How To Plan A Steampunk Party

In this post, you will get some great tips on how to plan a Steampunk party.  This theme is part of a literary and artistic movement.  It is focused from the Victorian Era (1820-1914) during the industrial age particularly on steam powered technology.  Steampunk popularity started to become popular in the 1990’s as it drew from Victorian-inspired science fiction and the technology advancements of that period.

Steampunk theme has a retro-futuristic Victoriana.  The colors for this theme include:  Brown, Bronze, Brass, Black, White, Silver, Gold, Cream, and Copper.  So since this theme is unusual, decorations are hard to come by.  It is typical that you may have to make many of the decorations yourself.  Although you have to get to creative to pull this theme off, making Steampunk items are so much fun.  Also, coming up with your costume is tons of fun too.  So going with this theme, you will have to have several months to plan (I recommend 6 months unless you have tons of free time), buy, and make what you need.

As a note, in the next few months I will creating several Steampunk party downloads that will be available in my shop.  Additionally, I will post DIY crafting items that you can get step-by-step instructions in my blog.

 

 

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Getting Started Planning A Steampunk Party

To get started with this theme, I recommend brainstorming.  Get a pen and pad and start writing down idea for things you like.  Do searches on the internet and write down websites and ideas you like.  So don’t worry at this point if you have to buy it or make it, just get your ideas down.  After you brainstorm, determine the following:

• Date and time of event
• Determine your budget
• The number of guests
• Location of the event
• What you need to make and what you need to buy
• What food will you make and what will you buy/cater
• Who will help you
• Rentals
• Start shopping for items that you are sure you need to buy or rent

To see my available 2-Liter/Wine Bottle Party Label Downloads, click here:  https://majorgates.com/product-category/2-liter-wine-bottle-labels/

 

Next Steps

You will want a main focal point or table for your party.  This involves a great backdrop or two.  These can be made or purchased.  Consider if you want balloons or how you would embellish the backdrop. So I like to create a couple of focal areas, the dessert table display, a photo area, and another decorative area highlighting the party or event.  So the guests eyes are drawn to these areas and that is where they tend to take the most pictures.

Next, I like to focus on the tables, where your guests will be seated and eating.   Then set the tone for their experience, so if you have a nicely set table with a creative centerpiece, they will love it.  I like to make my centerpieces, so each table can be unique.  But you can also buy centerpieces if you have a larger budget.

 

After I have planned my tables and main backdrop areas, I next plan and create the additional decorations.

 

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Decorations

• Hot Air Balloons

I think making your own hot air balloons are great as decorations and centerpieces.  You can make these with paper lanterns, paper mache, or styrofoam balls.  So make each one unique and consider replacing the basket at the bottom with a boat on some.  Also, don’t forget to gear it up!

 

• Gears 

 

Decorate with gears everywhere.  These can be purchased or made.  Also, you can get these in unfinished wood or make them yourself with poster board.  So, I would suggest if you need a ton of these.  Get some pre-made gears and then trace the number you need in various sizes on poster board, foam board, or other thick medium.  Then paint them in the Steampunk colors to match your theme.  Also, consider getting the charm size gears to decorate accessories, serve ware, cups, etc.

 

• Lighting

The Steampunk era is amplified with warm lighting.  So consider adding mini lamps to tables and around the event space for that extra touch.  You can also add gears to the lamps for an added effect.

 

• Decorate With Victorian Appliances/Devices

 

Get items like an antique typewriter, gramophone, phone, sewing machine, microphone, alarm clock, orbs, hour glass, diving gear, submarine, ship, steam trains, clock faces, pocket watch, globes, bikes, motorcycles, and Steampunk sculptures.  Select a few larger themed pieces to add around your event space.  Just don’t go over board purchasing these items since they are a one time use.  Also, you can always paint the item to make it more vintage if you find what you need.  So depending on your location, you can rent vintage/retro appliances and devices.  Search for “Vintage/retro style props for party rental”.

Think outside the box.  For example, I saw these vintage style piggy banks that would be perfect to add to centerpieces or other table decorations, guests can even keep them afterwards.  Also, to add more fun, they could be prizes for games.

 

• Keys in Various Sizes

Decorate with giant keys in different sizes and styles.  Also, add smaller keys around tables and to your decorations, get creative!

Keys

• Decorative Bottles

Something I love working with is air dry clay and silicone molds in the theme for the party.  So you can make so many things or add decor to regular items.  Add clay molds to decorative bottles, vases, alcohol bottles, paper mace books, trinket boxes, etc.  Then just add the molds and paint in metallic colors for the Steampunk effect.  The look below can be achieved with clay gears or metal charm gears.  You can make as many as you like, and decorate all around the party or event.  Also, the molds are food safe so you make tons of gears out of melted chocolate and decorate the tops of cupcakes.

• Another idea is to antique plastic serving trays, just make sure you are using food safe aging supplies.  Then decorate with small metal charm gears.
• Edison Light Bulbs – where you can, replace regular light bulbs with Edison light bulbs in warm white.  There are also many crafts that you can do by embellishing Edison light bulbs that can be added to painted PVC pipes.

 

Other Steampunk Party Planning

• Entertainment Ideas
  • 360 Photo Booth
  • Regular Photo Booth
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Murder Mystery
  • Victorian Era Trivia
  • Minute to Win It Games

Make your own Photo Booth props or purchase pre-made ones.

 

 

 

• Victorian Era Dress and Accessories

Don’t be shy to ask your guests to dress for the occasion.  Steampunk is such a fun theme and many people have things at home to make their own costume.  For things you don’t have, there are many affordable options available at local stores and on-line.    The style is vintage, Victorian, goth with a touch of romance and industrialism.  Clocks, gears, and dark or mute colors are highlighted in Steampunk fashion.

Victorian Era Steamboat dress includes fun and flirty attire.  Clothing includes:

• Victorian Factory/Industrail Dress
• Umbrellas
• Top Hat
• Corset
• Goggles
• Lace boots
• Gloves
• Telescope
• Gothic Vests
• Tailcoat Jacket/Coat

Overall, have fun!  Plan early and really enjoy your party or event.  This is such a great theme.  There are so many things you can make with PVC pipe, gears, cardboard and keys.  This was such a great time to celebrate inventions in steam power.  So as you come across vintage trains, planes, ships, automobiles, motorcycles, cameras, appliances, etc. pick them up and decorate.  The best part is that each table or decorated area can be different and still fit the theme.

To see my available Jeopardy/Trivia Party Game Downloads, click here:  https://majorgates.com/product-category/jeopardy-trivia/