Tuesday, May 8, 2012
With over two million weddings each year in the United States that produce over sixty tons of carbon dioxide and several hundred pounds of garbage, it is no surprise that many engaged couples are making more eco-friendly choices when planning their wedding. From the choosing the invitations and wedding dress to picking the best flowers and lighting, even the smallest decisions can make a huge difference to the environment that cost less and are equally beautiful. These tips will give you eco-friendly wedding ideas that you can use when planning your dream wedding.
1. Choose an Eco-Friendly Reception Location
There are several things that can be done to make sure the wedding and reception location is eco-friendly. Outdoor weddings are not only beautiful but better for the environment as well because lighting, heating and cooling are provided by the sun and climate. If an indoor venue is preferable, select a location that is LEED certified, or built with health and environmental concerns in mind, and promotes sustainability. To reduce emissions and fossil fuels from transportation needs, consider having the wedding and reception in the same location. If two locations are unavoidable, provide group transportation such as a bus or limo.
2. Choose Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings
The wedding rings symbolize a couple’s love and commitment to each other, but they can also symbolize a commitment to a healthy environment. Jewelers that use recycled metals and antique stores that sell wedding rings lower the need for freshly mined gold. Better yet, a family member’s jewelry that has been passed down from one generation to the next is not only eco-friendly but has sentimental value.
3. Eco-Friendly Photos
Wedding photos should last a lifetime, but there is no need to waste paper or use strong chemicals. More and more wedding photographers are using digital photography which is paperless and chemical free. Many will even display proofs online to save paper and ink. Also, leave out the disposable cameras at the reception. Most guests bring their own cameras anyway, which saves waste. More tips for choosing a wedding photographer can be found here.
4. Find an Eco-Friendly Invitation Company
Some invitations use lots of paper, so if that is the case, make sure they are printed on recycled paper or order from an eco-friendly invitation company that sells a one piece RSVP card in a postcard style. Encouraging guests to recycle their invitations is another way to save paper. This can be done by using paper that has embedded seeds that when planted and watered a small wild flower garden will appear. In this age of computers, many couples are opting to use wedding websites for their information cards, but for this once in a lifetime event, it seems that people need to hold an invitation in their hands.
5. Dining Choices
The dining choices couples make for their wedding can have a huge impact on the environment. Choosing caterers who use seasonal, organic and local ingredients lessen the environmental impact and support the local economy. Buying locally saves the fuel consumption needed to transport food and saves the energy needed to keep the food fresh. Serving local beverages is also a plus. Additionally, replacing disposable dishes and utensils for china and silverware not only reduces waste, but adds elegance.
6. Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are a considerate gesture for the guests, and choosing useful and reusable items is kind to the environment also. Homemade edible favors, potted plants and tree saplings are all thoughtful gifts that won’t end up in the trash, and guests can enjoy in their homes. Another idea for eco-friendly wedding favors is to make a donation to a charity in the guests’ names.
7. Your Wedding Dress
For the bride-to-be, the wedding dress is one of the most important purchases for the upcoming nuptials. New wedding gowns are used only once. Brides have many other eco-friendly options that will avoid using up new raw materials. Searching vintage and consignment shops may lead to a unique designer gown that otherwise may not have been affordable. Wearing a family member’s gown, a mother or grandmother for example, would add a personal touch.
8. Choose Local and Organic Flowers
Local, organic and in-season flowers are the most eco-friendly because they don’t have to be shipped from long distances and aren’t treated with chemicals. Flowers are often shipped from other countries which not only require transportation, but they are often treated with pesticides. Additionally, they can be reused for both the wedding and reception and can be donated or given away afterward to get the most use out of them.
9. Conserve Energy With Eco-Friendly Lighting
Lighting should be a consideration when planning an eco-friendly wedding. Especially in large reception halls, a huge amount of electricity is required to fuel lighting. LED lighting reduces energy use dramatically while retaining the full brightness required for the space. Also, candles are a great way to illuminate a room without using any electricity at all. Soy candles are especially good for the environment because they are made from all-natural ingredients.
10. Eco-Friendly Confetti
The custom of tossing confetti over the bride and groom is a delightful gesture, but the remains are harmful to the environment. Eco-friendly confetti won’t harm wildlife and dissolves with rain. Alternatives that are just as environmentally safe are bubbles, rose petals, and bird seed.
