Let me be the first to say I absolutly adore steampunk. It’s the perfect marring for edge, urban style and pretty archaeological goodies. I loves it to much, I even wrote a steampunk novel (which is currently being considered by HarperCollins voyager, yay!)

I know many people out there are planning steampunk weddings, so I thought we might throw our collective brains out there to try and come up with a few venue suggestions.

Historic railroads and train museums often take the refitted trains for short runs. Why not ring around your nearest historic railroads and see if they could accommodate a wedding? You could hold the ceremony in the station than all the guests could hop on board for a scenic train journey, perhaps stopping for a picnic or dinner.

If trains don’t appeal, I suggest looking around your local known and not-so-well-known museums and art galleries. Last year, CDH and I visited the Powerhouse museum in Sydney, which is a converted victorian pumphouse housing industrial art, turn-of-the-century science exhibits and fascinating moving replicas of important inventions. The whole place had an amazing steampunk vibe.

I used to work at the Howick Historical Village, a quaint 20th century living history museum in Howick, Auckland, New Zealand. The museum featured around 30 buildings arranged as a village, complete with tiny chapel (hired for weddings), a stable, a school, general store, pub and forge. Hiring the church and cafe for a wedding and shooting your portraits throughout the beautiful villiage was an extremely affordable way to totally immerse your guests in a steamy world.

In the spirit of steampunk adventure, why not begin your marriage with a daring ride and ceremony on board a hot-air balloon? Perfect for the couple who prefer to be alone while speaking their vows – and who aren’t afraid of heights.

And if you crave a steampunk adventure but you ARE afraid of heights, you could always try hiring a boat, for a nautical steampunk pirate adventure wedding. Telescopes, admiral’s jackets, swords and dancing on deck!

You can find boats for hire through local boat clubs, or maritime museums (who often have historic vessals for cut-throat prices).

A note of caution however – even if you or your husband have sea legs, many of your guests may not, and a day aboard a windy boat may not be the pleasent, fun romp you imagine.

So steampunkers, I’ll hear no words about the impossibility of finding appropriate venues! They do exist, and often, they’re cheaper than ponsy-ass normal ‘wedding venues’ the rest of us choose from.

Is anyone else out there planning a steampunk wedding at a unique venue? Does anyone know of any other cool ‘steamy’ venue ideas? If so, spill the goss! Don’t leave us all hanging by our spats!