Feathers: It's Not Just a Bunch of Fluff

Do you remember making crafts as a child with feathers? Maybe you traced the outline of your hand on some construction paper and cut it out, embellishing your new “hand-turkey” with big colored feathers and a pair of googly-eyes. Well, feathers (or our knowledge of them) have come along way since then! Feathers are available in so many sizes and styles, and in almost any color scheme, it would be hard not to find something that would work well as fashion, or decoration.

Do you want a little throwback to the older days? A fine feathered fascinator might do just the trick for you! Popular at cocktail parties of the past, and making a comeback to the fashion forward, these small hats adorned with feathers and birdcage netting are sure to draw attention to the wearer, whether she’s the star of the show or a member of the supporting cast.

And let’s not let the feminine side hog all the limelight, boutonnieres can have feathers too! You can still display a masculine quality in a feathered accessory if done right, but still compliment your other half’s feathered finery. If you just don’t know how to make frilly feathers work for the bridegroom, The Test Of Time Weddings can create custom-designed pieces for the soon-to-be-wed and your attendants!

There are a few more reasons why feathers are your friends, when it comes to the DIY crowd, you can make your feathered accessories way in advance! If you’re not sure if you want to include real flowers at all because they’ll just end up dying anyway, you can create bouquets/boutonnieres early and use that precious time within days of the wedding to attend to last minute items. They are a long lasting momento, or can also be a reusable accessory for your wedding party when they spend a night on the town!

Centerpieces, fashion statements, or the old stand-by guest book pen, adding feathers to the flock of fancies at your wedding will give your guests something to be tickled about!

Christmas In July

Many people think of the bbq’s, independence day, and the going to the beach when they talk about plans in the last month of summer, and those are great, but there’s always time to plan ahead and be inspired by Christmas in July

Now you don't have to get carried away and rent a snowman suit for your officiant to wear, because it’s easy to be cheesy with a Christmas themed wedding! If you're looking for a more timeless look, don't overdo it, or at least not in the wrong places! We have some tips on how to keep your wedding from looking like everyone should all be wearing matching holiday sweaters to the event.

To establish your theme inspired by the most wonderful time of the year, start out with your invitations! You can present both classic and Christmas by mixing a traditional damask, with a red ribbon and holly berries, as found in these custom invitations designed by us!

Carry that idea of the red ribbon and berries into your reception with decorative chair tie-backs, and for those who want to inspire future weddings, try adding a sprig of mistletoe to a few chairs, and wait to see what happens!

You can also use the colors of the season to accentuate items like the cake, bouquets and centerpieces, and adding a little sparkle will give them a special touch that reminds us of glistening snow.

We all know it’s the little things that make a big difference,

and in a chilly winter wedding, a hot cocoa bar is sure to be a big hit for young and old alike! Who doesn't smile when topping something off with whipped cream and tiny marshmallows? For those who want something a little stronger than a cinnamon stick in their drink, designate a signature drink to celebrate the

season (and your wedding) with a festive cranberry & vanilla martini!

Last, but most certainly not least, here’s how to overdo it, in all the right ways! Bring the

beauty of winter from outdoors to in, with your own snowy white forest! Covered in lights to brighten the room as if you're in the middle of a winter wonderland, you can go big, or scale it down to fit the room and your budget by taking the DIY approach by getting some curly willow branches and paint them a very wintery white!

And what is Christmas without a kiss under the mistletoe?

Arrrrr!!!!

'Tis National Talk Like A Pirate Day! And to celebrate I bring you some inspiration for when ye captain weds his saucy wench!

Hot Summer Weddings

It is currently 6pm and still 97 degrees outside. Earlier it got as high as 104 degrees, cooler than yesterday. All this crazy heat got me thinking about those couples out there who are getting married this summer (or next summer... great to plan ahead). Here are some wedding ideas to keep you and your guests cool at your wedding.

Parasols - Provide them for your guests or forgo bouquets and have your bridal party carry parasols down the aisle.

Fans also make cute alternatives to bouquets or provide them for your guests as well. You can also make custom fan programs so they do double duty and save you some money.

Offer Boater Hats or Fedoras to your male guests to shade their eyes.

Something that is often overlooked at any outdoor event is Suncreen. Offer a basket full of personalized sample-sized suncreen for your guest. These can also double as favors.

And don't forget refreshments. Keep your guests cool and hydrated with old fashion lemonade! This looks adorable served in mason jars.

And what says summer time more that an Ice Cream Sundae? Provide a variety of toppings including everything from nuts to whipped cream to Oreo cookie crumbles and, of course, cherries and let your guests go crazy! (Also, if anyone knows where to find these amazing Coca-Cola themed labels for the sundae bar, please let me know.)

