Sunday, May 12, 2013

My Dream Wedding/ If I Had a Billion Dollars

I've been watching a lot of wedding planning shows on Netflix recently. Partly, this is because I like seeing how other people plan parties, but the biggest reason I watch them, is so I can complain at the television about how I would do things differently. So, while I was laying around in bed, feeling sick, about a week ago, I started coming up with ideas for my perfect steampunk wedding. My premise goes like this:

Since DH and I had only the smallest of courthouse weddings, we deserve a spectacular vow renewal ceremony and (because this is my imagination) we have magically acquired a billion dollars, so that Nothing is out of our price range.

These were our only guests at our real wedding:
 photo IMG_0027.jpg
so for our imaginary wedding, I figure we'll have about 300, not including the performers, who would all be welcome to bring their families and participate in everything, whenever they weren't on stage.

Disclaimer:
I have no claim to the majority of pictures in this post. I found most of them through Google searches for specific items. Sometimes I remembered to post links to the product being offered, but not always.

These would be the invitations:

 photo il_570xN380762325_5i8o.jpg
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111008563/diy-victorian-faux-leather-steampunk


This would be the venue:

The West Baden Springs Hotel in Indiana
 photo i1u9-MANSIONS_WESTBADEN_gallery.jpg

 photo Unknown-1.jpeg
I would have a couple RC airships for people to play with in this big, domed area.

 photo 1.jpg

These are samples of the rooms the guests would be staying in:
 photo west-baden-springs-hotel.jpg

 photo ph_west_baden1.jpg

This is a picture I did take myself when my mom took us there back in 2008:

 photo DSCF0494.jpg

http://www.historichotels.org/hotels-resorts/west-baden-springs-hotel


On the grounds of the resort, there would be a mini-carnival with a tea cup ride,

 photo 4651185570_e4cea327b3_z.jpg

a carousel,

 photo 1105_l.jpg

a test your strength game,

 photo hi-striker-carnival-midway-style-hammer-game-coastal-amusements.jpg

a sideshow style stage that would look something like this structure, but with a stage extending out where the stairs are,

 photo tgod-B-SS-H-7.jpg

and tethered hot air balloon rides.

 photo 451914f2484eff5c5334b17768ce704b.jpg

There already are horse-drawn carriage rides available at the resort.

 photo images-5.jpeg


For refreshments outside, there would be a lemonade stand, making the kind of fresh lemonade that they sell at fairs, and a cotton candy booth, making cotton candy like this:

Daytime:
 photo 6cf6g.jpg

Nighttime:
 photo dcb3e929ffbe1d543dc680bb016c7459.jpg

Inside, there would be a playroom for children, a movie room set up like a small theater with steampunk movies and popcorn, a game room with tables and a variety of board games available, and a fortune teller with steampunk tarot cards.

 photo steampunktarotbarbaramoore.jpg



The children's play room would include the following:

 photo il_570xN385052820_7g5v.jpg
http://www.etsy.com/listing/110506691/handcrafted-wooden-rocking-horse?ref=shop_home_active

 photo KL20236.jpg
 photo yhst-54334793715728_2263_391889453.png
 photo g51100.jpg

 photo il_570xN187168039.jpg

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60120564/the-young-mad-scientists-first-alphabet?ref=pr_shop

 photo 3ef0f467cee630797783df2b7ae607ac.jpg
http://www.etsy.com/listing/111972383/zeppelin-pull-toy-blimp-push-toy-airship

a variety of building toys, such as Gears! Gears! Gears!

 photo prod9205_dt.jpg

a large trunk full of dress-up clothes, a regular mirror and a couple silly mirrors, and a small stage,

a child size table and chairs with a tea party set,

along with a reading corner full of books and pillows.

There would also be a table full of colored pencils, coloring pages and blank paper.




This would be my dress:

In real life, I've been married twice, but never had a real wedding dress.
 photo il_570xN323131543.jpg
http://www.etsy.com/listing/116156856/deluxe-mina-victorian-bustle-wedding?ref=shop_home_active

I don't want to wear a hat or veil. A fascinator would be alright, though. I can't find the perfect one online, but maybe something like this one, except replace the blue feathers with black (or get rid of them completely) and replace the white with dark brown.

 photo ivory_peacock_feather_flower_fascinator_wedding_bridal_1.jpg

These would be my footwear:

 photo dame-115-gpu_1.jpg

I would carry a simple bouquet of cream colored roses, like this one, except with brown, black, and cream ribbons.
 photo bridal-bouquet-image.jpg

My oldest daughter would be maid of honor:

 photo 388665_4660683529454_2098054902_n.jpg

Bridesmaid skirt:

 photo V00006LB.jpg

Bridesmaid corset (with the center panel being black):

 photo il_570xN246412503.jpg

The bridesmaids would also have the blouse shown with the corset.

