Save the E-Date!

For a modern and very eco twist on save-the-dates, why not spread the word in true 21st century wedding fashion...

Through the good 'ole internet, of course.

No! Email is so impersonal, you may say.
And, yes, you have a point.

The internet does have its cons.  Which is why I can understand not wanting to send your wedding invitations via email.

But a save-the-date?  It kinda makes sense.  When you think of the save-the-date process, it goes something like this:

Guests receive the card.  They will jot down the date in their planners.  Maybe they'll hang it on the refrigerator if you're special enough.  And then away it will go to the (I don't even want to say it) -- trash-- or recycle bin.

Even if they do recycle it, the amount of fuel and resources necessary to create and transport those little cards seems a bit... well... unnecessary.

Granted, you may still have to send out hardcopies to guests who do not have email access or are not as internet savvy, but overall you'll be able to get the word out instantly and paper-free.

Plus, it may get guests to check out your wedding website immediately and start rsvp-ing to pre-wedding events asap.

Now, for the still skeptical internet-wary bride, I have discovered a wonderful resource: a free program that will allow you to utilize your creativity and give your save-the-dates all the pizzaz you had envisioned... without having to seal an extra 200 envelopes afterward.

logo of www.smilebox.com

Smilebox
An easily downloadable program for both PC and Mac-- it allows you to create save-the-dates and other greetings with pictures, music, or even a full slideshow.  You can then burn it to a dvd, send it as an email, or share it on Facebook if you so desire.

Smilebox.com also provides a "design catalogue" for other occasions too: holidays, birthdays, thank you notes, and more.

They certainly help you create an email to remember while getting your "dream green wedding" off to a strong eco start!

The Brilliance of "No Wrap" Parties

One of my favorite childhood family videos is of my sister on her fifth birthday.

Like most children celebrating a birthday, Blaire accepted each gift with wide-eyed anticipation.  She would rip off the ribbons, tear the wrapping paper in a fury, stare at the gift.... and drop it, immediately sensing the next wrapped present.  It was the element of surprise that was most desired.

Well, let's face it, we're not five anymore.  Sometimes that "surprise" gift without the return receipt from Aunt Mildred on Christmas is not so thrilling.  And with weddings, the surprise is long-gone once the registry is complete. 

Twenty-plus years after those birthdays of frenzied unwrapping, it's better getting exactly what you need (and want), right?  Not to mention the fact that wrapping paper creates more waste. 

In fact, according to the Clean Air Council's "Waste Facts," 4 million TONS of our waste is in the form of wrapping paper and shopping bags.

And thus comes the appeal for "no wrap" parties!

My mom's friend did this for her recent baby shower.  All presents--minus the wrapping and ribbons-- were placed in the baby's crib.

Bitters Co. Recycled Flip-Flop Nesting Basket

For your wedding shower, you can place all of your gifts in containers that can double for your laundry baskets, recycling baskets, or simple organizational bins later on. 

For starters, there is a website called Pristine Planet that offers green products from socially responsible merchants.  Two of their baskets are made of recycled flip-flops:

  

Bitters Co. Flip-Flop Baskets from Pristineplanet.com

Also, the Container Store has some nice eco laundry hamper options that with bamboo-lattice or "zen bamboo."

The Container Store's Square Bamboo Laundry Hamper

And for smaller items, Pier 1 Imports has a basket made of recycled newspaper:

Pier 1 Import's "Recycled Newspaper Magazine Basket"

So, enjoy your new eco-friendly organizers and non-wrapped gifts knowing that your wedding shower had no part in that "4 million tons."  Hopefully by your baby shower, that number will have gone down a bit.

Everything I Need to Know About Wedding Planning, I Learned From My Best Friend’s Wedding

Crisp, bold colors of autumn’s arrival made her ivory pearls and pristine dress glisten. 

October 9, 2010 proved to be the quintessential Michigan day for a fall wedding. And after having planned the entire weekend sans wedding planner, Courtney- my best friend from college, deserved nothing less than the perfect day. 

I can safely say after last weekend that one never fully understands the great magnitude of preparation and— need I say—stress that a wedding involves until you’re part of the bridal party or it’s your own.  Now, I know a little bit more of what I’m in for.

Things I’ve learned:

• It’s never too early to begin writing an itinerary and figuring out where everyone needs to be.

• In the words of the bride, a wedding is like Stage Management 101 (or maybe even 401).

• Have a notebook and highlighter handy at all times.  You never know when you'll need to make a list.

• Above all, remember to breathe, smile, and enjoy.

Now, for some green things I picked up from her fabulous day:

•  Their wedding website allowed guests to RSVP meal choices and activities for the weekend online and paper-free.

• All of the programs were from a recycled, reused source.

• Not only did she use her mother’s veil, she also donned a piece of lace from her mother’s wedding dress as a hair accessory.  It was absolutely gorgeous.

• All “welcome bags” were in the form of reusable grocery bags.

• They utilized local wines and snacks (Michigan dried cherries mixed with homemade granola... an incredible combo).

• Shuttles transported guests en masse from hotel to church to reception.

• They had adorable signs made that hung from their ski lift chair (oh yes, we took a ski lift to a champagne toast... in a word, amazing).  On one side it said “Just Married” and on the other it had their newly shared last name.  The sign will now be reused as décor for their home.

So, not only was their wedding a stunning success, it was good to the planet too.  I couldn’t be prouder of her and I was so honored to be part of their wonderful day! ☺

Eco-Vintage. Where Old is the New "In"

I never realized how much I liked vintage until I started planning my wedding...
or maybe it's the new season of Mad Men. 


Either way, I'm happy with it.

