to hunting, but I have a strange fascination with taxidermy. These recycled cardboard animal trophies from Cardboard Safari set my conscience just right. With options like deers, moose, bison and rhinos, I just may need to create a mini safari at home. And for those of you planning a vintage wilderness or travel-themed wedding, animal trophies could be the perfect wall decorations and keep the guests buzzing.

{Bucky - Large Deer Trophy}

{Micro Robbie - Small Rhino Head}

{Micro Billy - Small Bison Head}

{Rambling Robbie Jr.- Medium Full Body Rhino Model}

Find your animal trophies at Cardboard Safari.