tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33477230708821561122024-03-13T03:44:30.471-04:00Real Green WeddingsAre you planning a wedding with eco-friendly elements? E-mail kate@thegreenbrideguide.com to share pictures, stories and advice from your big day!The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-61412725954668268792009-02-23T17:22:00.005-05:002009-02-23T17:34:44.418-05:00We Have Moved!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcIZvynpzG9Y9-BhCj0dP2dCB66xL0DK2tkVAXmIlhLw9i5XiqkRiWroxoWrnIFd1fCZozXYfJ1U7XsxNigCU8GnR0CO3BCpVkeWwECrFw9IWiI4zM8O7KBZFwvM4JUCrP-THzRj28h4/s1600-h/real+green+weddings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcIZvynpzG9Y9-BhCj0dP2dCB66xL0DK2tkVAXmIlhLw9i5XiqkRiWroxoWrnIFd1fCZozXYfJ1U7XsxNigCU8GnR0CO3BCpVkeWwECrFw9IWiI4zM8O7KBZFwvM4JUCrP-THzRj28h4/s400/real+green+weddings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306122814519109202" /></a>
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Dear friends,
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I am delighted to announce that the Real Green Weddings blog has moved to our new <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/">green wedding</a> site.
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Real green wedding stories are now viewable in storybook format, and our new site allows you to save your favorite images. You can also search for ideas by color, season, or eco-strategy.
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Click here to go directly to the <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/learn/realgreenweddings">real green wedding stories</a> page or see what else we are up to by visiting <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/">the green bride guide homepage</a>.
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I hope you enjoy the new site!!
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All the best,
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Kate
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P.s. Don't forget to come back and share your story with us! You can e-mail me anytime at Kate@thegreenbrideguide.comThe Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-32317404879478506302009-02-14T18:04:00.001-05:002009-02-14T18:06:11.112-05:00Take Our Survey and WIN!!We are currently working to upgrade <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com">the green bride guide website</a> and are conducting a survey to help us prioritize. Please take a few minutes to help make the site better and you could win a signed copy of The Green Bride Guide and more than $100 worth of eco-friendly products!
<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=znzB4fMUYSyXYW7pirXe_2fg_3d_3d">Click Here to take survey</a>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-44270973451009897382009-01-09T21:43:00.014-05:002009-01-09T22:48:59.996-05:00Energy Stars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DJJuhLKxIAy_noYiAITncoMo_IYMQvHrNHDZ8_abat1IyaxynOuyAtHMvog1oWKAgzpVRwXo-kMtmLnBJ66Bf68HCJ3AwLGmBcEn8kX6eRoqz_WZaQxFtqAG-gZHMn1ZdR-RvITPJLs/s1600-h/suzanne.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DJJuhLKxIAy_noYiAITncoMo_IYMQvHrNHDZ8_abat1IyaxynOuyAtHMvog1oWKAgzpVRwXo-kMtmLnBJ66Bf68HCJ3AwLGmBcEn8kX6eRoqz_WZaQxFtqAG-gZHMn1ZdR-RvITPJLs/s320/suzanne.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289490521791035538" /></a>
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Suzanne Parmet and Michael Whelan were married on June 29, 2008 at East Lane Park in Bethesda, MD. "We chose Bethesda as the location for our wedding weekend because it is easy to get there by mass transportation. All of the events (which included a rehearsal dinner, welcome drinks, open house, ceremony and reception) were located within a short walk from the hotels we recommended to our guests and from one another so they could get around without driving."
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Both Michael and Suzanne have environmental backgrounds. Michael is a registered architect, a certified Building Performance Analyst and a participating auditor in the <a href="http://www.mdhomeperformance.org/">Maryland Home Performance with Energy Star program</a>. His company, <a href="http://www.livegreenhome.com/">Live Green LLC</a>, provides energy auditing and design evaluation, which means he "gives recommendations for increasing a home’s energy efficiency, determines its gas appliance safety, and suggests other improvements for increasing the home’s value, comfort, usefulness and longevity." Suzanne is an attorney, with a degree in architecture and development, who currently works on workforce housing and other real estate development projects. She is also the Director of Design and Sustainability for her company. The two met at a party hosted by college friends.
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Decision to Go Green</span>
Because of their jobs, Suzanne and Michael knew how much impact this three-day event could have on the environment. "Michael and I are increasingly aware of the adverse impact that our choices – particularly with respect to energy usage and resource consumption – can have on the environment. Clearly, our wedding weekend was likely to have a significant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint">carbon footprint</a> – particularly when you consider the transportation impact involved for so many out of town guests." To decrease the impact of their wedding, the couple decided to incorporate many green elements into their planning and asked their guests “to join in making choices that would help decrease the impact of the weekend."
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Invitations</span>
Although they originally considered sending an electronic invitation, they opted for a sustainably made paper invitation instead. "To appease my mom, we decided to send out printed invitations (but without direction or reply cards, and using tree-free paper). The cover wrapper and envelope liner for our invitations were made from mulberry and sugar cane paper. The printed sheets and envelopes were made from milkweed post-consumer recycled paper. The thread tying the pieces together was linen. We did all the printing and assembled the invitations ourselves."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmkD7SiGBfgGJZCISwSJQJ8QTYlXNynU55ggdR0ChR7yF51uMrFthK9dZwBRVXvuP8md5fyP9GB4F2w0YwVk45QXciUpUeCUjeqGhqPYibQQhpSLAyP3zBtJejaT7GbhaKf3rJyBjnC0/s1600-h/wedding+website.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmkD7SiGBfgGJZCISwSJQJ8QTYlXNynU55ggdR0ChR7yF51uMrFthK9dZwBRVXvuP8md5fyP9GB4F2w0YwVk45QXciUpUeCUjeqGhqPYibQQhpSLAyP3zBtJejaT7GbhaKf3rJyBjnC0/s320/wedding+website.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289492765429478850" /></a>
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To supplement their invitations, the couple set up a wedding website. "We developed a wedding website because it enabled us to reduce the amount of paper needed to share important information with our guests. Instead of sending them each a lot of cards with information about events, printed updates as details changed, and reply cards with envelopes, they could instead find out everything they needed to know and RSVP right on the site. It also allowed us to describe in great detail the mass transit options for getting to Bethesda and to make arrangements for ride sharing." Their wedding website also featured a Green Choices page, which included “a detailed list of tips for reducing energy consumption, reducing fuel consumption, reducing water consumption, recycling and reusing, avoiding petrochemicals and selecting natural products."
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Reducing Waste</span>
The couple took other steps to reduce waste as well. For example, "only reusable plates, glassware, silverware and linens were used during the wedding reception." For the Open House on Saturday, they supplemented what they already owned with recyclable and reusable products. They also assembled welcome bags for their guests, using Whole Foods reusable bags (made from post-consumer recycled materials), and filled them with snacks and a summary of the weekend activities printed on recycled paper.
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Decor</span>
"Our wedding ceremony was held in an outdoor park, so no additional flowers were needed."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2kZtqXYK_aMpGWNdq08nrMfMi-a8Ue5ZmslCPAqY61UoMiH0ge17pbMGipl7mGIWqI2iYmsrwqNAvIQK4uqnrSSbuefLMEmQilhV8dvBMIsRJzL62dfeuvpEEbW-zB0kwqd-yNiKG-M/s1600-h/happy+bride.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2kZtqXYK_aMpGWNdq08nrMfMi-a8Ue5ZmslCPAqY61UoMiH0ge17pbMGipl7mGIWqI2iYmsrwqNAvIQK4uqnrSSbuefLMEmQilhV8dvBMIsRJzL62dfeuvpEEbW-zB0kwqd-yNiKG-M/s400/happy+bride.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289495016621335154" /></a>
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYadEuVPJk0HyVyKRfsNm6cbTOGIKkZuxzsvxdKE7J1waNTxQG9BEgK7d_l12bE43cMJx9Oxuiv9R4lmMhXmFUDMPKV2t0ukmEzAkC_vnt3sorEFrjx6Yo9BxvqomohD7bEb_iPBKElKQ/s1600-h/couple+under+chuppah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYadEuVPJk0HyVyKRfsNm6cbTOGIKkZuxzsvxdKE7J1waNTxQG9BEgK7d_l12bE43cMJx9Oxuiv9R4lmMhXmFUDMPKV2t0ukmEzAkC_vnt3sorEFrjx6Yo9BxvqomohD7bEb_iPBKElKQ/s400/couple+under+chuppah.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289493778983270690" /></a>
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"Our wedding canopy was decorated with cards made by guests."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppmFZHAZviRJKufxhDDuTFGyF4JRZe6npfRXgXSnDoQcuVzcspuL1BFyJq5y5kvKGFDaSc7odognXNCXZIIIEhVm-PThoQqXdw8tmumZVLJBd1l2mEzkgc1W5CUMu8bEBHJLemkokPTE/s1600-h/well+wishes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppmFZHAZviRJKufxhDDuTFGyF4JRZe6npfRXgXSnDoQcuVzcspuL1BFyJq5y5kvKGFDaSc7odognXNCXZIIIEhVm-PThoQqXdw8tmumZVLJBd1l2mEzkgc1W5CUMu8bEBHJLemkokPTE/s400/well+wishes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289495862915254050" /></a>
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For the reception "we made our wedding centerpieces using glass vases and dried flowers and plants – including cattails and bamboo."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV_FkOsIkJ0uqzGXqINTg5ytw421poLWXWAKgoy_UV2Ioymy5gsd_cqxT1osDpzNihNMyiGTagNxyPG0F05apENIF2yRgZRxnXaKOX2xe4UH0ZK40M-L2aZReVrKyeGCAxiWc4KU_4JY/s1600-h/503.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV_FkOsIkJ0uqzGXqINTg5ytw421poLWXWAKgoy_UV2Ioymy5gsd_cqxT1osDpzNihNMyiGTagNxyPG0F05apENIF2yRgZRxnXaKOX2xe4UH0ZK40M-L2aZReVrKyeGCAxiWc4KU_4JY/s400/503.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289496195269908146" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Food</span>
Suzanne and Michael chose to serve a primarily vegetarian menu - as vegetarian food requires ten times less energy and one hundred times less water to produce than meat. The menu included bagels and cream cheese, cheese blintzes, grilled portabella mushrooms, red peppers, omelets, salads, yogurt, cheese strata, and a variety of homemade breads.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBduz8gXf9ldwrdNv7dnM2Gn7n8F2EEr67wLTF2hLaAGWf4A3jcWZlLjY997Z7zfakFwHDjlnYhTyY33ytjxqQROoHFM8Su2FtSXCcqL7CX3ixZQZeJtr_n5KDFigyidbTKPnKSYoWYE/s1600-h/wedding+buffet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBduz8gXf9ldwrdNv7dnM2Gn7n8F2EEr67wLTF2hLaAGWf4A3jcWZlLjY997Z7zfakFwHDjlnYhTyY33ytjxqQROoHFM8Su2FtSXCcqL7CX3ixZQZeJtr_n5KDFigyidbTKPnKSYoWYE/s400/wedding+buffet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289496821194880770" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Dessert</span>
Instead of serving a traditional wedding cake, the couple offered their guests a selection of small cookies and cupcakes from <a href="http://www.heidelbergbakery.com/">Heidelberg Bakery </a> (which are easier to take home or donate after an event). "Many of the desserts were made by our friends and family and the cupcakes were decorated by my sister."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiqIiSAHJQqBxH_nSSI4PH6W3rWklQOY6coKkHa1HHr-mjqtY7hvjt7MTmuOo9rp1_RZ5MXdcI-YVgn5A6DssHEKOypfo5bYeT0_nmlcEbA9-RsryA4KIAQlgXrqwDEHQEnFkorC-lCE/s1600-h/ms+cupcakes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiqIiSAHJQqBxH_nSSI4PH6W3rWklQOY6coKkHa1HHr-mjqtY7hvjt7MTmuOo9rp1_RZ5MXdcI-YVgn5A6DssHEKOypfo5bYeT0_nmlcEbA9-RsryA4KIAQlgXrqwDEHQEnFkorC-lCE/s400/ms+cupcakes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289497707370412082" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PFo93kGOhb8XqS5fCIIbt2zFPkLV5OASWm9xc-wtSHHKiCd3ANpoR1nKT86oOzvzsb3FvCOvY9ARllisNV3OeAP1zPDrgE8kJYpR_hP833AIBWe_UVEw7jLibu-yvWxBVxghgWRDpCg/s1600-h/cookies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PFo93kGOhb8XqS5fCIIbt2zFPkLV5OASWm9xc-wtSHHKiCd3ANpoR1nKT86oOzvzsb3FvCOvY9ARllisNV3OeAP1zPDrgE8kJYpR_hP833AIBWe_UVEw7jLibu-yvWxBVxghgWRDpCg/s400/cookies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289497346566870930" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Carbon Offsetting</span>
To further reduce the impact of the weekend, Suzanne and Michael sent guests a note about carbon offsetting. “We suggested that guests use a <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wWjwXpYnfkA&offerid=148615.10000005&type=3&subid=0">carbon footprint calculator </a>to determine their carbon footprint for traveling to the wedding and then balance all or some of their emissions by buying carbon offsets. Some options include making a contribution <a href="http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/green/offset/">Green Communities Offset Fund</a>, which raises funds to support the development of green, carbon-reducing (more energy efficient) homes for low income families, to <a href="http://www.nativeenergy.com">Native Energy</a>, an offset company that invests in renewable energy projects on Native American land, to <a href="http://www.carbonfund.org">Carbon Fund</a>, which supports renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation projects, or to an environmental group that works on climate change issues such as <a href="http://www.nrdc.org">Natural Resources Defense Council</a>.”
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Entertainment </span>
The couple kept costs down and further decreased the footprint of their wedding by putting together a CD of their own music to play during the reception. "We also put together a slide show of photos of us growing up, as well as our families and other guests attending the reception. <a href="http://www.tommyjoes.com/">Tommy Joe’s</a> (the reception venue) played it on their TV screens throughout the restaurant during the reception."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnSevb84NqVk6K0L2eYcAgvM8ffR-9JE5uoBnEhW3j-2tibWeVMPt2dzVuYc-O9pGKmXMG8KmEyMf90JrTEnS6ikimG7G2pukMTLyRq1EBFA9qLNbXSv0rOOmqdkjXBH-86OYHwAAnXs/s1600-h/video+screens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnSevb84NqVk6K0L2eYcAgvM8ffR-9JE5uoBnEhW3j-2tibWeVMPt2dzVuYc-O9pGKmXMG8KmEyMf90JrTEnS6ikimG7G2pukMTLyRq1EBFA9qLNbXSv0rOOmqdkjXBH-86OYHwAAnXs/s400/video+screens.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289499510670986050" /></a>
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Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.landphotography.com/">Greg Land</a>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-66220559246781131832008-12-20T22:31:00.014-05:002008-12-20T23:12:28.486-05:00Virginia is for Lovers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VH3InjC5roSJnCEWaeyd5mNfzz27nisU9PYUxHLaMVl5SsKUw-qqFemGLVLbPDFvr8HuqmzowiWFhp5_Kc_XGciEpZpeVuePFz-ad4hkybJp_V7ED8pmgkVA_jejv3vzQUnaWYnygYw/s1600-h/couple+kissing+by+lake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VH3InjC5roSJnCEWaeyd5mNfzz27nisU9PYUxHLaMVl5SsKUw-qqFemGLVLbPDFvr8HuqmzowiWFhp5_Kc_XGciEpZpeVuePFz-ad4hkybJp_V7ED8pmgkVA_jejv3vzQUnaWYnygYw/s400/couple+kissing+by+lake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282089038373111650" /></a>
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Melina Ann Vissat and Brian Christopher Hannon were married on October 11, 2008 in Haymarket, Virginia. They both live and work in the Washington D.C. area. Brian is a financial analyst with a government contractor, and Melina is a marketing writer with a strategic management consulting firm. They met on Match.com, "which proves that normal people use internet dating!"
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Location</span>
Melina and Brian were married at <a href="http://www.regencydominionvalley.com/">The Regency at Dominion Valley</a> country club. "We chose the place because it had a beautiful outdoor patio. We considered doing the wedding in downtown DC, but we couldn't find a place that had a sufficient outdoor area and a rain contingency plan. The Regency had both - a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the golf course with fountains and a stone bridge, as well as enough room inside in case poor weather drove us indoors."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwv2u7powPXAvBE9K3BUi6IQPELqg6vXT5Pw8NOI7uBmyYDnmpuZ9jOJpk73oF4UWRTFJuNuhlmyF5Tzt_36hTLAH-sZTDmmK5ePnTjcvkPqqB-i7ODV2qa6CPR88WPbwTGNPa50Kl_s/s1600-h/Regency.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwv2u7powPXAvBE9K3BUi6IQPELqg6vXT5Pw8NOI7uBmyYDnmpuZ9jOJpk73oF4UWRTFJuNuhlmyF5Tzt_36hTLAH-sZTDmmK5ePnTjcvkPqqB-i7ODV2qa6CPR88WPbwTGNPa50Kl_s/s400/Regency.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282089567571421490" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Decision to Go Green</span>
Melina has always been an eco-advocate, so going green was an easy choice. "I am involved in my company's sustainability service offering, and in my free time I am a freelance writer who writes for publications in the natural sector, such as the <a href="http://nutritionbusinessjournal.com/">Nutrition Business Journal</a>. We decided to go as green as possible with the wedding, since weddings are typically such wasteful affairs. We just felt guilty!"
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64awFF4Jhyy1RM3M7HQnCkY5LaZJ6L2P6LywVKGFTLqPLJySJjcm2jd-Uc4nzJUXJPnH21USeZcLdhd4sCoktp5a-XQoABXjfXKdfXqMkvczS5dAftmKVIv47gFNQyEQ7XAyUb8JEVBk/s1600-h/saying+vows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64awFF4Jhyy1RM3M7HQnCkY5LaZJ6L2P6LywVKGFTLqPLJySJjcm2jd-Uc4nzJUXJPnH21USeZcLdhd4sCoktp5a-XQoABXjfXKdfXqMkvczS5dAftmKVIv47gFNQyEQ7XAyUb8JEVBk/s400/saying+vows.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282083316863678834" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers and DIY Embellishments</span>
Melina made almost everything for the wedding herself. When it came to the flowers, she "made the men's boutonnieres out of small wooden flowers, fake berries, curly willow, ribbon and feathers. They were more like small pieces of art than traditional boutonnieres!" For the ceremony they used "fake flowers in mason jars for the aisle decor and covered an arch with vines and curly willow that our florist pulled from the woods near her farm."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZRbe5M2PxXbwjL5q5ozZrzBQduG_SUC-qRC7NQFaOax4TD8RoIbnPT6YFPamx3JFhrBlTf6MkXTPVRDtEMJsN7hCwwZHN-p2OroCK49Gv0JxSuujKTR0r-Hwu77eCl6TsldEdunTlxw/s1600-h/wedding6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZRbe5M2PxXbwjL5q5ozZrzBQduG_SUC-qRC7NQFaOax4TD8RoIbnPT6YFPamx3JFhrBlTf6MkXTPVRDtEMJsN7hCwwZHN-p2OroCK49Gv0JxSuujKTR0r-Hwu77eCl6TsldEdunTlxw/s400/wedding6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282084505584238018" /></a>
<P>
Her bridesmaids carried red, orange and peach roses and mums accented with berries.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa3pto1F6sanR5o7sM6yfhGThFbw2XFCDGfFnDL7tSpU6Sfs3SBp_lOX8Uu1pPE1mnE6BDzQMlKT_dVRLJ8LpQ7jikk_yLvgruwxEWuAzKnE8LdtHkDXsQ2cSgjRb0r-W1lh7zDAAprg/s1600-h/bridesmaids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRa3pto1F6sanR5o7sM6yfhGThFbw2XFCDGfFnDL7tSpU6Sfs3SBp_lOX8Uu1pPE1mnE6BDzQMlKT_dVRLJ8LpQ7jikk_yLvgruwxEWuAzKnE8LdtHkDXsQ2cSgjRb0r-W1lh7zDAAprg/s400/bridesmaids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282084225722418226" /></a>
<P>
Although they used real flowers for the centerpieces they were rentals! Their florist, Barbara Von Elm from <a href="http://www.growingwildfloral.com/">Growing Wild Floral Design</a> in Delaplane VA, does everything she can to keep costs down. To start, "she doesn't have a physical shop, which keeps her overhead down, and she does a lot of rentals because they are less expensive." Barbara created this centerpiece with roses, tiger lilies, mums, dahlias, curly willow, and ferns. "It was a lovely, relaxed mess of flowers! After the wedding, the centerpieces were whisked away and reused by the florist for other displays."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVxN3ZX2mNm6daNqSxh7B0jUmqIcmWsCF5rGQ5Whs95bEvNM-PS541s14_GrZs5kJ0xLUKj_QknV5xChOd3m1IhBFyPu5_tbtvnennR6BtL6Y3eDd0j0ZyxeA9GX2gap63e4iw9qwY9c/s1600-h/wedding4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVxN3ZX2mNm6daNqSxh7B0jUmqIcmWsCF5rGQ5Whs95bEvNM-PS541s14_GrZs5kJ0xLUKj_QknV5xChOd3m1IhBFyPu5_tbtvnennR6BtL6Y3eDd0j0ZyxeA9GX2gap63e4iw9qwY9c/s400/wedding4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282086091692646338" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Reusing and Recycling</span>
For gifts and non-floral decor items, Melina also reused and recycled. "I made the bridesmaids' jewelry out of materials that I already had on-hand, such as fake pearls, wire and ribbon. I made pillar candles for the tables, by covering empty metal soup cans with wrapping paper and placing pillar candles on top. I also reused foamcore board from presentation boards I had made for work to build a cupcake tower to house our wedding cupcakes."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_FQYmch-Va1LnL3FibG2BCLTMT9qdaim3ciSPvwlIv6r1SGLm6fNeIQAPMa9zAsMOkZB7V78egw8u2pCBj1a_9vHdbLOLfPqfc7OEWNu3ud2rv6p2zPH-3LL06_Z2JKuMmHDTzBxP28/s1600-h/cupcake+tower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_FQYmch-Va1LnL3FibG2BCLTMT9qdaim3ciSPvwlIv6r1SGLm6fNeIQAPMa9zAsMOkZB7V78egw8u2pCBj1a_9vHdbLOLfPqfc7OEWNu3ud2rv6p2zPH-3LL06_Z2JKuMmHDTzBxP28/s400/cupcake+tower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282086742079028770" /></a>
<P>
Melina even made the cake toppers - "a mini-Melina and a mini-Brian" out of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YGCKDA?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000YGCKDA">Sculpy Clay</a>.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUTa4PsE5Ez0U9b4TdBvUJwbYY0K03ChF_w3NGstzcWjqbEMTBItaA66kmQJilllqpHWCRZbzf5lmqxunR2o47kbwzyePOxE8iTH6qG6p-tzcli-7p6cHbFiUkd9UyDLFm2wK9vKBbCU/s1600-h/wedding7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUTa4PsE5Ez0U9b4TdBvUJwbYY0K03ChF_w3NGstzcWjqbEMTBItaA66kmQJilllqpHWCRZbzf5lmqxunR2o47kbwzyePOxE8iTH6qG6p-tzcli-7p6cHbFiUkd9UyDLFm2wK9vKBbCU/s400/wedding7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282087830207501714" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Giving Something Back</span>
Each guest's plate had two pieces of <a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thegrebrigui-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B000LKYVZE&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr">Endangered Species Chocolate</a>. The company donates 10% of its net profits to sales to "help support species, habitat, and humanity."
<P><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw59NUX0ZUIoED30F5oZoPJaaDzgEEJkxy8J2WddAAcULgYx0AJbNAIANbWxW2OTEy7FGIfZ5ZnVHCrZ6PyZqkg7-3PMW3pTYlEKDNzUiml8PQgmcwdVJ-6hZ3Gmo0wMGFqjzu2GIyS3c/s1600-h/black+and+white+couple+walking+away.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw59NUX0ZUIoED30F5oZoPJaaDzgEEJkxy8J2WddAAcULgYx0AJbNAIANbWxW2OTEy7FGIfZ5ZnVHCrZ6PyZqkg7-3PMW3pTYlEKDNzUiml8PQgmcwdVJ-6hZ3Gmo0wMGFqjzu2GIyS3c/s400/black+and+white+couple+walking+away.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282089722218898002" /></a>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-8027956626256528112008-11-19T11:40:00.017-05:002008-12-18T00:01:50.705-05:00Home-Style Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrStlJ4zVvv_mgJ6-DiSybae7qbXZ-ywPFcms8Rd1eC3z6M_I49vNkpilAsnLeUQhgkrXLb5C5AThmrtb-ab4F6A3hTeZJAYdZ0yGzgD3XppekrG2Z1xGyGQtA0s9pnFOlOsYailhaqY/s1600-h/Cathy+and+husband.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrStlJ4zVvv_mgJ6-DiSybae7qbXZ-ywPFcms8Rd1eC3z6M_I49vNkpilAsnLeUQhgkrXLb5C5AThmrtb-ab4F6A3hTeZJAYdZ0yGzgD3XppekrG2Z1xGyGQtA0s9pnFOlOsYailhaqY/s400/Cathy+and+husband.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270411339835088722" /></a>
<P>
Cathy and Nick were married on August 16, 2008 in Baltimore, MD.
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">How They Met</span>
Cathy and Nick both work with the mentally ill. Nick is a clinical social worker and Cathy is a psychologist. The two were set up on a blind date by friends and immediately clicked. "Our shared passion for social justice was one of the first things that drew us together."