Most importantly, keep plenty of Ice-Cold Drinks available throughout the event!

And don't forget to BREATHE!

Creative Seating

Who says that you have to have neat little rows of chiavari chairs for your ceremony. Check out some great ideas for unique seating to make your guests feel at home and complete your wedding look.

Rustic benches made of reclaimed wood... Sweet and eco-friendly.









Mismatched sofas. Really make your guests feel at home.







Of course hay bales are the perfect choice for a barn wedding. This is the perfect way to do it.






Picnic blankets are another sweet, vintage look. Pull out Grandma's old quilts or peruse the thrift stores for some real gems.

Super romantic for a beach wedding with some lush pillows.
Or end your night with a classic movie under the stars with your guests. (I wish I had thought of this for my own wedding)

Under The Big Top

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! My mom and I spent the day at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco along with my fiancé and my dad. My whole family are huge Disney fans and love learning about the history of it all. Dumbo was Disney's fourth full length movie and I am sure everyone remembers what it was about. It is one of my favorite Disney movies (though it is impossible to choose just one) and was my favorite ride a Disneyland as a kid.

When trying to think of a theme for my inspiration board this week, I wanted to do something Disney though not the obvious Cinderella/princess wedding with a huge ballgown and tiara. Although beautiful, its been done. I began thinking of Disney's early movies and remembered the lovable baby elephant with the enormous ears that captured out hearts. Its a story about overcoming obstacles and believing in yourself and others. Great messages for the beginning of your life together and besides, isn't life just a big circus!

Its Time To Rock n' Roll!

Starry Eyed

Does your fiancé make you starry eyed? Have a Heaven on Earth Wedding and go over the top glam with fairy lights everywhere. What a perfect theme for a midnight wedding on New Year's Eve! Say your I Dos in a planetarium or atop a hill under a canopy of stars.

Unleash your inner goddess in a Grecian inspired gown with lots of drama! Midnight black details like the wedding favor boxes and the black Calla lily bouquet, bring the darkness of the night sky. Make sure to brighten it back up with lots of bling!



Credits (Clockwise from upper left) - Astro Star Lamp, projects the heavens right into the room; Sisterhood Necklace, the constellation of Pleiades, or the seven sisters is a perfect bridesmaids gift; Goddess Gown; Star Covered Draped Ceiling, echo the night sky with hundred of fairy lights; Midnight Black Favor Boxes, go for the blackest of black; Black Calla Lily Bouquet, love the touch of bling in the wrap; SPARKLERS!, enough said; Wine Bottle Candles, unique and eco-friendly and what a way to drop some jaws!

Sunny Days, Sweeping the Clouds Away

I am truely loving this warm weather we have been having the past couple days! Perhaps I am rushing it a bit, as it is barely spring, but I am diving into summer head first! Today's inspiration come from sunny days on the porch with a glass of lemonade and little kids running through a field of daisies!

Have Your Cake & Eat It Too!

Or have something else!


One of the top trends for 2010 is to break all trends. Who says you have to have a wedding "cake"? Now we have all seen wedding cupcakes by why not wedding pies? This is such a great idea for a casual backyard wedding or a warm holiday wedding. It really brings you back home and brings a reminder of family traditions and down home values.


Now... What about those of you who are fun loving, maybe just a little bit goofy? How about donuts? Yes I said donuts! Pile them into a tiered tower to take the shape of a "traditional" wedding cake or hand them out as to your guests as favors.


Or who says you have to choose just one? You can combine your love of all things sweet (including your fiancé) into one large dessert buffet! Have petit fours, candied apples, chocolate mousse, tarts, crème brûlée, chocolate fountain, or any other delicious favorites of you and your fiancé!

Simply, let your imaginations run wild. Just because Emily and Peggy Post say one thing, doesn't mean that is the only way!

Cootie Catchers!

I just found these online and they are one of the new hot trends this year. Kat's Cootie Catchers have been featured in Style Magazine, New York Weddings Magazine(Summer 2009 issue), and Brides.com! They can be customized with every detail and be used as your program, menu, or just a fun way to entertain your guests with trivia questions about the wedding couple or wedding dares (Ask a stranger to dance!), or a combination of it all! Have a wedding favor that is truely different and guarenteed to wow your guests. You can purchase for about $1 each at Kat's Krafts.

Put it on Ice - Inspiration Board #5

I found this great idea in The Best of Martha Stewart Living: Weddings . There was a beautiful four tiered wedding cake made of ice with chilled jumbo shrimp laying atop each layer like beautiful flowers. Well, how about I just show you the picture?

