What Inspires Me: My Muses

I'm inspired by my surroundings. Store windows. Product displays.

By what I chose to read (or flip through). Menus. Cookbooks. Print magazines.

Catalogs.

By what I pick up: product packaging, vintage postcards, and more. By what I read or see online, blogs, online-only magazines, websites, advertisements, videos, and more.

Over the past year and a half, I've been snapping photos and clipping pages to serve as inspiration for our wedding album (as well as our gift to our parents). Sunday, cubes and I will be celebrating our 6-month wedding anniversary and the month after going on our honeymoon. In January, I set a goal for myself that before we left for our honeymoon our wedding album and the gifts for our parents would be completed and in our hands; I'm rapidly running out of time. For the next few weeks, I'm going to focus on those projects. While I do so, A Timeless Affair, will go on a brief hiatus. You can bet when we return I'll have lots to share! We'll also have a new URL - more on that later once the hosting transfers are all complete. Thank you all for your support and see you soon!

Credits: Images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

What Inspires Me: Shells, Part 2

I think shells are a delightful accent, especially when they've been collected by the couple or remind them of a first date spent sitting on a nearly deserted beach enjoying a sunset.

The shells in our house are from my travels across the US - California, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. There are other shells in the collection that were purchased from the Shell Shoppe in Morro Bay when we visited my grandparents. As I said earlier, the shells you find in our place are part of my story, not our story. (If you follow my food blog, you'll get a glimpse at my collection next week.)

If shells are part of your story and you'd like to include them in your wedding, here are some things other couples have done.

Credits (from left to right): Styling by Flowers on the Green, spotted on Sparkle & Hay; Martha Stewart Weddings by Sandals Resorts - Seaside Serenade Package, spotted on I "Do It" Yourself; Photographed by Erin and Fredrick of Aregrayline Photography, spotted on Delightfully Engaged. 

Credits: Left - Photographed by Henry + Masci Photography, spotted on Glamour and Grace Weddings. Middle Top - Design & Styling Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations (via Lollipop Event & Design), photographed by John Schnack, spotted on Alchemy Fine Events Blog; Bottom - Photographed by Brett Harkness, spotted on Love My Dress. Top Right - Photographed by Jonathan Wherrett, spotted on Polka Dot Bride; Flowers by Wedding Flowers by Nichole, photographed by Geneve Rege, spotted on Ruffled.

Credits (from left to right): Photographed by Brett Harkness, spotted on Love My Dress; Cake by Veronica's Sweetcakes, photographed by Henry + Masci Photography, spotted on Glamour and Grace Weddings; Cake by Casual Gourmet, photographed by Geneve Rege, spotted on Ruffled. 

Did you incorporate shells into your wedding? How?

What Inspires Me: Shells

Pottery Barn's Summer Catalog arrived in the mail yesterday and I'm in love. If you've ever been to our place, you'd notice shells tucked into all sorts of corners. On a shelf in our linen closet. On top of built-in drawers. On a ledge above our shower. (We didn't incorporate shells into our wedding as shells are my thing, not our thing, as I grew up less than a couple of miles from the Pacific Ocean.)

If you're planning a summer beachside wedding, flip through the pages of this season's Pottery Barn catalog. There's some neat ideas that you could use for an escort table display or for your centerpieces.

Pottery Barn's Summer 2011 Catalog

Where do you draw inspiration from?

If you're looking for ideas of how shells have been used in weddings, check back this afternoon for Part 2 of this post.

{Green} What Inspires Me: Eco-Friendly Florals

If you're crafting your own wedding, handmade florals can add a special touch. First I must caution you - it takes a lot of time. We tried a few tutorials and came up with some spectacular mis-shaped wads of paper that looked as if we'd plucked them from the recycling bin. We also came up with some gorgeous pinwheels. The one from our step-by-step DIY walk through got demolished by our cat. They also took a really long time. Needless to say, you only saw one pinwheel at our wedding. We opted for a combination of Real Touch Silk and locally grown, real flowers.