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Decision to Go Green</span>
Although Cathy and Nick had originally planned a larger wedding, they decided it was more important for them to use their resources to buy their first home together. They also wanted to have a "socially responsible wedding that was consistent with our values and minimized excess and waste." To this end, the couple sent out hand written invitations inviting a small list of guests to celebrate with them at their new home. "Our invitations were handwritten by a good friend. Both the invitations and thank you notes were written on recycled paper and we decided to limit waste by not using RSVP cards."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jFIZMbz5dk9tmgUYZf8j8pAI5Ar4KLgSSQkRIDty-J94hUmRCgy_7mwT__lJ8pmyRM5Wy_hPKGf3FSGtu8LVFAnyiWPiLeBoZvPXl-YO6OJLC3TguuPqfZctB4MU2gx0laxeQlv3x7k/s1600-h/wedding+invite.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jFIZMbz5dk9tmgUYZf8j8pAI5Ar4KLgSSQkRIDty-J94hUmRCgy_7mwT__lJ8pmyRM5Wy_hPKGf3FSGtu8LVFAnyiWPiLeBoZvPXl-YO6OJLC3TguuPqfZctB4MU2gx0laxeQlv3x7k/s400/wedding+invite.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270412465039717330" /></a>
<P>
"Our wedding occurred on the front porch and the celebration was set up as a garden party in the side yard and included 15 of our dear friends and family."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtosHyqWaPIa6SYsY8jTqhES_KCvvqlrT_MmHo4OX1dh4DpnNTp3prFKXZ7TRYnQqee3xD-SFsh4ny_SEH8mSZXMQv7dIkw9uo8YqXt_MQSLle24sZq4n590pmP_YuxVfw-VFsXpJcFdA/s1600-h/The+ceremony.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtosHyqWaPIa6SYsY8jTqhES_KCvvqlrT_MmHo4OX1dh4DpnNTp3prFKXZ7TRYnQqee3xD-SFsh4ny_SEH8mSZXMQv7dIkw9uo8YqXt_MQSLle24sZq4n590pmP_YuxVfw-VFsXpJcFdA/s400/The+ceremony.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270413914479633986" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers</span>
It was important for Cathy and Nick to have locally grown flowers at their wedding. "Imported flowers expend tremendous resources, require preservatives for their journey, and are often the product of deplorable working conditions. In an effort to minimize our wedding’s impact on the environment, we chose to work with <a href="http://www.locoflo.com">Local Color Flowers</a>, a Baltimore based floral design company that values ecological responsibility and supports local growers." Local Color Flowers used an array of brightly colored summer flowers for Cathy and Nick’s wedding including Zinnias, Gomphrena, Asters and Celosia.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSXWYIfJ3qD1bOeq4TCZbRd9qXTWRSC-pOfElgGnARlW3u2mwOSNY8fkaYAaYGpIWXgSNyIb5IA6Q2AUFAwHTZHswZPo11dhD2YUDplG694cXYXbkQND-RuylmqkkLdTMba_zZzSH2iE/s1600-h/green+wedding+wreath.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSXWYIfJ3qD1bOeq4TCZbRd9qXTWRSC-pOfElgGnARlW3u2mwOSNY8fkaYAaYGpIWXgSNyIb5IA6Q2AUFAwHTZHswZPo11dhD2YUDplG694cXYXbkQND-RuylmqkkLdTMba_zZzSH2iE/s400/green+wedding+wreath.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270414948927864818" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6In6NNe_n_nQS7EvIgkEEep3Txau5C2Gjmajx7p4EE_Pl2x45AZHImGzl4H_dRLoRBkJD8m-_Ag0GqUW5L9PxHIWUNLHuqychJWaRItfPsZ4MRZ18bio6cXnz80pLkU1KE_suvM_Rd7w/s1600-h/mum+bouquet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6In6NNe_n_nQS7EvIgkEEep3Txau5C2Gjmajx7p4EE_Pl2x45AZHImGzl4H_dRLoRBkJD8m-_Ag0GqUW5L9PxHIWUNLHuqychJWaRItfPsZ4MRZ18bio6cXnz80pLkU1KE_suvM_Rd7w/s400/mum+bouquet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270414873821127634" /></a>
<P>
For the reception, the flowers were displayed in mason jars, decorative tin buckets, antique headlights, and glass tumblers. Instead of having favors, the flower arrangements from the ceremony and celebration were sent home with guests at the end of the night.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfqHMx2ogX8B3dA1FdFuU10NV-XBkCKitIapXBuzBQ-WD2LA8G5CmiTS86BijSpsqalJ0V7Z5S4lByLp0QOpC5q32mozQ7crJLmKGA7GciCA7UHRrUfx_DMw7K4A1YxzjSFkVlbBH640/s1600-h/hanging+container+of+flowers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfqHMx2ogX8B3dA1FdFuU10NV-XBkCKitIapXBuzBQ-WD2LA8G5CmiTS86BijSpsqalJ0V7Z5S4lByLp0QOpC5q32mozQ7crJLmKGA7GciCA7UHRrUfx_DMw7K4A1YxzjSFkVlbBH640/s400/hanging+container+of+flowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270415315650808546" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELdxAf_xfqV5KpFpC68IumK9SCl6EwSyNxyMyapL1a4NfgSTR75ZwdXynCcWIIoA9Fw8eFntXt1S7MD_mRQHmlzD4zFWcUPkBVZuqXsSo2k2-O_x5Bc_Wm-1YYCNdN5k1xUt93eL4Z4I/s1600-h/stringing+up+flowers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELdxAf_xfqV5KpFpC68IumK9SCl6EwSyNxyMyapL1a4NfgSTR75ZwdXynCcWIIoA9Fw8eFntXt1S7MD_mRQHmlzD4zFWcUPkBVZuqXsSo2k2-O_x5Bc_Wm-1YYCNdN5k1xUt93eL4Z4I/s400/stringing+up+flowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270415241201692162" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALIFY5XX1M8vLgvApHVBboIqXCSBkusukvwDaxneJvWLiq_0ooUyEq0DU9ojWWzwmjiwUW68dj_J-YK44ru37IdA7RHvv8s-4HOXOLmfJcS2TlaU52VNlwNjAy5GfAeJKxCwYYMM5z8o/s1600-h/mums+in+hanging+vase.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALIFY5XX1M8vLgvApHVBboIqXCSBkusukvwDaxneJvWLiq_0ooUyEq0DU9ojWWzwmjiwUW68dj_J-YK44ru37IdA7RHvv8s-4HOXOLmfJcS2TlaU52VNlwNjAy5GfAeJKxCwYYMM5z8o/s400/mums+in+hanging+vase.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270415182511402098" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Creating a Space</span>
The couple asked their friends to pitch in with the table decor. They were able borrow everything they needed, including silverware, pitchers, candelabras, place card holders, and folding tables and chairs.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw1VL8Ha1Va_hcaDpNxMf-FfoWlj2rJ5X2i9GVcks7Y0g8ayQ7nohyxBXTdnxb9JSxP0bcrMEm3nvzwwKbqavN8iG7WEPrmwAq67MhvaaC9Gw74AWrnu3sut57zwGIeBQZLbPCYXghNU/s1600-h/setting+table.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVw1VL8Ha1Va_hcaDpNxMf-FfoWlj2rJ5X2i9GVcks7Y0g8ayQ7nohyxBXTdnxb9JSxP0bcrMEm3nvzwwKbqavN8iG7WEPrmwAq67MhvaaC9Gw74AWrnu3sut57zwGIeBQZLbPCYXghNU/s400/setting+table.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270415492540750946" /></a>
<P>
They strung white lights around the table to create an intimate outdoor space.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlekwWZk2afZeYtmh1FsN7KTujG4yWfZIXOAEHPYLu_Kra1priMc7AkMhL97WKj2SuRiMlRuTli4t-FMFNZYsyu5jKDo2O79D4mPfCcouZpjC7glgB7T0pNJfSBETwZGj5pN118aknGE/s1600-h/table+from+above+at+night.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlekwWZk2afZeYtmh1FsN7KTujG4yWfZIXOAEHPYLu_Kra1priMc7AkMhL97WKj2SuRiMlRuTli4t-FMFNZYsyu5jKDo2O79D4mPfCcouZpjC7glgB7T0pNJfSBETwZGj5pN118aknGE/s400/table+from+above+at+night.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270415760057332946" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pvRmrA36kaJp8LKcsY9p-vorGZaB3h_6itPL7UqVHKn2Pycwc52bCBqDHEXAZbfFlPJozV8_-M3pvXhEDoIlsBELCa-DfLVuwOjZR45epseq-O5zTXlrier0JwvSicnvaevjvhuhjFQ/s1600-h/night+table+with+lights.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pvRmrA36kaJp8LKcsY9p-vorGZaB3h_6itPL7UqVHKn2Pycwc52bCBqDHEXAZbfFlPJozV8_-M3pvXhEDoIlsBELCa-DfLVuwOjZR45epseq-O5zTXlrier0JwvSicnvaevjvhuhjFQ/s400/night+table+with+lights.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270415712395045922" /></a>
<P>
They used their iPod to play a "funky mix including everything from Brazilian music, traditional Irish music, Tribe Called Quest, Wilco, and Stevie Wonder."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Dessert</span>
On their wedding day, a good friend surprised the couple (who had chosen not to have a wedding cake) with a homemade cake made with local ingredients from <a href="http://www.tricklingspringscreamery.com">Trickling Springs Creamery</a>. The cake was adorned with a Mexican good luck charm (a figurine of a skeletal bride & groom) "bringing additional humor to the day."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY7L_G8n0YGjj1ikXY3JKkV64O_-1AFj6sCNqjbZ8HuGF4G7nbJ1-oq0hMZgKWYRq17q5BmPUVwgwaWMQ8Rvp5lgkJmyrbWjFKOo6eIjqyi2mvNHewgB1RhQ_jjfy4Wvie06lr_J-Hfw/s1600-h/day+of+the+dead+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY7L_G8n0YGjj1ikXY3JKkV64O_-1AFj6sCNqjbZ8HuGF4G7nbJ1-oq0hMZgKWYRq17q5BmPUVwgwaWMQ8Rvp5lgkJmyrbWjFKOo6eIjqyi2mvNHewgB1RhQ_jjfy4Wvie06lr_J-Hfw/s400/day+of+the+dead+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270416081482198946" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI2I-4fdwCMoWx2xJyMwZ_dUAaRZ56_pSxGQ8PdohpJIbZX6-VEHnf3mZkfL4DKOG-dXXr6HGloabwxiLf8gd4VaBxa1mjKMXj-0jcvBWsv5voD1SwKBmOAGJLikZzZF8D0YPpmC6h2U/s1600-h/Cutting+the+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI2I-4fdwCMoWx2xJyMwZ_dUAaRZ56_pSxGQ8PdohpJIbZX6-VEHnf3mZkfL4DKOG-dXXr6HGloabwxiLf8gd4VaBxa1mjKMXj-0jcvBWsv5voD1SwKBmOAGJLikZzZF8D0YPpmC6h2U/s400/Cutting+the+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270416218565939394" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Going Digital</span>
Cathy and Nick’s photographer, <a href="http://www.tristanspinksi.com">Tristan Spinski </a>provided the couple with the digital negatives instead of prints. "We were able to create our own wedding album without printing pictures unnecessarily. Since we chose to have a small, intimate wedding, many of our loved ones were not physically present. It was important to us to be able to easily send family and friends electronic copies of our photos."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqrgnbdx3NG77d8AoifBerDVPFQ_1_Fqznr5wXSf-Wbj84VpDoKRfOFmVF37zl-uIB5RWLVsb96dii5LDXFzAH1mZPpn8_wYLUGRfYVMV4khh3zQ_T8xDtVrVoFXNz7JD0zxW8lbYdsc/s1600-h/couple+at+night.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqrgnbdx3NG77d8AoifBerDVPFQ_1_Fqznr5wXSf-Wbj84VpDoKRfOFmVF37zl-uIB5RWLVsb96dii5LDXFzAH1mZPpn8_wYLUGRfYVMV4khh3zQ_T8xDtVrVoFXNz7JD0zxW8lbYdsc/s400/couple+at+night.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270416480646589442" /></a>
<P>
All in all, Cathy and Nick felt that "a socially conscious wedding with minimal impact on the environment was the ideal way for us to begin our marriage." As Cathy said, “The day just felt like us.”The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-2018765393116591862008-11-13T19:52:00.024-05:002008-12-18T00:01:50.706-05:00Love at the Thursday Club<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnOswqCrCbgHlMKbcMG_mGHZ1N2-bRNFx3q5s6irc374g44CcVtzdI8hPzYgey_hNNVptWdv3ggFBjye0kXiwwM228Vr2T1OAiuDCZNneuZ0JIhH8kZ8-pE-DkTVBOhdqAIzXQ5FrlKY/s1600-h/0901_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnOswqCrCbgHlMKbcMG_mGHZ1N2-bRNFx3q5s6irc374g44CcVtzdI8hPzYgey_hNNVptWdv3ggFBjye0kXiwwM228Vr2T1OAiuDCZNneuZ0JIhH8kZ8-pE-DkTVBOhdqAIzXQ5FrlKY/s400/0901_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268553999357353010" /></a>
<P>
Shawn McDonald and Roger Grant were married on September 26th at the <a href="http://www.thethursdayclub.org">Thursday Club</a> in San Diego, an organization that benefits a host of worthy causes including the <a href="http://www.childrensdentalhealth.org/about_us.html">Children's Dental Health Association of San Diego</a>, <a href="http://urbancorpssd.org/">Urban Corps</a>, <a href="http://www.sprhf.org/">St. Paul's Retirement Home Foundation</a>, and <a href="http://www.sdgoodwill.org/">Goodwill Industries of San Diego County</a>.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2amTK4TBaXzybi1EMoCRbc9yWMo6cgVVXe0BOe7H5v8UjxGtlHOnMvnSu5GvRG5pe_cuelUFp2T59pJOuXvjxQIG0AZfoM_Ue4reQ3o7v8UCQsLfp_X9OJsMXYs0Bg-GJhQnglbwAxrI/s1600-h/couple+in+front+of+lodge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2amTK4TBaXzybi1EMoCRbc9yWMo6cgVVXe0BOe7H5v8UjxGtlHOnMvnSu5GvRG5pe_cuelUFp2T59pJOuXvjxQIG0AZfoM_Ue4reQ3o7v8UCQsLfp_X9OJsMXYs0Bg-GJhQnglbwAxrI/s400/couple+in+front+of+lodge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268351426024156130" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">How They Met</span>
Shawn worked at Powerhouse Gym in Pacific Beach during college where Roger was a member. Although he had a crush on her, Roger kept it a secret for almost a year because "he didn't want to be 'that guy' at the gym." In 2002 the two finally met at Typhoon Saloon in Pacific Beach, where Shawn first noticed Roger from afar (he was one of the tallest guys in the crowd). She went over for a closer "look" and Roger instantly recognized her. The two hit it off immediately and ended up talking and dancing all night. "We had an absolute blast together, our meeting that night was truly meant to be." Six years later the two still chuckle when thinking about the night they met, "You so often hear 'you'll never meet your future husband or wife at a bar,'... don't be so sure, you just never know!"
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Arriving in Style</span>
The couple made arrangements for their family and the bridal party to arrive in eco-chic style with <a href="http://wherevershuttle.com/">Wherever Shuttle</a>, San Diego's first green transportation company. "All of their vehicles run on vegetable oil! Wherever Shuttle was professional, timely, efficient and eco-friendly! We use them often just to go out in San Diego because their affordable, at your door, green service is better than getting a taxi!"
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonpDDHsKTOBP-HAJZdyJDmFK8w4Fnw-9reL0qmkItWbkVaLzXhwfC5YJ7BvGJHmH-Sbe0ka2P-pd_D2NT-wYBVhLvOcwojNCNkG_-fTW0yK-TMctgwtGv1ESAQo3Hf5BIgJja_hePIx0/s1600-h/h1water1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonpDDHsKTOBP-HAJZdyJDmFK8w4Fnw-9reL0qmkItWbkVaLzXhwfC5YJ7BvGJHmH-Sbe0ka2P-pd_D2NT-wYBVhLvOcwojNCNkG_-fTW0yK-TMctgwtGv1ESAQo3Hf5BIgJja_hePIx0/s400/h1water1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268351595611635090" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Bridal Style</span>
Shawn chose a number of accents for the wedding that were sustainable or could be used again. The rings were placed in a bamboo box Roger bought on eBay for $10.
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI20P5oyxXYnqAyazrMD6cpuexoXuW_40aKAwpHVkSL5Wes2tjzuKJiaTD6laBJSE-0keqjiWZi5d9r19G2jOPziA92bHksVt0ppQNLutj_4OApUE2KYxyivAMMEIDiLaasJbLIETR5jI/s1600-h/1450_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI20P5oyxXYnqAyazrMD6cpuexoXuW_40aKAwpHVkSL5Wes2tjzuKJiaTD6laBJSE-0keqjiWZi5d9r19G2jOPziA92bHksVt0ppQNLutj_4OApUE2KYxyivAMMEIDiLaasJbLIETR5jI/s400/1450_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268554525705120738" /></a>
<P>
Shawn wore a chocolate brown pair of shoes by Kate Spade that she "found online for half the retail price. The best part is I can wear them again since they aren't 'bridal white' shoes!!" She made her shoes her "something blue" by adding crystals that she purchased at Micheal's and arranged on the bottom to say "I Do".
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14fqyE07aZj1wsTv9Bb_6y_m9OIQymjwVTjgo5LHi3hMKHz1Vr-dEZwjIKWALdRVH1u8gGOjrbDSRvH7Zu8f8Bl7Qxb4lZxkOhzJeBezw6DzaQ5XM8dUYNeRLP0LpRUrVmzejczdlwj0/s1600-h/1451_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14fqyE07aZj1wsTv9Bb_6y_m9OIQymjwVTjgo5LHi3hMKHz1Vr-dEZwjIKWALdRVH1u8gGOjrbDSRvH7Zu8f8Bl7Qxb4lZxkOhzJeBezw6DzaQ5XM8dUYNeRLP0LpRUrVmzejczdlwj0/s400/1451_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268554226194623378" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCdYk_3u6n5Mms88xlCcPLaII9IPTwl3424bQPUWtqTLxA90qOH3dj-utJRPCsC0iQ7xjJlP6JqYFVLF_XpXjshjOaYy4vwBgTOYgPbepq82r7Fqxo40XAWJi7b8BtTNNepnnIs9Rxfc/s1600-h/1477_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCdYk_3u6n5Mms88xlCcPLaII9IPTwl3424bQPUWtqTLxA90qOH3dj-utJRPCsC0iQ7xjJlP6JqYFVLF_XpXjshjOaYy4vwBgTOYgPbepq82r7Fqxo40XAWJi7b8BtTNNepnnIs9Rxfc/s400/1477_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268554165312852562" /></a>
<P>
For her something old and something borrowed, Shawn placed pictures of the couple's grandfathers in her grandmother's locket and tied it to her bouquet. "We wanted to incorporate their memory into the wedding."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK59MNcZkKOKwFJkneoIFreFAloaPBl8duD1DMnJsJku0sKXAPnVyxw6Mkc5doMk-zxeL_Ir7vF_Qy8RdqOXdVc-nOeWkkQxMtag4v3LRwfm5puRPThUPEK1g_AMB8_iPBoNIB8vNvEPg/s1600-h/ancestor+bouquet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK59MNcZkKOKwFJkneoIFreFAloaPBl8duD1DMnJsJku0sKXAPnVyxw6Mkc5doMk-zxeL_Ir7vF_Qy8RdqOXdVc-nOeWkkQxMtag4v3LRwfm5puRPThUPEK1g_AMB8_iPBoNIB8vNvEPg/s400/ancestor+bouquet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268352445378334930" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Ceremony</span>
In addition to honoring their loved ones who had passed, the couple did everything they could to "incorporate all of our immediate family in some way into the wedding ceremony as well. If they were not in the bridal party, they were included in the processional, which is traditionally just for parents and grandparents." Roger's dad become an Officiant for the Day in San Diego County so he could marry them!
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzpp7vW7TtSqtK7Y3EnhOwiUtBxPtUcFSOChGB7nSMmWyH1dHhm5xUrxKrcJlp_XisimH5jkqbym30j3tFeoANeR06S2by-pq1VvGap8XJen0AyOPG_O4V-syoMPBklGTTx9fKZ06Vsk/s1600-h/ceremony+from+above.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzpp7vW7TtSqtK7Y3EnhOwiUtBxPtUcFSOChGB7nSMmWyH1dHhm5xUrxKrcJlp_XisimH5jkqbym30j3tFeoANeR06S2by-pq1VvGap8XJen0AyOPG_O4V-syoMPBklGTTx9fKZ06Vsk/s400/ceremony+from+above.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268352679803950850" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEn7jecT_hPuKs1C-sT5-gwzMa4yZtcJzTkrqYLrfDF5JCC4iu3tT7HqOza7bbX7gxBSXmKnnI9Tj9V9OtvR72Pum9mB8jhHgf46vU-f5w8KIYbuH-bcAp3zxcgbscbdd-AYL3hA773U/s1600-h/0804_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEn7jecT_hPuKs1C-sT5-gwzMa4yZtcJzTkrqYLrfDF5JCC4iu3tT7HqOza7bbX7gxBSXmKnnI9Tj9V9OtvR72Pum9mB8jhHgf46vU-f5w8KIYbuH-bcAp3zxcgbscbdd-AYL3hA773U/s400/0804_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268554680949547618" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">A Sweet Theme</span>
The reception was held at the same venue as the ceremony, so their was no additional travel for their guests. The theme of the reception was 'The Sweetest Love' and their colors "were chocolate brown (the sweet element) and white." Shawn carried the theme throughout the reception using all white flowers (by <a href="http://www.bloomersflowerslajolla.com/aboutus.asp">Bloomers</a>) and deep chocolate linens accented with white. Each table was named to follow the theme: "Sweetest Love", "Sweetest Day", "Sweetest Song", "Sweetest Moment", etc."
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V5IDZuFbJ_zCfEh6TDAB-fwhQkFKRRoX_Y773f6GCzGtIJYqt8AO8Ni2tD0sOcsZYX8WW2aP63xkFZl3d30LNEtRkMtacxrDWcOy0bMQ9MzFf_Q4LDxTAMGxkddWdWK-HcsGrbUgSFM/s1600-h/brown+and+white+wedding+hall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V5IDZuFbJ_zCfEh6TDAB-fwhQkFKRRoX_Y773f6GCzGtIJYqt8AO8Ni2tD0sOcsZYX8WW2aP63xkFZl3d30LNEtRkMtacxrDWcOy0bMQ9MzFf_Q4LDxTAMGxkddWdWK-HcsGrbUgSFM/s400/brown+and+white+wedding+hall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268353004450205250" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnihG3_rqcvxnTymfKL6f0VVztEQBPeR0GgNjND1SxyxDUFUJSejuFifYrAdrmYcirrul_Y5j3bgxpCcSWcplgXyS44BVx2KmTcduZK-sj06NO7FR2QM2Y9D1glhTKJWOTMFf86L_86A/s1600-h/table+setting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnihG3_rqcvxnTymfKL6f0VVztEQBPeR0GgNjND1SxyxDUFUJSejuFifYrAdrmYcirrul_Y5j3bgxpCcSWcplgXyS44BVx2KmTcduZK-sj06NO7FR2QM2Y9D1glhTKJWOTMFf86L_86A/s400/table+setting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268352924091634226" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">DIY Elements</span>
Part of being green is conserving resources, including money. "When I started planning my wedding I spoke to many wedding planners in San Diego and was disheartened when they told me with my budget I'd have to be willing to 'go without' a lot of things. They advised me that I should expect to spend $35,000-50,000, which was not possible. So I chose to plan everything by myself. I researched, researched, researched until I found fabulous vendors that fit my budget as well as ways to create the details I wanted without paying someone to make them. All of the wedding details I hand created with the help of a dear friend and my mother, managing to save my family a fortune! It was a lot of work, but it felt really good to know that I was able to add a personal touch to the day as well as save a bundle! Having the guests tell me how much they loved all the details was the biggest compliment and made it all worth it!"
<P>
Here are a few of Shawn's DIY touches:
<p>
Instead of place cards, she bought blank business cards and printed the name of the table and the guest name on the front and their wedding date on the back. All of the items were accented with chocolate brown ribbon she "found at a fabric store on sale." All left over ribbons she kept to reuse for thank you gifts.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMSWEgQbzlZZoZCFTBpEIF_N7Nz-9M6XDXbHbrNLK01SKHKg4TKH1PS-Cbu-wIjDOghe8r56Wy_yOBFNGCywAHgTenUAtWh1CDYiw6nZcbOeIwPY_06RmEELwFSJLXkbKiakg1V9pFBs/s1600-h/name+cards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMSWEgQbzlZZoZCFTBpEIF_N7Nz-9M6XDXbHbrNLK01SKHKg4TKH1PS-Cbu-wIjDOghe8r56Wy_yOBFNGCywAHgTenUAtWh1CDYiw6nZcbOeIwPY_06RmEELwFSJLXkbKiakg1V9pFBs/s400/name+cards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268353328564496770" /></a>
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Instead of buying an expensive guest book, Shawn made a memory box where each guest could leave their favorite memory of the bride and groom. The memories were written on blank index cards and left in the box for the couple to read after their honeymoon. "We kept the box with all of our wedding cards in it, so we can open it up at any time and enjoy the memories and cards from our guests ."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mSEFQdoQznmMKlwYdTOiKb5GIFsLl62JHIro__0r8apGofSE2QUkpaXaLRvnOD327c7PqrXAxjdPl6UI0Us-M68S3Q5nenCwh0HHt1mmdoGSaxmdzDCWQsF8Pj5NnXR9G3rMtA8S7f0/s1600-h/wedding+wish+box.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mSEFQdoQznmMKlwYdTOiKb5GIFsLl62JHIro__0r8apGofSE2QUkpaXaLRvnOD327c7PqrXAxjdPl6UI0Us-M68S3Q5nenCwh0HHt1mmdoGSaxmdzDCWQsF8Pj5NnXR9G3rMtA8S7f0/s400/wedding+wish+box.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268353544119291298" /></a>
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To add another 'sweet' touch she found romantic sayings that she printed out at home and put in frames around the reception site. "For all of the items I made, I used a filigree design that I found for free within Microsoft clip art." Many of the decor items, such as the frames and vases, the couple have placed in their home as mementos from their special day.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa00mxqK7hcAyGLqvv17oTs_D34f3DwXAmDxpNu-ZDxwd6W2E-uKCXW9QEJofGi2EZB9NT0DZq7S2NFR2h0OAWM0nrGhVzezGxKBtc9OQwKDZOlfvaOxif1eq_UKosrCy19S5xBjIjvw/s1600-h/eat+drink+and+be+married+card.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa00mxqK7hcAyGLqvv17oTs_D34f3DwXAmDxpNu-ZDxwd6W2E-uKCXW9QEJofGi2EZB9NT0DZq7S2NFR2h0OAWM0nrGhVzezGxKBtc9OQwKDZOlfvaOxif1eq_UKosrCy19S5xBjIjvw/s400/eat+drink+and+be+married+card.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268353998512166082" /></a>
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Shawn used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HCVR58?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HCVR58">Microsoft Publisher</a> to create this sign for their signature drink the "Sweetest Sparkle" (sweet rose champagne served in a flute rimmed with chocolate flavored sugar - "not your usual bubbly combination but it was delicious and the guests loved it!"). The photograph below was taken while Roger was proposing to Shawn at Ponte Vineyard in Temecula. "He had the manager of the winery take a photo of us... I had no idea he was preparing to get down on one knee and propose!"
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMmwVOiMdnTkqd5PYklRgYqCTp7SvMXytFfLVm7FLA7C7lV6jKoaS_nZEIGeSwaMD7cuzMeklpnOl4ZHWs23Vj8ooKq6PvQwa_7Gi3cOz9TAxzszgQS0AYSzpmWYTTJEtaRA7LE7CK5c/s1600-h/proposal+photograph.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMmwVOiMdnTkqd5PYklRgYqCTp7SvMXytFfLVm7FLA7C7lV6jKoaS_nZEIGeSwaMD7cuzMeklpnOl4ZHWs23Vj8ooKq6PvQwa_7Gi3cOz9TAxzszgQS0AYSzpmWYTTJEtaRA7LE7CK5c/s400/proposal+photograph.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268354482565930354" /></a>
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For favors, Shawn tied the leftover ribbon around personalized CDs featuring the couple's favorite songs.
<P><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-JypZ3jQ-MI-yPBQsQgpfebVdfyMuZlHT3ov_5iavQX7_mfyrHK3RE57T_3nKYog12o3TZLPpF1g_beFC6-2I8u8pwbHzK-2Mnw52rz3k9_GvGKQ8UegeWhPJKEg2VIhRUK7OlMrcqc/s1600-h/1558_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-JypZ3jQ-MI-yPBQsQgpfebVdfyMuZlHT3ov_5iavQX7_mfyrHK3RE57T_3nKYog12o3TZLPpF1g_beFC6-2I8u8pwbHzK-2Mnw52rz3k9_GvGKQ8UegeWhPJKEg2VIhRUK7OlMrcqc/s400/1558_McDonaldGrantWedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268554424632919330" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">A Sweet Ending</span>
For dessert, Shawn and Roger bought a cake from a local doughnut shop. "We saved approximately $700 compared to what 'wedding cake bakers' quoted us and everyone raved about how good it was! Thank goodness for the top because that was all we had leftover!"
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2lCU2IJi4F1VXQhHZ0f-c5IwkZlgDzmhycHrpqS_QZpIvDMLKCZyLaP9UouAHfD24VE7RcomC1wDeS6QJKj_GwMfDtcm_YOCLeS_EVNmUgnyzmZPn-Mvf0a1vxonr9YSgtUycLojGFE/s1600-h/doughnut+wedding+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2lCU2IJi4F1VXQhHZ0f-c5IwkZlgDzmhycHrpqS_QZpIvDMLKCZyLaP9UouAHfD24VE7RcomC1wDeS6QJKj_GwMfDtcm_YOCLeS_EVNmUgnyzmZPn-Mvf0a1vxonr9YSgtUycLojGFE/s400/doughnut+wedding+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268354850624558066" /></a>
<P>
Catering: <a href="http://www.cateringspecialist.com ">Culinary Concepts</a> <p>
Music was provided by: <a href="http://www.bentertained.net/">B'Entertained</a> <P>
Photo Credit: <a href="http://lavidacreations.com/">La Vida Creations Photography</a>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-20838028498208160152008-11-08T12:39:00.003-05:002008-11-08T12:51:56.049-05:00November Contest!The Green Bride Guide Online is offering <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/page86/page86.html">monthly contests</a>!
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Only a few people have entered our November contest so far - so the chance to win is high!! The contest is for the <span style="font-weight:bold;">first signed copy of The Green Bride Guide</span>.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hNZFAgCoCLN_LYFiEwkpkQRAQQYEzwVamY3G_LoIn6gbYgNbo4SLA8RqBjf7g9zMuc9yeAZG_avXEKevSQxZqDTYL51JC3r17pQSzOugkOfrzspSzlg8Spp-EYqHizo9yX-Zm8LIGf0/s1600-h/GBG+cover+large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hNZFAgCoCLN_LYFiEwkpkQRAQQYEzwVamY3G_LoIn6gbYgNbo4SLA8RqBjf7g9zMuc9yeAZG_avXEKevSQxZqDTYL51JC3r17pQSzOugkOfrzspSzlg8Spp-EYqHizo9yX-Zm8LIGf0/s400/GBG+cover+large.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266344035864203186" /></a>
<p>
The book is now available for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140221345X?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=140221345X">pre-order on Amazon</a>, where you can search inside the book for a sneak peak.
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For more details about the contest <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/page86/page86.html">click here</a>.The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-5718907111590925212008-10-23T17:24:00.017-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.709-05:00Going Green and Saving Green in Texas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV0gU5V64EmAlpqdSiMCNtPOBHvomLtRiROGrKWhmlOptHzAtnQTGqoHcKecjeoQCBI4en8eZtfYW-lTYqX17-CHXTx2rRTqIMCP5JTC0f3_HpAT4YiCCQZ8acaQp-tm24vaC-IOveos/s1600-h/Tara+and+michael.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV0gU5V64EmAlpqdSiMCNtPOBHvomLtRiROGrKWhmlOptHzAtnQTGqoHcKecjeoQCBI4en8eZtfYW-lTYqX17-CHXTx2rRTqIMCP5JTC0f3_HpAT4YiCCQZ8acaQp-tm24vaC-IOveos/s400/Tara+and+michael.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260463608185790914" /></a>
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Tara Brown and Michael Selders were married on August 24th in Houston, Texas. The ceremony and reception were both held at <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/houston/">The Four Seasons Hotel</a>, to eliminate the driving time of guests and to cut down on carbon emissions.
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">How They Met</span>
As Tara tells it, "We met waiting tables at Macaroni Grill in April of 2001 and started dating in August of 2001. Michael is now a cardiovascular technologist (aka Eco Tech) and works for the <a href="http://www.digirad.com/">Digirad Corporation</a> and I work for the <a href="http://www.stewart.com/">Stewart Title Guaranty Company</a> as a Senior National Closing Coordinator."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv_e5ah-jvtbz8NPgql5eyIF7VBcf-d0n-kRtH_q0y18h1KkdLXOAsJfGP-w7WEA27NNwzUCfGLmqZKXNI_vk0Hmlyhxh0fiTX6_hkIyxOgTAY-4x_srammt7CC3esKve41gd_L7Q7TY/s1600-h/couple+dancing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv_e5ah-jvtbz8NPgql5eyIF7VBcf-d0n-kRtH_q0y18h1KkdLXOAsJfGP-w7WEA27NNwzUCfGLmqZKXNI_vk0Hmlyhxh0fiTX6_hkIyxOgTAY-4x_srammt7CC3esKve41gd_L7Q7TY/s400/couple+dancing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260464296954858018" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Why a Green Wedding</span>
"As a child, Mike traveled all over Europe and I visited a lot of National Parks. So, we developed an appreciation for nature early on but never really understand how our actions impacted our environment until we educated ourselves on the issues as adults. Once we started understanding how our daily consumption affected our world, we started making eco-friendly changes to our everyday lives. We currently recycle everything we possibly can and we also donate items that we don’t need anymore instead of tossing them in the dumpster. I was very hesitant to [get married] because I knew how much waste is produced by weddings. I finally decided that if I could eliminate the large amount of waste and add some other eco-friendly initiatives into a wedding, that I would do it. So, I told my husband about my plans and he jumped on board." Michael took Tara's wishes to heart and gave her an engagement ring with a diamond that had belonged to her great grandmother.
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Wedding Planner</span>
Soon after, Tara and her mom, Jackie, went scouting for eco-friendly event planners. They found Jessica Zapatero at <a href="http://www.greenlilyevents.com">Green Lily Events</a> to coordinate the wedding. Jessica helped them plan a complete eco-friendly affair. "One of the biggest eco-initiatives was the on-site recycling (because Texas does not have laws about recycling at large events and it almost never happens). Jessica got Waste Management and the Four Seasons to work together to recycle the paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminum. When Waste Management said they could not recycle the glass because of liability issues, Jessica took care of it herself (she paid for it!) and hired a local individual to pick it up and bring it to the local recycling center. By the day of the wedding, we had implemented over 20 different eco-initiatives and our eco-wedding was a success!"