In conclusion, a completely eco-friendly wedding is possible with the proper planning.
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Friday, April 13, 2012
On average, a bride will spend 3 months picking out her wedding gown. So much time and detail goes into finding that perfect dress that you may forget to save little thought for your other accessories. However, while your wedding gown is often the first thing your guests will notice, your jewelry can make or break the overall look. Don’t stress, as any bride knows, finding the gown is the hard part. Follow our simple rules, and you are sure to have no trouble selecting the essential wedding accessories for your wedding day.
Selecting the Right Necklace
When selecting the perfect necklace to match your wedding dress, it is best to begin by considering your neckline. Whether your dress has a V-neck, a round neck, or is strapless, will all influence the type of necklace that will look best with your dress. A strapless gown often flatters all type of bodies by showing off your neck and your shoulders. Accent this effect by choosing a necklace that hits you at your collarbone. If your strapless gown is simple and understated do not be afraid to choose a bold, bulky necklace that will catch the eye and draw attention upward. If your wedding dress has a V-neck, or deep V-neck, neckline then a long pendant style necklace often looks best with style of gown. A simple, long chain with a medium-sized pendant or accessory at the end is sure to make a wonderful statement. For highly stylized dresses, such as one shoulder or halter-neck gowns elect for a simple, choker-style necklace and focus more attention on your earrings or bracelet.
Selecting the Right Earrings
Aim to balance your earrings with your necklace. Most often simple diamond earrings look stunning on any bride. Both diamond studs and dangling, just-off-ear diamonds are the two most popular styles worn by brides. If your necklace is simple and you are looking for earrings that pop, consider long, drop earrings that just stop above your shoulder. If you are opting for bold statement earrings be sure they are comfortable and not too heavy on your ears as you will be wearing them for many hours throughout the day. If you have several piercings in your ears, tradition suggests that you only wear earrings in one set of holes; however if you are going for a more funky, individual look do not be afraid to stick with what makes you most comfortable.
Selecting the Right Bracelet
To start off your bracelet search begin by measuring your wrist to find the bracelet that will fit you just right. As you will be shaking a lot of hands, and working your way around the dance floor most of the evening, you will want to find a bracelet that is not too loose or heavy on your hand. Take a piece of string and pull it snug around your wrist, then mark the point where the two ends of the string meet. Then lay the string down against a ruler and note the length. Add an extra inch to the length measured and this is the length of bracelet you are looking for. Thin chain bracelets and strands of pearls are the two most popular styles that brides opt for and match almost any style of necklace or earrings.
Some Rules to Abide by
- Don’t be afraid of a little color. Many brides are hesitant at introducing any colors other than white and cream into their wedding day ensemble. Ancient tradition has taught us that it is best to stick to a mute pallet on our wedding day, but modern tradition has brides donning bright pops of color along with their white. If you really want to make a statement do not be afraid to wear brightly colored accessories. Earrings in your favorite color, or a bracelet with a flash of bright red, the color of luck, can give any bride that added look of elegance she is looking for.
- Don’t overdo it. As famous designer Coco Channel once said, “A woman should always remove one piece of jewelry before she leaves the house.” It is easy to wear too much jewelry. Overdoing the jewelry will distract from the dress and leaving looking more gaudy than goddess-like. Select one statement piece. Whether it is your headpiece, your necklace, or a vibrant ring, play up impact of this piece by keeping other accessories simple.
- If your jewelry is not new, have it cleaned. While your favorite diamond necklace may look great when you wear it to cocktail parties, under the consistent glare of the camera flash and against a white dress, sterling silver and diamond accessories can quickly show their age. If your jewelry was not purchased new for your wedding, take it to a local jewelry cleaner to have tarnishes, smudges and dirt removed. Most all jewelry stores offer jewelry cleaning for as little as $15 and will clean your jewelry for you in as little as an hour.
- Get your jewelry custom made. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect accessories to match your gown, then consider having your jewelry custom made. If you do your research you can find custom jewelers at highly affordable prices. This may be a nice option if you have family heirlooms or inherited jewelry you would like to wear on your wedding day. Custom jewelers can build upon existing pieces of jewelry of incorporate a variety of different trinkets into your final piece.