Bridesmaid shoes:

 photo shoe_mexican_thumbnail.jpg

Instead of flowers for the bridesmaids:

 photo il_170x135237607980.jpg

Mother of the bride's dress:

 photo il_570xN403738502_9zqm.jpg
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117184669/victorian-steampunk-gothic-mardi-gras?ref=shop_home_active

Flower girl outfit:

 photo il_570xN444491412_an94.jpg

 photo il_570xN456851647_nyx3.jpg

The flower girl's shoes would be something like this, except the lace would match the color of the lace on the dress:

 photo il_570xN270353412.jpg
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81605422/toddler-shoes-couture-ballet-flats-beige?ref=shop_home_active


The flower girl's basket:

 photo il_570xN368487172_pcxw.jpg



Blaze would be the ring bearer.

The ring bearer's jacket:

 photo T2eC16hHJHYE9nzpgI-DBQDnMtRhg60_57.jpg

Blaze's hat (but with a brown band, instead of red):
 photo 910b1370c822ee1709e553f1bfbb0512.jpg

The ring bearer's boots:

 photo 1280375.jpg
http://www.liquiwork.com/punk-mens-shoes/1280375.html

The ring bearer would have this pocket watch:

 photo Solar_pocketwatch.jpg
http://muffinskull.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=327&pk_campaign=GoogleShopping

The pillow for the ring bearer to carry  (a ribbon would be added to the middle of the pillow to hold the rings in place):

 photo designalldll.jpeg
http://www.zazzle.com/beautiful_personalized_steampunk_throw_pillow-189608923252018528


Groomsmen vest:

 photo il_570xN283757002.jpg



Groomsmen's hats, but with a black hatband:

 photo images-3.jpeg

The groom does not want to wear a hat.



Groom's vest and tie:

 photo 31RSlfbT2YL.jpg

Groom's suit:

 photo 004678_02.jpg
http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/004678.php

Ring bearer's and Groomsmen's trousers:

 photo 003801_01a.jpg
http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/003801.php

groom's and groomsmen's boots:

These in black
 photo 405681.jpg

http://www.aldenshop.com/Store/DrawProducts.aspx?CategoryID=158&ParentID=94&PageID=&Action=



The bridesmaids, groom, and groomsmen would all carry authentic Elgin pocket watches:

 photo unnamed.jpg

Instead of a regular photo booth, I'd have these people set up in one of the rooms:
http://www.victorianphotostudio.com/
They were at the Battle of Olustee reenactment this year and we were going to have a family portrait taken, but we showed up too late.

There would also be a regular photographer (or two) wandering about, and a videographer.



Reception entertainment:

The League of Steam

 photo LOS-group1.jpg

The Cog is Dead

 photo 247164_10151371945712131_36915232_n.jpg

Abney Park

 photo fss-abney-park-smaller.png

and a DJ



What I was actually working on, while I was laying around in bed feeling sick, scratching away at a blank book, and waiting for the Aleve to start take affect, was a schedule for a weekend-long wedding and celebration. This is what I came up with:

Friday:

3:00 p.m. Guests begin to arrive (airfare and limos would be provided for everyone).

5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tapas and Open bar

These to set the drinks on:
 photo il_570xN301456405.jpg
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90134711/ten-leather-tesla-club-coasters?ref=shop_home_active

Saturday:


9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Playroom and game room open

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. brunch buffet and baristas serving coffee, tea, and smoothies

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Fortune teller available

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. movies and popcorn in a "theater" room

12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tour of the resort available

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Bridal party spa time

11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Tethered ballon rides, carnival rides, and carriage rides.

3:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Tea service, piano player near the fireplace

 photo DSCF0039-1.jpg
http://overthecrescentmoon.blogspot.com/2010/03/leprechaun-hat-cookies.html

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. League of Steam

5:00 p.m. begin seating for the wedding service

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Service and pictures

6:30 p.m. dinner seating begins

I think the compasses used as place cards would fit in nicely with the theme:

 photo bcc24a5920bfd3b0ea5261c2fc2dbefd.jpg
http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/488293/

The tables would be covered in black tablecloths with runners made from this fabric from Spoonflower:

 photo Screenshot2013-05-13at112436AM.png

The centerpieces would be flower arrangements in tall brass vases

7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Dinner

This is what the cake looked like at our real wedding:
 photo Unknown-1-1.jpeg
It's a Raspberry Elegance cake from Publix supermarket. I would actually like our new cake to taste just like that, but be bigger and fancier.

I think I'm leaning towards this one from Charm City Cakes, but have a larger cake underneath it.
 photo 295871_284755004867894_168331253176937_1225758_1131477165_n-e1316638160769.jpg


8:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Open bar

8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. The Cog is Dead performance

9:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. League of Steam entertains during band change.

10:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. Abney Park performance with dancers and aerialists 

11:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. DJ and dancing




Sunday:

9:00 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. playroom and game room open

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. brunch buffet and baristas serving coffee, tea, and smoothies

11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. movies and popcorn in a "theater" room

12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Entertainment on the outdoor stage, carnival rides, carriage rides, and tethered balloon rides.

 Entertainment on the outdoor stage would include tribal belly dancers, fire poi dancers, jugglers, and The Jolly Rogers.
 photo Unknown-1-2.jpeg
DH and I went to the Kansas City Renaissance Faire on our first true "date" and the Jolly Rogers were our favorite act there. 

There would also be a calliope, but not playing where it would interfere with other musical performers:

 photo images-6.jpeg


Extra activities in the area:

Tours of French Lick Resort.
http://www.frenchlick.com/hotels/frenchlick
We went there with my mom a few years ago. This was also where my grandparents went on their honeymoon.
http://overthecrescentmoon.blogspot.com/2008/12/hidden-treasures.html

There is a railway museum that was just preparing to open in 2008, when we were there.

 photo DSCF0480.jpg

 photo DSCF0490.jpg

http://www.frenchlickscenicrailway.org/Information-Station.html

There is also a horseback riding stable close to the West Baden Springs hotel:
http://www.visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com/outdoors/the_stables_at_french_lick/

3:00 - 5:00 Tea service and tea dueling

 photo DSCF0012-1.jpg
http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/profiles/blogs/cheese-gears

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Jules Verne/ International themed buffet dinner: Around the World in 80 Dishes

This would look awesome on the ceiling for the Jules Verne dinner. It's a rented parachute, but I think it looks very balloon-like.

 photo a7bf4efb39fc32e51e1f08ec79f00de1.jpg


7:00 p.m. -1:00 a.m. Open bar

9:00 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. fireworks

9:30 p.m. Lantern launch

 photo Thai-Sky-Lanterns1.jpg

9:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. illuminated garden

10:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Fire dancers outside

Monday:

8:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. breakfast buffet

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Candy buffet (for goodies to take on the road):

 photo il_570xN370430332_jjq3.jpg

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82140499/25-chocolate-steampunk-gears

 photo yhst-54334793715728_2262_467262837.png

http://www.gadgetsandgear.com/mustache-lolipops.html

 photo yhst-54334793715728_2259_151563947.png

http://www.gadgetsandgear.com/absinthe-mints.html

 photo yhst-54334793715728_2260_119167048.png

http://www.gadgetsandgear.com/cthulhu-mints.html

Chocolate and white chocolate airships (I have the mold for these)

 photo DSCF0004-2.jpg


The candy buffet would also include mini Reese's, salt water taffy, licorice all-sorts, colorful rock candy, Jelly Bellies in assorted flavors, sour cherry balls, caramels, root beer barrels (for Ula), a variety of colorful stick candy, maple nut goodies, Pocky, and custom printed M&Ms.

12:00 p.m. check out time


I'm sure I'm forgetting some aspect of a wedding, and I have no idea who would officiate, but there you have it, my dream wedding.






2 comments:

Sandra B. said...

I think your dream wedding would be fantastic and a lot of fun. I am not sure I would want to do a full wedding again, but I would like to travel to different countries and get married on different days. I think that could be fun.

Laura Morrigan said...

What amazing ideas! You have it all so perfectly planned out! I hope you somehow, someday have this perfect wedding. I will wish for you to win the lottery or something :P

I really want to have my own steampunk wedding one day! I have the man, but not the money, yet. I want that fairyfloss too! Right now!

Crafty Crow