Those weddings that chose to do something different for their florals grab my attention. Maybe it's the effort that goes into dreaming up and bringing that vision to reality that I appreciate. (If you're curious what goes into making these flowers, check out My Favorites posts from the past two weeks which showcased tutorials for fabric and paper flowers.)

The obvious place to start is with the bride's bouquet and the groom's boutonniere. 

Credits: Top Row (from left to right) - Paper Bridal Bouquet handmade by Wire & Paper and Ring Shot, photographed by KIM+PHIL Photography, spotted on Weddings Fresh. Fabric Bridal Bouquet, photographed by Candice and Mark of Mark Brooke Photography, spotted on Green Wedding Shoes. Bottom Row (from left to right) - Fabric Boutonniere, photographed by Candice and Mark of Mark Brooke Photography, spotted on Green Wedding Shoes; Paper Boutonniere photographed by KIM+PHIL Photography, spotted on Weddings Fresh; Paper photographed by Pat Furey, spotted on Project Wedding.

Besides on the wedding party, flowers can appear almost anywhere, sprinkled throughout your venue to tie your day together.

Credits: Left Images (top to bottom) - Branches with Paper Flowers and Butterflies, photographed by Emma Case, spotted on Love My Dress; Giant Paper Flowers, photographed by Ali Degraff Photography, spotted on Green Wedding Shoes. Center Images (top to bottom) - Paper flowers made from book pages, spotted on Ruffled, top photo photographed by Feather Love, bottom photo photographed by Jenna of Flutter Glass. Right Images (top to bottom) - Table styled by Lo Bjurulf of Agent Bauer, spotted on Bustled Blog; Paper Flowers, photographed by For You Love Me, spotted on Ruffled.

Other places paper flowers or fabric flowers can appear: around or on the cake. At individual place settings. Or on the ring bearer's pillow.

Credits (from top to bottom, left to right): Photograph of Bride and Groom Cake Topper, photographed by For You Love Me, spotted on Ruffled; Cake flowers, photographed by James Bass, spotted on The Sweetest Occasion; Floral napkin rings, photographed by Caspix Photography, spotted on Ruffled; Ring bearer pillow, photographed by Ben and Maddie Haisch, spotted on Green Wedding Shoes.

One thing you should note. If you're not using treeless, responsibly made materials or out-dated phonebooks or old books, substituting paper for real flowers might not be better for the environment than choosing locally grown, pesticide-free flowers. With the exception of the giant paper flowers, most of the brides and grooms featured used scrap materials.

What Inspires Me: Washi Tape

Palette made with washi tape from Leslie Shrewring of A Creative Mint's Inspiration Book for decor8

In January I fell in love with washi tape. You'd think it was a creative packaging idea that captured my heart. Nope. It was a page from Leslie's inspiration book that she created for her Color Me Pretty column. Since then I've been looking for projects where I can use washi tape (as well as an excuse to buy some).

Love washi tape too? Looking to use it in your day? The possibilities are endless. Garlands. Cupcake Flags. Signage.

Credits (from left to right, top to bottom): Washi Tape Garland by PaperKlip Design featured on PoppyTalk, pinned by Donna Shin on Pinterest via maedchenmitherz; Cupcake Flags spotted on Creative Odds n' Ends, photographed by Krystin Talbot; Jessica of Hostess with the Mostess and her husband Lincoln.

Favor bags. Invitations.

Credits: Jessica of How About Orange, spotted on Paper Crave; box64studios gift certificate by Kelly Lynette Stephens, spotted on Paper Mojo's blog; Allie of Allie Ruth Design spotted on Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Feeling crafty? Create favor bags (DIY at How About Orange). Cover pencils or pens with tape for your guestbook or for wedding favors (DIY at Margot Madison Creative). Transform neutral candles (DIY at Margot Madison Creative).

What Inspires Me: Cameras

It's no surprise that a photographer would love cameras. It's even less of a surprise that a collector of vintage items would love vintage cameras. So of course I'd eventually feature cameras in my What Inspires Me column.

If you also love cameras, there are many ways you can incorporate them into your wedding. In your table design. As stands for table numbers or design elements on your tables.

