Royal Steamline The Blog | Inspiration for Brides & Grooms

I come from a land of wind and ghosts, where denim reigns supreme. Naturally, because of that background, I tend to shy away denim myself, but I do understand its allure and appreciate its longevity. So do the fine folks at Wrangler:

{She's wrangled a good'un...}

Where am I going with this? Well, wedding styles, of course. Now, many couples have had Western-style weddings (including some of my blood relatives), but has anybody had a Western wedding that was based on ’50s or ’60s styles?

What does this imply? Well, a few years back, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Leon Kagarise and his amazing archive of recordings and photographs from a time when country and Western stars were still just folks playing fairs, festivals and pic-a-nics. Have a look at the amazing images in Pure Counry for a peek into a time that most Americans have forgot (or never knew). From the Amazon review:

In the ’50s and ’60s, in outdoor parks throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania, rural families paid $1 a carload and picnicked under the trees as recording stars and regional acts performed. With an artful eye and the passion of an avid fan, Leon Kagarise, a sound engineer by trade, amassed an archive of four thousand hours of live recordings and hundreds of vibrant, candid color photographs of these great musicians and their fans. Upon their discovery thirty years later, the Library of Congress placed the collection among the most important documents in the history of American music.

Cover boy, a clean cut George Jones:

{Before the Possum became the Possum.}

Has anyone attempted to recreate this flavor on their wedding day? I estimate that it could entail a lot of denim…

…  J

{1959 was a good year to be in the Old West.}

I occasionally have the wherewithal to frequent my totally awesome local gym, the world famous Loprinzi’s here in Portland. Bob, the proprietor and all-around nice guy, has quite a penchant for westerns and typically tunes the only TV in the joint to Encore Westerns. And let me tell you, if you’re looking for some amazing inspiration for an Old-West-Glamoursteam wedding, look no further.

What’s Glamoursteam? For a concise summary, just take a look at almost any female character on the most unlikely and amazing 1960s television show, The Wild Wild West. It’s not because it was the first steampunk show or because of the undeniable appeal of Mr. Robert Conrad (or, for a small minority, Ross Martin). No, it’s the interpretation of the Old West by mid-century Hollywood. Just take a look at the fashions featured on shows such as Maverick, Bat Masterson (a wonderful dandy and inspiration to grooms everywhere), Have Gun – Will Travel, or the perennial king, Gunsmoke. For instance, here’s Miss Barbara Stanwyck, star of Big Valley.

{And she's not even wearing a dress.}

There are many vendors that can make your wedding a Glamoursteam event (or at least get you started). The prices can be relatively affordable and readily available fashions will make a great foundation for your customization.

And let’s hope your betrothed isn’t as reluctant as Bret Maverick who once said, “As my old pappy used to say, ‘Son, stay clear of weddings because one of them is liable to be your own.’”

{Find It: Victorian tricorn hat by Topsy Turvy Design}

I love hats, but tend to have trouble finding one that will fit over my hair (damn curls!). I love the idea of a hat that’s a hair accessory rather than a full-coverage shield. And if you’re a veil shy bride, these Victorian-inspired hats would be a lovely alternative . This feathered beauty is perfect for a Victorian circus theme or a hot juxtaposition to a more traditional dress. Take a peek into the creative world of Topsy Turvy Design in this Etsy interview with milliner Kim Brown-Dye.