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Invitations</span>
Not only did Tara and Michael make green choices, but they saved green too: "A common myth is that eco-weddings cost more, but that is not always the case. Although many eco-friendly products and services do cost more, there are ways to cut costs. For example, instead of purchasing paper invitations, we opted for <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/invitations.html">tree-free and recycled paper invitations</a> from <a href="http://www.invitesite.com/">Invitesite</a>. We actually ended up saving about $500 by assembling our eco-friendly invitations ourselves." The coupled saved money by making other smart green choices as well (see the cakes section for example).
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJc3JmYgv2YsH7kNnz_UgG1adcHNzXNcbyh-3tYGjp2FH9XYxG1b59DpDggqb8OpDS3hVhUIlSGNhrjSOLFfclHWQUXs-GbIwStdPG8a5ouyFQ9IcfsxJZstlx8Rg7cQRgIFelEarcUc/s1600-h/DSCF0687.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJc3JmYgv2YsH7kNnz_UgG1adcHNzXNcbyh-3tYGjp2FH9XYxG1b59DpDggqb8OpDS3hVhUIlSGNhrjSOLFfclHWQUXs-GbIwStdPG8a5ouyFQ9IcfsxJZstlx8Rg7cQRgIFelEarcUc/s400/DSCF0687.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260464973609452018" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Attire</span>
For her Tara's gown, Tara chose a floor length gown with a sweeping train made from Raw Silk by <a href="http://www.palomablanca.com/">Paloma Blanca</a> – a Canadian company that gives a percent of every sale to <a href="http://www.dressesthatheal.org/">Dresses That Heal</a>.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPdmvbj1EXAGPs8ZaxTJxVbOmVRK5fJJllbIq3xnJLDgeghyphenhyphenuE8U-gd2UMsrnI_oNjAQ_96dVJWbSzZ-koBbJpxp8B8DVkWZ0msOj8oCfRI9KJ7KSTotgwY9Ge9YCJrTBHqg8VNHe2mY/s1600-h/bride+in+dresses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPdmvbj1EXAGPs8ZaxTJxVbOmVRK5fJJllbIq3xnJLDgeghyphenhyphenuE8U-gd2UMsrnI_oNjAQ_96dVJWbSzZ-koBbJpxp8B8DVkWZ0msOj8oCfRI9KJ7KSTotgwY9Ge9YCJrTBHqg8VNHe2mY/s400/bride+in+dresses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260467136312800930" /></a>
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The men wore eco-suede kippot from <a href="http://www.a-zara.com/index.asp?af=kaharrison2&bn=3">Zara Mart</a> (made from recycled cardboard) and the bridesmaids donned <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/brides/beauty.html">natural make-up</a> from <a href="http://www.glominerals.com/">GloMinerals</a>.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQuXW_BYUZTWoBBG-uk5doevzigsI1TwqyOBrftKYtlwp7gktisKD9drS2o9W-2m5Q6RP44rR_ym4HtkENXhNoUo4cuM3aBCmikCjZ6YMAqytsboBPqYV5_zErEYNXDGMVmhx01FMDAg/s1600-h/brown+and+blue+bridal+paryt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQuXW_BYUZTWoBBG-uk5doevzigsI1TwqyOBrftKYtlwp7gktisKD9drS2o9W-2m5Q6RP44rR_ym4HtkENXhNoUo4cuM3aBCmikCjZ6YMAqytsboBPqYV5_zErEYNXDGMVmhx01FMDAg/s400/brown+and+blue+bridal+paryt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260468437277952978" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers</span>
The florist, <a href="http://www.plantsnpetals.net">Plants ‘n Petals</a>, reused part of the decor from the ceremony at the reception. "The tall side pew containers that held the curly willow and <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/reception/candles.html">floating candles</a> were moved from the ceremony room to the reception. After the wedding, the chiffon fabric from the <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/page80/page80.html">Chuppah</a> [bridal canopy] was reused as was the riser. Also, a couple of floral displays in the ceremony room were moved into the reception and used as centerpieces."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA4lnM_L3m0ZmJCNopi-oTEnzZSo93rQRhGXYQy9zzkTu0nzPDH9LzGjtPSq3eGj1egjV4qCyiyX8KpRFQkVzOYi1iEK6gvttIgQdB2ydI8ep5tutM5d4ih3sb3kUHe2LfaJ28oH1v3M/s1600-h/couples+under+a+chuppah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA4lnM_L3m0ZmJCNopi-oTEnzZSo93rQRhGXYQy9zzkTu0nzPDH9LzGjtPSq3eGj1egjV4qCyiyX8KpRFQkVzOYi1iEK6gvttIgQdB2ydI8ep5tutM5d4ih3sb3kUHe2LfaJ28oH1v3M/s400/couples+under+a+chuppah.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260470570638460466" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SJSHP4Qe6dXpJRkNk7SLhHRDpquWkAUVRf5Na31sxFh73z971HJUMVYgma_GxHvvHnXJyvGJqUlf7XUPk1-oriZG-9WWjcAsQb31vn2R6dqanikcfEqke6wwAE_UWgkOYVB45H6Fqnc/s1600-h/centerpiece.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SJSHP4Qe6dXpJRkNk7SLhHRDpquWkAUVRf5Na31sxFh73z971HJUMVYgma_GxHvvHnXJyvGJqUlf7XUPk1-oriZG-9WWjcAsQb31vn2R6dqanikcfEqke6wwAE_UWgkOYVB45H6Fqnc/s400/centerpiece.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260471241844208834" /></a>
<P>
Many of the flowers were purchased from local Houston farms, and all of the arrangements were donated after the event to the Lexington Place Healthcare Center.
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Decor</span>
Tara and Michael were able to use a lot items offered by The Four Season, including chair covers. The table linens were provided by <a href="http://www.covermesatin.com/">Cover Me Satin</a> and "were already in their warehouse so nothing was ordered." After the wedding all of the linens were laundered in <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/">energy star appliances</a>. As with the invitations, the seating cards and menus were printed on tree-free paper.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclmg7P5n2n8PhjtXvAxAYXPRJPyrKq_0EJ_mwSr-SX45Q-l5NhPdSqk1RFRqCvo7v2agzfzn9WEncaKwQ4c58nOqRgaq2H6RvwBqCN4ELv2rlDbT6lDuCZY3Zl5QeaxH0iqgQSwK48rU/s1600-h/purple+and+brown+seating+cards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclmg7P5n2n8PhjtXvAxAYXPRJPyrKq_0EJ_mwSr-SX45Q-l5NhPdSqk1RFRqCvo7v2agzfzn9WEncaKwQ4c58nOqRgaq2H6RvwBqCN4ELv2rlDbT6lDuCZY3Zl5QeaxH0iqgQSwK48rU/s400/purple+and+brown+seating+cards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260471931750112802" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr049nxrH7-qQ5_M3t5J0DWIFPyr1Q83KWYVMVOfHT9ybMEgfjovpMt_9T9FLQjFto_M8pjPTKM_vsWHu3ZJU__nCpSMxyqyZLoZbjacW22JSJyBSCX5mzDJG6H9UyJhzuTDWmkdZrQs/s1600-h/brown+and+purple+menu+card.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizr049nxrH7-qQ5_M3t5J0DWIFPyr1Q83KWYVMVOfHT9ybMEgfjovpMt_9T9FLQjFto_M8pjPTKM_vsWHu3ZJU__nCpSMxyqyZLoZbjacW22JSJyBSCX5mzDJG6H9UyJhzuTDWmkdZrQs/s400/brown+and+purple+menu+card.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260472073603250530" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cake</span>
An unexpected saving came when the couple ordered green wedding cakes. "I originally wanted a wedding cake and grooms cake from the best baker in town and her quote ended up being $1500 which was out of my mom’s price range. Our wonderful wedding coordinator, Jessica, introduced us to Monica Martinez of <a href="http://www.monicasdivinedelights.com/">Monica’s Divine Delights</a>. Not only were her cakes absolutely fabulous, but they were more affordable. The quote from Monica for the same cakes with the same designs but organic was $1100! So, we ended up with delicious organic cakes and we saved $400."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3heRxTGfYMTbTYO7-YZbRN7-ArPsVJQih6-e-OAkkZjC5kRdBl9ZgfBHGzth-oLK6A7kjRqHgrOxVgJL_mnZEWlvoTHsHWo_pd40yDl5-1aUn7RwLqcsTE7VZcMyjO-V-Z0drPSWSrM/s1600-h/organic+grooms+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3heRxTGfYMTbTYO7-YZbRN7-ArPsVJQih6-e-OAkkZjC5kRdBl9ZgfBHGzth-oLK6A7kjRqHgrOxVgJL_mnZEWlvoTHsHWo_pd40yDl5-1aUn7RwLqcsTE7VZcMyjO-V-Z0drPSWSrM/s400/organic+grooms+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260472590480081026" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Favors</span>
Out of town guests were greeted with recycled bags filled with local and organic products, which were put together by Holley Brown of <a href="http://www.houstonsweetcouture.com">Sweet Couture</a>. "The guest bags also had my Aunt Marcia’s famous Chocolate Chip Cookies and Banana Nut Muffins. Since my Aunt made quite a bit of food for each bag, we also saved money." For favors, each guest was given a <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/favors/treesseeds.html">packet of seeds</a> in a small plantable pot (the pots actually go into the soil and biodegrade so nothing is wasted). "Seeing our guest’s expressions when they saw their plantable eco favors was great."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHD54F2CoEz9yVxV2OS90_bQJOFO2d7EE-5G7N1VZOWklbwXQ83lWC2zq8IxtWk9JM5cXtMX3N12PDwxS9TEi5Dl_etBct5v21O8E7UsGGqCKm-6Yk1rodgekWZCfliJbGHJ7es-NPlw/s1600-h/potted+seed+wedding+favors.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHD54F2CoEz9yVxV2OS90_bQJOFO2d7EE-5G7N1VZOWklbwXQ83lWC2zq8IxtWk9JM5cXtMX3N12PDwxS9TEi5Dl_etBct5v21O8E7UsGGqCKm-6Yk1rodgekWZCfliJbGHJ7es-NPlw/s400/potted+seed+wedding+favors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260475917910600530" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Adieu <span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span>
At the end of the day, everyone gathered outside and tossed cones of <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/reception/general.html">ecofetti</a> (a kind of biodegradable confetti) to send the newly married couple off.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKiw9gl48hVUywahjeI5avtrDi3n8CIEF82wRBaL0z0mdzE-6157iYze2QdHJTT7s02wJLjM89rM-4WiKr6DjPU3zy54Az9MvczQa-MMOVzckUDbnfH5VcWvTZW728FcFCX_wjKPCJDc/s1600-h/Ecofetti+sendoff.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKiw9gl48hVUywahjeI5avtrDi3n8CIEF82wRBaL0z0mdzE-6157iYze2QdHJTT7s02wJLjM89rM-4WiKr6DjPU3zy54Az9MvczQa-MMOVzckUDbnfH5VcWvTZW728FcFCX_wjKPCJDc/s400/Ecofetti+sendoff.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260477542783736706" /></a>
<p>
Tara and Michael got into a horse drawn carriage (an elegant carbon neutral option!) and rode off.
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT01_1K-w9V_lBt0VJmlduIxqMw9M2QbzjwQqZEWqOd6xiT9iozFdxMrUw5HaUMec6UOuK2WieJRkAyy-p41E0cIdSYgOIfki627-uliZXm2wzbxcjH2T94Lt_Y7PZx3_b5sau_PwUHZo/s1600-h/horse+drawn+carriage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT01_1K-w9V_lBt0VJmlduIxqMw9M2QbzjwQqZEWqOd6xiT9iozFdxMrUw5HaUMec6UOuK2WieJRkAyy-p41E0cIdSYgOIfki627-uliZXm2wzbxcjH2T94Lt_Y7PZx3_b5sau_PwUHZo/s400/horse+drawn+carriage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260477741910022338" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Looking back</span>
When asked what her favorite part of her wedding was, Tara replied, "If I had to pick one thing, I would say just having an eco-wedding was my favorite part! Now that the wedding is over, my husband and I are extremely happy with the choices we made. We are proud that our wedding did not have a large negative impact on our environment and we hope to inspire other couples. Overall this experience has been life changing and we are planning on making all our future events eco-friendly."
Photography Credit: <a href="http://www.michaelramosphotographer.com/home.html">Michael Ramos</a>, digital photographerThe Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-59756261423087143522008-10-07T15:25:00.013-04:002008-10-07T15:48:23.413-04:00Daisy Decor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRXE07tuWY7TtIYxBpUNeH8pB6dThk3XB8rkmdv1pLg1pdubSbQt-k2wmcuZn-79HOmpD_tY543DfXh1p-rHbivxL24Iar7P2VEGugmacT_skFNg9ulE0BUBBq_mKxWo_-5zd1gVA_JE/s1600-h/soo+and+glyn+by+the+water.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRXE07tuWY7TtIYxBpUNeH8pB6dThk3XB8rkmdv1pLg1pdubSbQt-k2wmcuZn-79HOmpD_tY543DfXh1p-rHbivxL24Iar7P2VEGugmacT_skFNg9ulE0BUBBq_mKxWo_-5zd1gVA_JE/s400/soo+and+glyn+by+the+water.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254496776257242306" /></a>
<P>
Soo and Glyn Swift were married on August 22nd in the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g528866-d504380-r20070147-The_Seiners_Arms_Hotel-Perranporth_Cornwall_England.html">Seiners Arms Hotel </a>in Perranporth, Cornwall, UK. As Soo wrote on <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/">TripAdvisor</a>, "The hotel is lucky enough to be perfectly situated practically on Perranporth beach, and was the perfect location for our wedding. The staff was fantastic, extremely friendly and nothing was too much to ask."
<P>
To decrease the <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wWjwXpYnfkA&offerid=148615.10000054&type=4&subid=0">footprint</a> of their wedding, the couple "decided to hold the ceremony and reception in the same venue, and organised car sharing in order to reduce fuel emissions. Our guests were kept informed via email of arrangements for the day."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNQmmwhKIDXBwtWtUdVCDVotw9IHJVICDkyxwUPLuV3t5tis4uGr5FT_lPPCJOMOroM3WYa5RKc8qBycKaW_zO5jWjprHOJl0xwT1OVcKDjc7neb8XVVWLVNVElgicsQUmmiJZDVKCoI/s1600-h/portch+shot.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNQmmwhKIDXBwtWtUdVCDVotw9IHJVICDkyxwUPLuV3t5tis4uGr5FT_lPPCJOMOroM3WYa5RKc8qBycKaW_zO5jWjprHOJl0xwT1OVcKDjc7neb8XVVWLVNVElgicsQUmmiJZDVKCoI/s400/portch+shot.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254497597140693650" /></a>
<P>
Soo and Glyn are a very laid back couple. "On the day of the ceremony, we had beautiful sunshine and both Glyn and I enjoyed a surf in the morning."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TV3CHV7BKybU_oT0l1MoEabmQ16uq3S7sWfwm8dyEQ8ec-vixP7DwIz-Tr9FcVZxL5EVP4CgynXfvtFuX4XO9hMcIq5XRILmIOSwYbxOJfAdVeeX25KrOu2J3Y522uHRyLY3c4nAX1I/s1600-h/Wedding+couple+surfing.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TV3CHV7BKybU_oT0l1MoEabmQ16uq3S7sWfwm8dyEQ8ec-vixP7DwIz-Tr9FcVZxL5EVP4CgynXfvtFuX4XO9hMcIq5XRILmIOSwYbxOJfAdVeeX25KrOu2J3Y522uHRyLY3c4nAX1I/s400/Wedding+couple+surfing.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254497739233642834" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Invitations</span>
The couple made their own <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/invitations.html">invitations on recycled paper</a> and decreased waste by asking their guests to RSVP via e-mail.
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Rings</span>
Their rings were simple <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/page52/page60/page62/page62.html">rose gold bands</a> from an independent jeweler in Devon. "We had them inscribed with our names and the date by a local engraver."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE4BQQQPqxrXsz_-qRkEONjREB88Oi86iycFxIHxYezSDnqnXqQYdNFUHDlQ_gsiAgjUDUWVN9CAapLA-nr72xLFBSE5LIPiGwPKPlkNiZGHZSBNndn09dyq7iZEh_P_Q-Y4eLsjrAZU/s1600-h/Rose+gold+engraved+rings.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE4BQQQPqxrXsz_-qRkEONjREB88Oi86iycFxIHxYezSDnqnXqQYdNFUHDlQ_gsiAgjUDUWVN9CAapLA-nr72xLFBSE5LIPiGwPKPlkNiZGHZSBNndn09dyq7iZEh_P_Q-Y4eLsjrAZU/s400/Rose+gold+engraved+rings.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254498265200351058" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers</span>
Soo and Glyn merged the beach theme with white daisies to create a beautiful summer affair. "We decided to have a daisy theme running through the wedding."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijClVcArOdBPWU2HRE0d2v2hiG5MGj-Zgn4aQbhpTZXmHLvvD7r5v1rX9zGn3ORrjY8SWwvLTQowWu7hm4oOvaNxezJJsmtXh3B_INmZ2P92BWqSSRtP8bewxkssbzqG2Zq1Rpc5HdL54/s1600-h/Daisy+guest+book.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijClVcArOdBPWU2HRE0d2v2hiG5MGj-Zgn4aQbhpTZXmHLvvD7r5v1rX9zGn3ORrjY8SWwvLTQowWu7hm4oOvaNxezJJsmtXh3B_INmZ2P92BWqSSRtP8bewxkssbzqG2Zq1Rpc5HdL54/s400/Daisy+guest+book.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254498452928055042" /></a>
<P>
They used ivory gerbera daisies from the local florist for all of the arrangements and Soo's bouquet.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H1dHpXby8smurS3f8_CIBl83cp4Vh2G0pSuDD7_ROF3hHhSPbIoaqb6suAMfSD6Fhb8lIXLIqnBrfJWNrBg-s7vrsF2fXAPhu9Ygqor_FJZu1cSN4KfHykVZnYjjCvlLW07mIsdYvVo/s1600-h/daisy+bridal+bouquet.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H1dHpXby8smurS3f8_CIBl83cp4Vh2G0pSuDD7_ROF3hHhSPbIoaqb6suAMfSD6Fhb8lIXLIqnBrfJWNrBg-s7vrsF2fXAPhu9Ygqor_FJZu1cSN4KfHykVZnYjjCvlLW07mIsdYvVo/s400/daisy+bridal+bouquet.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254498830915497970" /></a>
<P>
"We used flower petals and locally collected shells to decorate the ceremony room, which over looked Perranporth beach."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA-9nJv2bYQ1wAtS1GqRnOiu2zflDldKjvn-N7n8yLENO5K6IEYrXdhL0xNBXM27Mk1NOq6VluPPNGPjpTSRcZj03_n75KchKJ6IJev8xNw53TvdQ1f9j6LQerzEwc4bj8EAfQfOnC1s/s1600-h/daisy+bouquet.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqA-9nJv2bYQ1wAtS1GqRnOiu2zflDldKjvn-N7n8yLENO5K6IEYrXdhL0xNBXM27Mk1NOq6VluPPNGPjpTSRcZj03_n75KchKJ6IJev8xNw53TvdQ1f9j6LQerzEwc4bj8EAfQfOnC1s/s400/daisy+bouquet.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254498770467175090" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Accessories</span>
Soo wore a daisy applique dress with a matching necklace and flip flops.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLOuwdlQXQWa1kzb2i58zLMNv8Rfx88kYRX9ELrkgdbOd8spnVlw1R734cKW23mAXs-vEs6Jws_dGJ00ZPkQ455ShTcaGGZNehxAcR64FW6iUCvyFN9Y7YbQG7YtAPrgwgjNssCClAZU/s1600-h/soo+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLOuwdlQXQWa1kzb2i58zLMNv8Rfx88kYRX9ELrkgdbOd8spnVlw1R734cKW23mAXs-vEs6Jws_dGJ00ZPkQ455ShTcaGGZNehxAcR64FW6iUCvyFN9Y7YbQG7YtAPrgwgjNssCClAZU/s400/soo+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254499196455539602" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmub0zObkRztMCrS9_OEXIVv3fBBfywII7qnEoDtT6paC5l8t2Ad_MSCbP7Ns61Cqsjo_yIFdPorp0ll14dT6XpdED3LNW11z3vywpl2Ffvb4PkiA81OjTGyp5aXcfiFOOEldtVEJQRTk/s1600-h/wedding+sandels+in+the+sand.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmub0zObkRztMCrS9_OEXIVv3fBBfywII7qnEoDtT6paC5l8t2Ad_MSCbP7Ns61Cqsjo_yIFdPorp0ll14dT6XpdED3LNW11z3vywpl2Ffvb4PkiA81OjTGyp5aXcfiFOOEldtVEJQRTk/s400/wedding+sandels+in+the+sand.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254499123096520146" /></a>
<P>
For the ceremony, she wore a daisy in her hair and Glyn used a single daily stem for his boutonnière.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtblF7u0SoYWPy3iCNu4MkgXdTsebB9v2kmCGnlYk1mSmFtensFY-chMfT-07hyphenhyphen5-sWdEew2pW_jYU5J3U-OSyBN8n53V3lwVGOn0aJkg_vFAztT5jhJQPtZosMKFRCvR-2spu6uNXjI/s1600-h/Couple+looking+at+each+other.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtblF7u0SoYWPy3iCNu4MkgXdTsebB9v2kmCGnlYk1mSmFtensFY-chMfT-07hyphenhyphen5-sWdEew2pW_jYU5J3U-OSyBN8n53V3lwVGOn0aJkg_vFAztT5jhJQPtZosMKFRCvR-2spu6uNXjI/s400/Couple+looking+at+each+other.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254499334480427346" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Food</span>
Their guests enjoyed fresh ocean fare and local meat, "One of the Seiners most outstanding features is it's food, so I'd strongly recommend the Seiners barbeque buffet for anyone who wants a casual, sophisticated wedding.The wedding buffet consisted of barbequed localled caught fish and localled reared meat." After dinner guests enjoyed individual cakes.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA3AG8agyQ-10Ra7DCBIzbm9dJogoWUt7eLJ2nuBqDF41zKLCgEfYf-4dsZGXnpGv0VtQSqG379-I77_swjyuieXIHobQB6OOQjxez2iSkmNncUaFHAqZz13vuK_2QkTN9JO3dtDs7eY/s1600-h/Little+gifts+cake+teir.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA3AG8agyQ-10Ra7DCBIzbm9dJogoWUt7eLJ2nuBqDF41zKLCgEfYf-4dsZGXnpGv0VtQSqG379-I77_swjyuieXIHobQB6OOQjxez2iSkmNncUaFHAqZz13vuK_2QkTN9JO3dtDs7eY/s400/Little+gifts+cake+teir.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254499518298837426" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Registry</span>
Soo and Glyn set up a registry of eco-frendly gifts, which I wrote about in June. <a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/2008/06/uk-utopia.html">Click here</a> to read more!
<P>
And if you were wondering what the guests thought of the event - "All of our wedding guests said they had a fantastic time and we honoured to be a part of our day."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTT6mt8FooQuJCOZYmsXaZCbQeUFgYAfYyQd9nXIiR04EMm-HFu4sM5_GaNwPtm45hyphenhyphenHkDBMZwShBcVu-qrO9Xt1re8dMFcYMl8sZZ_475wVpuOKBIuJo0ik8ogSK4ZwVCymNK4ryPEE/s1600-h/just+wed+magnets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTT6mt8FooQuJCOZYmsXaZCbQeUFgYAfYyQd9nXIiR04EMm-HFu4sM5_GaNwPtm45hyphenhyphenHkDBMZwShBcVu-qrO9Xt1re8dMFcYMl8sZZ_475wVpuOKBIuJo0ik8ogSK4ZwVCymNK4ryPEE/s400/just+wed+magnets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254501142597154594" /></a>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-87982763201247882512008-10-03T21:16:00.020-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.712-05:00Casual Charm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLllvsWca0ZlYfhyphenhyphenJ04klRJh0UmV7h3lbJF57vXZQRdAI9DSpjXr4V0YisucyVmjXkhzLyuIhjo8cMFpDIwXewLjus6IjPkWuHcmp73r6hnFJuDhtlrOgZFurlrV_6qLF3j6U3EBDtgw/s1600-h/IMG_7132.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLllvsWca0ZlYfhyphenhyphenJ04klRJh0UmV7h3lbJF57vXZQRdAI9DSpjXr4V0YisucyVmjXkhzLyuIhjo8cMFpDIwXewLjus6IjPkWuHcmp73r6hnFJuDhtlrOgZFurlrV_6qLF3j6U3EBDtgw/s400/IMG_7132.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253101624129658642" /></a>
<p>
Hillary Rosner and Philip Higgs were married on June 24, 2006.
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">How They Met</span>
HIllary and Phil are both journalists. The couple met in 1997 while working for <a href="http://www.thenation.com/">The Nation</a> magazine. Phil is now a contributing editor for <a href="http://www.skinet.com/ski">SKI Magazine</a> and <a href="http://www.hillaryr.net/Hillary_Rosner/Home.html">Hillary</a> worked on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670062723?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0670062723">An Inconvenient Truth,</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thegrebrigui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0670062723" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159486781X?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=159486781X">The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook,</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thegrebrigui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=159486781X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076792973X?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=076792973X">Go Green, Live Rich.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thegrebrigui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=076792973X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
<P>
When it came time to plan their wedding, going green was an easy choice. "I've got an MS in environmental studies and write about environmental issues, and Phil has written about green building and is in fact now building a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw-bale_construction">straw bale</a> studio behind our house in Boulder. So having green elements at our wedding was a no-brainer."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Invitations</span>
"My father and his business partner made the invitations, which featured a print from a linoleum block I made when I was around 7. They were printed on recycled paper, of course! And the reply cards were old postcards--each one different--that I bought at a used bookstore."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Location</span>
HIllary and Phil were married at <a href="http://fullmoonresort.com/">Full Moon Central</a> in Big Indian, New York - in the <a href="http://www.catskillcenter.org/region.html">Catskill Mountains</a>. "We chose our wedding site partly so that most people could stay on site, thereby minimizing the driving once the guests were there. And we also liked that they offered menu options that were largely organic and/or locally grown."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoSVVPYUB1tAGl8z91RYcd6A1mJ8M8KPu5d7CxyRmB4PH1lP0G3cYSI3J5Uny4NEjrfwaehDm0gacuroBZabUC0x-qqd8yidt-9c2KHQ9zCeMl3PGLT4qKyZINw5MWYhH6tV0Z2Y-8vI/s1600-h/pond_big.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoSVVPYUB1tAGl8z91RYcd6A1mJ8M8KPu5d7CxyRmB4PH1lP0G3cYSI3J5Uny4NEjrfwaehDm0gacuroBZabUC0x-qqd8yidt-9c2KHQ9zCeMl3PGLT4qKyZINw5MWYhH6tV0Z2Y-8vI/s400/pond_big.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253107282064306994" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDLniySMxZjMDf95eorytGwV2Ssr1KEX6wk-xsKLzE4EOesLnts0MGYidhGSVW6bEabl_gN2PQGxS934Ljo4yOJlxwletIkcNdcZvNCKfKAaoJeNxtr7aj7my_IiQfqmK_kA0hvnMbhc/s1600-h/house_big.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDLniySMxZjMDf95eorytGwV2Ssr1KEX6wk-xsKLzE4EOesLnts0MGYidhGSVW6bEabl_gN2PQGxS934Ljo4yOJlxwletIkcNdcZvNCKfKAaoJeNxtr7aj7my_IiQfqmK_kA0hvnMbhc/s400/house_big.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253107171927283698" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Ceremony</span>
The ceremony was held outside on the grass. "We wrote the ceremony ourselves and were married by my cousin, who's a minister. There was nothing religious in the ceremony, except for the Jewish tradition of breaking the glass."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxDWzD0SozaCE03PDhcYzmvt_phYcdbjtOc-nSfn0syvsq9jjabrTBLYFaJE7Iy2d4_DsG-uasw1_1fYengt1nV5e2ABdJ-U98-v4ymJzqV463v3Nc5TVX9QfRAKRxWn59bqtdJF9PF4/s1600-h/outdoor+wedding+ceremony+in+the+catskills.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxDWzD0SozaCE03PDhcYzmvt_phYcdbjtOc-nSfn0syvsq9jjabrTBLYFaJE7Iy2d4_DsG-uasw1_1fYengt1nV5e2ABdJ-U98-v4ymJzqV463v3Nc5TVX9QfRAKRxWn59bqtdJF9PF4/s400/outdoor+wedding+ceremony+in+the+catskills.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253107656319450130" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidb7qWKEbuOqn5a66yXfU6z94rpBKot0yuHhFVmGsyKTbbhIb3j-3nmfPmaorIDItKcuCHQt29P2kW5Be7OHIfPtvm4uvBfGblt0rVdjykKAO58lBKCNqs6I7lvPrvCWEnZO_s5XWLWY/s1600-h/Breaking+the+glass+jewish+wedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidb7qWKEbuOqn5a66yXfU6z94rpBKot0yuHhFVmGsyKTbbhIb3j-3nmfPmaorIDItKcuCHQt29P2kW5Be7OHIfPtvm4uvBfGblt0rVdjykKAO58lBKCNqs6I7lvPrvCWEnZO_s5XWLWY/s400/Breaking+the+glass+jewish+wedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253107571782988258" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Attire</span>
"I went barefoot at the ceremony, which was in a big grassy meadow, but the shoes I wore later were made by <a href="http://www.terraplana.com/womens-c-154.html">Terra Plana</a>, which uses nontoxic glue and recycled materials in its shoes. My <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/attire/gowns.html">wedding dress</a> wasn't green in any way except that it was just a regular dress--it cost around $250--that happened to be white. I couldn't stomach spending all that money on something I'd wear once."
