Everything Green Weddings and More

Looking for the Perfect Holiday Gift? Easy Canvas Prints Has What You Need

2011-11-05T14:54:00.000-04:00

I had the chance to try East Canvas Prints for myself to see how easy it really is to take your favorite photo and put it on a high quality canvas.

I choose two of my favorite photos of the kids when they were little. I scanned the photos, uploaded to easy canvas prints, cropped and edited just how I wanted the photo to look, got to choose embellishments like wrap around photo that folds over the edge of the canvas or a colored "frame" .

The process was super user friendly- very easy to upload and design.

And the results- WOW.

I'm giving these canvas photos to my husband for Christmas, he's going to love them.

They'll be the perfect gifts.

Try it for yourself, take a favorite photo and put it on canvas, you won't be disappointed.

Check them out EasyCanvasPrints.com

You won't be disappointed

I Have a Poem in the Anthology Candle in the Attic Window

2011-10-05T15:14:00.001-04:00

I am honored that my work appears in a colelction with the likes of Leanna Renee Hieber and amny other amazing authors of horror and gothic fiction.

Book Description:

Gothic fiction is neither dead nor musty. Twenty-seven poems and stories bring fresh blood to the genre, while drawing from old tropes.

Welcome to our little house of horrors, where a movie crew searches for a legendary missing film, a woman seeks to reunite with her dead lover, a lodger discovers something peculiar about the landlady, a tarot deck brings death, and ghosts may be cruel or benevolent.

The power has gone out and all that remains is the glow of a flickering candle. Come up into the attic and uncover some secrets.

Stories and poems by: Don D’Ammassa, Jesse Bullington, James S. Dorr, Leanna Renee Hieber, Paul Jessup, Ann K. Schwader, E. Catherine Tobler, Colleen Anderson, and many more.

The Rise of the Rustic Wedding

2011-09-22T16:46:00.002-04:00

Attend nearly any wedding these days and you're bound to see some rustic, country touches. A full 44-percent of brides plan at least some rustic elements in their weddings, according to The Wedding Report. And some go full-bore.

Here are several ways to incorporate the rustic look into your wedding while making it personal and within budget.

1. Barns

Rustic barns are the quintessential location for a rustic wedding. Dress it up with sweeping curtains (sew together fabric drop clothes from a home improvement store) and hanging lights (borrowed white Christmas lights work, too). A farm, open field, country church or plantation home can also provide the perfect backdrop to your themed wedding.

2. Painted Wood Signs

Add some personality to the big day with whimsical or romantic painted signs that signal to your guests what's happening where. Look locally for free reclaimed or salvaged wood to add rustic charm and eco-friendliness. For inspiration, check out this Etsy artisan's sign work.

3. Burlap

Nothing says rustic like burlap and this versatile fabric can be used in a number of ways. Use it as table coverings, then top with smaller borrowed vintage tablecloths. Use it as a background to frame table numbers for your reception. Use it as an aisle runner or atop haystacks for extra casual seating.

4. Mason Jars

Mason jars are perhaps the most-seen wedding accessory these days -- and for good cause. They ooze charm, they're economical, they come in a variety of sizes and they go with just about anything. Throw a handful of wildflowers into a mason jar and you've got an instant centerpiece. You can also use them to hold utensils or candy at the reception. Fill them with something sweet and top with burlap and ribbon for wedding favors.

5. Chalkboards

Like painted signs, chalkboards add a fun element to wedding day signage. They make perfect menus, Mr. & Mrs. signs on the back of the couple's chairs, seating charts and directional signs. Paint a vintage frame the color of your wedding, then paint over the glass with chalkboard paint for an instant showpiece.

6. Homemade

A rustic wedding is not complete without something homemade. And there's no better place to feature homemade than the reception. Pies are a big trend in weddings this year, and local vendors are making it easier to find baked goods and more with that down-home taste. Decorate the dessert table with bowls of eggs, flour and honey for that extra home-made feeling. Handwrite favorite family recipes on index cards to use as wedding favors.

7. Registry

Guests can contribute to the rustic theme through gift-giving. Register for gift cards at CardAvenue.com for retailers who specialize in rustic products, like J.Crew, Timberland, Restoration Hardware and Bass Pro Shops.

8. Music

More than decorations, music tells the story of the rustic wedding and instantly sets the mood. Whether it's country, bluegrass, folk or a combination, your choice or musicians, deejay or soundtrack will complete your theme and leave your guests tapping their feet for days to come.

~Weddings expert Cara Davis is the author of Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot and blogs from her home in Orlando, FL, about cheap ways to spend and save at CheapWaysTo.com.

Tin Pail Transformations: Two Tutorials

2011-08-28T15:19:00.000-04:00

Tin pails can show up anywhere. They used to be quite popular. Now you can find them in thrift stores, at yard sales, at Goodwill and maybe even in your garage or attic.

Tin pails can be decorated in so many ways. It’s all up to your imagination and style. I decorated these two with wedding in mind but I am trying to find a couple more to redo with Christmas colors and accents.

I think little pails make clever and cute reusable gift containers. Forget about bags and boxes, hand painted pails will make any gift seem extra special.

