GREEN is the new BLACK

In the Wedding Industry it’s becoming the norm to have “Green Options” while planning your wedding.  Without going over board you can make a difference without sacrifice and still have a beautiful Green Wedding:

INVITATIONS

Print your invitations on recycled card stock and have the printer use environmentally friendly vegetable ink. By using recycled cards, you are making an impact to saving trees.Send out electronic invitations to those who have an email address and are Internet savvy. On-line services are available that can design creative and personal invitations to your specifications. The service will send your designated guest list via email the invitation and even keep track of who will be attending. Not only will this make your invites economical, efficient and stress free but Eco-friendly too.

CEREMONY/RECEPTION

Arrange to have the ceremony and reception at the same place to celebrate your special day. A second location means more autos on the road and will only add to CO2 emissions. Encourage your guests to carpool by requesting this on your invitations. If you do have your heart set on using two locations, organize a shuttle bus to and from the sites. Also, consider using the shuttle for your guests from reception to their hotel where they may be staying. This alleviates any worries about drinking and driving.

FLOWERS**

Buy locally:  Packaging and transportation can significantly increase the cost of goods.  Buying local, seasonal flowers can save you as much as 40%.

Repurposing: flowers are thrifty and sustainable.  Display your bridal bouquet in a thematic container to dress up your couple’s table.

Less is More: Choose large, full flower heads, like the hydrangea, for centerpieces.  Fewer large-headed flowers will produce the same wow effect of a dozen or more smaller blooms.

DRESS**

Recycled: Buying a pre-owned dress is a great way to think sustainably and save money.

Eco-Friendly: Eco-conscious designers are on the rise, sustainable materials are getting more attention.  Dresses are available in everything from hemp blends to recycled plastics!

Post-Wedding: Let’s face it, the styles your mother wore aren’t popular now, and yours won’t be when your daughter is ready to get married either.  So why not give your dress new life with a new bride?  Selling your dress is a great way to recoup some of your money, or by donating you can bless another bride-to-be with a beautiful gown.

FAVORS***

Things that grow: Tuck bulbs in an attractively textured bag [try unbleached muslin, hand-dyed jute or burlap, and stencil a monogram or picture of the flower in front].

Potted Flowers: Find clay pots or small containers. Cultivate easy-to-grow flowers for your wedding [poppies, morning glories, shasta daisies, marigolds].  These gorgeous blooms will beautify your reception and make for irresistible favors!

Suited to a tea: A small bag of organic tea in a cute paper tea-cover makes a fragrant and picturesque gift.

Whatever you do to Green your Wedding, make sure you tell people about it.  If you can create a wonderful, magical celebration that treads a little lighter on the planet, then people will remember it!!

** Idofoundation.org

***favorideas.com

Budget..Smuget.. Blah.. Blah

“What is your Budget?” is always the dreaded question to ask my clients and I seem to always get the same deer in the headlights look.  Of course we would love to hear you answer “there is no budget just give me my dream wedding at any cost”.  But reality dictates something else.  But to answer the question you have to know exactly what is included when you are asked that important question.  You may automatically think it means the ceremony, reception and your gown...uh nah!!!

One of my many fav mags online and in print “Real Simple” Weddings has a great printout to give you an idea just what is involved and a percentage as an outline to get you started: http://www.realsimple.com/static/pdfs/budget_worksheet.pdf

All of the items listed you may not even include in your planning but it will give you a better understanding of where your money should be spent.  Of course you may have a LOVE of flowers so you may want to spend more on a great florist to get that vision and your fiancé may want the best DJ to make the party rock on all night so more money may be spent with a great DJ.   It’s just always best to have some idea of how much money you want and are willing to spend!

I'm Engaged Now What??!?

Ok you have to stop staring at your engagement ring long enough to concentrate on what needs to be done. It can become overwhelming, so many details...what is the best date? should I have a theme? How many guests? color scheme? what church? where is the reception going to be? who’s going to be my bridesmaids? flowers? invites? and list goes on and on and........

Let’s all take a deep breath and take this step by step.  This conversation should start with the couple and the couple ONLY!!  This day is about the couple and before you start to get all the third party input; talk to each other about the do’s and don’ts you want  on your Wedding Day.  The first question is to ask how long is your engagement going to be?  

What you want the look and feel of your Wedding day to be from Ceremony to Reception?  Ladies do not leave out your grooms, be sure you both are on the same page about the overall feel of the event before you start making your TO-DO LIST and to avoid any arguments along the way.  

Here’s the BIG one...who will be paying for what??  Start with yourself what are you willing and able to pay and then your groom and see what he is willing and able to contribute.  If your parents and future in-laws are will to assit then sit down and find out just how much of a financial commitment you will receive from them!!  And keep in mind some parents will suggest and sometime insist on their input in the planning so get prepared!  Once you have a budget, start to think realistically what can be done within that budget.  What should be included in your Wedding Budget you ask?.....I guess you have to wait until the next post!!!