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBHPe53EePWR3U0-ige1-2uUBAMsSrBOs5-r2Fh7TcnE6UI3ygcGUTbvAHyb9KxfdFH4J1G3yMFH-pj1gUzTxULep-zMHKpw0jxE_RDEg_8hxofxhIuyc-jtCWnk2yRszX-TxNu7hrOI/s1600-h/blue+wedding+shoes+-+2x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBHPe53EePWR3U0-ige1-2uUBAMsSrBOs5-r2Fh7TcnE6UI3ygcGUTbvAHyb9KxfdFH4J1G3yMFH-pj1gUzTxULep-zMHKpw0jxE_RDEg_8hxofxhIuyc-jtCWnk2yRszX-TxNu7hrOI/s400/blue+wedding+shoes+-+2x.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253454188515930834" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Rings</span>
"Our rings were designed by <a href="http://www.jenniferleitzes.com/">Jennifer Leitzes</a>, a friend in LA who's a jewelry designer--she also did my engagement ring, which has diamonds taken from old earrings of my mother's and a ring that belonged to a great aunt. And the gold was recycled."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r1vIln83mToIfEfu1R9ic7yqEYgyccYInA3tyEn5gR1s1r-BzQA6euNkTpog7CyHAe77R8nETW8lsCp6Azs_gbUi8ns6DfDFhY9dzHHpexnDublhr4hyFx3Eqmc97ON1QBWn42Yva9E/s1600-h/Recycled+gold+and+vintage+diamond+ring.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r1vIln83mToIfEfu1R9ic7yqEYgyccYInA3tyEn5gR1s1r-BzQA6euNkTpog7CyHAe77R8nETW8lsCp6Azs_gbUi8ns6DfDFhY9dzHHpexnDublhr4hyFx3Eqmc97ON1QBWn42Yva9E/s400/Recycled+gold+and+vintage+diamond+ring.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253109234259993250" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers</span>
For the ceremony, the couple used simple bouquets of wildflowers from Full Moon. "I wasn't going to have a bouquet at all, but at the last minute a friend presented me with a bouquet of wildflowers she'd collected on the property while she was out collecting flowers for the flower girls' baskets."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2kmvIY54EpV0moYwDUuDhZnvojgDZfQMNTDh5YbokxOhro6-pSXO-YVxexI0Au4gkgZPW7vRKy_4PM4Fzi2srPCauRU2vOeY1gc4zN7jQVll3cb0Pu4H72EIajp4fcecdVAcLpmvfNE/s1600-h/Flowergirls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2kmvIY54EpV0moYwDUuDhZnvojgDZfQMNTDh5YbokxOhro6-pSXO-YVxexI0Au4gkgZPW7vRKy_4PM4Fzi2srPCauRU2vOeY1gc4zN7jQVll3cb0Pu4H72EIajp4fcecdVAcLpmvfNE/s400/Flowergirls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253109535438403298" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNLouRtN6qoCoEb15eRWGowdVxUWJkILFODx059BLtwCMlgnzHHSYpnwM1tpkrvIemZNjuVr-GgWmjVq94QYyhyOUjQvBIV4Zh8D3uDlY8_89KU-Cokh3bB4G4ryV6zZnqRCt19xERR4/s1600-h/bride+with+wildflower+bouquet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNLouRtN6qoCoEb15eRWGowdVxUWJkILFODx059BLtwCMlgnzHHSYpnwM1tpkrvIemZNjuVr-GgWmjVq94QYyhyOUjQvBIV4Zh8D3uDlY8_89KU-Cokh3bB4G4ryV6zZnqRCt19xERR4/s400/bride+with+wildflower+bouquet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253109464231188674" /></a>
<P>
For the reception, Hillary and Phil opted for <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/flowers/pottedplants.html">live plants</a> (which can be used again and do not have to be shipped in from overseas). "We used potted plants instead of cut flowers as centerpieces. My friends went to work transferring the potted plants into painted terracotta pots my father bought. We decorated the tables with fabric we bought, which my cousin spent hours cutting into squares the day before."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Activities</span>
"Much of the wedding was <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/diy.html">DIY</a>. My best friend from high school taught a yoga class on Saturday morning before the ceremony. We did all the music on an <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2913110-10489562">ipod</a> (my husband programmed it all) except for a local trio we hired for the cocktail hour. On Friday night we had a big bonfire with s'mores."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6MIScfne3B9pBJUQWcW1InnGXVn0PSsuWdB7ICFujbxUYYr8JPcdU7QL1hFLyhJU2UZ0U-uw0phKRd7auFf4DR8Ssg5xDBthAF2-rmfHuJHdmynrdjmJ1jOZSe6q7NFqQeYnnTI4XxQ/s1600-h/Wedding+trio.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6MIScfne3B9pBJUQWcW1InnGXVn0PSsuWdB7ICFujbxUYYr8JPcdU7QL1hFLyhJU2UZ0U-uw0phKRd7auFf4DR8Ssg5xDBthAF2-rmfHuJHdmynrdjmJ1jOZSe6q7NFqQeYnnTI4XxQ/s400/Wedding+trio.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253110603207492626" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHO9hQHyB09Eatyhhbli7p0Wtdt92Y-OMOuWEfqqEudUKf_HvRu493YAMM2z0GGYXnKZ5LFjJQZFDSMs4Q3v6QbOQwVcueD74BkL1hBvY8QAQarFUQrLJ_NCEmJkVhUGhyphenhyphenM0Vw_xA0ss/s1600-h/dance+party.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHO9hQHyB09Eatyhhbli7p0Wtdt92Y-OMOuWEfqqEudUKf_HvRu493YAMM2z0GGYXnKZ5LFjJQZFDSMs4Q3v6QbOQwVcueD74BkL1hBvY8QAQarFUQrLJ_NCEmJkVhUGhyphenhyphenM0Vw_xA0ss/s400/dance+party.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253110497427291954" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Favors</span>
"For party favors, a friend of mine from Boulder (who ended up getting sick and missing the wedding!) lovingly <a href="http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/product.asp?product_id=kitgourmsoap&affiliate=33756">made these beautiful soaps</a>, which she individually wrapped in scraps of fabric."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Pictures</span>
"My sister and two friends are all photographers, so we put them in charge of taking pictures. One of the friends has a <a href="http://www.thepicturebooth.net/">photo booth business</a>, so as a wedding gift she set up the booth at the reception, which was really great.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrL9UdUBYNpvHL6MtZTM8YY4hMOcA0pPNGrPafLMLmNHe9GP3KFq_xEEQkj7AFpc78OPTvBAbrmYhz9_b4_07VxsHHssJ7XTp3LjoY5w0723HshL_uwvNcghUc90yI7AEM3ELY4xp8Oc/s1600-h/wedding+photobooth.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrL9UdUBYNpvHL6MtZTM8YY4hMOcA0pPNGrPafLMLmNHe9GP3KFq_xEEQkj7AFpc78OPTvBAbrmYhz9_b4_07VxsHHssJ7XTp3LjoY5w0723HshL_uwvNcghUc90yI7AEM3ELY4xp8Oc/s400/wedding+photobooth.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253445821119461042" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Registry</span>
HIllary and Phil used their <a href="http://www.idofoundation.org/">charity registry</a> to raise money for <a href="http://www.hsus.org/">The Humane Society</a>, <a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/">Doctors Without Borders</a>, <a href="http://www.treesforlife.org/">Trees For Life</a>, and <a href="http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJKKYPLJvH/b.1539751/k.BDB6/Home.htm">Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America</a>. "My mother insisted we register for some actual, tangible items, even though we didn't need anything. So we registered for a very small number of items, and then did a charity registry and a <a href="http://www.honeyluna.com/default.cfm?affiliate=green">honeymoon registry</a>. Lots of people used the charity registry, which was cool."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Honeymoon</span>
Even their honeymoon was green! "We went to an eco-friendly hotel in Costa Rica and then an eco-resort in Nicaragua (which I wrote about for a green issue that Town & Country did [Etiquette: Planning a Green Wedding, T&C Weddings Spring/Summer 2008]).
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwRz3LIGG9UWldwVRyeZ4VhfpKKPooA_TKH_cGNMdW2zM7IO9XGgZCTrbQQsWqkJ8ocRhu-AdGMKVlAL8cBVtXv1fFVGpw_es8eZWFyj5SmINNF9fChoIJC-1JPMbIbYug8EGJ9opzr4/s1600-h/tree+house+honeymoon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwRz3LIGG9UWldwVRyeZ4VhfpKKPooA_TKH_cGNMdW2zM7IO9XGgZCTrbQQsWqkJ8ocRhu-AdGMKVlAL8cBVtXv1fFVGpw_es8eZWFyj5SmINNF9fChoIJC-1JPMbIbYug8EGJ9opzr4/s400/tree+house+honeymoon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253452981103699362" /></a>
<P>
"We then traveled to a remote part of the country and went down river by boat, visiting various rainforests and other wildlife-rich areas."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJom1qYMH90z78hHUzaKzuBDqEUIxucv1Fmo6V9dPC06AnFUa98B2i-SI2rkDxxgWfvoX7xps4l6MSw_J9u0GHCX_7K54VqO7QJylFJdsobJ2KXs3Pk7e7vdLEYkjsu8DBcWl_rtUiviQ/s1600-h/honeymoon+with+bug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJom1qYMH90z78hHUzaKzuBDqEUIxucv1Fmo6V9dPC06AnFUa98B2i-SI2rkDxxgWfvoX7xps4l6MSw_J9u0GHCX_7K54VqO7QJylFJdsobJ2KXs3Pk7e7vdLEYkjsu8DBcWl_rtUiviQ/s400/honeymoon+with+bug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253446569914795634" /></a>
<P>
"Nicaragua is an incredible country - I've been back once since then and hope to make it back again soon. There is so much intact rainforest, and they're developing so quickly now that there's a unqiue opportunity to protect it - or lose it forever."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hHUhkLDOD3UHooq4u87caksnY8PnNwEbmHCAdIsFIf0HSDh32a9VN3Ts5YcHApcskpLc8GU4toRUo9VuQ18kj_mYgChiXOw3WICRA9-pHl1eRBOtexA9eRCHxS_E_MkXGB_Hr_buFZs/s1600-h/costa+rica.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hHUhkLDOD3UHooq4u87caksnY8PnNwEbmHCAdIsFIf0HSDh32a9VN3Ts5YcHApcskpLc8GU4toRUo9VuQ18kj_mYgChiXOw3WICRA9-pHl1eRBOtexA9eRCHxS_E_MkXGB_Hr_buFZs/s400/costa+rica.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253446799558383186" /></a>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Photo Credit: Drew Fellman</span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-83968251696643165562008-09-24T20:08:00.017-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.715-05:00Grandparents' Garden - A Family Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCownd_ga1pKvPShxozV6d3riNkPVIzzwRIoQq4ZAO6Cw-VY8jtqd45GOVW4DhoS9unr0TKdv3632PknA5ISC4F5ytrNi5jNgQdVx4-JD8ekP882RIQtvBaK3nNaT0_o0mojUYvthz0iU/s1600-h/us.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCownd_ga1pKvPShxozV6d3riNkPVIzzwRIoQq4ZAO6Cw-VY8jtqd45GOVW4DhoS9unr0TKdv3632PknA5ISC4F5ytrNi5jNgQdVx4-JD8ekP882RIQtvBaK3nNaT0_o0mojUYvthz0iU/s400/us.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249744297861986834" /></a>
<P>
Dustin Ohlman and Ashley Place Ohlman were married on July 26, 2008 in Plano, Illinois.
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">How they met:</span>
"I was born and raised in the midwest- Aurora, Illinois, to be exact, and Dustin is a Chattanooga boy through-and-through. We met at an arcade and miniature golf place when I traveled to Chattanooga to visit my cousin at college, and we got along really well. We hung out the rest of the weekend I was there, then stayed in contact for the next year. The following summer, I decided to move down to Chattanooga for a change of scene, and Dustin asked me out soon after I got here! We were married 3 years from the same weekend we met!"
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Why a Green Wedding:</span>
"I grew up being taught to be very environmentally- and economically-conscious, and I still try to live as 'green' as possible. I didn't want to abandon those beliefs for one day, just because it would be easier or fancier." To this end, Ashley and Dustin tried to utilize the resources in their community. "Supporting the local economy was very important to us. We made a conscious effort to hire vendors that were from small, local companies, or to use the talents of family friends. We didn't want to contribute to large companies or imported pieces when we had small business and local products to use that were just as good." They also made a concerted effort to minimize waste. "We tried to rent and resuse as much as possible, because there was no sense in wasting things- for example, we rented china instead of having disposable plastic plates, the potted plants that were bought as tent decorations are now hanging at my grandparents' home, and we had our ceremony and reception during the day so no lights were needed."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Location:</span>
After <a href="http://weddinglessonslearned.blogspot.com/2008/09/dont-be-afraid-to-scale-down.html">scrapping plans</a> for "a large, traditional, Southern wedding in Atlanta," Dustin and Ashley decided to have a smaller, family-oriented wedding in her grandparents' backyard.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmgz6RCFaLnb47i0kjAJWnqamYqspFtB3Wus237HUO4qUyjv26i9rKo3WJf1FZQG1JCj8JyjYsKRGtEvSaCpupitcc6daHp8xh3X8oYBkzv_D9XepcCyZlrLvIzsFRyhg0DajmDoaAs4/s1600-h/yard1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmgz6RCFaLnb47i0kjAJWnqamYqspFtB3Wus237HUO4qUyjv26i9rKo3WJf1FZQG1JCj8JyjYsKRGtEvSaCpupitcc6daHp8xh3X8oYBkzv_D9XepcCyZlrLvIzsFRyhg0DajmDoaAs4/s400/yard1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249747692040718050" /></a>
<P>
"We were the second couple to marry there- my aunt and uncle [had their ceremony in] almost the same spot, over 20 years ago. It was wonderful to have it there! I grew up playing in the same spots we got married, and I got ready in my grandmother's bedroom, among all my family's photos, and a photograph of my aunt, Yvonne, who had passed away before I was born and to whom I have always been compared."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAld302bPTGdFD56EDQva6_8BBo3aOogHEimfJi2tly2yHSLe8D6IWqlDF1bH2zkCAmZkIW9CBCRXPh9CNkSSDTi4fWP1LddGjMlacDzZhdLtD0r20AU-pANrISSIbXiZ0Agd8jKZRC8w/s1600-h/bride+getting+ready.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAld302bPTGdFD56EDQva6_8BBo3aOogHEimfJi2tly2yHSLe8D6IWqlDF1bH2zkCAmZkIW9CBCRXPh9CNkSSDTi4fWP1LddGjMlacDzZhdLtD0r20AU-pANrISSIbXiZ0Agd8jKZRC8w/s400/bride+getting+ready.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249748660755083122" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Bridal Attire:</span>
Dustin and Ashley paired items from their wardrobes with things that could easily be worn again. "I wore shoes I already owned, and borrowed my mother's earrings. Dustin wore a navy suit, white shirt and shoes he already owned, as well. We bought him a tie that he will be able to wear again. My dress for the reception was a Jcrew "final sale" find, and I have since had it shortened and have already worn it again! The bridesmaids bought matching, navy JCrew dresses that can be worn again (although doesn't every bride say that?), and they picked out their own shoes. I gave them individual necklaces as gifts, and told them they can wear the gifts at the wedding if they wanted (only my sister wore the gift necklace- the other two girls wore their own). The groomsmen wore their own navy pants, white shirt, and shoes. Dustin gave them ties as gifts for them to wear (something that, as two of them are college kids going on interviews, they will definately wear again!).
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2z98dFJ7VSkvAsC1luZmExF6QUh66xuTL6CD7c8pPHtfN9G2RSewm82ofCh_qtIpXstwHzUq0kserSAHeAmmzHrTLKq8rqOD0xrLmwVSm8KrvB_isO7YXr1YOeQ9mIJjUNjgCU-u0QQ/s1600-h/green+wedding+party.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2z98dFJ7VSkvAsC1luZmExF6QUh66xuTL6CD7c8pPHtfN9G2RSewm82ofCh_qtIpXstwHzUq0kserSAHeAmmzHrTLKq8rqOD0xrLmwVSm8KrvB_isO7YXr1YOeQ9mIJjUNjgCU-u0QQ/s400/green+wedding+party.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249751646673959986" /></a>
<P>
For her 'something blue," Ashley chose a handmade blue and cream mantilla veil- from Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5869449">Honeycombveils</a>. "It was my favourite piece of my ensemble."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOX2w26ORefkOFB87e3a_B2_oQ8hgEBMIkse28fHxzxgsrQjaWQzAkTAWcjKJY3MGXuHqaptwmglQtHQYfjFqjUEOwnkKUncxKj8saI99GE62ncwCUAaH7b-zKhAOA1IH06zPYuB5AIU/s1600-h/handmade+wedding+veil.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOX2w26ORefkOFB87e3a_B2_oQ8hgEBMIkse28fHxzxgsrQjaWQzAkTAWcjKJY3MGXuHqaptwmglQtHQYfjFqjUEOwnkKUncxKj8saI99GE62ncwCUAaH7b-zKhAOA1IH06zPYuB5AIU/s400/handmade+wedding+veil.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249751888540721154" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers:</span>
"The girls and I carried wildflower bouquets from The Wild Rose - a small, local florist shop run by two hilariously fantastic sisters. They also did all the floral arrangements for the wedding, including the centerpieces and the two hanging pieces for the entrance of the tent."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEoV3z7W-vx5ZUnknQIUJUZU5msl26NReiT0Fc0MuN4zADpByTvyCEhbouZpTfsttTI9ir5ONWLwGi_FNdhRITtvAZY7bcIOo0IhEihuHwBP7NSzCPoNxkF0KRI6sPNk1uq3uG1zRG1k/s1600-h/bridesmaids+for+a+green+wedding.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEoV3z7W-vx5ZUnknQIUJUZU5msl26NReiT0Fc0MuN4zADpByTvyCEhbouZpTfsttTI9ir5ONWLwGi_FNdhRITtvAZY7bcIOo0IhEihuHwBP7NSzCPoNxkF0KRI6sPNk1uq3uG1zRG1k/s400/bridesmaids+for+a+green+wedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249752130720305602" /></a>
<P>
"After the wedding, we donated the centerpieces and hanging pieces to a local nursing home that had taken care of my great-uncle before he passed. My mom and grandmother collected <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/flowers/pottedplants.html">potted flowers</a> in the months before the wedding to decorate around the tent and yard, and along with my family, my grandparents' neighbours Rob, Adrienne and Cindy and their friend Mary worked tirelessly in getting the property ready for the wedding! There aren't words to describe their selflessness and generosity. Mary even brought three beautiful flower arrangements from her own garden to decorate the gift table, the beverage table and the bathroom counter. My parents, Randy and Rhonda, picked up stones from a local gardening center to line each side of the aisle and to serve as paperweights for our escort cards. The stones are now used in my grandparents' landscaping.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaX8yEHqZD7x8Mth3gRFyjFvF2WGBMTLxM-77DZUS1fUiv8GMR3C5DKasK_5XYBfVB_f_8PQjaWKTOH8xgKi-Wbvu0WYsgfSKXq_9rw78gYkA9XLU5OznibP98DFhyVskkIyT2UwyUXU/s1600-h/adorable+flower+girl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaX8yEHqZD7x8Mth3gRFyjFvF2WGBMTLxM-77DZUS1fUiv8GMR3C5DKasK_5XYBfVB_f_8PQjaWKTOH8xgKi-Wbvu0WYsgfSKXq_9rw78gYkA9XLU5OznibP98DFhyVskkIyT2UwyUXU/s400/adorable+flower+girl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249752513443752466" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Paper Pleasures</span>:
"We wanted something unique, and we didn't want to give our business to some large corporation that churns out the same, boring invitations all the time. We ordered our invitations from Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=95502">InkyLivie</a>, who designs and produces custom stationery from her home. I borrowed the design from the invitations for our programs, menu, escort cards, and favour cards, which were all <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/diy.html">homemade</a>.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgL0Z4gHDWs_mCEZgiaUGWfQxliVCK0xrYqEHhxre-Yh9yegdHGfzcWJgrxVkgs8QSY9nNjQI0o6bZxv-5UzdkOhhv-GPzAnReHc5mmw8bvK6WvHtD62GekuHwhMT-76IFIu5JU2alDeE/s1600-h/eco-friendly+program.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgL0Z4gHDWs_mCEZgiaUGWfQxliVCK0xrYqEHhxre-Yh9yegdHGfzcWJgrxVkgs8QSY9nNjQI0o6bZxv-5UzdkOhhv-GPzAnReHc5mmw8bvK6WvHtD62GekuHwhMT-76IFIu5JU2alDeE/s400/eco-friendly+program.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249753005972442354" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Food & Drink:</span> We chose a local catering company called <a href="http://www.uppercrust-catering.net/">Upper Crust Catering</a> for our meal. It was a little bit more of a headache to deal with a small company like that, but it was worth it in the end because everyone really enjoyed the food. It was more important to us that we give our business to local vendors and have good, homemade-tasting dishes that everyone recognizes, than to go with a bigger, trendier company with artistic, gourmet dishes that our down-home family wouldn't enjoy. The catering company even gave us all the leftover food, rather than throwing it away! For drinks, we borrowed two big beverage jars from my parents' church for our homemade lemonaid and the 8 gallons of sweet tea that Dustin made for all our southern guests.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPmYj9YUktfIyJhPbwDg5cs5Q5Gf0LBsZPRYqFxomw7EBgJNJ0UvUobinHBizGzszZsLH-RxFnFe3xAIX6LgRS3gjrcohIm1fkVW79WHzGAAlATjVs1nsD_NDveFIWxfvXVIp7oiqv1k/s1600-h/Wedding+lemonaid.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPmYj9YUktfIyJhPbwDg5cs5Q5Gf0LBsZPRYqFxomw7EBgJNJ0UvUobinHBizGzszZsLH-RxFnFe3xAIX6LgRS3gjrcohIm1fkVW79WHzGAAlATjVs1nsD_NDveFIWxfvXVIp7oiqv1k/s400/Wedding+lemonaid.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249753293467099170" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cake: </span>
Our cake was made by a very talented family friend, Sue Hipple. Oh my goodness, it was wonderful! One tier was a coconut cake, to represent Dustin's southern heritage, and the other tier was a cinnamon-vanilla cake with a Mexican chocolate buttercream filling that tasted like Mexican hot chocolate, to represent where I grew up. The cake was iced in white buttercream and decorated with conceptual fondant papeles picados, which mimicked the papel picado banners that fluttered under the reception tent. Sue even made us a small cake to act as a cake topper, because she knew we were staying for a few days in Illinois and then traveling to Chattanooga, so we wouldn't be freezing a top layer. We enjoyed that cake with my family on the last two nights we were in Illinois.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_dHgTBhIVpb3EDX_s8SohGmrH2eMfsKwOHXcc4eylAVOR8d48ZOWEelLceMBmqUAi7qO435LAUcI7kaniupcogqmW8cmYrsWpK_w7RlcPhBPK8enfFJsiWuZZizSksYL9XxeCSDpolE/s1600-h/cutting+the+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_dHgTBhIVpb3EDX_s8SohGmrH2eMfsKwOHXcc4eylAVOR8d48ZOWEelLceMBmqUAi7qO435LAUcI7kaniupcogqmW8cmYrsWpK_w7RlcPhBPK8enfFJsiWuZZizSksYL9XxeCSDpolE/s400/cutting+the+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249753620617270066" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfd9T9jBHmoIxGbOu3fLvfIpvKBtYHNdqucN31k18UGEUnw6iWydfJcKF45bpcl5VK-4jMTjnJ-M4_QxUU0K0A6ySlZ4aMN0x14xw49S6hKk_TiELa9bBvrEns5uKFLewFHiLunfVg1I/s1600-h/summer+wedding+cake+photograph.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfd9T9jBHmoIxGbOu3fLvfIpvKBtYHNdqucN31k18UGEUnw6iWydfJcKF45bpcl5VK-4jMTjnJ-M4_QxUU0K0A6ySlZ4aMN0x14xw49S6hKk_TiELa9bBvrEns5uKFLewFHiLunfVg1I/s400/summer+wedding+cake+photograph.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249753574032429266" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Favors: </span>
For favors, Dustin and Ashley paired a small gift with a charitable donation. "I am a childhood cancer survivor, so as favors, we chose to make a donation to the <a href="http://www.ccrf.org/">Children's Cancer Research Fund</a>. We handed out <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/favors/treesseeds.html">butterflies made from natural resources</a> (the butterfly is the symbol for the Children's Cancer Research Fund) in small organza bags, with cards explaining the donation."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnwgm6aX6i0NYlvNy9dIPXToB_DZ5eyigTNlPUFJiMiX3huqKRrguUr-yD8mwDL9fZ78jGzgd367pA9_VJM28U07Yw-oa8LAYPOADya3jV29hg1ix4snK_fXa4CEgUxq9vg0jooMqYz0/s1600-h/butterfly+wedding+favors.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnwgm6aX6i0NYlvNy9dIPXToB_DZ5eyigTNlPUFJiMiX3huqKRrguUr-yD8mwDL9fZ78jGzgd367pA9_VJM28U07Yw-oa8LAYPOADya3jV29hg1ix4snK_fXa4CEgUxq9vg0jooMqYz0/s400/butterfly+wedding+favors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249754253386475698" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Photography:</span>
"Our photographer was Stephanie Clark of <a href="http://www.louisjoy.com/">Louis Joy Photography</a>. She is amazing. She was so much fun to work with, and she was so laid back and easy going that it was wonderful to have her there. My gratitude goes out to her for not only capturing our personalities so well, but for so fearlessly putting up with our friends and family."The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-3111574703348489262008-09-21T19:05:00.008-04:002008-09-22T11:10:22.886-04:00Mother Knows Best!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L5BlbDvQde6n__lZVSxz3wNvT4xBEPtAh0n7rGX7O5KWuvel_FZLflKaa1DA-5azHtAk_tygIv796_jyWhgpGIbxCcgr5ZUE2yJcRxpWk1f4NilMuEBvDQ8MtAj-T1lP-SLN15PzSAQ/s1600-h/Me+and+Shay+Silly+Girl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L5BlbDvQde6n__lZVSxz3wNvT4xBEPtAh0n7rGX7O5KWuvel_FZLflKaa1DA-5azHtAk_tygIv796_jyWhgpGIbxCcgr5ZUE2yJcRxpWk1f4NilMuEBvDQ8MtAj-T1lP-SLN15PzSAQ/s400/Me+and+Shay+Silly+Girl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248614996499299042" /></a>
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Many moms help their daughters plan and prep for their weddings. However, Denee wrote in telling me about how she helped her daughter, Shaylan Brown (pictured with mom above), after the wedding was over by launching a website to help her resell (read: recycle) all of the treasures from her big day.
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"While helping my daughter, Shaylan, plan her wedding I had searched online for a site that was dedicated to JUST previously owned Wedding accessories in one Central Location as opposed to jumping from specialty site to specialty site. At that time I couldn't find what I was looking for but I thought that newlyweds surely didn't want to keep all their leftover merchandise stacked up in their new homes (or worse...in their parents' garage!!). I grew up knowing that one man's trash is another man's treasure because my parents loved garage and estate sale shopping. You can't imagine the beautiful things they found that people just no longer wanted. They also taught us about recycling and conservation (my brothers and I were fined a nickel every time we left a light on). So the idea of "<a href="http://www.SheJustGotMarried.com">She Just Got Married</a>" a site for Newlyweds to sell their gently used accessories AND a place for the Brides to Be to find them and save a little money, came naturally."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP9uNW9jaFVqfNzu63sSkUioScboBjLMRQtVqJkgRqSn6O2fZPkOB0mc7IG_1e7eGh8slMju8x9ZevtNleK2jqmm2Tyw1jEIstF0fnI-GioBxEOKo4_rowrnuj0rE0dnjH0l6qycvGV0/s1600-h/Shaylan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP9uNW9jaFVqfNzu63sSkUioScboBjLMRQtVqJkgRqSn6O2fZPkOB0mc7IG_1e7eGh8slMju8x9ZevtNleK2jqmm2Tyw1jEIstF0fnI-GioBxEOKo4_rowrnuj0rE0dnjH0l6qycvGV0/s400/Shaylan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248618056509548562" /></a>
A few of the items from Shaylan's wedding are already available in the boutique including:
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The black scroll centerpieces...
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26YixiKkyjiie2vXtOlH_pKvew8JYSBDjlGXUDw0w4Pc8bPVDoxq1bVWvlQ3qBG20FqzB_nfVpRd3NzEUQDia-3J3TjevzWSENFQ7KKIHlYk6738NzP4D_rs-WHVCnI6IcR2KUm-I6xU/s1600-h/Centerpiece+Candles+Holder.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26YixiKkyjiie2vXtOlH_pKvew8JYSBDjlGXUDw0w4Pc8bPVDoxq1bVWvlQ3qBG20FqzB_nfVpRd3NzEUQDia-3J3TjevzWSENFQ7KKIHlYk6738NzP4D_rs-WHVCnI6IcR2KUm-I6xU/s400/Centerpiece+Candles+Holder.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248618579988097698" /></a>
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The heart/calla lilly card holders...
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2kJYamsaRIGCUwIsjRRm4_h_Lx4RAfs8Dt4H03f8_ObzZxteVe-1LMngAk8DeDLjKxP7DZ_6KaDnayqNVmXCbpzx4oEFVgonTjNzUROANdUDuR03dJok-MMFVd4CnaU4L6Q61gvEu4I/s1600-h/Place+Card+Holders+-+Heart+Shaped+Calla+Lillies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2kJYamsaRIGCUwIsjRRm4_h_Lx4RAfs8Dt4H03f8_ObzZxteVe-1LMngAk8DeDLjKxP7DZ_6KaDnayqNVmXCbpzx4oEFVgonTjNzUROANdUDuR03dJok-MMFVd4CnaU4L6Q61gvEu4I/s400/Place+Card+Holders+-+Heart+Shaped+Calla+Lillies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248619035761020098" /></a>
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and a beautiful Oleg Cassini dress.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASzjK_uMxOAxA9jq-EkDy0y0ftJX67unl9n6Nbe6aNE4ejfn4H7jtMUZBUX74OFdirofoCbho0Zfl9aGtVeSZd2_r5a_KXoOk4R3uquUxkfJEhfGl20Z8ZtEtxiHBEM8xZk3k670irF4/s1600-h/wedding+dress+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASzjK_uMxOAxA9jq-EkDy0y0ftJX67unl9n6Nbe6aNE4ejfn4H7jtMUZBUX74OFdirofoCbho0Zfl9aGtVeSZd2_r5a_KXoOk4R3uquUxkfJEhfGl20Z8ZtEtxiHBEM8xZk3k670irF4/s400/wedding+dress+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248619265093719682" /></a>
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Buying and selling gently used wedding wares is a great way to save money while decreasing waste and the environmental footprint of your event. I bought <a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/search/label/shoes">my wedding shoes</a> on eBay and my husband and I listed the <a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/2008/05/recycle-your-wedding.html">fountains we used for our wedding</a> on another auction-based site.
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<a href="http://www.SheJustGotMarried.com">She Just Got Married</a> is a great idea and I wish Denee and Shaylan the best of luck.