Credits (Top Row, left to right): Camera Photo Stand by Decole from Japanese Gift Market, $6 ea. Photographed by Mandy Lynne Photography and Alisia K. Photography spotted on Magnolia Rouge. Bottom Row: Photographed by Kate Harrison spotted on Green Wedding Shoes. 

Credits (Top Row, left to right): Photographed by Mandy Lynne Photography and Alisia K. Photography spotted on Magnolia Rouge. Photographed by nBarrett Photography spotted on Postcards & Pretties. Bottom Row, left to right: Photographed by Tyler Branch Photography found via Green Wedding Shoes. Photographed by Taryn and Shelby of Joielala Photographie spotted on Ruffled.

As place cards. As artwork.

Credits (Top Row): Film and Polaroid Artwork by Joana Rosa Braganca spotted on Creature Comforts. Bottom Row (left to right): Paper cameras by Mel Stringer, $4 ea, spotted on Paper Crave. Photographed by Aimee & Troy Grover spotted on the found blog.

As props in your photos.

Credits (Top Row): Photographed by Studio Sixty Photography spotted on Polka Dot Bride. Bottom Row: Photographed by Jenny Sun Photography spotted on I 'Do It' Yourself. 

What Inspires Me: Stitching

Straight stitches. Zig zag stitches. It makes no difference. Seeing stitching on paper just thrills me. Mockups for our programs and our wedding favors included stitching.

Now, unless you have a very intimate wedding, lots of free time on your hands, or tons of money to pay someone else to do it, admire from a far. I love stitching because it implies hands touched these. Each item was lovingly crafted.

We opted to skip the stitching. We had 134 guests and were planning on stitching belly bands to 100 programs (skipped) and stitching patchwork covers for 121 wedding favors (postponed and scaled back). While the plan was to sew in a line, nothing fancy, any way you sliced it, the task was daunting.

Was there a detail that you loved from a far?
Or did you nearly go crazy trying to DIY everything?

Credits: Tea bags photographed by Lovely Indeed, spotted on The Sweetest Occassion. Heart cake toppers by Ashley Meaders, photographed by Meagan Gibson, spotted on Once Wed. Thank you cards designed by A Fine Press, photographed by Clayton Austin, spotted on Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Credits: Stitched address labels designed by Mrs. Dachshund, spotted on Weddingbee. Birdseed toss packets photographed by Kristina Hill Photography, spotted on Emmaline Bride. Favor envelopes spotted on Hostess with the Mostess.

Credits: Invitations designed by PAPERooT, photographed by Thompson Poole Photography, spotted on Inspirations & Creations. Notecards spotted on Just Something I Made. Burlap wedding invitations designed by Amanda at The Blue Envelope, photographed by Chris Berneking, spotted on Oh So Beautiful Paper. Programs designed by Kelli Murray, photographed by Erica Schneider, spotted on Green Wedding Shoes.

Credits: Place cards and Buffet Item placards designed by PAPERooT, photographed by Thompson Poole Photography, spotted on Inspirations & Creations.  Menus photographed by Braedon Flynn, spotted on Snippet & Ink.   

What Inspires Me: Books #2

I love seeing books at a wedding, especially if the venue speaks to books or books are part of the couple's story. Imagine a wedding held in a library or a study. Think of high school sweethearts who met for the first time in the library.

Books remind me of my mother and my father. When I was growing up, my dad would read to my mom. He also read to us. The four of us would gather round him on the couch and hear tales of Alice and a white rabbit. Of a Hobbit.

There's so many ways books can be incorporated into a wedding. With the invitations.

Credits (left to right clockwise): Letterpress invitations designed by Brad and Sara at Constellation & Co. spotted on Paper Crave; Book invitations spotted on Paper Mojo; Antique book-inspired invitations designed by Jennifer Lane Graphic Design, photographed by Rachael Nicole Photography, spotted on Oh So Beautiful Paper.

As table numbers and centerpieces.

Credits (left to right clockwise): Wooden table numbers photographed by Jen Huang Photography, spotted on 100 Layer Cake; Scrabble table numbers photographed by Jeff Wallace, spotted on The Sweetest Occasion from Green Wedding Shoes; Table display photographed by Sloan Photographers, spotted on Ruffled.

