Lesley&Geoffrey’s theatrical Mid May wedding at the Inn…
… Sasha and Lee’s joyful celebration in July, one of their highlights were Cake Monkey creations.
and Jessica&Adam’s amazing architecturally inspired June wedding in the Natural History Museum…
…. so many pictures to look forward to.
Photos above courtesy of Magic Memory Works
The fun continues with day 3 of our countdown to Earth Day and greener weddings! One of the most popular and pretty trends right now is to use vintage items in your wedding décor. It’s so much fun to shop local antique boutiques and thrift shops for old items you can recycle into beautiful new ways. Aged photo frames make picture-perfect table number frames. Or, use antique bottles in various sizes, shapes and color for a vintage vogue display of hand-picked flowers.
I also love the colorful “candlescape” look that Martha Stewart Weddings created (shown below, left photo). However, instead of buying new, create this look with “upcycled” candle holders. Be sure to use beeswax candles like these (no paraffin candles, please). Tune in tomorrow for Idea #2!
See this beautiful Yosemite Park Wedding in a special two-part post this Monday! Photo courtesy of Shannon Kelley Photography.
Happy Earth Day Everyone! I hope this countdown to Earth Day has inspired you to “green” your wedding, and your daily life. Now for the #1 green wedding idea (and my personal favorite) . . . have your wedding at a park. It is not a new or unique idea, but it is definitely green (I was married in an intimate local park/garden and just loved it!).
Depending on your location and preferences, you can look at state or national parks (like Yosemite pictured above), local botanical or community gardens (like pictured below). Why a park? First, there’s no need to do much decorating. Mother Nature has already done that for you, quite beautifully! Second, you are outside and using natural lighting, which saves electricity.
Also, by having your ceremony and reception at the park, you will prevent carbon emissions created by driving to a second location. Another bonus? Save money on venue fees. I also like the idea of supporting a non-profit, like local botanical gardens and parks.
P.S. Don’t forget to enter the Dream Green Wedding Earth Day contest for your chance to win eco-friendly wedding favors (perfect for a park wedding!). Today is the last day to enter!
Photos above by Tanya Dalusio Forno.
Location: Kraft Azalea Gardens in Winter Park, Florida
Photos above are courtesy of Mint and Sage.
Just-picked flowers are trending big time this season! And we couldn’t be happier about that because in-season, locally grown flowers are an eco-friendly and budget-friendly choice. Many out-of-season floral varieties have to be imported from other countries, which may cost more and can result in additional transportation-related carbon emissions.
Also, imported flowers are often grown with heavy pesticides, which can pollute the earth and ground water near where they are grown. The greener choice? Ask for in season, locally grown blooms (organically grown is even better!!).
Photos above are courtesy of Sounder Photography.
We are also noticing that more and more brides are opting for . . . what I like to call . . . “grandma’s garden” flowers. Especially popular for backyard weddings, this is where friends or family members grow flowers in their own garden and create fresh-picked bouquets and flower arrangements for the wedding day (like the gals below arranging flowers for this backyard wedding that will debut on our blog in the coming weeks). Happy Earth Day . . . 1 day to go!!
Photos above courtesy of Tracie Howell Photography
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As more and more catastrophes are hitting the planet people are thinking greener, as in: what can we do to avoid further environmental damage. Green Weddings are a great and very personal contribution. Some take the green literally.
And what better time to remind us of all shades of green with St Patricks day coming up on March 17.
Table Numbers…
After planning your seating chart and creating seating cards with each guest’s name and table numbers, you may need to make table numbers to avoid confusion. These numbers will help your guests navigate to the appropriate table. Rather than a simple paper with a number on it, several options are available to display the table number while showcasing your creativity.
Coordinate With Your Theme
An easy way to incorporate your wedding numbers is to use the same theme as the rest of your wedding. If you are having a casino theme, place giant cards on the tables such as a jack of spades, queen of hearts or the five of clubs. If you are having a beach wedding, prop the numbers inside a large seashell in the middle of the tables. For an Asian theme, paint a Chinese symbol in place of your table number or use a permanent marker to write the number on a Chinese takeout-style box.
There are many creative ideas out there to give your wedding reception a touch of your personality.
The winter issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine is here! And it’s packed with green wedding goodness from cover to cover. I especially love the 2011 Eco-Guide by Katie Martin. She gives great tips on going “light” to “dark” green with your wedding planning . . . easy to follow and personalize to your eco preferences. After all, it only takes a few eco-friendly choices to make a difference when planning your special day!
Also, we are proud to be featured in this issue with a fun giveaway you don’t want to miss. Check out the Eco-Beautiful “Giveaway” page to enter to win these adorable organic maple leaf stirrers! Contest runs through March.
What a treat for Christmas Eve, and holiday weddings! These beautiful DIY candy cane Christmas tree cupcakes will create a spectacular holiday dessert table your guests won’t forget come new year’s eve. You can grab the DIY instructions from our friends at Greenwala.com. To go even “greener” than the handmade bliss these little darlings bring, use recycled cupcake wrappers printed with soy inks (like the ones from Dream Green Weddings!). Merry Christmas!
Ian Grant shot several weddings at the Upper Las Virgines Preserve, which Joan, the manager, loving calls “The Ranch”.
The weddings, which we created around the lovely little farm house were all heartfelt, joyful and creative. Maybe it’s the love of the endangered frogs, which were saved from big development and preserved many acres of untouched nature, which makes this location into a haven of happiness.
Robin and Todd got married at the Inn in Topanga on Saturday, 10/30. They are an elegant couple with a love for whimsical natural design, green and Native American ideas; their favors were dream catchers and they blessed their guests with burning sage during their ceremony.
We loved to decorate their organic, gluten free cake with eclectic fairy tale flowers.
The family helped with sage and lavender decor, a memorial table, Norwegian krumkake and many details and make this a very personal affair.