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012
If you are looking to add a truly luxurious touch to your wedding consider the type of entertainment you have at your reception. In recent years, going above and beyond the traditional wedding band has become a popular custom. Couples are now offering their guests unique entertainment by including dancers, magicians and eight-piece bands as part of the post-wedding fun. Below are a few popular luxury wedding bands and entertainment that have wowed wedding guests and will make your wedding a truly magical event.
Photographers and Artists
Make your wedding memorable for your guests by giving them party favors they will want to hang onto for years to come. Hire a professional photographer to set up a fun and wacky photo booth for the guests. Have plenty of costumes and fun accessories on hand, such as feather boas, cowboy hats and bow ties. Invite guests to get creative and a little goofy while they pose for pictures from your photographer. Guests can then pick up a set of the photos to take home with them at the end of the night, and you can hold onto to some of the snapshots yourself. Create a scrapbook, or collage with guests’ pictures as a fun keepsake to display around your home. For a truly special touch, take guests’ photos and attach them to your luxury thank you cards you send out after the event. If your guests are a little camera shy consider hiring a sketch artist to create fun party favors. Have a sketch artist draw cartoon caricatures of your guests and their friends.
Dancing Troupes
Whether you are hoping to simply inspire guests to hit the dance floor, or are looking to surprise guests with an exciting performance, dance troupes are becoming a popular staple at many luxury weddings. The type of dancers you can find for your wedding ranges from professional ballroom dancers to exotic belly dancers. Oftentimes, guests may be hesitant to take that first step out onto the dance floor. If you want to make sure your guests are burning up the dance floor by the end of the night, consider hiring professional ballroom dancers. The dancers will take the lead and invite guests out on the dance floor to learn popular dances, such as the waltz, tango and foxtrot. These dancers’ goal is to get guests feeling comfortable out on the dance floor and to encourage guests to have a good time. If you are looking to feature a performance that guests can enjoy from the sidelines consider hiring a more unique dancing troupe. Many couples have chosen to hire everyone from ballerinas to bottle dancers to provide guests with unique entertainment they won’t see anywhere else.
Food and Drink Experts
How often have you gone to a luxury wedding and felt overwhelmed by the wine selection or number of fancy hors d’oeuvres on display? Provide your guests with a unique learning experience by inviting food and drink experts to your reception. You can find experts in wine, cheese, liquor or any number of delicacies, who can teach your guests about proper food and drink pairings, or how to spot a good Cabernet Sauvignon. These experts will educate guests on the food and drink they are sampling, as well as answer guests’ questions. These experts are a fun way to encourage guests to mingle with one another and try appetizers or drinks they normally may not have tasted.
Magicians or Fortunetellers
Create an air or mystery and magic at your wedding reception by inviting a magician or fortuneteller to entertain guests. Magicians are popping up at more and more weddings, and are a fun way to keep guests entertained during a cocktail hour or while you and your partner slip away to take photos with the rest of the wedding party. Magicians can put on a brief performance for guests, or they can walk around the reception hall providing one-on-one entertainment. If you are looking for an even more unique way to mystify guests then hire a fortuneteller to read guests’ fortunes. Many fortunetellers will don costumes and appear in character to further delight curious wedding attendees.
Non-traditional Bands
Embrace your family’s culture or simply spice up your wedding’s soundtrack by hiring a non-traditional wedding band. Forget the standard DJ, or cover band, think about hiring a sting quartet or a Hindi band. After attending so many weddings with the traditional wedding bands, who play 80’s covers or pop music, it is easy to forget that there are a number of different musical groups you can have perform at your ceremony. If your family is Irish, it may be fun to celebrate their heritage by hiring an Irish folk band, or you can have the bagpipes at your wedding to celebrate Scottish roots. When planning your wedding leave yourself plenty of time to audition a variety of different musicians and bands to see who fits your taste better. Couples have even began choreographing a special number of their first dance. If you and your partner want to make a grand entrance after saying ‘I do’, find a band who will work with you to create a special introduction and first dance performance.
These days, weddings are more often becoming entertainment events than your simple wedding. Keep guests entertained and on-the-edge-of-their-seats all night by thinking beyond the standard wedding band and incorporating a number of different wedding bands and entertainment acts. With so many entertainers on the market, it is easy to find affordable performers who can create the special atmosphere you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to surprise guests and set your ceremony apart from other weddings.
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