Recently, with the help of my dear friend Kenna (who took some time to help me with the bridesmaid dress search in spite of her endless grad school papers-- thank you!!), I found the perfect match.  :-)  Pictures to come...

In addition to having fabulous pockets and a beautiful flower-accented waistband, the dress certainly has a bit of vintage flair.  And since vintage is eco-friendly as well (the very definition of reuse, reduce, recycle!), I'd like to explore the theme when it's time to accessorize.

As I go onward with my vintage hunting, I discovered a few great sites for many of the wedding details. One, a fellow blog!

CB Vintage logo

For The Vintage Look:

CB Vintage

Jewelry, cake toppers, books, tennis rackets, and more... this blog offers an assortment of vintage items to shop from whether it be for weddings or your own personal collection.



Posh Girl Vintage

Posh Girl Vintage logo

A great site for dresses, accessories, and anything "Audrey style" (how adorable is that??).  In particular, it showcases some beautiful vintage lace hair pieces as well as some jazzy jewelry, categorized by decade.  I'm fairly certain I've found my rehearsal dinner dress on this site already.



For The Vintage Gifts:

For tea-lover brides, consider giving vintage tea tin boxes as part of the bridesmaid gifts:

Wedding Tea, 20 Sachets in Vintage Tins by Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons "Wedding Tea"

These sachets feature a gourmet blend of lemon-vanilla, pink rosebuds and petals.  Plus, the vintage tin makes a fond memento.  Engrave them for an added personalized touch!





For The Vintage Taste:

Some pretty unbelievable vintage-style wedding cakes...
I definitely will take a break from my Mad Men marathon for this!

"The Ultimate Cake Off, Season 2: Vintage Hollywood Wedding"

"Ultimate Cake Off" series

A Website for Green Hotels and Carbon Friendly Flights!

The wedding planning is certainly starting to speed up a bit.

We are currently at the 7-month marker which (according to the wedding planning timeline) means a hotel needs to be selected for guests.

On a side note, does anyone ever feel like their wedding has become a child that you're always referring to in terms of "how many months" it is?

Anyway, we're looking for some "green" hotels in the grand, beautiful city of Chicago.

Here is a fantastic site I've found to be helpful that allows you to do a global search of eco-friendly hotels:

Green Hotel Finder.com
by Sustainability Intelligence

Green Globe, Inc.

With the help of Green Globe, Inc. as a third-party certifier of environmentally friendly practices, Sustainability Intelligence has created this green tourism website--- allowing us enjoy the luxury of travel without compromising the Earth.

All of the hotels found on this website have received green sustainability certification.  And since it allows you to search by continent or country, it's a great resource when looking for your green honeymoon hotel as well!

Plus, you can even do a "Carbon Friendly Flight Search" to compare airlines that are the most eco!

Happy Green Travels!

The Beginnings of an Eco-Registry...

As we begin the registry search, I wanted to share a few alternative, eco-friendly options to the standard "go-to" wedding registry sites.

Don't get me wrong... I'm a sucker for Crate and Barrel and Williams-Sonoma too and will most likely include one of them in the registry list.  But I also want to search out some lesser-known, "smaller fish" companies that are committed to sustainable, recycled, and fair-trade products.

The following is the start of my non-narrowed-down registry list... most likely with more to come.

Ten Thousand Villages:
A website that encourages fair-trade with artisans across the globe.  Not only can you find eco-friendly products, you can also furnish your home with a bamboo vase from Vietnam or a recycled water glass pitcher from Bolivia.

Viva Terra:
Translation: "Living Earth."
This company is the essence of eco practices and eco products.  They have a sizeable selection of bed, bath, dining, and decor furnishings.  Even if you don't use it as a registry, you at least have to check out their doormat made out of discarded tape-measurers:

Tape Measure Mat by Viva Terra

Or recycled flip-flops:

Flip Flop Door Mat by Viva Terra

Also, an easy go-to-resource for all things wedding and green:

The Registry on the Green Bride Guide

I highly recommend the book too: The Green Bride Guide   
Add it to your registry for an early shower gift!

And finally, there's Gaiam.

I remembered Gaiam moreso for yoga products and just now discovered their eco-home department.  Just click on their "Eco Home + Outdoor" tab and register-away!  Plus, they're currently having an 80% off annual sale.  :-)

An eco place to lay your head... and your rings.

The registry search has begun!

One of the first items on our Eco-home-furnishing-hunt:
Comfy pillows that make you feel like you're sleeping on a cloud...

It is not a matter to be dealt with lightly.

Since we are of the Eco mindset, organic cotton sheets and pillows have certainly become a consideration.  But did you know bamboo is used to make pillows too??

As you can tell, I certainly did not and am pleased to have discovered them.

Bamboo is a fantastic material because it is...

1. Biodegradable.  
2. Antibacterial & Antifungal.
3. Well-air-ventilated.
4. Moisture-repellent (4x more than cotton).
5. A heat-trapper or heat-reducer (depending on the season).

Here are a few bamboo pillows for both your and the Earth's comfort:


1. Parker & Morgan Bamboo Pillows
These are currently on sale too!  $58 vs. $98. 
Always a bonus.

Natori Ogee

2. Natori Ogee
For those with Macy's registries, here's your bamboo option.  A blend of bamboo and cotton, they are vibrant and decorative.



3. Bamboo Fibers from Tripact

A combo of bamboo and cotton.

Earth Therapeutics

4. Earth Therapeutics
25% discount for their bamboo pillow set!





Also, in my pillow search, I also spotted a bamboo ring pillow for the ring bearer!

The Wilton Bamboo Ring Pillow can be found on the Knot or Wedding Channel websites, as well as at Jo Ann Fabrics.

Wilton Bamboo Fabric Ring Pillow