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<span style="font-style:italic;">Did you buy something used for your wedding or donate your gown or other items after the event - <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/about/contact/contact.php">share your story with the community!</a></span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-3242474950740738492008-09-10T20:24:00.018-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.716-05:00What's Black & White and Green All Over? A Zebra Crossing Wedding!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCuICbBjT-fR2xai-mrJJQ8LepInKJq9Vg4SurjRKgdgEPX_XG5Kx2XcsCquoZ42padGialwq_16KjGk9M4jtu4Es1_vC5SiXFxOYXHK4aQKvY5Bv_ulPNOquOpGy1OKGRP5zOqUMUS8/s1600-h/_MG_3450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCuICbBjT-fR2xai-mrJJQ8LepInKJq9Vg4SurjRKgdgEPX_XG5Kx2XcsCquoZ42padGialwq_16KjGk9M4jtu4Es1_vC5SiXFxOYXHK4aQKvY5Bv_ulPNOquOpGy1OKGRP5zOqUMUS8/s400/_MG_3450.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244553719797534658" /></a>
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Beth Richardson and Steven Kent were married on March 1, 2008 at <a href="http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/">Duke Gardens</a> in Durham, NC.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTsojlrK13L0zG7KxwOEGJcot3ZxCse_3RU97oPg6yZ3v3wc1xXTlqQtIUKbaLb5KFztkzvWgmQCsguP6A44SNmtjTKN0fTu5OhoO9wRSfMEH_p7YXngQ74r-wTgo7yhJ-LnO2m2cVeg/s1600-h/Ceremony.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTsojlrK13L0zG7KxwOEGJcot3ZxCse_3RU97oPg6yZ3v3wc1xXTlqQtIUKbaLb5KFztkzvWgmQCsguP6A44SNmtjTKN0fTu5OhoO9wRSfMEH_p7YXngQ74r-wTgo7yhJ-LnO2m2cVeg/s320/Ceremony.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244554270662515058" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCWIKokxbM-Tz0TYY6EGdB1bMjDg9WuGvj11itMwtyd5I4fgMX-MoV9FGYEXlKJXXCSCEwDPWq32rwEr6n30GUV7J7HuE8DsRK_OmDW3GofB_bGYuEq9SG1sd1-5jdrt6-zy4nIVaTPs/s1600-h/_MG_3579.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCWIKokxbM-Tz0TYY6EGdB1bMjDg9WuGvj11itMwtyd5I4fgMX-MoV9FGYEXlKJXXCSCEwDPWq32rwEr6n30GUV7J7HuE8DsRK_OmDW3GofB_bGYuEq9SG1sd1-5jdrt6-zy4nIVaTPs/s320/_MG_3579.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244554404312919826" /></a>
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The couple met in South Africa, while Beth was working at the <a href="http://www.amybiehl.org/">Amy Biehl Foundation</a> helping artisans start small businesses.
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In 2005, Beth started <a href="http://www.zebracrossings.com/zencart">Zebra Crossings</a>, a fair trade wedding boutique whose mission is to provide couples with "unique handmade items that improve the lives of the producers who make them and whenever possible preserve the health of our environment." Beth and Steven used many of Zebra Crossing's products in their own wedding - and generated over 200 hours of employment for artisans in developing countries in the process! "We felt it would be appropriate for our wedding celebration support artisans like those that were the reason that we met in the first place."
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Here are some of the <a href=" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_trade">Fair Trade </a>highlights:
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1. Beth and Steven announced their wedding electronically using Zebra Crossing e-stationary.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs4ZkI7LMtmjSxD6e2qEu7Jn4MTiReYGq070EbTyxqO1NNrHzNJZRrDBmiFCmXbM8JrxmIa-MSJ_UMVnmwlNCVp51Jyiw1d9W8UlwX7JqJajfQJXFdZ4QP-V0Q6vE71lZ_PNNCAXrolE/s1600-h/zebra+save+the+date.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs4ZkI7LMtmjSxD6e2qEu7Jn4MTiReYGq070EbTyxqO1NNrHzNJZRrDBmiFCmXbM8JrxmIa-MSJ_UMVnmwlNCVp51Jyiw1d9W8UlwX7JqJajfQJXFdZ4QP-V0Q6vE71lZ_PNNCAXrolE/s400/zebra+save+the+date.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244556605555968562" /></a>
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2. For their invitations, Beth and Steven used these beautiful <a href="http://www.zebracrossings.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=28">Bodhi leaf cards</a> (made from tree-free paper) with a bamboo stick closure.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9T3EYolmerHBRXP5aiP13Km1S2Uzj_45JpDhz_nnxjokm38oz23Tun3B0crWn-ZMCgDdkE3vSDSChdG4FdH8hzvecX_AsiP6tAuLxgdWc79XW4ug00DXXBcuYrSLF-XsT29iC-SvZJ8/s1600-h/Wedding+Invitation+Set+-+Single+Sage+Inviation+Closed+-+W.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9T3EYolmerHBRXP5aiP13Km1S2Uzj_45JpDhz_nnxjokm38oz23Tun3B0crWn-ZMCgDdkE3vSDSChdG4FdH8hzvecX_AsiP6tAuLxgdWc79XW4ug00DXXBcuYrSLF-XsT29iC-SvZJ8/s400/Wedding+Invitation+Set+-+Single+Sage+Inviation+Closed+-+W.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244556987610652562" /></a>
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3. Their programs and menus came from <a href="http://www.nepalesepaper.com/">Nepalese Paper</a> and their place cards and table numbers came from <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/invitations.html">Cards From Africa</a>. Both fair trade stores offer handmade recycled paper stationary.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCkpwYCuHP9FxI2-hpugWKZUKCigo9zpyD5xt5kxuRMXKlqryC97v2SxH8ZumpR_iRyVu6XXKf2omAvQmYkkXoM3YDex7wem0jsJJc8PyJvHL52gOI3E57bIjiT53WKzCzrUqMONeFkM/s1600-h/fair+trade+place+card+and+table+number.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCkpwYCuHP9FxI2-hpugWKZUKCigo9zpyD5xt5kxuRMXKlqryC97v2SxH8ZumpR_iRyVu6XXKf2omAvQmYkkXoM3YDex7wem0jsJJc8PyJvHL52gOI3E57bIjiT53WKzCzrUqMONeFkM/s400/fair+trade+place+card+and+table+number.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244560260063969362" /></a>
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4. <a href="http://www.zebracrossings.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=20">Their guestbook</a> was handmade in India with tree-free paper.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OUPreUuPUXRYSJePIA6X_oCMUpAb-JFBdGsvwE8TBnGE8NJMZFfV4rfvK2PdOkabMhdq62coOZwuLSSlcdtPps4zRQ3zd0EyES8quoUXU56gyeIJpbqrvn5WA2-iXYgMCNarxK4Oz38/s1600-h/fair+trade+guiestbook.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OUPreUuPUXRYSJePIA6X_oCMUpAb-JFBdGsvwE8TBnGE8NJMZFfV4rfvK2PdOkabMhdq62coOZwuLSSlcdtPps4zRQ3zd0EyES8quoUXU56gyeIJpbqrvn5WA2-iXYgMCNarxK4Oz38/s320/fair+trade+guiestbook.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244561256534164850" /></a>
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5. Beth gave her bridesmaid's (pictured below holding bouquets of snapdragons, daylilies, and irises from <a href="http://www.trebellaflorist.com/">Tre Bella Flowers & Gifts</a>) luxurious <a href="http://www.zebracrossings.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=10">all-natural Indian silk shawls</a> to match their dresses.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AR-2sOiJKuu30ZTAm24HVXwmq15ZOzfx9WD-CpsWY2SJzLtorXFO9CoAFQ8TzkP9OBzKBeH8FnJpNkHaM80cAJIJcdYO9z7in6rwZTu2URLdV_oYUDqC1fHIkMsBL3Wo5c3GF3wgs5Y/s1600-h/_MG_3447.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AR-2sOiJKuu30ZTAm24HVXwmq15ZOzfx9WD-CpsWY2SJzLtorXFO9CoAFQ8TzkP9OBzKBeH8FnJpNkHaM80cAJIJcdYO9z7in6rwZTu2URLdV_oYUDqC1fHIkMsBL3Wo5c3GF3wgs5Y/s400/_MG_3447.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244561542836844866" /></a>
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6. Beth's diamond ring is <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/page52/page60/page61/page61.html">certified conflict-free </a>and their wedding bands were handmade by artists in South Africa.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsAwkuxjgqPNrr55r4BKP4x21hfD9qbEnYpg23zuRIsU_xM54anfwUWJPoj1cnQAkXjwl2-wZ6uhiKYF0pv8Uz27PRxGtEwS_wP2WmKv_GMc_ueV3GUfD5VmuJc7y4NhDn2jCg621DPw/s1600-h/conflict-free+diamond+ring.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsAwkuxjgqPNrr55r4BKP4x21hfD9qbEnYpg23zuRIsU_xM54anfwUWJPoj1cnQAkXjwl2-wZ6uhiKYF0pv8Uz27PRxGtEwS_wP2WmKv_GMc_ueV3GUfD5VmuJc7y4NhDn2jCg621DPw/s400/conflict-free+diamond+ring.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244562697446466386" /></a>
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8. Each guest received a fair trade, <a href="http://www.zebracrossings.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=40">hand-beaded zebra keychain</a> from South Africa.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdWP8RwZeaRStAuNSFgrIkpSyUUDbarvm2wfdGlpOgltCkBQFwR_B2z9aMq4ogEoCAuperhcQZ4PBl7Cy8nPVX2bLLnr_yzmfHwqpZ9EaWAaBBFLHe8JChPrE5qsWrtkWyFmkm48uiWk/s1600-h/fair+trade+zebra+key+chain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdWP8RwZeaRStAuNSFgrIkpSyUUDbarvm2wfdGlpOgltCkBQFwR_B2z9aMq4ogEoCAuperhcQZ4PBl7Cy8nPVX2bLLnr_yzmfHwqpZ9EaWAaBBFLHe8JChPrE5qsWrtkWyFmkm48uiWk/s320/fair+trade+zebra+key+chain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244563365515688242" /></a>
<P>
9. Even the topper on their zebra striped cake was fair trade!
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bJoLaGav_0KArdIZIhl4mjSeJ9fJKTtIWaThLDmFsOEQ39Y5h0E2dGnoHtnkYD3YOUsbvzK_QDph2vl9Gh_U4pcv47CwvqfGS6M7psCO2qNEa_zRvQ6PHCmClLlO0Qh0DWZzCI7mPQM/s1600-h/zebra+cake+topper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bJoLaGav_0KArdIZIhl4mjSeJ9fJKTtIWaThLDmFsOEQ39Y5h0E2dGnoHtnkYD3YOUsbvzK_QDph2vl9Gh_U4pcv47CwvqfGS6M7psCO2qNEa_zRvQ6PHCmClLlO0Qh0DWZzCI7mPQM/s400/zebra+cake+topper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244563615450288306" /></a>
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10. Finally, to ensure that the gifts purchased for their wedding were in line with their values and beliefs, Beth and Steven set up a registries with <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=35883&u=260903&m=7879&urllink=&afftrack=">Global Exchange</a>, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wWjwXpYnfkA&offerid=127265.10000301&subid=0&type=4">Gaiam</a>, and The <a href="http://www.idofoundation.org/">I Do Foundation</a>.
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To learn more about fair trade visit the <a href="http://www.fairtradefederation.org/">Fair Trade Federation's</a> website and be sure to check out <a href="http://www.zebracrossings.com/zencart/">Zebra Crossings</a> to find more fair trade products for your wedding.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVszTVcGq6sW_H80tGMgHOALIBaYLjLd9Rh7xRaVUQPu6_Ffks8smzyA4UTwyHRlwrCok-x4EIc9n0b0NAwJCA-Mx1vw3zOeO5J0uePTA9RKxlsnaX2OkVasDC6TIAD4GLmwGhYz7TR6c/s1600-h/fair+trade+wedding+finger+puppets.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVszTVcGq6sW_H80tGMgHOALIBaYLjLd9Rh7xRaVUQPu6_Ffks8smzyA4UTwyHRlwrCok-x4EIc9n0b0NAwJCA-Mx1vw3zOeO5J0uePTA9RKxlsnaX2OkVasDC6TIAD4GLmwGhYz7TR6c/s320/fair+trade+wedding+finger+puppets.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244564456561176434" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Finger Puppets available at Zebra Crossings</span><P>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Photo Credit: Steve McCaw</span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-41453293207068684162008-09-07T11:25:00.017-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.718-05:00A Brown and GREEN Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1aSRX-iljxXpCn9VfcbgVQMweIuOteqgv_gqgYsDjKPaKFXySYwJx5ktJ42Ve_UK2fpXl24ZjmKgFaOMJmidVAeMzXZCFRM4lgh0titOf-lpLJc8u9AdLPKuUAYhOkJmB-ZYuNf0GgE/s1600-h/200801-321756_0001_525.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1aSRX-iljxXpCn9VfcbgVQMweIuOteqgv_gqgYsDjKPaKFXySYwJx5ktJ42Ve_UK2fpXl24ZjmKgFaOMJmidVAeMzXZCFRM4lgh0titOf-lpLJc8u9AdLPKuUAYhOkJmB-ZYuNf0GgE/s400/200801-321756_0001_525.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243301316688186098" /></a>
Christine Mentink and Greg Diedrich were married July, 26 2008. Christine is a managing editor at a nonprofit medical society where she leads "the Green Team" - getting co-workers to "recycle everything from paper to batteries and cell phones." Greg is a bicycle fanatic. "He builds them, teaches other's how to maintain theirs, and constantly promotes bike riding and less car driving. In fact, he doesn't own a car and bikes year round---through Chicago rain and winters!" In addition to being a bike enthusiast, Greg is also a graphic designer.
<P>
The ceremony took place at the <a href="http://www.fccdp.net/">First Congregational Church</a> in Des Plaines, IL. "We chose this location because it accepts all people and all marriages. The church will marry people regardless of religious affiliation and believes that all people have the right to their individual beliefs. The church was also very green."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyFoYCZK9N0G3GN9kGv7kyB79TdOjkRRYb_bp-krrWnH_jru6DCOJ00epf-bEKkXO_C14uiWQ-WvWMG2kDj4eiKT0-j8TDovoydUGyd_OwEfrdC051FlaH5kzjC_EkOGjJFSadZO1Yb0/s1600-h/First+Congressional+Church.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyFoYCZK9N0G3GN9kGv7kyB79TdOjkRRYb_bp-krrWnH_jru6DCOJ00epf-bEKkXO_C14uiWQ-WvWMG2kDj4eiKT0-j8TDovoydUGyd_OwEfrdC051FlaH5kzjC_EkOGjJFSadZO1Yb0/s400/First+Congressional+Church.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243302319294839506" /></a>
<P>
"We didn't waste electricity by using air conditioning to attempt to cool the high-ceiling space - instead we used overhead fans and open doors. We used an aisle runner provided by the church that is washed and reused for all wedding services. We let the drinking fountain do its job instead of promoting the use of <a href="http://thegreenbrideguide.blogspot.com/2008/09/bottled-water.html">bottled water</a>. Throwing rice is not allowed by this church, so we completely skipped the tradition of "throwing stuff" at the bride and groom to reduce waste of any kind. Also, the church is located very near public transportation, so some of our guests took the train to our wedding."
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCHcksO1SqzJeF_eK1WNKf6RLLXTnZKZ95f4zqteARWBwKOyBh2Gv-pR5iwJUpmuA_nj0xAho1E8Z4ZH8HExs5W9KqmwcNs-ZLOIwwsXW8-vTnJ1JdbVZonJ37aX1u3It0BRo98TCyyc/s1600-h/grounds6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCHcksO1SqzJeF_eK1WNKf6RLLXTnZKZ95f4zqteARWBwKOyBh2Gv-pR5iwJUpmuA_nj0xAho1E8Z4ZH8HExs5W9KqmwcNs-ZLOIwwsXW8-vTnJ1JdbVZonJ37aX1u3It0BRo98TCyyc/s320/grounds6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243302556651148802" /></a>
<P>
The reception was at <a href="http://www.oldorchardccbanquets.com/">Old Orchard</a> in Mount Prospect, IL (pictured above). "We chose this location for its beautiful landscape, ability to house 200+ guests, and willingness to take green measures. The venue manager and I had an in-deph conversation about green concerns during planning. In addition to the usual washable china, napkins, and tablecloths, we did not serve bottle beverages at the bars. The venue buys in bulk and reduces garbage whenever possible as their usual practice. The venue also allowed me to provide multiple meal options for my guests, including vegetarian and gluten-free."
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Dress and Bridal Accessories</span>
"My dress was bought from a consignment store [<a href="http://www.stylechicago.com/Favorites.asp?ParentID=109&ID=2536">I DO Designer Bridal Consignments</a>, in Chicago], which I feel is a very important green element. Too often, exorbitant amounts of money are spent on dresses that are mass-produced, overpriced, and distributed for one-time use. I found a beautiful dress from my local consignment store and was able to give 'new life' to this dress and to support a local, female-owned small business in doing so."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqyRuPCwI5oZymqqLYj0-zdXO_gITbzWb3g_3BvpwMQaeHKW4IlhTw8QmI9IgpANChQ9NLhKZCOH81OAAQ_O7zLrS__eEXNeJSA1mhz9KMQpqhmUX6BOu19FBtpfZFgxabQf9zSKTHDo/s1600-h/couple+dancing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqyRuPCwI5oZymqqLYj0-zdXO_gITbzWb3g_3BvpwMQaeHKW4IlhTw8QmI9IgpANChQ9NLhKZCOH81OAAQ_O7zLrS__eEXNeJSA1mhz9KMQpqhmUX6BOu19FBtpfZFgxabQf9zSKTHDo/s400/couple+dancing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243303660473654530" /></a>
<P>
"We also incorporated "green" elements by using independent artists to contribute to the wedding as much as possible. The ties, cuff links, and all jewelry and wedding party gifts were made by hand by independent artists instead of being mass produced. [Local artisans] almost always reuse as much material as possible, create less waste, and use less energy. One of these artists created the favors for our wedding shower: We gave all our guests homemade, <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/brides/beauty.html">all natural soaps</a>."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ngXTGLvV-whgzHrryvnPcKY-fVHbhgS_jp9SMSKeDHv5kRSW064rhdIeFydURpCzEW2d_5EK78RqfuV1VpybkH48O5xXDJNLIadBGJNaVEAkViwjKhb4RnY2LdMTUwkX4h4mkAPkMvQ/s1600-h/green+wedding+maids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ngXTGLvV-whgzHrryvnPcKY-fVHbhgS_jp9SMSKeDHv5kRSW064rhdIeFydURpCzEW2d_5EK78RqfuV1VpybkH48O5xXDJNLIadBGJNaVEAkViwjKhb4RnY2LdMTUwkX4h4mkAPkMvQ/s320/green+wedding+maids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243304379719456610" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBuXAxUzoZLNJj2bs_8MEMzNBu1XKyUDjtiXABEkLzcWLj5p2sTPe_enbBYG4ht3J1UVQWtidi9vO57Zg1YXZXz2OeXOeCl1nu0wsKOHMjy6aMUGMV3aVSaOp9uYOl2_EpakBSrqvDxE/s1600-h/IMG_0671-card12-blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBuXAxUzoZLNJj2bs_8MEMzNBu1XKyUDjtiXABEkLzcWLj5p2sTPe_enbBYG4ht3J1UVQWtidi9vO57Zg1YXZXz2OeXOeCl1nu0wsKOHMjy6aMUGMV3aVSaOp9uYOl2_EpakBSrqvDxE/s320/IMG_0671-card12-blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243304588189666690" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers</span>
"Greg's cousin owns a flower shop [<a href="http://www.lockersflowers.com/">Locker's Flowers</a> in McHenry], so they provided all of the flowers. The shop is family-owned and a local, thriving business in the community where many of the groom's family lives and where he grew up. It was important for us to include his family in the planning this way."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UjyGFH-m92DvpzFYXteyu7ZSPMrKincQOAbvQCDPHUp6qdZHCRcnjq__EghHToYRBNQ8YSKvuvXD06cXRa6OmnpZelDv2cgpx-oWnnEoy2dene3X08B-6V4Q2N0s9TxCQf3WCowlx8s/s1600-h/green+wedding+bouquet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UjyGFH-m92DvpzFYXteyu7ZSPMrKincQOAbvQCDPHUp6qdZHCRcnjq__EghHToYRBNQ8YSKvuvXD06cXRa6OmnpZelDv2cgpx-oWnnEoy2dene3X08B-6V4Q2N0s9TxCQf3WCowlx8s/s400/green+wedding+bouquet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243305056612947426" /></a>
<P>
Instead of wearing a veil, Christine commissioned, <a href="http://mikiyecreations.blogspot.com/">Mikiye Creations</a>, whose work can be found on Etsy, to create a reusable silk flower clip. "She designed [this clip] for me, based on photos I sent her of my dress, flowers, and jewelry.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujVUkjgCKah5HqAnqtBkiY_lbVhSjWU-ryAgEO6FkZVLUG0IRHgsVE8dATHJS-2CXsZTvXOesplhOHIM6yMpSK6EqEH4qtI-UQIBgfNclZjgh5-bkzFcdK1AppTBGOxDO2zFmArDyOXk/s1600-h/green+hair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujVUkjgCKah5HqAnqtBkiY_lbVhSjWU-ryAgEO6FkZVLUG0IRHgsVE8dATHJS-2CXsZTvXOesplhOHIM6yMpSK6EqEH4qtI-UQIBgfNclZjgh5-bkzFcdK1AppTBGOxDO2zFmArDyOXk/s320/green+hair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243305354653037874" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMgrAQJbqGCvf2ZXiCCCkhcYYxiSz02AlrAx0l49Jx8bLjXvM3FiD4x6MzGyKczvs5xxJqcxMXKm9txh_cp_wi6NzlbrSaJhQMXAAQNQvjmbk9UYP_P0GTFEXNY9vwbkhe_hCrYu5QxI/s1600-h/couple.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMgrAQJbqGCvf2ZXiCCCkhcYYxiSz02AlrAx0l49Jx8bLjXvM3FiD4x6MzGyKczvs5xxJqcxMXKm9txh_cp_wi6NzlbrSaJhQMXAAQNQvjmbk9UYP_P0GTFEXNY9vwbkhe_hCrYu5QxI/s400/couple.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243305530898199586" /></a>
<p>
For the reception decor, Christine and her mother created simple, elegant displays with limes, which guests took home and used after the wedding. "My mom and I went to the local market and bought 400 limes! How often does anyone get to buy 400 limes! The limes were taken home by many of the guests, including one who told me that she'd be using her to make margaritas the next day for her own guests! My mother-in-law used hers to make limeade! I love that the centerpieces used live ingredients that were reused."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxOS9dp5QeMzkHwwUUtRGTmJ01_YYzbwEJonKdNlM6w1-_YeM_0bwRE-t8aqjxP-yBRZEWP11-C437qfA8H2yBq9AtJxHVWYzvhGRiVpPevr4hVUrwvQzEhjrB4GkyQ-cLlJfTFnl2PA/s1600-h/lime+centerpiece.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxOS9dp5QeMzkHwwUUtRGTmJ01_YYzbwEJonKdNlM6w1-_YeM_0bwRE-t8aqjxP-yBRZEWP11-C437qfA8H2yBq9AtJxHVWYzvhGRiVpPevr4hVUrwvQzEhjrB4GkyQ-cLlJfTFnl2PA/s320/lime+centerpiece.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243305793446294898" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Programs + Seating Cards</span>
Greg's sister created the programs (printed on recycled paper) as their wedding gift. They seating cards also matched the brown at lime color scheme.
<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdF9GQyOiePbYeNXxo6SMV1fYAHZo7Nfby9_v48-oZQkkHAwAoYaEYeffxsKaJ7VkkR5SzSSwgaidmQomF6hYKN9uN7V1jhdfGPSlHAYKIi-fxVzkbmIO9UJxZB_JrnrM_Lqlr9b7VqU/s1600-h/recycled+paper+menus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdF9GQyOiePbYeNXxo6SMV1fYAHZo7Nfby9_v48-oZQkkHAwAoYaEYeffxsKaJ7VkkR5SzSSwgaidmQomF6hYKN9uN7V1jhdfGPSlHAYKIi-fxVzkbmIO9UJxZB_JrnrM_Lqlr9b7VqU/s320/recycled+paper+menus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243306090011265586" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7DciN1bmbr-0hKLyEPARoGL3yjV2YrVNbp9FZM7z5CvgKkMsgeIsa6K0dhz7KzjjEw24iKL9CbALkoIoKp-80cYb-_JQYyqXzUu3B4pweoCS7hqlUbwaGLqAmK1TJpFvIIjV45HiK4o/s1600-h/green+and+brown+placecards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7DciN1bmbr-0hKLyEPARoGL3yjV2YrVNbp9FZM7z5CvgKkMsgeIsa6K0dhz7KzjjEw24iKL9CbALkoIoKp-80cYb-_JQYyqXzUu3B4pweoCS7hqlUbwaGLqAmK1TJpFvIIjV45HiK4o/s320/green+and+brown+placecards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243306000110073154" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Favors</span>
Each guest received a favor box tied with a green ribbon. "The favor boxes had two <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/favors/chocolate.html">truffles</a> in them. I did not want to give out favors that would be thrown out or regarded as "tchotchke." The truffles and the boxes were made by <a href="http://www.truffletrolley.com/">Truffle Trolley</a>, a family-owned business. The truffles were a delicious treat that everyone could enjoy immediately and would not go to waste."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZnkcN0mpdwGLmr6Cq1ZGqqpag42-amzTQEWXdKyvE8uEENdeK63nxY4nDoNxHzk_ic0Z9Zt-Udx5IWLXguhthv2zWYx6XSZz8phZBeoVavdF65sXGeUhp6Vsdnu7M0AtdgehGCrloXY/s1600-h/brown+favor+box.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZnkcN0mpdwGLmr6Cq1ZGqqpag42-amzTQEWXdKyvE8uEENdeK63nxY4nDoNxHzk_ic0Z9Zt-Udx5IWLXguhthv2zWYx6XSZz8phZBeoVavdF65sXGeUhp6Vsdnu7M0AtdgehGCrloXY/s320/brown+favor+box.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243306813733773522" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Photography</span>
Their photographer, <a href="http://jacphoto.net/">Jay Crihfield</a>, provided them with "the digital negatives instead of printing out any prints." Christine and Greg plan to provide their guests with electronic copies of their photos and to <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2913110-10476864?cm_mmc=CJ-_-2325664-_-2913110-_-Gallery_$30%20Classic%20Photo%20Book">create their own wedding album</a> so "nothing is wasted and we do not print a single picture we do not want."
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Carbon Offsetting</span>
The couple is also planning to "'give back' by donating money for <a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/2008/04/help-plant-1-billion-trees.html">tree planting</a> or <a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/2008/09/carbon-offsetting.html">carbon emissions</a> to offset and celebrate the wedding."The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-37340222153497016132008-09-01T21:33:00.002-04:002008-09-01T21:46:15.850-04:00Carbon Offsetting<a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/search/label/carbon%20offsetting">Many couples</a> are now choosing to lessen the environmental impact of their weddings by purchasing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_offset">carbon offsets</a>. I just discovered Brighter Planet - a new company that works with Native Energy and other partners to fund renewable energy projects. They offer carbon calculators for driving, flying, home use and weddings. Click the image below to learn more.
<P>
<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wWjwXpYnfkA&offerid=148615.10000013&type=4&subid=0"><IMG alt="right_foot-300x250-rectangle.gif" border="0" src="http://static.brighterplanet.com/creative/banners/right_foot/right_foot-300x250-rectangle.gif"></a><IMG border="0" width="1" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=wWjwXpYnfkA&bids=148615.10000013&type=4&subid=0">The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-60027463677901319922008-08-30T12:12:00.007-04:002008-08-30T21:36:01.335-04:00Photo Card Save-The-DatesOne of the things I suggest in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140221345X?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=140221345X">The Green Bride Guide</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thegrebrigui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=140221345X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> is having your save-the-dates do double duty as holiday cards. This is exactly what <a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/2008/08/diy-paperbloomster-wedding.html">Lisa and Kevin</a> did - but they took it one step further by sending photo cards two years in row:
<P>
The first year friends and family members received a christmas card featuring a picture of the couple reading a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764556851?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0764556851">Wedding Planning For Dummies.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thegrebrigui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764556851" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> The caption was "Be Married and Bright and Please
Save the Date!"
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPCgoFDiuCvdf7cYi4e4T4TUStq2b8iBcLAFsU3KngtQiTq5IcuWKNJbkLs-zAdLgQCGtY-wl1swNuUrdWY8RJrTItfc9oODmX2O_r6NUjK7O-5bvRUehKSN8k0BIy5xDR_3UAUVUlr8/s1600-h/rhodes_e_083.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPCgoFDiuCvdf7cYi4e4T4TUStq2b8iBcLAFsU3KngtQiTq5IcuWKNJbkLs-zAdLgQCGtY-wl1swNuUrdWY8RJrTItfc9oODmX2O_r6NUjK7O-5bvRUehKSN8k0BIy5xDR_3UAUVUlr8/s400/rhodes_e_083.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240346495473751858" /></a>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Photo: <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/genehiga/iblog/index.html">Gene Higa Photography</a></span>
<p>
The next year the card had a photo from their honeymoon on the beach in Thailand that read "Happy Holidays from The Honeymooners!"<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGjuau07rhntukzQSmdPUqKXCm2aoQ0s7gmhf4uKwQ9T3FnTm1lbnEhpG_R3Q_kjOQ6iJmOR63kwNRkuJzEWPDVyR3SqwvZSRLTolT8ol61WES9r_LJjqJfTLq8lISzYdLI7sGwER6AA/s1600-h/P1040888.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGjuau07rhntukzQSmdPUqKXCm2aoQ0s7gmhf4uKwQ9T3FnTm1lbnEhpG_R3Q_kjOQ6iJmOR63kwNRkuJzEWPDVyR3SqwvZSRLTolT8ol61WES9r_LJjqJfTLq8lISzYdLI7sGwER6AA/s400/P1040888.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240347274081400402" /></a>
<P>
Lisa had the cards printed using <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2913110-10403516?cm_mmc=CJ-_-2325664-_-2913110-_-Gallery_Kodak%20Gallery%20Photo%20Cards" target="_top">Kodak Gallery.</a>
<img src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-2913110-10403516" width="1" height="1" border="0"/> "I just got full frame, no border. 5X7 for the Save the Dates and 4X8 photo cards for Just Married in sand." <P>
The full fame option makes the cards look like regular photographs, so they are more likely to find their way into a frame than into the trash can.
