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… are really hard to find. Well, feathered fans are actually easy to find, but the perfect ones I’ve imagined in my head for my girls to rock instead of flower bouquets? Not so much.
I’d like a feathered fan that is ideally 11″x15″, or 15″x15″. Most of the feathered fans I’ve found are larger. They’re about this size:
Those fans are about 29 inches wide, and 15 inches in height. The problem is that I don’t want them so big they obscure the dresses or the waists of the girls. I’ve seen tons of burlesque fans. These are the Sally Rand kinds that come in pairs, their purpose being to cover the body. As you can imagine, those are a bit too big…
Further, I’m not looking for the wooden handle-style fan, because while they’re very pretty and the proper size, I’d like some snappy sass coming from the fans. So sadly, the wooden handle fans are out of the running.
My other beef with the fans I’m finding? The plastic staves (the functional, snappy part of the fan) tend to come in white or ivory. For some reason, I really don’t like the look of them.
Then I learned about bamboo staves that are (duh) made out of bamboo and have a nice, dark wood look to them. PERFECT! That is, it would be perfect if I knew how to make a fan and could find the proper stave size to create these mystery fans.
I’ll keep up the hunt for medium sized, bamboo staved, white feather fans; if I can’t find them I’ll try my hand at making them. This may mean you could be seeing a tutorial post from me covered with glue gun burns and feathers. I’ve seen websites where burlesque dancers make their own fans, so I might just contact those saucy ladies for some tips on feather fan creation to pass along to you! Wish me luck!
Have you had a wedding detail you created in your head that you just couldn’t find?
I think making them might be the perfect route! You’d be one trailblazing D’orsay, and the fans would be super special, as you’d have crafted them all for each of your girls. If you’re looking for affordable, high-quality, DIY’s often the easiest way to go. 
Good luck!
YES!!! I had been looking for FOREVER for the right kind of placecard holders for our “poker” themed wedding and was not satisfied with anything out there on the market. Finally, with the help of FH, we just created our own with old poker chips and they came out great! I’ll do a post on the boards soon on them! Hope you find/make what you’re looking for!
If you’re not sure how to make one, I’d try Etsy. They’ve got an awesome section that allows customers to request an item, and sellers bid on the opportunity to make it for you. http://www.etsy.com/alchemy/
I want those burlesque fans!!!! (not for the wedding! you get the picture.) 
You could always paint the handle of the wooden fans and then cover them in rhinestones! That would definitely add a little pizzaz!
I pictured the perfect shoes for my engagement shoot, but can’t find them anywhere! It’s so frustrating! Good luck with your fan search.
Would it be possible to paint the handles of the other fans to make them closer to what you want? It could be a functional last resort, if it came to that. You could even personalize that by painting each girl’s initial onto her fan handle!
The bride in that first photo has one of my favorite wedding bios. It’s just stunning.
OH MY GOD YOU HAVE NO IDEA. I’m an expat living in South America. I work at an observatory in Chile. I’m getting married in Oregon in September. And you know what kind of options Chile has for paper (say… invites?)? Basically cheesy wrapping paper. And some felt in primary colors. And hot pink printer paper. It’s a night mare. Every time the fiancé or I go back to the states, we bring a small backpack for clothes, and 2 huge suitcases each that are EMPTY. When I go back in March, I’m planning to stuff a huge photo printer (8×10ish, not the 3×5ish) in one suitcase.
I’d like to try some recipes for wedding cakes. There’s no CAKE FLOUR. NO LAVENDER BUDS!! Not even bread flour! No Baker’s chocolate!! Wild packs of dogs chase you when you’re trying to get some exercise “Wedding Miles”!
Cake platters don’t exist here. I don’t think anyone’s ever heard of “floral arrangements” let alone specially made bouquets.
Sorry for the rant!
Basically, I hear ya sistah.
This is a little smaller than what you’re looking for, but it just goes to show the type of stuff you can get from Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17139554
[...] suggested I post in Etsy’s alchemy section to see if I could find an artist to create those elusive feather fans I was looking for. Then I found this photo on Project [...]
[...] you suggested I post in Etsy’s alchemy section to see if I could find an artist to create those elusive feather fans I was looking for. Then I found this photo on Project [...]
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Mrs. D'orsay, Baltimore/Lancaster UK Age and Occupation: 24, nonprofit communications Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Web site developer and designer; co-owner of men's skincare shop Engagement Date: August 10, 2008 Wedding Date: August, 2009 Venue: Oakland Manor About Me: I'm a Maryland raised environmental policy wonk/activist/organizer and communications aficionado. In the past year I've lived in Baltimore, MD, Tucson, AZ, Miami, FL and Lancaster, England. In my not so spare time I enjoy planning trips with Mr. D' Orsay, visiting friends and family and crafting like a mo-fo. I also enjoy modern dance classes, rugby and soccer but have been banned by my mother, MOHs, and Mr. D' Orsay from playing till after the wedding. I have an unnatural addiction to cheese and shoes, but love Mr. D' Orsay more than either and can't wait to become Mrs. D' Orsay!
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