Royal Steamline The Blog | Inspiration for Brides & Grooms

Cyberoptix Tie Lab, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

1. Exhaust Bow Tie

2. Let Them Eat Cake Necktie

3. Argyle Skeleton Key Necktie

4. Clipper Ship Necktie

5. Wooden Gift Box

…and many more.

xo,

Royal Steamline

Ever since October, I’ve been following the Tweed Ride phenomena. I mean, what’s not to like about a combination of Victorian gear and cycling that emphasizes fun and camaraderie? I’d noted that my former home of San Francisco had been a major force in American Tweed Rides. This, however, left me all the more disappointed that my current home — and de facto cycling utopia — of Portland was noticeably ignoring a phenomena that seemed like a perfect fit.

Well, we finally got our collective act together and produced a smashing Tweed Ride not two days ago.

Photo by william200549 on Flickr

There are many fine photos of the event on Flickr here and here. Oh, and some fine video footage, too (note the pipe-packing at 1:25):

Now, why are we at Royal Steamline posting about cycling? Because we were quite impressed with some of the riders’ ensembles, particularly the gents. Upcoming grooms leaning toward a vintage wedding would be well served to peruse these images and take note of any styles they find particularly fitting.

Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the perfect connection between Tweed Rides and our Rovers and Country Ride invitation designs.

Looking forward to the next ride!

If you haven’t been already, head over to Offbeat Bride to get all the brass, glass and goggle details.

It’s a brand new year (and just maybe the year you’ll get married!), so we thought today’s discounted design should be The Portal.

Symbolizing a doorway to new beginnings, The Portal is printed on heavy Neenah duplex paper that features a black linen reverse.

Remember, we’re marking down certain invitation sets 15% off their base price (this applies to solo, duo and trio sets!) each day until this Saturday — think of it as an extended New Year’s party. Please see the this blog post for more details.

Be sure to check back tomorrow to see our final discounted design!

Happy New Year everybody!

It’s the second day of our New Year’s Sale! Today’s discounted design is Tinkerer:

An elegantly understated design, Tinkerer is perfect for those interested in an offbeat vintage style that falls squarely in the “less is more” camp. Furthermore, this invitation is printed on luxurious Neenah duplex paper that features a black linen reverse that adds weight and quiet formality.

Remember, we’re marking down certain invitation sets 15% off their base price (this applies to solo, duo and trio sets!) each day until this Saturday — think of it as an extended New Year’s party. Please see the this blog post for more details.

Thanks!

A few weeks ago, I noted that A. and I had spent a marvelous Halloween with the Vagabond Opera. Such fare readily presents itself when one might be considering options for entertainment at a appropriately vintage or Steampunk-inspired wedding.

However, for those looking for something completely different, I present Mr. B, the Gentleman Rhymer (yes, while he’s not quite of the Victorian age, I argue the fit could still be made):

It would take a certain affair and a certain audience, but I feel that Mr. B. would encounter no difficulty providing ample entertainment as he introduces hip-hop to the Queen’s English. Hear hear.

Steersman Moodboard

Steersmen

As Admiral Smythe-Hutchins once astutely noted, “The finest ship of the line doesn’t mean a thing without a steersman at the helm.” The history of the steersman predates the recent revolution of gascience; the first Line steersmen were former captains of sailing ships. Modern steersmen are, of course, not exclusively men as women have been helming airships for decades (the name has remained with the blessing of the female pilots). After four-year apprenticeships as cadets, potential steersmen undergo a series of written and oral examinations (including rigorous etiquette and presentation tests) as well as flight drills. The most infamous of these drills, the Guide Star Loop, has been mastered by only less than 15% of cadets; those that pass the drill as instantly conferred as Commodore Steersmen.

{This entry describes a class of officer, artisan or mystic that populates the fictional Royal Steamline airship fleet. It was written to provide some context for the types and styles of one-of-a-kind dress badges that appear in the Royal Steamline Etsy shop. Also, they were just a lot of fun to write. Please do note that the classes and subsequent descriptions are the intellectual property of Royal Steamline.}

Devolver Moodboard

Devolvers

“In the years that immediately followed the revolutionary discoveries of Chas. Darwin FRS, several noted scientists conferred to debate a hypothesis: if men shared common ancestors, would it not be possible to communicate with animals or even manipulate genetic material to realign genes to produce, either permanently or temporarily, certain animal features or traits? It was an ambitious project, but the Royal College of Devolution has achieved results that even its founders wouldn’t have thought possible. Modern devolutionary scientists (commonly referred to as “devolvers” by crewmen of the Line) use a complex combination of pheromone synthesis, non-verbal sound reproduction and expert pantomime to communicate with a range of birds and mammals (only the most adept have been able to reach other animals such as fish and lizards). Devolutionary scientists report that these communications take the form of “intents and impresssions,” never sentences or conversations. While rudimentary, these connections can result in birds being persuaded to roost when they otherwise might interfere with an airship’s launch, or the discovery of human fugitive hiding in a disgruntled wolf’s den.

However, some devolvers have gone far beyond communication. Some adepts–known as “science monks” due to their monastic hermitage in one of the Crown-granted Genetic Cloisters–have been known, through an arcane combination of meditation, foods, drugs and conventional devolver techniques–to transform their bodies into those of primates, large cats or even stranger beasts. While such transformations typically last anywhere from two days to two weeks, such changes are ultimately unpredictable. While the appellation “science monks” has captured the imagination of the proletariat, it is a gross misnomer as many experienced devolutionary scientists hold distinguished posts in the government of This Great Nation. Typically, devolvers are tall and very thin due to the enormous caloric volume needed to conduct their craft.”

{This entry describes a class of officer, artisan or mystic that populates the fictional Royal Steamline airship fleet. It was written to provide some context for the types and styles of one-of-a-kind dress badges that appear in the Royal Steamline Etsy shop. Also, they were just a lot of fun to write. Please do note that the classes and subsequent descriptions are the intellectual property of Royal Steamline.}

While I couldn’t find anything on the website that discussed on-board ceremonies, I have to imagine that Airship Ventures has been approached as a venue for a wedding in the clouds.

I could go on about this curious company offering a taste of travel from years gone by, but instead I’ll just encourage you to visit their site as it contains a lot of great images, links to testimonials and, of course, booking information. While I can find records of at least two on-board proposals, I still wonder if the 12-person cabin has ever been the scene of a wedding itself. Wouldn’t it be the perfect locale for a Steampunk-inspired affair?