<P>
What a fun way to share the good news!The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-78854085221469308212008-08-24T23:14:00.021-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.719-05:00DIY Paperbloomster Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESYsw-CSjibCHynR6EFlOAzOyYUxAdst5MDDagI0whN26VwChrbtN1Aas_a26fd2JvWpdRIUU7i9eWWvEVZMfeJ20cuWbQMWEqfcKFmoOsl0wRQv25Zsq8Se3mHULOHiBYl2K1p4X6KI/s1600-h/189220513603_0_BG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESYsw-CSjibCHynR6EFlOAzOyYUxAdst5MDDagI0whN26VwChrbtN1Aas_a26fd2JvWpdRIUU7i9eWWvEVZMfeJ20cuWbQMWEqfcKFmoOsl0wRQv25Zsq8Se3mHULOHiBYl2K1p4X6KI/s400/189220513603_0_BG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238302792083055906" /></a>
<P>
Lisa Yuen and Kevin Rhoads were married August 4, 2007 in The Green Room in the <a href="http://sfwmpac.org/">San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center</a> - across from San Francisco City Hall (pictured below). <P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yB0ROuMJBYQYH62bYkcq6pkiRNAZuzxVrPm4UbdMwZ0VN_DcLUn1yFHbYM800qUnaJmcVyF1iroxbzGUEh9osOPdPr_8aJELEPkXcs1D1UeDTY-E1gqO2xnyWIRFj6fN0AJR_wqQbM8/s1600-h/434165413603_0_BG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yB0ROuMJBYQYH62bYkcq6pkiRNAZuzxVrPm4UbdMwZ0VN_DcLUn1yFHbYM800qUnaJmcVyF1iroxbzGUEh9osOPdPr_8aJELEPkXcs1D1UeDTY-E1gqO2xnyWIRFj6fN0AJR_wqQbM8/s400/434165413603_0_BG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238290635849833954" /></a>
<P>
Kevin is a golf professional at <a href="http://www.golfclubatlas.com/thecountryclub1.html">The Country Club</a> in Brookline, Massachusetts and coaches the Harvard womens' golf team. Lisa is an actress (who has performed both on Broadway and in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2338671/">several movies</a>). For entertainment, Lisa asked some of her colleagues to share their talents. "I asked 4 of my friends from Miss Saigon, Annie and The King and I to sing at the ceremony and cocktail hour. For the recessional, my friend Derek Isetti sang "Orange Colored Sky". Richard Rockage, a musical arranger for <a href="http://www.rnh.com/index.asp">The Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization</a> created a new arrangement of "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy". We started the reception with our first dance - some fun choreography by a Miss Saigon alumnus (Alan Ariano) that incorporated ballroom waltz, lifts, the Robot and moves stolen from the movie, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EHSVQE?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000EHSVQE">Napoleon Dynamite.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thegrebrigui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000EHSVQE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> Another friend, Peilin Chou, of <a href="http://www.lifefilm.com">Lifefilm Productions</a> made a documentary about our courtship and our families that was shown during the reception."
<P>
In addition to calling upon friends from the entertainment industry, Lisa personalized her wedding by incorporating designs from the business she runs with her sister Janice Yoshihara called <a href="http://www.paperbloomsters.com/">Paperbloomsters</a>. Janice made the flowers for Lisa's wedding, including "peonies, roses and cherry blossoms - about 200 of them!!!" Each flower was made by cutting petals from sheets of dried recycled paper. You can watch Lisa demonstrate the process on Martha Stewart by <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=cb211a5f45c82110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=related">clicking here</a>.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjops5f8_ga7w0h-NeOVPwOQNwaORb_jiv4_YpcGVLr7S1VlQnx68Ty_8Cw6TlNJga6d_9UqbyQqFAZKS5ZYf2bdAufa9lzNRiF9Zba_cfXidwnBvtQpNiP77HSorWMUGQSxhL_xSEK_0A/s1600-h/P1020790(1).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjops5f8_ga7w0h-NeOVPwOQNwaORb_jiv4_YpcGVLr7S1VlQnx68Ty_8Cw6TlNJga6d_9UqbyQqFAZKS5ZYf2bdAufa9lzNRiF9Zba_cfXidwnBvtQpNiP77HSorWMUGQSxhL_xSEK_0A/s320/P1020790(1).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238299247505614962" /></a>
<P>
For the ceremony, Janice decorated the flower girl basket with paper flowers and the ringbearer presented the rings on a giant paper peony.<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILaJmrCsz9nbLBXPhLNTb6QKJNgXlzwtYIswpGgbtYyPU7v3TjK6dwa2Ur5vYd592ZdAKjVvTxwNCr9AjG-EO40lGcN_HvXHSUZKr2m2YzGw3tIfXUZgrdsFbroKr0SYkHwgRUO18bOo/s1600-h/flower+basket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILaJmrCsz9nbLBXPhLNTb6QKJNgXlzwtYIswpGgbtYyPU7v3TjK6dwa2Ur5vYd592ZdAKjVvTxwNCr9AjG-EO40lGcN_HvXHSUZKr2m2YzGw3tIfXUZgrdsFbroKr0SYkHwgRUO18bOo/s320/flower+basket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238291407963306834" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvMXESSUoqC3qjKZJdHeLHI02qwFHsZunHxm_GwWk9MQyBwc4MPEFoXpegNaMnDHvwJjDS-ARiHp6slyG8pC4bnK-JmFqUcHoo9lerkehBDNjbmcHM1Dq261EtjjpU5hRa0bAjc40bsE/s1600-h/alternative+ring+pillow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvMXESSUoqC3qjKZJdHeLHI02qwFHsZunHxm_GwWk9MQyBwc4MPEFoXpegNaMnDHvwJjDS-ARiHp6slyG8pC4bnK-JmFqUcHoo9lerkehBDNjbmcHM1Dq261EtjjpU5hRa0bAjc40bsE/s320/alternative+ring+pillow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238291340043277378" /></a>
<P>
At the reception, paper flowers lined the walls and perfectly complimented the (live) centerpieces.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdHhO5CLspsNgBm6i9CunKZvN5CJ0O9UsM1E-oJsPOCVb7DOKSRC_JAZzG4_kWoPnwo2UaJvIM9RPlSrIdwgTYxYWU7hOUu7SMK-JrOU_N5VOx3QgDkTtNOCByecZh87PAUWDhNRK1Ew/s1600-h/paper+flower+table.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdHhO5CLspsNgBm6i9CunKZvN5CJ0O9UsM1E-oJsPOCVb7DOKSRC_JAZzG4_kWoPnwo2UaJvIM9RPlSrIdwgTYxYWU7hOUu7SMK-JrOU_N5VOx3QgDkTtNOCByecZh87PAUWDhNRK1Ew/s400/paper+flower+table.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238291660595095890" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBKGo4enqm8suttCLmUew9-h0HAH312iMGSnoOa9dob52AX_cJ2MI-mwKJjcI_Zm_-o7mq0t0YpJbZMK2qFLydVwlCahbTI6dkFDgtNgyg1zGDycJ5gXFmDaZZB2JgmdGYzWyAhyiKTE/s1600-h/473812513603_0_BG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBKGo4enqm8suttCLmUew9-h0HAH312iMGSnoOa9dob52AX_cJ2MI-mwKJjcI_Zm_-o7mq0t0YpJbZMK2qFLydVwlCahbTI6dkFDgtNgyg1zGDycJ5gXFmDaZZB2JgmdGYzWyAhyiKTE/s400/473812513603_0_BG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238291895644191506" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmya1u8BRysYWSSpGT0ZGRHIf9uYrTL_aPKo3jLyZmyvk9pdfIZNiEaYGOr4FZOsdJaxf_gRMtFFyIFy62Yt7QwlGaSZgUW2mA1IUd2ub95df2GBkWhxXG-uGyK4-3rEjfNtWJcSa1nE/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmya1u8BRysYWSSpGT0ZGRHIf9uYrTL_aPKo3jLyZmyvk9pdfIZNiEaYGOr4FZOsdJaxf_gRMtFFyIFy62Yt7QwlGaSZgUW2mA1IUd2ub95df2GBkWhxXG-uGyK4-3rEjfNtWJcSa1nE/s400/a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238292863086852322" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUubb1I1l2mh5NSXMp-GWeFv_ZF0HlKqBFbD2MuPZPV8RrLn-uuaLFc0QbcXiU1_5y8EaxJl99KIcSgNo1Bqrhs2lEHDXZpyW32jeVXej4waN27msgK7nMxpy5rpexYT2FypbYjJ9bQQ/s1600-h/Tropical+floral+arrangements.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUubb1I1l2mh5NSXMp-GWeFv_ZF0HlKqBFbD2MuPZPV8RrLn-uuaLFc0QbcXiU1_5y8EaxJl99KIcSgNo1Bqrhs2lEHDXZpyW32jeVXej4waN27msgK7nMxpy5rpexYT2FypbYjJ9bQQ/s400/Tropical+floral+arrangements.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238292801613240978" /></a>
The live flower arrangements were designed by a good friend of Kevin's, Karen Burling of <a href="http://www.huckleberrykarendesigns.com/">Huckleberry Designs</a> and the bouquets (shown in image above) were done by Matika Angkatavanich of <a href="http://www.simplyblooms.com">Simply Blooms</a>.
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Invitations, Seating Cards + Favors</span>
In addition to all of the flowers above, Lisa used her paper craft talent throughout the wedding. As Karen Burling wrote on <a href="http://huckleberrykaren.blogspot.com/2007/06/cool-invite.html">her blog</a>, Lisa's guests received "not just a piece of paper....but a handmade book! I was told that Lisa had spent precious hours making these for her guests. Talk about a personal touch!"
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7XRpj4LsMqN3fU9hzUetNaTRzIOH5i-uRf0czZ77l9xZio8TKcncnnsoAiDku1wh9rVxd5sA9FUwB5jIzIzbfPV86KQ-K107Dfrgl83nhajXUsoTB-Z59DgIDmBKqfQkTtK4KL_mJYk/s1600-h/IMG_0294.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7XRpj4LsMqN3fU9hzUetNaTRzIOH5i-uRf0czZ77l9xZio8TKcncnnsoAiDku1wh9rVxd5sA9FUwB5jIzIzbfPV86KQ-K107Dfrgl83nhajXUsoTB-Z59DgIDmBKqfQkTtK4KL_mJYk/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238294050429442146" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmC7D7i9bKlSQ0jvio9G9PDgq9TJqX1Qu2rYfr0P0I3l4jAiw5f67MitC9nemOE5mtTgAcG23mpsmj97JEP0WU5fvW_jz4teCXrr2tqNjdSCMtOHpIsntCtsebs1E9Yk8M6FaeGSHjli4/s1600-h/IMG_0302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmC7D7i9bKlSQ0jvio9G9PDgq9TJqX1Qu2rYfr0P0I3l4jAiw5f67MitC9nemOE5mtTgAcG23mpsmj97JEP0WU5fvW_jz4teCXrr2tqNjdSCMtOHpIsntCtsebs1E9Yk8M6FaeGSHjli4/s320/IMG_0302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238293990243711410" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5swSsADsckxvpPrpxX1xP5OhGqSsO3gqvk6l8vQaXGXTrACUoIymuLWr4sBMPsifmyBfhbsjMDW9OrJNROYAYzwG7FwKUCz7uKaesDpuxFXQZrUgGXjisdmc5xlxPN2nKk__5i0IluE/s1600-h/IMG_0306.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5swSsADsckxvpPrpxX1xP5OhGqSsO3gqvk6l8vQaXGXTrACUoIymuLWr4sBMPsifmyBfhbsjMDW9OrJNROYAYzwG7FwKUCz7uKaesDpuxFXQZrUgGXjisdmc5xlxPN2nKk__5i0IluE/s400/IMG_0306.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238293906012992402" /></a>
<P>
She also made matching seating cards!
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_g2ygJp4fpeUKoKcMtmL9zDcSQP_Ex3IciHzKZcECUTCxKsC91bwOo556GHlyrDmC_kK4wYe2dyJweDUOaYajW8TrrXx8LofWpeBDf_Zm5tYpPWRtGi3bl5aSt1xXlxcsx8auGBn2GQ/s1600-h/Paper+Flower+Seating+cards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_g2ygJp4fpeUKoKcMtmL9zDcSQP_Ex3IciHzKZcECUTCxKsC91bwOo556GHlyrDmC_kK4wYe2dyJweDUOaYajW8TrrXx8LofWpeBDf_Zm5tYpPWRtGi3bl5aSt1xXlxcsx8auGBn2GQ/s320/Paper+Flower+Seating+cards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238294235252631650" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Favors</span>
And that is not all...Lisa used the leftover paper from her invitations to make individual favor boxes for her guests.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_gQ_9MYFecFKKA-OHr5Y7rBVsAT3xbihSgOUU25nzCfAY6YULtSOdLQ9zbuUdxVb-mZVKTsTC3VpF6RMXpy2yQIE-m0Hctttpt_gLUpy2l6tFjkXoCbYMsboKL8romJiCOKH5OBIDHs/s1600-h/Table+setting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_gQ_9MYFecFKKA-OHr5Y7rBVsAT3xbihSgOUU25nzCfAY6YULtSOdLQ9zbuUdxVb-mZVKTsTC3VpF6RMXpy2yQIE-m0Hctttpt_gLUpy2l6tFjkXoCbYMsboKL8romJiCOKH5OBIDHs/s320/Table+setting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238294472619426466" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd_jZb5WXVGAWb9RLtN7T4XIcjKoRJU4C4IaHM2hekF8_XaDc0GhZH03l-Q9-b-mSiWTn7mUVWusBDOlFsmTMXkOwPcs1Ovn4gccDlNKeSQoZF-ZSvvZraAbYB9_CMXTp66wrkH36nKU/s1600-h/paper+bloomter+box+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd_jZb5WXVGAWb9RLtN7T4XIcjKoRJU4C4IaHM2hekF8_XaDc0GhZH03l-Q9-b-mSiWTn7mUVWusBDOlFsmTMXkOwPcs1Ovn4gccDlNKeSQoZF-ZSvvZraAbYB9_CMXTp66wrkH36nKU/s400/paper+bloomter+box+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238294543020534306" /></a>
<P>
And what was in the boxes? "The outside of the box represented me and inside was all Kevin." Because Kevin is a golf pro, that meant each guest received a Titleist golf ball reading "Kevin hit a hole in one! August 4, 2007.'"
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20j3x0FVMQgti-tc6CcooEgqAQOrDFlCIBlcSHaaAFHuaow5jgktt9B9B-9GK4KtOETYL24fhZZOyifGCaENwCnMMjND2IQukA5KDdJUwFZwPUEOdfr5XzdhJco0qQfFf55UaRngXFcU/s1600-h/479393613603_0_BG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20j3x0FVMQgti-tc6CcooEgqAQOrDFlCIBlcSHaaAFHuaow5jgktt9B9B-9GK4KtOETYL24fhZZOyifGCaENwCnMMjND2IQukA5KDdJUwFZwPUEOdfr5XzdhJco0qQfFf55UaRngXFcU/s320/479393613603_0_BG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238294870497927010" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.genehiga.com">Gene Higa Photography</a></span>
<P>
To read Lisa and Kevin's green wedding planning tip <a href="http://weddinglessonslearned.blogspot.com/2008/08/coordinate-with-other-couples.html">click here</a>.The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-85231724897893572932008-08-19T22:25:00.020-04:002008-08-19T23:40:17.674-04:00California Courting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimasYjoY4hL8aBfE4_Y4lNxGFmCb38zpBuHJwFecaXo24aDQi13X4kVe0ZIDQgST2IUitVvN8lcgTmJOkzY67cTi5d2Ln3Hl4yEgPn-DQVjKYcXiVBtgF4J_EGBFPPZvT4elZo3KqRAUI/s1600-h/235.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimasYjoY4hL8aBfE4_Y4lNxGFmCb38zpBuHJwFecaXo24aDQi13X4kVe0ZIDQgST2IUitVvN8lcgTmJOkzY67cTi5d2Ln3Hl4yEgPn-DQVjKYcXiVBtgF4J_EGBFPPZvT4elZo3KqRAUI/s400/235.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236421413928233714" /></a>
<P>
Mandy and her husband Joe were married in Anaheim Hills, California in May 2008. Their wedding took place on the "grounds of <a href="http://www.kindredchurch.org/">Kindred Community Church</a>, in the hills" and their reception was held in <a href="http://www.ci.irvine.ca.us/depts/cs/commparks/cparks/woodbury_community_park.asp">Woodbury Community Park</a> where the site fees "go back into the upkeep and care of the beautiful hillside oasis - home to tons of birds, lizards and other woodland creatures. [It was] hard to believe that a bustling city and freeway weren't far away!"
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ogP8vkMx_Sg79EQL_Mzw2EIx2_ybwvPcn-WYLxBl2dtun-oFiQJweZJLo837WDkCUEWwpF8k95qMKz0FN5z9m0qNH1DkvLSvn-_d8DWSM2qy57IplDg95BaXyVu2rV5Uj31AkgSCUdI/s1600-h/343.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ogP8vkMx_Sg79EQL_Mzw2EIx2_ybwvPcn-WYLxBl2dtun-oFiQJweZJLo837WDkCUEWwpF8k95qMKz0FN5z9m0qNH1DkvLSvn-_d8DWSM2qy57IplDg95BaXyVu2rV5Uj31AkgSCUdI/s400/343.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236421117154255362" /></a>
<P>
Another cool thing about their reception location was that the park utilizes <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=wWjwXpYnfkA&offerid=144043.10000023&type=3&subid=0" >low energy appliances.</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=wWjwXpYnfkA&bids=144043.10000023&type=3&subid=0" > "Mother nature provided the ambiance and light for the wedding itself and the reception location provided low energy appliances and fixtures [for the party]." In addition to choosing eco-friendly locations, the couple incorporated a number of other green elements into their plans as well.
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Recycled Paper</span>
Mandy and Joe used recycled paper for their invitations, programs, menu cards, etc.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7xPO7uGU7jvojgX6BHWkUALHG3AmmK_u03ijigeo2NVdLryPPVS3i7ToF_qIkBEXFjHfNInpP13lPpfRHbm1l9kgLq-SEH8FHkWZCabkkLicgERGKkarqIj4GWw3m37YrDQwjA73mDY/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7xPO7uGU7jvojgX6BHWkUALHG3AmmK_u03ijigeo2NVdLryPPVS3i7ToF_qIkBEXFjHfNInpP13lPpfRHbm1l9kgLq-SEH8FHkWZCabkkLicgERGKkarqIj4GWw3m37YrDQwjA73mDY/s320/4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236423097510852690" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCMewvlszvfOL-K4y7aNgQSSKZxqrCv2YMJH_eTbGhEdJRKGqjlkTgxxy3dnttNStll8Co3r8fCFsyIO-XckbatNOESCZT3mUNDECOlzJPdHhCObKhJLTm9-XiFDGuqcZe47jsjDp0VU/s1600-h/451.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCMewvlszvfOL-K4y7aNgQSSKZxqrCv2YMJH_eTbGhEdJRKGqjlkTgxxy3dnttNStll8Co3r8fCFsyIO-XckbatNOESCZT3mUNDECOlzJPdHhCObKhJLTm9-XiFDGuqcZe47jsjDp0VU/s320/451.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236423023956124242" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ4iwLzn0EYfM9pUzi5GJmHiKq1EoROQz1RMro92VQid8Py5ILhaGmLU99pi69EWdhE1ZovoR3S9RzzqibNcpGKx3i0bt3R40zDxCvUvbR2kVn50M3u0LVv4krx_xjZdJgqFcwsMFO-Y/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ4iwLzn0EYfM9pUzi5GJmHiKq1EoROQz1RMro92VQid8Py5ILhaGmLU99pi69EWdhE1ZovoR3S9RzzqibNcpGKx3i0bt3R40zDxCvUvbR2kVn50M3u0LVv4krx_xjZdJgqFcwsMFO-Y/s320/13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236423148825568594" /></a>
<P>
Instead of having a guestbook they used an "old branch for a 'wish tree'" which guests hung little tags on.
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDO9JPsijZilIY3bI_FbXaUYY_souuhBTLCvxtUk2XonOLDOxLlDB5OQHMWLqdHERmNJ3TVArAV1fQFPdQzpPMn1echaNPrehXn0PIo57kEz2Lw4cDu9Yf1i7CsuWuZnH0wfzyIAPzoE/s1600-h/454.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDO9JPsijZilIY3bI_FbXaUYY_souuhBTLCvxtUk2XonOLDOxLlDB5OQHMWLqdHERmNJ3TVArAV1fQFPdQzpPMn1echaNPrehXn0PIo57kEz2Lw4cDu9Yf1i7CsuWuZnH0wfzyIAPzoE/s320/454.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236423416445777410" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Bamboo and Rice Paper Parasols</span>
To keep her maids comfortable on the hot California day, Mandy gave each of them a <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/page29/page29.html">bamboo and rice paper parasol</a> (both biodegradable natural materials).
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOcDt925NLmJBj1cM76LH3ki1VR3wN13A8PNhMxGBjuDYSqhZScEjKH8p0Tbq5UAtDdrUU-_GA7PcKMKAnVOOSp4e6XkQBWZivdcr9qxPq6BTccfWIL2Bc2xtPqtZ8r5k9BY9ZDpJS-Q/s1600-h/304.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOcDt925NLmJBj1cM76LH3ki1VR3wN13A8PNhMxGBjuDYSqhZScEjKH8p0Tbq5UAtDdrUU-_GA7PcKMKAnVOOSp4e6XkQBWZivdcr9qxPq6BTccfWIL2Bc2xtPqtZ8r5k9BY9ZDpJS-Q/s400/304.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236422451306186146" /></a>
<P>
The men enjoyed them too!
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgVITD6FsZY3PuKvdVECcKrYm3BVAN_J67fHYJw-792Pepwo5H8YI4uMb943QZ_TGiut1fyPEZ2Si4XSzyFRwpgq6RgYoOzlh_JgHC-BkdQ8FZD9W-rxypPNM5Ovk6rj9tYM59HSD3gI/s1600-h/315.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgVITD6FsZY3PuKvdVECcKrYm3BVAN_J67fHYJw-792Pepwo5H8YI4uMb943QZ_TGiut1fyPEZ2Si4XSzyFRwpgq6RgYoOzlh_JgHC-BkdQ8FZD9W-rxypPNM5Ovk6rj9tYM59HSD3gI/s400/315.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236422728901692018" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Locally Grown Flowers</span>
Throughout their wedding Mandy and Joe used roses from <a href="http://www.growersdirectflowers.com/">Growers Direct</a> in Tustin, CA (a local grower).
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ymAVqaXUHjYcIDRqPjn2x_8wjws8RP4xVeagjTU1eGk6tPsmUeBgcCM2f0nFT1wP3NSKVbEMJa4p72nXeeLREasV6Z2S2k8tb4qn_TKJZNr3sKhso4UyqkdegAE74hikWlxvS-J86U/s1600-h/77.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6ymAVqaXUHjYcIDRqPjn2x_8wjws8RP4xVeagjTU1eGk6tPsmUeBgcCM2f0nFT1wP3NSKVbEMJa4p72nXeeLREasV6Z2S2k8tb4qn_TKJZNr3sKhso4UyqkdegAE74hikWlxvS-J86U/s320/77.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236422017999836674" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoWJNKLkW1g6gvfx0ie4l2SDtUdbKKafNJIOV7MURLZ-39RbpBRd_32DSL2wPecqg6iCPs6py-GcX3uVOuY-nvlIPO8e9_eIFWZ0nAW1-NKcPDuc6-h1IDT5jDAhZetHjLUJBEn1ylY0/s1600-h/157.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoWJNKLkW1g6gvfx0ie4l2SDtUdbKKafNJIOV7MURLZ-39RbpBRd_32DSL2wPecqg6iCPs6py-GcX3uVOuY-nvlIPO8e9_eIFWZ0nAW1-NKcPDuc6-h1IDT5jDAhZetHjLUJBEn1ylY0/s320/157.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236421952270799810" /></a>
<p>
For their centerpieces, they set the roses into vases full of sliced organic limes, which they surrounded with <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/reception/candles.html">soy votives</a>. "No rocks or other things to throw away - everything was biodegradable and the vases we gave away."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z-OooJ54Z0SVFuasKt-OWgj_jnfYESEQOAwMD5yYiVoKH1HpmZU0KsjE3kJY_fGaL5uobfvB42SUevEyAE_wi6Q1vgM_q_1s8TB0UbnbzA6k5vmh10IDxujB6hb1fbpvaamyXJwVsTE/s1600-h/427.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z-OooJ54Z0SVFuasKt-OWgj_jnfYESEQOAwMD5yYiVoKH1HpmZU0KsjE3kJY_fGaL5uobfvB42SUevEyAE_wi6Q1vgM_q_1s8TB0UbnbzA6k5vmh10IDxujB6hb1fbpvaamyXJwVsTE/s320/427.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236422169708726530" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Favors</span>
Mandy and Joe wanted their favors to reflect their love of nature and wanted to encourage their guests to get outside and explore. To this end they chose "<a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/favors/treesseeds.html">Love Beans</a>" and reusable compasses. "Continuing with our nature theme, we gave little potted plants with a bean inside that says, "Love" when it grows. We also encourage walks through nature, and provided these compasses for said walks with non-animal (leather) synthetic cords."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXscmxjuA8S-JSz6CWn33aAnxhyM0x698VsE6PhBjpm9ZcJC0tG6kJ_Kf6NHPPJjOsa2icHG1FseeFZLOB0_qllsscABHMtn1S6somrnsWLpts0n8Q1ECgxpjOCCItYZFDvdQ6agU4U_A/s1600-h/453.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXscmxjuA8S-JSz6CWn33aAnxhyM0x698VsE6PhBjpm9ZcJC0tG6kJ_Kf6NHPPJjOsa2icHG1FseeFZLOB0_qllsscABHMtn1S6somrnsWLpts0n8Q1ECgxpjOCCItYZFDvdQ6agU4U_A/s320/453.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236423935105961810" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzjTPzPoRl0JiK-8GiMU1xc0XsszriA6HZDhvbTzcHMgLxQWOf5RfU40g3TYgWa2i_zWM5-Y1t_iIDcYnd0RsoAMI3DPz-B8tsKm9VfD4mddaZcdFnASTS02XspzXgq_898cSCSMirvc/s1600-h/31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSzjTPzPoRl0JiK-8GiMU1xc0XsszriA6HZDhvbTzcHMgLxQWOf5RfU40g3TYgWa2i_zWM5-Y1t_iIDcYnd0RsoAMI3DPz-B8tsKm9VfD4mddaZcdFnASTS02XspzXgq_898cSCSMirvc/s320/31.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236423864637640402" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cake</span>
After a vegan dinner they cut a fake cake! Instead of getting a cake they knew would go uneaten they had a faux cake from <a href="http://www.fakethecake.com/">Fake The Cake</a> and offered guests a simple sheet cake made by a local bakery instead. They had just enough cake for every guest to get a slice.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FA0x-yO1NCTZ6n22SgK0MlLnhPyNw9uuObsGYNIXAdIMyJcRaq-Ez1ADKNIhSuxXLgQcsCfRZgrau03EZHnX2fh0ihoaL09ti3UID4cYOMC5-LmBR0mugMy2sM02X168-2xYS5HdiRQ/s1600-h/545.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FA0x-yO1NCTZ6n22SgK0MlLnhPyNw9uuObsGYNIXAdIMyJcRaq-Ez1ADKNIhSuxXLgQcsCfRZgrau03EZHnX2fh0ihoaL09ti3UID4cYOMC5-LmBR0mugMy2sM02X168-2xYS5HdiRQ/s400/545.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236424135463352674" /></a>
<P>
When their wedding was over - what did they drive away in? Their own car - and they did not have to drive it far either! "The house where we came home to after the wedding was only one block away from the reception (and the wedding was less than 15 miles from the reception as well)! Low emissions!"
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZvEALQ3sMW9upan3WmnQHJpgEDDrHnSTLKhXCwVP-ll3a_4jnz61Y1cI2hoC8wRLFqZThgb1wsVUMD2Cr_JCoWIxqPBNwn30Ud7vkt0B6RAvxvcp9OdH7NedcdwkSD0N93kxsPy9oso/s1600-h/585.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZvEALQ3sMW9upan3WmnQHJpgEDDrHnSTLKhXCwVP-ll3a_4jnz61Y1cI2hoC8wRLFqZThgb1wsVUMD2Cr_JCoWIxqPBNwn30Ud7vkt0B6RAvxvcp9OdH7NedcdwkSD0N93kxsPy9oso/s320/585.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236424298881098754" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.natalylemus.com">Nataly Lemus</a></span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-39512351594172438392008-08-14T17:14:00.012-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.721-05:00Dinner Party Wedding with DIY Style<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n5gUCQxMyt6AqBNdJhc3ZeozqlNnL-MW_ZASWXoIJBGfuBvLbjse29D8bgymX5_8hHPk_WHyYLvt3eqoZBzdhuIEgpSENH4Ohnm9VcP3qJOFaxbOSheUOr4eSWJLppR_qgo0jRTqlOs/s1600-h/A+%26+D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n5gUCQxMyt6AqBNdJhc3ZeozqlNnL-MW_ZASWXoIJBGfuBvLbjse29D8bgymX5_8hHPk_WHyYLvt3eqoZBzdhuIEgpSENH4Ohnm9VcP3qJOFaxbOSheUOr4eSWJLppR_qgo0jRTqlOs/s400/A+%26+D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234485108170460306" /></a>
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Darryl Harvey and Alissa Lewis had an intimate wedding - "only 40 of our dear friends and family members" - at restaurant <a href="http://www.121restaurant.com/">121</a> in North Salem, NY on April 6th. "We had the wedding set up to be more like a dinner party than anything else. I walked down the aisle to Annie Lennox's version of "Waiting in Vain"--this was kind of an inside joke between us because I am forever waiting on Darryl to get ready, to get downstairs, to get out the door, to come home...He's a bit of slowpoke! We wrote our own vows which were tremendously moving for each of us and for all the guests--for weeks after people were remarking on how special and emotional the ceremony itself was."<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVAo-pcPvawF3P-hA5N6Kj8_MXAiv6-SV3hRY2ffSQQq-Cx04_PvXIEnLQbMIoj-s2Enca6e4WvkExeSFObnR4QzL4UD3R62Ns40RUOf9jx6GY5F-6rrTd3SFEhXYsDX-TaiULmlF3Hw/s1600-h/Ceremony.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVAo-pcPvawF3P-hA5N6Kj8_MXAiv6-SV3hRY2ffSQQq-Cx04_PvXIEnLQbMIoj-s2Enca6e4WvkExeSFObnR4QzL4UD3R62Ns40RUOf9jx6GY5F-6rrTd3SFEhXYsDX-TaiULmlF3Hw/s320/Ceremony.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234489529498878434" /></a>
<p>Alissa is extremely crafty. In fact, she has her own invitation company <a href="http://www.mewpaperarts.com/">Mew Paper Arts </a>- where every item is "handmade with pure intentions for the environment" and proceeds go to "support a quirky gal and her fat cat." Needless to say, when it came to planning her wedding, "the DIY theme went all the way through--from the stationery, to the music, decorations--even the cake!"