Did you have books at your wedding? How did you feature them?

What Inspires Me: Escort Cards #2

Today's escort cards and displays would be perfect for a rustic, vintage affair.

Card catalog photographed by Erin Hearts Court, spotted on 100LayerCake. Tags photographed by Kelli Jane Photography, spotted on Every Last Detail. Clothespins on the spokes of a bicycle photographed by Ewan Phelan of The Last Forty Percent, spotted on Green Wedding Shoes. Postcards photographed by W. Scott Chester, spotted on Green Wedding Shoes.

What Inspires Me: Vintage Stamps

As a child I collected cancelled stamps. My first were stamps from Italy that my great grandmother gave me.

Credits (from top left to bottom left clockwise): Sarah Rusin Design photographed by Amanda of Turtle Pond Photography via Inspirations & Creations; Designed by Sarah Parrot with Calligraphy by Grace Edmands, photographed by Fat Orange Cat Studio via The Sweetest Occasion; Magnolia Rouge; Invitation designed by Nicole Tremblay and printed by Studio on Fire via Green Wedding Shoes.

For a wedding, this look can be more expensive than having stamps custom printed. If you're going for a vintage theme and want the details just right, you can go it alone (assembling collections via eBay or Etsy) or work with a stationer. I'd say no one notices the details, but I'd be lying. Our guests noticed our stamps.

Where to Get the Look (from top left to bottom left clockwise): Penny for Thoughts Stamps for 10 Letters from Verde Studio, $10; Puppy Love Stamps for 10 letters from Treasure Fox, $8.50; Rose Love Stamps for 10 letters from Treasure Fox, $8.50; Heart-Shaped World Stamps for 5 letters from Verde Studio, $6.25.

Check out Verde Studio on Etsy for curated collections as well as custom orders or The Paper Nickel Stamp Co (discovered on The Blah, Blah, Blahg via Snippet & Ink).

Do you have any tips for assembling a collection of unused vintage stamps?
Any vendors brides should know about?

What Inspires Me: Wooden Crates #2

We had a gorgeous Saturday (and Monday for those who were in the city, it was a little grey out in the East Bay) here in San Francisco and that got me thinking of Spring and of picnics. 

In my previous inspiration post on crates, I showed how they could be used as part of your centerpieces or table decor. I also highlighted how they could be used as part of a buffet. 

What about using them when you need a piece of furniture and you just don't want to haul that chest of drawers out to your field? Stack crates on their sides to showcase escort cards or wedding favors. Be sure to secure them to each other so that they don't accidentally topple over. Also weight the bottom crates to keep the structure from being top heavy.

Facing restrictions on taping or nailing items to walls or trees? Maybe you don't have any trees available. Try stacking crates to inform guests of what's available to eat.  Or use them to direct your guests to the meadow where you've set up picnic tables.

Photography Credits (Left to right clockwise): Elizabeth Messina via Green Wedding Shoes; Joielala Photographie via Ruffled; Dave Robbins Photography via True Event; Glen Allsop via OnceWed.

Looking for other ways to use vintage crates? Daniel and Valeria from Hindsvik wrote a great guest post on Poppytalk to get you inspired.

Did you use crates at your wedding? How did you find them - Etsy or local flea markets?

What Inspires Me: Bouquets #2

Who says you have to have flowers? Even in the 1950s, women were crafting paper bouquets.

How to Make a Lovely Bouquet of Dennison Crepe Paper, Copyright 1950

If paper flowers aren't your thing there are other alternatives. Getting married at Coney Island, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk or the Santa Monica Pier? What about cotton candy for your bridesmaids' bouquets or bouquets of rock candy swizzle sticks?

Looking for something a little more elegant? Have you considered brooches or feathers? Want a rustic feel? What about cotton? Or pine cones?

Here are some alternatives that I came across. Depending on the style of your wedding one might work for you.

Did you have an eco-friendly bouquet? What did you chose?

