An Elegant Steampunk Styled Shoot
A Wedding Celebrant’s Perspective
A while ago I took part in an Elegant Steampunk styled shoot. It’s quite unusual for a celebrant to take part in a styled shoot, so when Victoria from The Wedding Emporium invited me to be involved, I jumped at the chance.
It was the first time that I’d taken part in a styled shoot, so I had no idea what to expect!
The theme of the photoshoot was Elegant Steampunk, it was to be shot by Matt, from Matt Curtis Photography at the beautiful Holbrook Manor, both inside the stunning Georgian House and also in the gardens.
Adding Elements to Personalise the Ceremony.
In order to show how a celebrant can really make a wedding ceremony unique and memorable, I was asked to perform a handfasting and also a Unity Candle Ceremony.
An Elegant Steampunk Handfasting.
I was given the style, colours and costumes of the Steampunk styled shoot. This enabled me to match the handfasting ribbons accordingly.
I used about eight very long ribbons, in red, white, black , silver and gold. All the textures were different, a mixture of silk and lace and brocade, with tassels and cogs and dangly Steampunk things.
The Bride and Groom, models Keira Mayhew and Kelly Merritt, clasped their left hands and I wrapped the ribbons around them.
The handfasting ribbons were so long they wrapped around their clasped hand about 4 times, reaching to their wrists.
As this was a styled photoshoot, we had to stop at that point for Matt to take his pics!
Personalising your Wedding with a bespoke Handfasting Ceremony
This brilliant example shows how your handfasting ribbons can be unique to you and match the colours and style of your wedding.
During a wedding ceremony, each ribbon can be wrapped around the couple’s hands by family members or friends and can represent your values, your promises, the eight elements of nature, whatever is significant to you as a couple.
I tied it all the handfasting ribbons together with a copper-coloured, plaited unity cord.
The Happy Couple Handfasted !
This is a beautiful shot of the ‘happy couple’, and their Elegant Steampunk Handfasting, with their beautiful bridesmaid, Holly Gilbert-Eastwood, looking on.
All the accessories were designed and made by Tessa’s Tiaras and the hair and makeup by Hepcats Barbershop and Beauty Parlour
BLESSING OF THE HANDS
A perfect peice to be read during a handfasting
These are the hands of your best friend, supportive and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future together.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you and comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when you have nightmares or when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will wipe the tears from your eyes every time;
These are the hands that will affectionately hold your children and protect your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength and encouragement whenever you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled, will still be reaching for yours as they are in this very moment.
Rev Daniel L. Harris
An Elegant Steampunk Unity Candle Ceremony.
Unity Candle Ceremonies have long been used in Catholic weddings, but as a traditional ceremony option they also hold a universal meaning.
It symbolises the joining of the couple in marriage as well as the joining of their two original families. The couple’s mothers can light their individual candles for them as a symbol to show that they are moving on from their family to create a new family together
Decorating the Candles for the Elegant Steampunk Photoshoot
Although, in this case, the candles were only props for the shoot, I greatly enjoyed decorating them to suit the theme.
I went into an old junk shop and on telling the owner that I was was looking for some steampunk things to decorate candles, he opened up a drawer and pulled out a large icecream tub full of old wristwatch faces, and tiny old cogs and sprockets and lots of other curious things!
And, he told me that I was more than welcome to them and would be doing him a favour by taking them off his hands!!
I decorated gold candles to fit the theme, and placed the Unity Candle on a crystal decanter half full of whisky – yes, its not cold tea!
I even had enough cogs to wrap around the vows that were printed on parchment.
This is a pic I took of the finished candles.
I think it shows how much I enjoy personalising each part of a wedding ceremony to make it truly unique.
The Elegant Steampunk Styled Shoot
The photoshoot was great fun and an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to spend the day with some very talented professionals from the wedding industry.
For my six top tips for writing your own wedding vows – click here !!
For my six top tips for reading your wedding vows – click here !!
T's & C's
- Pricing
- GDPR Policy
- Cookie Policy
- Booking
Ceremonies
Links
Get in Touch
- Carol@somersetcelebrant.com
- +44 (0) 7530 570 943
Member of the