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Handmade Paper</span>
Alissa flexed her paper making skills and created one-of-a-kind favors that doubled as seating cards. "I made all of the stationery items--and being a designer myself I felt like I had to really show off! The invitations were made with partially recycled materials to match the sapphire/diamond theme of the dress. I combined placecards and favors by giving each guest a set of handmade notecards with their names on it placed at their seat. I felt like our favors were something that would be used and not tossed out."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PYatAl27S8qW1BEqxLoY8oiTVYhrO-_MTH5Slo_x1Er-A4PhkX29bkCHnC3qzbJ-dyrp-dGpTWiYLaw9_EEFfj9pLz1pBvmgPagvjX1BQ10V2o9U4EiUaOs8AxZzCKxdDJQwNb67rVc/s1600-h/alissa+invite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PYatAl27S8qW1BEqxLoY8oiTVYhrO-_MTH5Slo_x1Er-A4PhkX29bkCHnC3qzbJ-dyrp-dGpTWiYLaw9_EEFfj9pLz1pBvmgPagvjX1BQ10V2o9U4EiUaOs8AxZzCKxdDJQwNb67rVc/s320/alissa+invite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234485954237217490" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GQ_6uMAkLptxrJSRloCBrVmtEGckcFPoZFeE2k0jV65JGz0FqBwOnFlX70y2F_SLOYnlMONh3LiaObkexBNahWkGYmWyFRW0GBhhhE2mZXJY5V2TBSN3N7twUNvSaYfdp0M2MfJ7Fgs/s1600-h/placecards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GQ_6uMAkLptxrJSRloCBrVmtEGckcFPoZFeE2k0jV65JGz0FqBwOnFlX70y2F_SLOYnlMONh3LiaObkexBNahWkGYmWyFRW0GBhhhE2mZXJY5V2TBSN3N7twUNvSaYfdp0M2MfJ7Fgs/s320/placecards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234486134268480530" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers</span>
"Instead of spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on flowers for the tables I just had a gorgeous bouquet made by a florist and used candelabras that I got on clearance at Home Goods for each table. My mom used flowers from her own garden and the local market to make a few large arrangements to spread through the room. We saved a bundle by doing this...and the candelabras are being reused in our home!"
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVfLAJE-J8EiDiHn6qWlaiZYgZmTpHKrcVRrysai7zi7gItR8D_MkSjrDjAmKAS-ugIF2KtgEjW13WFkYJBRLpHVvh_oQrkPd3jC-BVymbrNe9aOcz1gEwex2zc0gFxcX6i2hxrVTrtU/s1600-h/portrait.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVfLAJE-J8EiDiHn6qWlaiZYgZmTpHKrcVRrysai7zi7gItR8D_MkSjrDjAmKAS-ugIF2KtgEjW13WFkYJBRLpHVvh_oQrkPd3jC-BVymbrNe9aOcz1gEwex2zc0gFxcX6i2hxrVTrtU/s320/portrait.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234486640650026226" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR4HzmFA-SmvtsvJSoY-gOqzg-BHIWNGRGz8uwgnuF3bXLEHUZqjnK6WOixKHHtrAVIuq7UDgBmE-MufgtFfm4BPyxa4oDqPU3jvI57ObnTvEzGnD_t3CHnF9UFl4EhzlMBAhjVnFW7I/s1600-h/on+the+way.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZR4HzmFA-SmvtsvJSoY-gOqzg-BHIWNGRGz8uwgnuF3bXLEHUZqjnK6WOixKHHtrAVIuq7UDgBmE-MufgtFfm4BPyxa4oDqPU3jvI57ObnTvEzGnD_t3CHnF9UFl4EhzlMBAhjVnFW7I/s320/on+the+way.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234486578816640514" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Music</span>
"During the cocktail hour and dinner we played music through our <a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-2913110-10489562">IPOD</a> using the restaurant's sound system--we had a kooky mix that included everything from Bill Withers, Aerosmith, The Beatles, Alicia Keys and The Allman Brothers."
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cake</span>
Alissa and Darryl even had a homemade cake. "My best friend and Maid of Honor made us a beautiful, petite cake. A lot of our wedding focused on reducing waste--often these big weddings are so over the top, cost a ton and there is so much wasted, including food. So our cake was sized for the amount of guests, as was the rest of our menu--people were well fed, but nothing was thrown out afterwards."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDYc1dsMMdS3o8su9ddB4zSN4TBm3V0Za3HvHqZEWYzsswZZqpWH7rerWFiw1U0BZrl1ib1GoYOOBfFfnKKPo2XE9dO2RzNe4Sa5cARhB9JU2ZLiOysM_fnVDeh5dMZjurADsM01ewi0/s1600-h/knife.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDYc1dsMMdS3o8su9ddB4zSN4TBm3V0Za3HvHqZEWYzsswZZqpWH7rerWFiw1U0BZrl1ib1GoYOOBfFfnKKPo2XE9dO2RzNe4Sa5cARhB9JU2ZLiOysM_fnVDeh5dMZjurADsM01ewi0/s320/knife.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234488375249859266" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQeNRZonmuJ3lcuKHkp8Ur63RaGDuChtzMXxngmfnH8eXWQuoH2e9fx4oAAdKiqtcyH-orCEPNaVah_NlXrgwbc0W95t4ZfuwP3zJLSHVG1IsQ3pvTZ-6Ca1H0bHXZ5UaYDqwOGtBwy4/s1600-h/cake+solo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQeNRZonmuJ3lcuKHkp8Ur63RaGDuChtzMXxngmfnH8eXWQuoH2e9fx4oAAdKiqtcyH-orCEPNaVah_NlXrgwbc0W95t4ZfuwP3zJLSHVG1IsQ3pvTZ-6Ca1H0bHXZ5UaYDqwOGtBwy4/s320/cake+solo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234488327389032946" /></a>
<p>
"Overall the event was a dream come true--super low key, but really memorable as well. Having such a small group of guests made it easy for us to spend time with each one and make everyone feel special about being there and know that we appreciated them."
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<span style="font-style:italic;">To read about Alissa's unique wedding gown <a href="http://weddinglessonslearned.blogspot.com/2008/08/non-wedding-dress-option.html">click here</a>. </span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-48636438223175005632008-08-10T19:51:00.020-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.723-05:00Eco-Chic + Vegan Too!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzx0RP3-CrhpbihSLGKd4_j7AbjILpADCVa47cOtVSMPE5FgEQlmTsqghCmvMKq6QUXaIVeD4-5XcxMpcQJgFQf7_hUwLqy6O3x5TnQcPZpj2sjbSD-IIuq_7Q7CMmyLDJGoAGj9dbsY/s1600-h/CLA08012_00399blwrm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzx0RP3-CrhpbihSLGKd4_j7AbjILpADCVa47cOtVSMPE5FgEQlmTsqghCmvMKq6QUXaIVeD4-5XcxMpcQJgFQf7_hUwLqy6O3x5TnQcPZpj2sjbSD-IIuq_7Q7CMmyLDJGoAGj9dbsY/s400/CLA08012_00399blwrm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233041042518713282" /></a>
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Rachel Venokur and Christopher Clark were married June 1, 2008 at <a href="http://www.thegarrison.com/">The Garrison</a> in Garrison NY. "We chose The Garrison for it’s natural, beautiful grounds, organic chic feel, the ability to use food from their gardens and [the fact] that they use locally grown, sustainable and organic [food] whenever possible."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFmLWA8wg18VP7PI-7xOLOlDtaSyw7hL4pH5KhHFRjUSYsbsCDa2yZ93Pbft-7GpMVh24jYfdkVVQLoARr48EYDSpVPuujTCHd-pOpr2qfFVhlcWlhFj1iqlCO-MX-DTy1l1yPZT0_XE/s1600-h/CLA08012_00445.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFmLWA8wg18VP7PI-7xOLOlDtaSyw7hL4pH5KhHFRjUSYsbsCDa2yZ93Pbft-7GpMVh24jYfdkVVQLoARr48EYDSpVPuujTCHd-pOpr2qfFVhlcWlhFj1iqlCO-MX-DTy1l1yPZT0_XE/s320/CLA08012_00445.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233041421086671634" /></a>
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Rachel is a Holistic Health Counselor (she does private consulting through her company <a href="http://www.renewforanewyou.com">Renew...For a New You</a>), so it was important to her that her wedding be "as eco and conscious as possible." She is also a vegan, and "The Garrison was able to provide amazing and interesting vegan options that everyone enjoyed, along with an organic and local non-vegan menu." In addition to choosing an eco-friendly venue, here are some of the other ways Rachel and Christopher "went green":
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Invitations, etc.</span>
Their save the dates, invitations, escort cards and menus were printed on 100% recycled paper with soy ink (by <a href="http://www.sweetletterpress.com">Sweet Letter Press</a>).
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGlQK050_RSFC8vHOqj_Vh0XzTz2M9TDFl-omsa_roGCAfXWFgJXHT3YCCqcyCCwQ1Rmcjc9OU5gPSITFhI9u6VAWK_DO7YiqNW0E1b6a8L1xXm_DXEIyriMJO6mAMi3Mhw2g1iH38GE/s1600-h/w-rachel&chris_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGlQK050_RSFC8vHOqj_Vh0XzTz2M9TDFl-omsa_roGCAfXWFgJXHT3YCCqcyCCwQ1Rmcjc9OU5gPSITFhI9u6VAWK_DO7YiqNW0E1b6a8L1xXm_DXEIyriMJO6mAMi3Mhw2g1iH38GE/s320/w-rachel&chris_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233042178713497122" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGSOqMG24V8J1r034s1jjmroIQvYWFX-AZNTiBHMuvURefVPnR14lEhNOkUdrOUWMmtdZrU1nLT1iqnPjioopfLBQeyV47x6z4sbyz3evrxC9Iv-pd8fUhDPKm7V6U-yMtcF8cwj_YWw/s1600-h/CLA08012_00670.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGSOqMG24V8J1r034s1jjmroIQvYWFX-AZNTiBHMuvURefVPnR14lEhNOkUdrOUWMmtdZrU1nLT1iqnPjioopfLBQeyV47x6z4sbyz3evrxC9Iv-pd8fUhDPKm7V6U-yMtcF8cwj_YWw/s320/CLA08012_00670.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233042116323213602" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFPcGs-iy36MVovkdio8EKAwTXpkNnJYRxrxsIYdigySEXd29N9H_se51YZvqc8-67m-1hZqedj3AyYeimH3fpBCJOZcSVF4I76RmWsjf47wNgKcqt-LCC18WtBtQCCpLADOSIt_1LOg/s1600-h/CLA08012_01243.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFPcGs-iy36MVovkdio8EKAwTXpkNnJYRxrxsIYdigySEXd29N9H_se51YZvqc8-67m-1hZqedj3AyYeimH3fpBCJOZcSVF4I76RmWsjf47wNgKcqt-LCC18WtBtQCCpLADOSIt_1LOg/s320/CLA08012_01243.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233042035778746338" /></a>
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">The Gown</span>
Rachel bought her wedding gown from <a href="http://www.vekabridal.com/">Veka Bridal</a> in NYC, because they are "known for their non-traditional not too bridey wedding dresses, which was what I was looking for." She is planning on donating the dress to charity and is currently, "considering a few places, like the <a href="http://www.bridalgarden.org/">Bridal Garden</a> in NYC. I just would like it to go to good use."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnKqUaLU_5hoSRJl-O4ne2r9bLVDa8qylcPzJqAo7gsq43p9KPkT3pe8sKoAHD_iNteJi5OgWIPTh9GcooDg6OPZaPY98CBYkn65_DBXAnfqjCVXx1VEkvrLVIiDGJVbBfxDlZy45iyM/s1600-h/CLA08012_00663.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnKqUaLU_5hoSRJl-O4ne2r9bLVDa8qylcPzJqAo7gsq43p9KPkT3pe8sKoAHD_iNteJi5OgWIPTh9GcooDg6OPZaPY98CBYkn65_DBXAnfqjCVXx1VEkvrLVIiDGJVbBfxDlZy45iyM/s400/CLA08012_00663.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233042747156501778" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Local Flowers</span>
Their ceremony took place under a bamboo chuppah which was covered in herbs, berries and local flowers.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghL6G50jEKQGuzLYDkV4ZgqSLrLGkd_l6YIq-IdiLuU1BaOIBhGaGlxhhr4XcqkbmWfUkIfkgZorQslLq5GqJouDOneX8SFwY0qvxIy3ZnaTPtbYu9cuBSgX9L8eS9y-foXcL__c_nAaM/s1600-h/CLA08012_01597.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghL6G50jEKQGuzLYDkV4ZgqSLrLGkd_l6YIq-IdiLuU1BaOIBhGaGlxhhr4XcqkbmWfUkIfkgZorQslLq5GqJouDOneX8SFwY0qvxIy3ZnaTPtbYu9cuBSgX9L8eS9y-foXcL__c_nAaM/s320/CLA08012_01597.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233043023134763506" /></a>
<P>
Rachel carried a bouquet of wildflowers wrapped in lace from her mother's wedding dress. She also used her Grandmother's diamonds in her wedding band and she and Christopher displayed family wedding photos at the reception. "Everything was very personal, from the escort card photos to the old family wedding photos, to our choreographed first dance to a Queen Song. We really wanted to add a personal touch to an organic, yet elegant wedding. People walked away saying how the wedding was 'so Chris and Rachel' and that is exactly what we wanted. We did it in an eco way that didn't bombard our guests with how to save the earth, but elegantly presented to them how easy it is to make a few simple changes that can go a long way."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBT_0rMbud99bU6X_0Z5_g1tcd-56fqUpkjoN4aCRDTDg14WafPJD8LtrfklXWYOTAfUryOSqREqICDHpu3DsMOjQs4aRoUygSRYtNacz56ia245MEckiPB9XHvMChgkbQvg3c5noFsg/s1600-h/CLA08012_00918.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBT_0rMbud99bU6X_0Z5_g1tcd-56fqUpkjoN4aCRDTDg14WafPJD8LtrfklXWYOTAfUryOSqREqICDHpu3DsMOjQs4aRoUygSRYtNacz56ia245MEckiPB9XHvMChgkbQvg3c5noFsg/s320/CLA08012_00918.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233043311585170642" /></a>
<P>
To decorate the tables they used "local wild flowers, herbs and berries in vintage, recycled and refurbished pots." These were surrounded with <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/reception/candles.html">soy candles</a> poured into " vintage glasses that were either already in the family or bought at antique sales and thrift shops. The candles and glasses will be re-used by our florist - <a href="http://www.stonekelly.com">StoneKelly</a>." Instead of having favors, Rachel and Christopher encouraged their guests to take home the vintage pots of flowers from the tables.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHfVJ8-_cIE7dD_lfKwqA6eMnVeR7OhlJrvN8E2P6XYh-k-WJsgarRuANP5s-T8JVuH4W88cqVPUZFz2vg8rWaP3n7ji_sLaJiBio0WzLknNFw90YOl78IWDNemD06atnopBN9LvR_e4/s1600-h/CLA08012_01520.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHfVJ8-_cIE7dD_lfKwqA6eMnVeR7OhlJrvN8E2P6XYh-k-WJsgarRuANP5s-T8JVuH4W88cqVPUZFz2vg8rWaP3n7ji_sLaJiBio0WzLknNFw90YOl78IWDNemD06atnopBN9LvR_e4/s320/CLA08012_01520.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233043761138974290" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF0OcESUW5W122glIeOshU28L9t8YaPq8HR_NJZ8EYCd-WMAncqUQN82Wt3V38qtrhL_442eZim2vhVOfH_e8kV-6p2RCaQ9_f78SEOqDjH354adOplU8a_rxxDpPCsKO4qCmaVIIFtU/s1600-h/CLA08012_01514.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF0OcESUW5W122glIeOshU28L9t8YaPq8HR_NJZ8EYCd-WMAncqUQN82Wt3V38qtrhL_442eZim2vhVOfH_e8kV-6p2RCaQ9_f78SEOqDjH354adOplU8a_rxxDpPCsKO4qCmaVIIFtU/s320/CLA08012_01514.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233043687706220914" /></a>
<P>
The escort cards and table numbers (imprinted with photos from the couples travels) were also nestled in containers of sustainable blooms.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBfTXG8YDQgJLERsiXHREip9lOe9-NR9CUHIANYLHwlQNfSyNro5g7XO_8CXRz6GONwGzfKhs9sJ8Byl5vQv8smOCbNa1cggbION47WC12BrAFs5W0wzvrVfBlMVswHS5jj2fW6jfqB8/s1600-h/CLA08012_01172.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBfTXG8YDQgJLERsiXHREip9lOe9-NR9CUHIANYLHwlQNfSyNro5g7XO_8CXRz6GONwGzfKhs9sJ8Byl5vQv8smOCbNa1cggbION47WC12BrAFs5W0wzvrVfBlMVswHS5jj2fW6jfqB8/s400/CLA08012_01172.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233044077657468082" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NsR5MdnlKoI8pm75mf2pRXYPsLhy7kLOTOgrqYYP5cPXZT8RGokSEDByiZevI6FjYI6uB4IO2_brh_-S9zmHcbGkIpOJEstOWi-FSJMwKF73tQqNxPc28FTmA4rQp9AHu7JmJIo301c/s1600-h/CLA08012_00706.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NsR5MdnlKoI8pm75mf2pRXYPsLhy7kLOTOgrqYYP5cPXZT8RGokSEDByiZevI6FjYI6uB4IO2_brh_-S9zmHcbGkIpOJEstOWi-FSJMwKF73tQqNxPc28FTmA4rQp9AHu7JmJIo301c/s400/CLA08012_00706.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233043994847297810" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Dinner</span>
For dinner, their guests enjoyed local, organic and vegan fare. Click on the menu below to see the full details - sounds delicious!
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IYPEG2NdBzScaKNM5Hf6VgV1A3e4OEYAoTkubsM9CC6D3zilW6wmzUS2TOK7korAfOfu6Iy5Y0kWbPdYicJb57XjQzuBkB8i3yUnf-eRWpv-iDYTY0Ux1LRsJVjuP84jJWuUe-c3K5I/s1600-h/menu.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IYPEG2NdBzScaKNM5Hf6VgV1A3e4OEYAoTkubsM9CC6D3zilW6wmzUS2TOK7korAfOfu6Iy5Y0kWbPdYicJb57XjQzuBkB8i3yUnf-eRWpv-iDYTY0Ux1LRsJVjuP84jJWuUe-c3K5I/s400/menu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233055747264417586" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzPanZyltkhyphenhyphenT0zrWV8SnYobiwuVhPHVVz5EiDyGa7_NODS5WBWiOK-U_ijBIwKsSeVOGYobwmu2bezguH9pWVf_hSopWObzU4-pZ7j1ai2VLz7LD27uSrgBSmq5eeUEUnYEUofaRS9o/s1600-h/CLA08012_02527.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAzPanZyltkhyphenhyphenT0zrWV8SnYobiwuVhPHVVz5EiDyGa7_NODS5WBWiOK-U_ijBIwKsSeVOGYobwmu2bezguH9pWVf_hSopWObzU4-pZ7j1ai2VLz7LD27uSrgBSmq5eeUEUnYEUofaRS9o/s320/CLA08012_02527.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233055903020610354" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Dessert</span>
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Rachel and Christopher had "a Vegan cupcake trio made by <a href="http://www.thegroovybaker.com">The Groovy Baker</a> with organic ingredients as our main dessert." The cupcake tiers were topped with adorable (edible) vegan marzapan people made to resemble the bride and groom. Cupcakes are a great green alternative because they are easy for guests to take home.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30watUpi557Pd9vNOOt4MP2wvsEnU8AMahWQbpIs3q_xO8FtBBaDsrxqsVKXwjr0PpWoASw7wjhc1z5je3nG2-drRtL03_3WoJdAxmQdW-M4gXyyXX65BospIh6PS94I9lSk0lT_7qHI/s1600-h/CLA08012_02448.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30watUpi557Pd9vNOOt4MP2wvsEnU8AMahWQbpIs3q_xO8FtBBaDsrxqsVKXwjr0PpWoASw7wjhc1z5je3nG2-drRtL03_3WoJdAxmQdW-M4gXyyXX65BospIh6PS94I9lSk0lT_7qHI/s400/CLA08012_02448.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233044730737502546" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Eau de'Toilet</span>
Even their bathrooms were green! Rachel and Christopher "used green and organic products in the ladies and men's room baskets whenever possible." Including baskets of <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/brides/beauty.html">eco-friendly toiletries</a> is a great way to help spread the word about your favorite green products.
<P>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Kate's Note:</span> Being green runs in the Venokur family. Rachel's cousin Danielle owns <a href="http://www.dvgreen.com/">dvGreen</a> - a green event company in New York. Danielle is one of the green wedding experts I interviewed for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140221345X?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=140221345X">The Green Bride Guide</a>.
<p>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.photomuse.com/">Photomuse</a></span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-45195790618412820652008-07-30T18:27:00.006-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.725-05:00A California Vineyard Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0jCtpt4GcbPq8sLvznOOmk138UpO8tZBA6AXe10EPH7fdlcHdVrJf2TSZO4nHXVygM54lj0tCwoKsIz9KtIfjdYl4GzwyXgA0rms3eyCpDXf1DLEveoveRAG3mEF8-wQjr2iOdJo8Bw/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0jCtpt4GcbPq8sLvznOOmk138UpO8tZBA6AXe10EPH7fdlcHdVrJf2TSZO4nHXVygM54lj0tCwoKsIz9KtIfjdYl4GzwyXgA0rms3eyCpDXf1DLEveoveRAG3mEF8-wQjr2iOdJo8Bw/s320/pastedGraphic-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228612276118771634" /></a>
Joann and Chris were married in Napa, California in September 2007.
<p>
Both are designers (he is an industrial designer and she is a graphic designer) and they met at a branding consultancy in Oakland. Joann describers her husband as "a down to earth layback kind of guy from Australia" and herself as "a more intense punctual city girl from Hong Kong."
<p>
Joann had lived in California for over 15 years and wanted to have either a beach or a vineyard wedding. "After [researching] and of course checking with our budget, we decided to have our wedding at a private vineyard in Napa."<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLpQwOUzmjR2vWbW-TlYMq8JDx7FyHtotWECjNiWV41j6MkC9Wm1jlbccZ6V8DJ2k-XdyrTP5qlZVjs9Nd7XvutfDCpeczeBn5WcR5m4-vGEZJLxCwmT6-6UrBHQiqfb4bL1iYii85ho/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLpQwOUzmjR2vWbW-TlYMq8JDx7FyHtotWECjNiWV41j6MkC9Wm1jlbccZ6V8DJ2k-XdyrTP5qlZVjs9Nd7XvutfDCpeczeBn5WcR5m4-vGEZJLxCwmT6-6UrBHQiqfb4bL1iYii85ho/s400/a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228612780509526850" /></a>
<P>
"When we found this vineyard, we felt in love with it. It was rustic and private. It was kind of like an empty canvas to an artist...it only needed few more touches to make it come alive."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrlcGbJL8T-OBuqQ_D6d2SmoW9J3isNVSfyMZEyZlIXZlPxJg2J23kNsmP9KENU0XA9zYo-bSOtFJVdVQjD9tWcTqWX4sPj5IgY7kdFpVQFBVEanAQ1V913IhLxmNf6QkFfgt3QRNOlg/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrlcGbJL8T-OBuqQ_D6d2SmoW9J3isNVSfyMZEyZlIXZlPxJg2J23kNsmP9KENU0XA9zYo-bSOtFJVdVQjD9tWcTqWX4sPj5IgY7kdFpVQFBVEanAQ1V913IhLxmNf6QkFfgt3QRNOlg/s400/a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228613184811302930" /></a>
<P>
"I always wanted to plan my own wedding, so we did not hire a wedding planner, and we were eager to do as much as possible ourselves."
<P>
A few of the eco-friendly designs they incorporated were:
<P>
1. Invitations, programs and menus designed by the couple and printed on 80% recycle paper.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyElQqGQ1AIQdjo4gv05bGiUYewrsEyogVQQwvy_zMuN91J5FDZglND135SvvtshEiejB4stE4tPqCq45CubeFs1y76slGy0FMrf4RZk8qV68G8k7ZX9_1kptgSxBxDON9wZhJZHTk5c/s1600-h/Picture+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyElQqGQ1AIQdjo4gv05bGiUYewrsEyogVQQwvy_zMuN91J5FDZglND135SvvtshEiejB4stE4tPqCq45CubeFs1y76slGy0FMrf4RZk8qV68G8k7ZX9_1kptgSxBxDON9wZhJZHTk5c/s320/Picture+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228613620312202898" /></a>
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHlEFqzFHTorizM4V_hsuNJY6zGcDPxoWqDNgJewyHFTEORy6hfzO7YNZHflVY2xsEDfrtMj_BUbrRULDnfLOFGekOcrJTnvSB_skSwhmAPelkzHpoQ4QPzvj-bJGQOst_PV11GgHiLo/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHlEFqzFHTorizM4V_hsuNJY6zGcDPxoWqDNgJewyHFTEORy6hfzO7YNZHflVY2xsEDfrtMj_BUbrRULDnfLOFGekOcrJTnvSB_skSwhmAPelkzHpoQ4QPzvj-bJGQOst_PV11GgHiLo/s320/pastedGraphic-11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228614339306988130" /></a>
<P>
2. Place card holders made from recycled wine corks -"we cut a slit in the middle, and used a pin to stabilize the back." <p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivKky7cTYcRQxjSGSWHTKi378Dq4R3TJP_TyZCT6i6M4SFVPBKEuXfcrFgWw-_kBMEwv3Ni13zyKp19CU5VV_bBBw4_f8oSOhhpQKUXxW834u2g751zoMIf0DBMesX0zvzmGhkDtne4w/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivKky7cTYcRQxjSGSWHTKi378Dq4R3TJP_TyZCT6i6M4SFVPBKEuXfcrFgWw-_kBMEwv3Ni13zyKp19CU5VV_bBBw4_f8oSOhhpQKUXxW834u2g751zoMIf0DBMesX0zvzmGhkDtne4w/s320/pastedGraphic-7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228614638453951170" /></a>
<p>
3. The groomsmen's boutonnieres were made by Joann's mom. "We decided to used old checker clothes and cut leaf shape as the backing. They matched what the groomsmen were wearing (checker vans)."
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtiNcaTkE4T9oEYpl_pGQUuG-RfMgFpdiCxcDkwo2DLPPY2xnsVvNk4lApBi-BSsMsfwmhTtjJlQWg8CCGIqfuwKNcTxxRN9t4OaPbO2_Bwy0DHYbmhK0MqpUy-6SnlkChdk1NjynW_M/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtiNcaTkE4T9oEYpl_pGQUuG-RfMgFpdiCxcDkwo2DLPPY2xnsVvNk4lApBi-BSsMsfwmhTtjJlQWg8CCGIqfuwKNcTxxRN9t4OaPbO2_Bwy0DHYbmhK0MqpUy-6SnlkChdk1NjynW_M/s320/pastedGraphic-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228614856962361202" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfeOB-nFRLXtlgPXmiQY-QKe4im7NKaUXXlf5mHSfsxRRv5ettJUCuHvAM942Jf2UoruY67MbN_sdOJIQljrsO68u5yQt9-qhCiJSgbUdqBv37-AS0rp3apqnVPywqWu6dgEG8lsl-J8/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfeOB-nFRLXtlgPXmiQY-QKe4im7NKaUXXlf5mHSfsxRRv5ettJUCuHvAM942Jf2UoruY67MbN_sdOJIQljrsO68u5yQt9-qhCiJSgbUdqBv37-AS0rp3apqnVPywqWu6dgEG8lsl-J8/s320/pastedGraphic-6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228614920165437090" /></a>
<P>
4. To match the surrounding, Joann worked with Laura Auyeung, from <a href="http://www.PoppysPetalworks.com">Poppy's Petalworks</a> to create amazing displays with seasonal autumn flowers & foliage, including dahlias, Safari West protea, Pin Cushion protea, hanging amaranthus, china berries, Coffee Bean hypericum berries, and Milva roses.
