Steampunk Wedding

Pack your bags we're headed on an adventure... into the wilds of the Catskill mountains! The occasion, our dear friends' Steampunk Wedding! Steampunk, you ask? Here is Wikipedia's definition. Weddings are always a joyful celebration, but this one has some very special elements that had my whole family giddy as we drove through the rolling hillsides of fall foliage. Our closest friend (J), loved and adored by our entire family, was marrying his soulmate (V). Because they are each so creative and dynamic it was sure to be quite an event. They live in the city (NYC), but escape to the Catskills regularly, so it seemed to be the perfect backdrop with the turning leaves. Steampunk gives lots of room for your own interpretation when creating a costume, so I had so much fun searching in my attic and hunting at the local antique shops.

When we got to the mountain inn that would hold the ceremony, reception, and our room for the night, we excitedly went off to change. In a moment of horror (no exaggeration when you're eleven!), we realized that we had forgotten my son's suit by the front door... of our house. Panic turned to determination.Our family motto: there is a solution to everything rang in my ears... and out loud as my husband, cheered me on. Mom will figure something out. I'd like to think of it as my Project Runway moment. What do we have in the suitcase that we can rig up in 20 minutes. A screwdriver punched a hole in my belt to fit his smaller waist. A charcoal turtleneck always works like a charm, luckily I had one for the next day and we're almost the same size. Dad's sport coat became a trench and my grandmother's antique choker tranformed into a psyeudo stop watch. Because everyone was in costume, no one had a clue that we had whipped this outfit up out of the blue.

The ceremony took place in a valley surrounded by hydrangeas and hillside of patchwork trees lit up by the setting sun.

The bride is a costume designer for NYC theater. A previous production is what had introduced her to Steampunk, to begin with. You know how there is a hush when the bride walks down the aisle? Each and every guest had been so excited to see what V would come up with for her gown, that her grand entrance was accompanied by ooohs and aahhhs, instead. We all were blown away by her masterpiece... designed and constructed singlehandedly by V.

V used the lace shawl from her grandmother's wedding to create the removable front bustle. Her accessory: a vintage parasol skeleton. I loved that! As she was escorted by both of her parents, a beautiful piece (composed by the groom for this moment), was played by a friend in the background. The ceremony was the kind that made my heart sing and be thankful for all of the love in my own life... and rejoice in a new journey for two people I couldn't love more!

Look at that joy!

Weddings hold so much promise and magic.

And then there's always the celebrating. My kids could have danced all night. That little girl soon moved on from her adoring father... to someone of proper height for serious dancing.


I'll be adding more pictures to flickr and I've heard whispers of a flickr group dedicated to the entire wedding. There were so many amazing costumes and cameras clicking like crazy. WE LOVE YOU J & V!! Congratulations!