Isn't it so elegant?! Well, I was inspired. Although ice sculptures can be expensive, they don't have to be. This one is pretty simple to make as they are just blocks. If you have the freezer space, why not? Just get some cake pans in the size that you want fill them with water and freeze.

Now, a few tips as it isn't exactly as simple as making ice cubes.
1. Put the pans in the freezer before adding the water. Once they are filled they can be pretty heavy.
2. Allow them to freeze for at least two full days to make sure they are good and solid.
3. When you are ready, take them out of the freezer and allow them to melt slightly and they are easy to remove. Do NOT run hot water over them as that will cause them to crack.
4. Get creative! Add food coloring or glitter. Or use distilled water for very clear ice.

Now if you are doing tiers like this one, obviously, you can just stack them. Ice is slippery. Drill a couple holes near the center (make sure you measure so your tiers are straight) and insert dowels. Make sure they are strong enough as ice is much heavier than cake.

Have fun!

Now for the inspiration board... All related to ice! So chill out, relax, and enjoy!

Click on it to view it larger.

Big Dreams, Small Budget - Inspiration Board #4

Just because you have envisioned your big day as an large extravigant event, doesn't mean you need to take out a loan to pay for it all. There are many ways to save and still wow everyone, including yourself! Why start you life together with a ton of debt if you don't have to?

Detail for each image clockwise from upper left.

Hydrangra Centerpiece - Simple cut flowers make a beautiful centerpiece. Depending on what flowers you choose, it can work from anything from and casual garden party to and elegant affair. Choosing large blossoms like hydrangeas means you only need a few. Being there is very little "arranging" to these arrangements, they will be much less expensive.

Dress - This dress is from David's Bridal and is currently on sale for $850 yet has a very high-end, designer look. It looks straight off a top designer's runway without the designer price tag.

Invitations - These are through Paper Source where you can get all you paper, envelopes, stamps, etc. for a great price. You can take them into a copy store or some you can even print off your home computer. Need help creating a custom design for you invitations? Email Jeffrey O'Connell. He can create beautiful custom invitations, save-the-dates, favor tags, escort cards, etc. All at a great price!

Lavendar Bridal Bouquet - This one I just fell in love with it! It is so simple you can do it yourself, yet so elegant. And can you just imagine the smell!

Potted Plants Centerpieces - These are, again, such a simple DIY project. Clay pots can be found anywhere. You can buy them in such an array of colors or patterns to fit your decor. Or why not buy plain clay pots and paint them yourself? Then you can fill the pots with any type of flowers that are in bloom. What's best about these is they could double as favors if you include enopugh per table. Or whatever pots your guest don't take, you can have in your garden at home to remember your wedding everyday!
For more info on these two photos click here.

Wedding Cake Alternatives - Who says you have to have cake? There are so many options now. Shown here are cupcakes and tiered puddings or mousse. Arrange sweets on tiered platters. Serve puddings or mousse in champange flutes. When opting out on the cake, remember, it is all about the presentation.

Shoes - These shoes are from Payless and were just $25! If you want something other than white, you can get them custom dyed for about $45!

Make sure to come back tomorrow for step-by-step instructions on a great DIY project!

Love Takes Flight - Inspiration Board #3

A couple years ago, I decided that I was going to go skydiving for my birthday. A couple friends of mine and I drove up to Lodi, CA along with my parents (who would just watch us take the plunge) to check off one more thing on my list of things to do before I die. Yesterday, I received an email from my mom with photos of our jump and was totally inspired.



Yes! That’s me!

I wanted to do an inspiration board this week inspired by flight with birds and bright blues like the sky. However, I thought that the Love Birds theme has been done. I wanted to take it to a whole new level. When searching around on Google, I came across this piece by Vincente-Lucy Knight



I just loved the colors and the freedom captured here. Love and marriage is about flying together. Skydiving was the closest thing I have felt to flying. That is until I fell in love.

A Day At The Beach: Tuesday's Inspiration #2

This weeks inspiration came from a drive I took a couple weekends ago along the coast. All the beautiful colors of the water, the sand, the grasses, and the beautiful trees.

Ole! Inspiration Board #1 - Spanish Flamenco

This is the start of a new weekly segment. Each week we will be featuring a new Inspiration Board with photos for a different wedding theme or color story. These may or may not be of actual weddings we are working on.

This weeks feature is a Spanish Flamenco theme. This is something that was mention during a brainstorm with a past client but this particular theme was not chosen. However, I was very excited about it and flew into ideas head first. I would love to actually be able to execute this idea someday so if you love it, please let me know!