<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGiTqsKcI4o4zpfNl94fZD5Ng6BYiE694Nzgg0dAwUzksjLBx1aVlhFcR1K-2evIclVgV2uwJC60iwQyMRG9QsSz-X1Y3GCbTLX1OQLwMiIbYGgdhT-TxS56dyKLKdQf2cpJG2nElnlM/s1600-h/rustic_05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGiTqsKcI4o4zpfNl94fZD5Ng6BYiE694Nzgg0dAwUzksjLBx1aVlhFcR1K-2evIclVgV2uwJC60iwQyMRG9QsSz-X1Y3GCbTLX1OQLwMiIbYGgdhT-TxS56dyKLKdQf2cpJG2nElnlM/s400/rustic_05.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228619665402220946" /></a>
<P>
For the tables Laura used twig balls accented with orange and burgundy dahlia & china berries. As Joann described, "We used old grapevines (they are easy to find and eco-friendly as they are unwanted items from vineyards). We utilized them as our wreaths and centerpieces for our tables (and that saved me from over using flowers - and $ too, because the grapevine balls created quite an unique look [by themselves])."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCO-jajoCh1VPvzsLQPKqJ7IKfJF3zuHWW8bL4TwJR0_LFJZqZ8xg5GOs8dUNlk5TEutCLC3jVM9ajSs8Tbt8tBF1gPY8hhnX96L94rMEHovkFwGVZYfZXs6-xK0qmnaa59mZMqq9hEc/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCO-jajoCh1VPvzsLQPKqJ7IKfJF3zuHWW8bL4TwJR0_LFJZqZ8xg5GOs8dUNlk5TEutCLC3jVM9ajSs8Tbt8tBF1gPY8hhnX96L94rMEHovkFwGVZYfZXs6-xK0qmnaa59mZMqq9hEc/s400/a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228615717392329234" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2e5WlPeWc8RSmXAX8vVhfcQvCMJ8yIF_e_-kHJ128bXWufLBRGL0N9YmIY17Bi-upw9tgeRM63lWf_hGVOQvYB_PWlEK06JqekZffIbTAOWaPSjMWalco02cyL_1fMIccDzkVp72o8U/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2e5WlPeWc8RSmXAX8vVhfcQvCMJ8yIF_e_-kHJ128bXWufLBRGL0N9YmIY17Bi-upw9tgeRM63lWf_hGVOQvYB_PWlEK06JqekZffIbTAOWaPSjMWalco02cyL_1fMIccDzkVp72o8U/s400/a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228615969845363666" /></a>
<p>
The couple also had a sign-in wishing tree Laura made from fresh manzanita branches accented with orange Tiger dahlia. It was finished with a small nest with two feathered birds (signifying the new home the couple was building together). Guests wrote their blessings on custom designed cards and hung them on the branches.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ewp4II-dpHLL6YB5PS0YE1VRI5y91pKHU1s2iJE-AklJDyjBddzRGG_rD4cDQyQjo1yS5g0GLASopeh0MfNCtW_i2znby5kIIiEpi67xhYHYa0Geeso4Nwtctwf-Lemkw1dKjGvBzJQ/s1600-h/rustic_03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ewp4II-dpHLL6YB5PS0YE1VRI5y91pKHU1s2iJE-AklJDyjBddzRGG_rD4cDQyQjo1yS5g0GLASopeh0MfNCtW_i2znby5kIIiEpi67xhYHYa0Geeso4Nwtctwf-Lemkw1dKjGvBzJQ/s400/rustic_03.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228620737338716658" /></a>
<p>
5. To create a difference between the indoor and outdoor spaces, Joann and Chris used different colored rice paper lanterns. "I purposely changed the lantern colors from red/orange to silver where the dance area was, so that it would help shift the focus. For the lanterns inside the barn, I didnt have to hang too many, and the trick was to buy different sizes of the same color ( in this case 12" and 24"), and [stagger them to create a] greater space."
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIGtN6eeJTBXLYE8buqbR5_EiuvG5fsyYA3UWmrVW5XePokfE0eOPuztsEabyGMvcILL-xReGPXWGVL9LDpvveHFNmcwjJyl8ijt4gn3-fk6c_VoekVACrRvyg7eZtKSpPMh6Xg1bce0/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIGtN6eeJTBXLYE8buqbR5_EiuvG5fsyYA3UWmrVW5XePokfE0eOPuztsEabyGMvcILL-xReGPXWGVL9LDpvveHFNmcwjJyl8ijt4gn3-fk6c_VoekVACrRvyg7eZtKSpPMh6Xg1bce0/s320/pastedGraphic-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228616587077791938" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiyNoEi-Kzi6pMLkY6IQReRryYcbjDrQbmGmZw3IiI2_xXX5JCYh-6a8fCYZAHwORqIz0KuLvegeRqTvv1KTmXn0RbqvqF3ETbboyM8S8fFWtQ5bsdgCKIRH80hEWMP0ueYQ7fXkKHHA/s1600-h/Picture+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiyNoEi-Kzi6pMLkY6IQReRryYcbjDrQbmGmZw3IiI2_xXX5JCYh-6a8fCYZAHwORqIz0KuLvegeRqTvv1KTmXn0RbqvqF3ETbboyM8S8fFWtQ5bsdgCKIRH80hEWMP0ueYQ7fXkKHHA/s320/Picture+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228616500951965826" /></a>
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6. Instead of an American wedding cake they had a French Wedding cake. "The cake was a traditional French wedding cake - Croquembouche. I always wanted this type of cake for my wedding since many many years ago. Because I like the dramatic and delicious golden color, and that became a wow factor for our wedding. And the shape of each cream puff matched my lanterns! <a href="http://www.gerhardmichler.com">Creative International</a> from San Francisco did a great job. It was truly delicious. [The pieces were] served on martini glasses with hot chocolate fudge and mint leaves on top." Because of its construction, it was easy for guests to take home the left overs - so nothing was wasted!
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeMjGOaYqxeUwCrtke0i33g7pZmJFwVpOQTWVghsUtY3EGGB7B86JHDgzvoKgIrrAqdRLC1KwBeUJwXF3VExj6gm8b9m3x95B6StqtJN8ucs8jza5w63afquGyPVqQpAYLquVaYVjX8g/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeMjGOaYqxeUwCrtke0i33g7pZmJFwVpOQTWVghsUtY3EGGB7B86JHDgzvoKgIrrAqdRLC1KwBeUJwXF3VExj6gm8b9m3x95B6StqtJN8ucs8jza5w63afquGyPVqQpAYLquVaYVjX8g/s320/pastedGraphic-13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228617105876402338" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaAunlI3hYe_XbgToY3bcAUqVjJ88MIg9KdrKNHZXOOWaz-KWZcbEF2XlV24H_-dsX69iA5UMgXQZBZEwKNSKspEtt13cqjbziLV5QZLTaQxsC11C48ZiDuWEr6NEzj2cg1L5r2AXvsA/s1600-h/pastedGraphic-14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaAunlI3hYe_XbgToY3bcAUqVjJ88MIg9KdrKNHZXOOWaz-KWZcbEF2XlV24H_-dsX69iA5UMgXQZBZEwKNSKspEtt13cqjbziLV5QZLTaQxsC11C48ZiDuWEr6NEzj2cg1L5r2AXvsA/s400/pastedGraphic-14.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228617306963851266" /></a>
<P>
Joann and Chris have set a new bar for vineyard-chic - what a beautiful event!
<p>
<span style="font-style:italic;">Photograph Provided by <a href="http://www.aperturaphoto.com">Apertura Photo</a> and <a href="http://www.PoppysPetalworks.com">Poppy's Petalworks</a>.</span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-82913676659073773652008-07-25T17:13:00.007-04:002008-07-25T18:23:35.478-04:00Picture This<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9u0Toy3_hmDMOmeOydBcfcOcVdi3U_29WLnl6Oi_oF6sO-uaUg1tavLQC9KXnagcEjCYD6LjiDcV1jo0gf1XRT6_fRKWMK2M2WYsoPVKNbObiYY_IKB5lnnr0PEWhyofYA53E-NQVC8/s1600-h/19033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9u0Toy3_hmDMOmeOydBcfcOcVdi3U_29WLnl6Oi_oF6sO-uaUg1tavLQC9KXnagcEjCYD6LjiDcV1jo0gf1XRT6_fRKWMK2M2WYsoPVKNbObiYY_IKB5lnnr0PEWhyofYA53E-NQVC8/s320/19033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227063074910695794" /></a>
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Chris Chappell and Erin Daly were married on June 21, 2008 in Washington State. Instead of buying disposable cameras for their weddings they used CameraRenter - a new service that rents digital cameras across the country. "Our experience working with Jonathan [at CameraRenter] was great. We enjoyed using the digital cameras, seems like everyone at the wedding did too. The photos we've seen came out really nice."
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Like a netflix for cameras, the cameras arrive in the mail, you give them to your guests to use at your wedding and then mail them back in. CameraRenter uploads all of the pictures for you onto a <a href="http://www.camerarenter.com/photoSharing.aspx?eventid=35703&camera=10">Personalized Memory Sharing Website</a>.
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In addition to being an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable cameras, CameraRenter has added benefits including...
<P>
1. You get pictures the photographer couldn't get.<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWISV-jDGargJeMIw4vcmT0Mxs-MFuI_0kqsB-1ZlzK8_3P9jbMolyIrwIrohBJZoL8yn2AEL0XSytMXaDpccFxz1TsuKyvzmH69givqJSe7_9DllcGMrofka_kxzlMzDKbKQH2QlY8JE/s1600-h/19119.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWISV-jDGargJeMIw4vcmT0Mxs-MFuI_0kqsB-1ZlzK8_3P9jbMolyIrwIrohBJZoL8yn2AEL0XSytMXaDpccFxz1TsuKyvzmH69givqJSe7_9DllcGMrofka_kxzlMzDKbKQH2QlY8JE/s320/19119.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227063758592515058" /></a>
<p>
2. You get to see the wedding from your guests' point of view...<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-kWAkskiO0BWPgP6oWk8tR7Qd-hw5HNNV1cqMU9NmX9jUU06DczAvRg2JLjtCzYDr7EA6rZ33Y_YEWhQAJQtWvWC9e3qHwNjdMK87DRNcfFZDhF11OeopZPl9d41eUHcMjSLghous74/s1600-h/19753.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-kWAkskiO0BWPgP6oWk8tR7Qd-hw5HNNV1cqMU9NmX9jUU06DczAvRg2JLjtCzYDr7EA6rZ33Y_YEWhQAJQtWvWC9e3qHwNjdMK87DRNcfFZDhF11OeopZPl9d41eUHcMjSLghous74/s320/19753.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227064051442461282" /></a>
<p>
...including the way it looked to the kids! (BTW - Erin suggests designating one kids camera to ensure most of the pictures are high quality).<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi984tqE6IQ6JGxoCoSowE8Sh_cDWJ91VKJcaQlzUiJt4H7AhY0zYtSF0OQreBmkE5dL-2FkahVrx5qg9yOy5-cUj3zC_buQQtH6Ht9fyP0wKCimAw9Q2J_S6enH8VVd1TxWyggUIddXNw/s1600-h/19457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi984tqE6IQ6JGxoCoSowE8Sh_cDWJ91VKJcaQlzUiJt4H7AhY0zYtSF0OQreBmkE5dL-2FkahVrx5qg9yOy5-cUj3zC_buQQtH6Ht9fyP0wKCimAw9Q2J_S6enH8VVd1TxWyggUIddXNw/s320/19457.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227064417111482530" /></a>
<P>
3. Instead of being limited to just a few pictures per roll - your guests can take hundreds.
<P>
4. You don't have to bug guests for their pictures because all of the pictures from all of the cameras go to the same website.
<p>
5. Nothing is disposable, no bad pictures are printed = nothing is wasted!
<P>
What a cool, eco-friendly way to capture your big day!
<P>
I was so impressed with this service that I asked the owner Jonathan Bailor about offering a discount to Green Bride Guide readers - and he said yes! So -to receive a<span style="font-weight:bold;"> FREE archive CD </span>enter the following code at check out: 0.00_81thegreenbrideguide
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLpy8ftrVyETypj0As3m_KjKhkB3ePsJKNoF2NyICtjd2gqQuzgdfVJJLfVOH72KA6vJH3ZLn60bBUj67-G6KZ10u1BDawO7UWfia74YQ3gp0WJZC087UbEMA9i8AJj0BxHJ__g72zdQ/s1600-h/image001.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLpy8ftrVyETypj0As3m_KjKhkB3ePsJKNoF2NyICtjd2gqQuzgdfVJJLfVOH72KA6vJH3ZLn60bBUj67-G6KZ10u1BDawO7UWfia74YQ3gp0WJZC087UbEMA9i8AJj0BxHJ__g72zdQ/s320/image001.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227071191059224322" /></a>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-77669753049484358192008-07-22T11:53:00.014-04:002008-12-18T00:01:50.726-05:00A Midwest/Belgian Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6omrU1nHODcltCuiAXGzK__LhCK64G6o9-TOVSXWdeHuUXB7B4_Ww8GaBJx-CzkW5v30yi1wkTLi1WuTnAPT8z9Q-zFk80Uy6UwKCJm1k1UuPbAgld1S5XT19fUz6Mcr34GZ3OQRJKvw/s1600-h/DSC_3398.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6omrU1nHODcltCuiAXGzK__LhCK64G6o9-TOVSXWdeHuUXB7B4_Ww8GaBJx-CzkW5v30yi1wkTLi1WuTnAPT8z9Q-zFk80Uy6UwKCJm1k1UuPbAgld1S5XT19fUz6Mcr34GZ3OQRJKvw/s400/DSC_3398.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225867179717431922" /></a>
<p>
Katrien Michiels and Mark Singer were married on June 8th at <a href="http://www.hydeparkhistory.org/parks.html">Promontory Point</a>, a public park in Chicago IL. The two, both financial consultants (SAP), met through a mutual friend who invited them on a ski trip in March of 2006. "We quickly hit it off and were engaged almost two years later." When it came time to plan their wedding, Katrien and Mark decided to make it as simple and as eco-friendly as possible. "We both have a love for the outdoors and try to think green as much as we can. We wanted our wedding to reflect that, and tried to balance simplicity [and] eco-friendliness, while keeping cost in mind."
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<span style="font-weight:bold;">Invitations</span>
To announce their wedding, they used <a href="http://www.sealandsend.net">seal-and-send</a> invitations. The invitations were printed on one sheet of recycled paper which folded into a square for mailing. "We loved our invitations! We did not want to use the amount of paper usually involved in a wedding invitation and thought these were a cute way to get around the inner envelopes and tissue paper. The people at Valley printing in ND were a pleasure to work with! The invitations were then shipped to our home, with seals, and we folded them, added address labels, and sealed them ourselves."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mz1ZsKehFabNPN08RKEYlmSPb-0ydB93TVdwle7da11jzB8IlBGiONo9absSt4KqUz-7rTVWlGatVCkGFwNQMLx4EsP3ETakvNySYeiI5HiRVtJFAq8NZRofoElEYw9Hol9F0mZrnRw/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mz1ZsKehFabNPN08RKEYlmSPb-0ydB93TVdwle7da11jzB8IlBGiONo9absSt4KqUz-7rTVWlGatVCkGFwNQMLx4EsP3ETakvNySYeiI5HiRVtJFAq8NZRofoElEYw9Hol9F0mZrnRw/s400/a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225867872486748626" /></a>
<P>
For their programs they bought seed paper (plantable paper embedded with seeds), and printed them out at home.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIv-bj-GtIqK-m5Lru-3uVw00fsSQO5QpfcG-iZlcVcYBBQavyHxpTl2ozzUI7Paks3By6cGrvpndy_FByXPaI4BHtBZXX6QJEsb5UKCV7UnnOORq4JrVXUue9WiK6hxhwPCfDPCsCBk/s1600-h/CraigsList+051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIv-bj-GtIqK-m5Lru-3uVw00fsSQO5QpfcG-iZlcVcYBBQavyHxpTl2ozzUI7Paks3By6cGrvpndy_FByXPaI4BHtBZXX6QJEsb5UKCV7UnnOORq4JrVXUue9WiK6hxhwPCfDPCsCBk/s320/CraigsList+051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225868381776326466" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Transportation</span>
Their guests were shuttled to and from the wedding on public transportation. "We had everyone dropped off and picked up and brought from and to the hotel downtown using the <a href="http://www.coachusa.com/chicagotrolley/">Chicago Trolley</a> - which was probably my favorite part :)"<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ko-zZuxYpROWvZhIAhWbKCKm__opWE7EC8pRqsh5oOvHk685h-mBXFECM9BvrZcvmXznqxt9xaYAUrS76550N-TKN1tLkYpdo2eXs-zY5W1SNwtskY-5qP2QU9WCkxAJWT-wZjuQs08/s1600-h/DSC_5008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ko-zZuxYpROWvZhIAhWbKCKm__opWE7EC8pRqsh5oOvHk685h-mBXFECM9BvrZcvmXznqxt9xaYAUrS76550N-TKN1tLkYpdo2eXs-zY5W1SNwtskY-5qP2QU9WCkxAJWT-wZjuQs08/s320/DSC_5008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225871427585191746" /></a>
<p>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Flowers</span>
For their centerpieces, Katrien and Mark used <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/flowers/bouqets.html">sprays of dried lavender </a>in <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/reception/candleholders.html">glass candle holders</a>.<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCCEOIsllzfKH6w7mL9K8YWyzLP_hPnStu9DKk59T6vG99bcquYYfA3pMLnGrrhLhc7lNY_q-bRP71dE2gIR972zQZsQIHsZPAfs9i6QPAMKDSO064-c8fDro_muqyaF17ogR-st6ck/s1600-h/IMG_0619.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCCEOIsllzfKH6w7mL9K8YWyzLP_hPnStu9DKk59T6vG99bcquYYfA3pMLnGrrhLhc7lNY_q-bRP71dE2gIR972zQZsQIHsZPAfs9i6QPAMKDSO064-c8fDro_muqyaF17ogR-st6ck/s400/IMG_0619.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225869253062135762" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Cake</span>
Instead of getting an expensive "wedding cake" Mark baked their cake himself. "For desert my husband baked 4 duncan hines cakes and frosted them (my brothers helped) with simple white frosting." To supplement, "We had an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen for the head table, which is the one we cut." For toppers they used playmobile people.<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_ER0cnTGQM22iUyZsfqIsoNoYY5Fyd3YztL2ODHpy-a404Yv_jQmRnUKSvkmNt3ge2UpRVlgpD7e7NunYu3rY1NdBdokRURYAegJ6MzxDgxrkEMphSnvgXwXCm0rebDGxGXRk_LlCUI/s1600-h/DSC_3589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_ER0cnTGQM22iUyZsfqIsoNoYY5Fyd3YztL2ODHpy-a404Yv_jQmRnUKSvkmNt3ge2UpRVlgpD7e7NunYu3rY1NdBdokRURYAegJ6MzxDgxrkEMphSnvgXwXCm0rebDGxGXRk_LlCUI/s320/DSC_3589.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225869445518867170" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Belgian Touches</span>
Katrien is Belgian (her family moved to the States when she was 13) and she wanted her wedding to reflect her ancestry. To this end they had the following:
<P>
<span style="font-style:italic;"> - Belgian Beer</span> - "Our beer selection was therefore superior. We offered Hoegaarden and Stella - as well as Miller Lite for the faint of heart. Our guests loved it, the caterer was dry by 10:00PM."<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHYJQx_9xqGOkYTUaHzJ_HB2bhXgL__FR-pZa2uwXMkRreEc1zawfOUsrEL2S-bs3OoEeJr4byc9Oxr4ROvi-YwDQqy8lM7edpvJNLLIUZxZfhIxu5ImUcJuFMQQAzlAX4BT5hHDW2nU/s1600-h/DSC_3247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHYJQx_9xqGOkYTUaHzJ_HB2bhXgL__FR-pZa2uwXMkRreEc1zawfOUsrEL2S-bs3OoEeJr4byc9Oxr4ROvi-YwDQqy8lM7edpvJNLLIUZxZfhIxu5ImUcJuFMQQAzlAX4BT5hHDW2nU/s320/DSC_3247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225869713615573714" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-style:italic;"> - Favors</span>
Our favors were <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/favors/chocolate.html">little belgian chocolates</a> we served with <a href="http://www.thegreenbrideguide.com/lookbook/lookbook/food/coffee.html">coffee</a> after dinner.
<p>
<span style="font-style:italic;"> - Dessert</span>
In addition to the cake, Katrien's mom and aunt had baked belgian waffles, which were served with the coffee.<p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuL3P6C0CdFypAftVepHoYYKy1zSoi3swVquup_wHUR_CJ02P-P2aPA44ZlFt4VukHkLUtyhmSyoEZmW8YqThCl4N2OkKFwWCLBlo3ufX_ZfP7uvoo2Ngg2GCP_5Q0Esg7KEW9fo3t0o/s1600-h/IMG_0309.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuL3P6C0CdFypAftVepHoYYKy1zSoi3swVquup_wHUR_CJ02P-P2aPA44ZlFt4VukHkLUtyhmSyoEZmW8YqThCl4N2OkKFwWCLBlo3ufX_ZfP7uvoo2Ngg2GCP_5Q0Esg7KEW9fo3t0o/s320/IMG_0309.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225870068225777842" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq16IevYPsOzyGMuH9QL6MTbmgAqO9BzbQsHvtcyp9xmL5P2e5cTm2Nr3nlKqkZiTCvw3BUnwkr1gBUqsO8_qd_iOyS8WPiFxwHsSahknoHaiZLiQImM9blzX9pUy4RTfKTIdALtiHylI/s1600-h/IMG_0310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq16IevYPsOzyGMuH9QL6MTbmgAqO9BzbQsHvtcyp9xmL5P2e5cTm2Nr3nlKqkZiTCvw3BUnwkr1gBUqsO8_qd_iOyS8WPiFxwHsSahknoHaiZLiQImM9blzX9pUy4RTfKTIdALtiHylI/s320/IMG_0310.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225870240990318834" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Entertainment</span>
To balance out the Belgian touches, Katrien and Mark included some good old fashion western entertainment. "We set up two games of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornhole_(game)">cornhole</a> (a yard game where you throw beanbags filled with corn at a board) out on the front patio for people who wanted to hang out back there instead of down by the lake or inside for dancing." <p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLyS8QierucEOoGZhshxzOEdCF50E5LN064bDTJ8ziq7pFs4APRtRkQYk-JUVbnbJpJTaa5Ux-hx_hc1zvnXPuCkdefdJ5fcOZD_QXiUhcItYnlX1aqLFzdvYetGSkqjGuOugCsZg5k8/s1600-h/DSC_1586.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLyS8QierucEOoGZhshxzOEdCF50E5LN064bDTJ8ziq7pFs4APRtRkQYk-JUVbnbJpJTaa5Ux-hx_hc1zvnXPuCkdefdJ5fcOZD_QXiUhcItYnlX1aqLFzdvYetGSkqjGuOugCsZg5k8/s320/DSC_1586.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225870539958023058" /></a>
<P>
Katrien and Mark prove that you can have a fun and beautiful eco-friendly wedding without breaking the bank!The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-35599763753656253152008-07-19T14:07:00.006-04:002008-07-19T14:24:40.661-04:00Honoring Family Ties<a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/2008/07/local-attraction.html">Marika and Saxton</a> incorporated elements from both sides of the family at every turn - which made their wedding more meaningful and more beautiful.
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Something Old</span>
Marika had three something olds at her wedding - her engagement ring, a 1920's vintage piece, her late mother's wedding ring (which was pinned to the underskirts of her dress), and the ring pillow, which she had "made out of a handkercheif that belonged to Saxton's grandmother who had just passed away." She also wore Saxton's family's lace before the ceremony. She was the 32nd bride in their family to wear it!
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTrH1arU9-aSA-xy5KdNvcDfe-zhdmHou_sHPgH4SsboJAlpRfkyLogEr7putwkhVLiDUDQD_MSYa98t1qjvKBNhqP_9IcbivH0v6dsj9RQC7ksqOSGAZI1PwtWtcWcD54A1TRF-Ce1c/s1600-h/MS-0085.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTrH1arU9-aSA-xy5KdNvcDfe-zhdmHou_sHPgH4SsboJAlpRfkyLogEr7putwkhVLiDUDQD_MSYa98t1qjvKBNhqP_9IcbivH0v6dsj9RQC7ksqOSGAZI1PwtWtcWcD54A1TRF-Ce1c/s320/MS-0085.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224788944229763106" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Something New + Something Borrowed</span>
Marika's something new was this striking purple shawl that matched her bridal party. "My wedding stole/shawl was hand knit by my sister-in-law as my wedding gift. It's absolutely gorgeous!" For her "borrowed" item, she wore drop earrings that belonged to Saxton's cousin.
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVVWVySkS2Ay1zbyY1crm03-OQrwq_lnrXAvFBE0r4pFOSI0OvRdOH_GKHPaugVf8bUGSDyR40qOEr-m_aGqLV82Bp6H2bBnmh9LcFESR3KbnXm3-rYRcsjVRwFCE8hrVDyY9aVS-V_g/s1600-h/MS-0181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVVWVySkS2Ay1zbyY1crm03-OQrwq_lnrXAvFBE0r4pFOSI0OvRdOH_GKHPaugVf8bUGSDyR40qOEr-m_aGqLV82Bp6H2bBnmh9LcFESR3KbnXm3-rYRcsjVRwFCE8hrVDyY9aVS-V_g/s320/MS-0181.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224789252299486674" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskPks5oDSWmy2Y1VA_6rKZhOOC7HvB-zGboRtVPgB_z1ywo7VSJ27y9LIfKNYpw9_GzB-Y39r1esURMh5C_rMM6b50i4gFT3CCQOoP_5nK7QptPTchLSkgtLYrvhuAaGCLQwYUHek6TE/s1600-h/purple+wedding+party.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskPks5oDSWmy2Y1VA_6rKZhOOC7HvB-zGboRtVPgB_z1ywo7VSJ27y9LIfKNYpw9_GzB-Y39r1esURMh5C_rMM6b50i4gFT3CCQOoP_5nK7QptPTchLSkgtLYrvhuAaGCLQwYUHek6TE/s400/purple+wedding+party.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224790182621397922" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-weight:bold;">Charity Registry</span>
Creating a charity registry is a wonderful way to raise awareness about and money for causes that are important to you. To honor Marika's father who passed away in 1998, Marika and Saxton selected a charity that is particularly dear to Marika's heart - <a href="http://www.zazangels.com/">ZazAngels</a>. " ZazAngles is a foundation that my father, Michael Zaslow, started in 1996, to raise awareness about ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). After my father died, my mother worked tirelessly to keep the foundation going before her death in 2006. ZazAngles is part of the Greater New York Chapter of the <a href="http://www.als-ny.org/">ALS Association</a>."
<p>
If you want to learn more about ALS, Marika's mother Susan wrote a powerful book about her husband's struggle entitled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595340504?ie=UTF8&tag=thegrebrigui-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0595340504">Not That Man Anymore: (A Message From Michael).</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thegrebrigui-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0595340504" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><p> It includes his journal entries along with Susan, Marika's and other friend and family members memories of the experience.
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvVd4V1QFNeNC3p5lOg03hZoELHFsuxbXHmy1Mbyc9cae727qgg1o0WQVMfL7xKVyK-fzyDGMzmu_YnNr61HattknUrGT4mrY2lnCU3SoG16G_hu-rUwXu70cc8EjQwph1a02Y5_dcjw/s1600-h/41443Voa+CL._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvVd4V1QFNeNC3p5lOg03hZoELHFsuxbXHmy1Mbyc9cae727qgg1o0WQVMfL7xKVyK-fzyDGMzmu_YnNr61HattknUrGT4mrY2lnCU3SoG16G_hu-rUwXu70cc8EjQwph1a02Y5_dcjw/s400/41443Voa+CL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224792449462745778" /></a>
<P>
<span style="font-style:italic;">If you would like to donate to ZazAngles in Marika and Saxton's honor <a href="http://www.idofoundation.org/cgi-bin/viewdonations.cgi?WeddingID=24946">click here.</a></span>The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347723070882156112.post-14166356812103545092008-07-16T12:21:00.007-04:002008-07-16T15:12:44.979-04:00Paper PleasuresIn addition to being a generous spirit, <a href="http://realgreenweddings.blogspot.com/2008/07/local-attraction.html">Marika</a> is a talented printmaker. So "after months of looking at 'run of the mill' invitations," Marika and Saxton decided to do something unique and create an invitation featuring one of her pieces. "Our invitations were a labor of love! We designed the invitations and other elements around my print. They were printed by <a href="http://mrboddington.com/">Mr. Boddington's Studio</a> and I would recommend them to anyone and everyone!"
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_BPjnonjHgmoU8d8nt2qW8r9GhFnz4dQ1axpONIAY-tt441x5ti_ZCWwweo_40RE4QUvNM3FbmPK-rEnzgRvTYHW6zmSaVV78sk0Ft_RgZRLJHDzPsufVuXAqKcJUgnFahh5BoRvtv4/s1600-h/eco-friendly+invitation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_BPjnonjHgmoU8d8nt2qW8r9GhFnz4dQ1axpONIAY-tt441x5ti_ZCWwweo_40RE4QUvNM3FbmPK-rEnzgRvTYHW6zmSaVV78sk0Ft_RgZRLJHDzPsufVuXAqKcJUgnFahh5BoRvtv4/s400/eco-friendly+invitation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223648982240595442" /></a>
<P>
They carried the visual theme over to their favors, which were hand wrapped books. "We [gave] out books for our favors instead of something else disposable (something plastic, glass etc). We figured that people would be more likey to keep/use the wedding favors if they were books. We chose 21 of our favorite authors and named each table after that author. We then gave everyone at that table a book by that author." To make their gifts even greener, thy tucked in a double-duty card, "We wrapped the books ourselves and used the menu card as the place card, elimenating one more piece of paper."
<P>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0Vl01Xtv-z-QctayyuKcTvlBR5Xky5L4AcNX-En0dqTRdy9rTtToc2yk5l-qqlGhySaAFrmrSVVZemS7fXtkQ8Y2lw9gM8Zq52lhTmJZCe7HUjVgIRFwtUwQYsq1sQMU4dlVJdHYwQE/s1600-h/MS-0684.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0Vl01Xtv-z-QctayyuKcTvlBR5Xky5L4AcNX-En0dqTRdy9rTtToc2yk5l-qqlGhySaAFrmrSVVZemS7fXtkQ8Y2lw9gM8Zq52lhTmJZCe7HUjVgIRFwtUwQYsq1sQMU4dlVJdHYwQE/s320/MS-0684.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223649270856050578" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQFoF1jka_9fp0qEw577NvsTyqbaqMtF9JbyDRhya8P7H4ki1adcUP9JckxmQkk1lhTNQuApVZZedlS6Tf0bNYHNaTROWpKfyx3r334T0WyI8HR2o-ds105GRIMGS9XYGkUacSqPjtWM/s1600-h/MS-0683.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQFoF1jka_9fp0qEw577NvsTyqbaqMtF9JbyDRhya8P7H4ki1adcUP9JckxmQkk1lhTNQuApVZZedlS6Tf0bNYHNaTROWpKfyx3r334T0WyI8HR2o-ds105GRIMGS9XYGkUacSqPjtWM/s320/MS-0683.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223649611295435442" /></a>
<p>
And speaking of books and paper, Marika and Saxton set up a gift registry with the <a href="http://www.idofoundation.org/">I Do Foundation</a> so that whenever someone purchased a gift 10% was donated <a href="http://www.treesforlife.org">Trees for Life</a>, a non-profit that "helps people make connections to tap the latent resources in their own community. This may mean seeking knowledge on farming practices from a nearby university, organizing fruit-tree grafting workshops, or setting up training for teachers or librarians." As explained on the Trees for Life website, " When people set an example by following the process themselves, others come to them to learn...They become a model that others will follow." This statement certainly applies to Marika and Saxton who offer inspiration to us all.The Green Bride Guidehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17346887586396607106noreply@blogger.com0