Photography Credits (top to bottom clockwise): Feather Bouquet by Emplume via TrendHunter; Pinecone Bouquet in the Snow, Jenny Haas via Green Wedding Shoes; Pinecone Bouquet via Once Wed (with tutorial); Cotton Bouquet, Fernanda Petelinkar of Fernanda e Sharon Fotografia de Casamento via Ruffled; Rock Candy Swizzle Sticks Bouquet, Red Ribbon Studios via The Hostess with the Mostess; Vintage Brooches and Feather Bouquet, The Last Forty Percent via Green Wedding Shoes. 

What Inspires Me - Cake Stands

Growing up I spent a lot of time exploring the halls of the De Young Museum in San Francisco. There I discovered Wayne Thiebaud. 

In addition to gum ball machines (Three Machines is on display at the De Young), he painted other sweets. Among these delights were Bakery Counter (1962) and Cakes (1963).

Every time I see a cake or dessert table at a party or a wedding reception, I think of Wayne Thiebauld.

Photography Credits (from top left clockwise): James Moes via 100 Layer Cake; 

Ashley Rose Photography via Green Wedding Shoes; and Punam Bean Photography via Ruffled.
Where to get the look: 10" Diameter Harp Motif Depression Glass 4" Tall Pedestal Cake Stand from Cheshire Cat Antiques $28; 12" Diameter 4" Tall Silverplate Cake Pedestal from Fearless Nesting $12; 1940s 10" Diameter Ice Blue Glass Harp 5" Tall Pedestal Cake Stand from Cheshire Cat Antiques $35.

ProTip: Be sure to include cake stand(s) on your decor list. I hadn't even thought about what our cake would sit on. Luckily Cafe Gratitude had a perfect stand they were able to lend us.

With a little searching on Etsy or your local thrift shops, you can set your table for almost any look at $100 or less. Not only is this budget-friendly, it's also eco-friendly.

What Inspires Me - Vintage Postcards

No one wants a simple guestbook any more. For the vintage bride there's a couple of ideas for using vintage postcards as a "guest book."

Photography Credit: Left: Jill Thomas via Green Wedding Shoes; Right top: Wildflowers Photography via Ruffled; Right bottom: Ken Kienow via Snippet & Ink.

Guests can write messages to the bride and groom on postcards that relatives then send monthly to the couple. Or guests can add their messages and tack them on a clothes line.

Are you combining a love of vintage paper goods into your wedding?  

What Inspires Me: Throw Pillows

Photography Credit: Jagger Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

I absolutely love pillows. We (that is I) had planned to soften our venue with handmade plush throw pillows in neutral colors (black, grey, and ivory). (If you’re so inspired to make your own pillows instead of buy them, check out Apartment Therapy’s Easiest Throw Pillow tutorial.) When it became time was something we didn't have enough of (and our budget prohibited the purchase of), we jettisoned the pillows.

Are you using pillows in your decor?
What are you planning on doing with them afterwards?

Pillows can add a splash of color to an otherwise monochromatic venue. (I think turquoise, Pantone’s color of the year for 2010, was a tad overused in weddings last year.)

Photography Credit: Gene Ho Photography via Completely Unveiled

Photography Credit: Michele M. Waite via Inspirations & Creations

They can bring together an eclectic mix of furniture for a shabby chic or bohemian look.

Photography Credit: Jill Thomas via Snippet & Ink

Photography Credit: Love Ala via Green Wedding Shoes

They can create a seating area where there was none.

Photography Credit: Amy & Stewart via Snippet & Ink

They can tie seating areas together by spelling out words or the couple's initials.

Via Apartment Therapy

Image courtesy of My Sparrow Stylish Responsibility

What Inspires Me: Winter

Photography Credit: Unknown; Beamish Museum Archive

It's been awhile since I highlighted weddings or details that catch my eye. As most of the country is experiencing bitter cold, I found myself thinking of snow and vintage fur. Here are some wintery weddings.

Photography Credit: Denise of Akemi Designs

Photography Credit: Stephanie Williams Photography via What Junebug Loves!

Photography Credit: Bill Dempsey

Photography Credit: Meg Perotti via Glamour and Grace

Photography Credit: Hector Photo via Whimsical Wonderland Weddings