Supplies Needed:

An old tin/metal pail with a handle
Fine grit sandpaper
Spray paint in your color of choice
Clear coat spray to protect your design
Paper
Decoupage glue
Ribbon
Lace
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Scissors
Sponge
Sponge paint brush
Flat container of water
Clothespins (optional) for holding lace or ribbon in place while the glue is drying

Green Options:

You are breathing new life into an old pail, that’s super green.
Consider using low VOC spray paint like Krylon’s H2O line
Natural or biodegradable ribbon
Vintage or organic lace
Recycled or tree free paper

Directions for Decoupage Pail:

Start by selecting a pail that is in decent shape. You don’t want to deal with rust or dents unless you absolutely have to
If your pail has any labels or stickers remove them
Gently sand the pail so paint will stick to it
Spray paint it in your color choice
Let the paint dry
Select the papers you want to use, test a corner by getting it wet to make sure the ink doesn’t run. For this pail I used vintage wedding images that were printed on photo paper with an ink jet printer. It’s best not to use real photographs or actual vintage ephemera. Make copies of everything and print on new paper. This way you don’t damage the originals and if you make a mistake you can make more.
Cut out your design and start placing it on your pail. Play with around with the placement.
If you have pieces of lace or ribbon to add, play with the placement of those as well.
For the pail pictured, I used a metallic gold spray paint, a piece of vintage lace, and copies of vintage postcards. I glued the lace on with decoupage glue and water and held it in place with clothespins while it dried. I placed the images around the bucket after gluing on the lace.
To decoupage paper, dip the paper in a flat container of water, pull it out and shake off excess water, use a sponge paint brush to cover the back of the paper with decoupage glue
Place the paper where you want it and smooth out excess glue and water with a slightly damp sponge. Hold on tight to the paper to keep it in place while gently yet firmly smoothing the sponge over it.
Repeat this for every piece of paper you want to add to it.
Let it dry over night and see how it turns out. If everything is good, let it settle for a few days before clear coating it.
If something is wrinkled or just messed up, you can peel and sand everything off and start over then try a different type of paper that doesn’t wrinkle or tear as easily.

Directions for Pink Bucket:

Select paint and ribbon in your choice of colors
Sand pail gently
Spray paint in a well ventilated area. It may need two or three coats to get good coverage
Let paint dry overnight
Cut out your ribbon at least an inch or two longer than you’ll actually need that way you have some play to work with when attaching it
Grab your glue gun and glue sticks and start attaching your ribbon just a little bit at a time or the glue will dry before you get there
Start by one handle and work all the way around to the other handle. This way you never end up with a seam right in the front of your pail
When you get to the end, match up your seams and cut off the excess before gluing the final strip down

DIY Paper Making

2011-08-27T15:10:00.000-04:00

Have you ever thought about making your own paper but you weren’t sure where to start or what to do? Well here’s a tutorial for you that can help you out.

Handmade paper can be made from many differnt materials or a combination of several materials, including bits of old scrap paper you have lying around the house or even scrap fibers such as cotton. Even dryer lint can be added to paper slurry for a colorful touch.

Many types of plant fibers can be turned into usable paper too, though some raw plant materials need special preparations which can be a lengthy process. But if you just want to toss a few flower petals, leaves or seeds in with scrap paper fibers it’s very easy.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your homemade paper:

Lots of scrap paper
Anything you’d like to add to the paper- fibers, string, flower petals, small leaves, herbs, glitter, confetti, etc
A couple of wooden frames that should be a little larger than the size you wish the finished piece of paper to be
A window screen a little larger than the largest frame; it has to go over the frame and attach to it
Staples and hand stapler or staple gun (if you are making your own screen frames, if you have premade frames you won’t need the stapler)
An old blender, preferably not one you’ll want to use again for food processing
A large rubber or plastic tub, big enough to immerse the frames in
Pieces of felt or wool larger than your frames, at least two per sheet of paper, or old towels (this id for absorbing water and to help dry out the papers)
Sponge
Rolling pin
Cornstarch to mix into the slurry and make the paper easier to write on
Flat, edgeless cookie sheets
Optional items, including large cookie-cutter shapes, an apron, and extra towels and rags

You may have many of these supplies around the house. If you don’t you can find papermaking supplies at craft and hobby stores.

The frames and screen are called a mold and deckle, and the tubs are vats.

To make your paper you need to:

1. Collect a lot of scrap paper, fibers and any extras you would like to add to the paper. Not all paper is a good choice for making your own recycled product. Newspaper will turn everything gray, and magazines are too glossy and will make everything gunky. The best paper choices are junk mail, office, computer, and copy paper.

2. Once you have all your papers, rip them up into small squares or shred into small pieces.

3. Once the paper is all ripped up or shredded, soak it in a tub of warm water for at least two hours- even better soak overnight.

4. (Optional- not needed if you already have frames or a mold and deckle)
To make your mold, cut your window screen an inch or two larger than the frame, then stretch it over the frame and staple it to the back side. If you want your paper to have straight edges you’ll want to use a second frame with no screen; this is called the deckle. The deckle sits on the mold and defines the shape of the paper.

5. After the paper has finished soaking, mix it up in your blender at a ratio of one cup of paper to 2–3 cups of water. Start with 2 cups; if the mixture is too thick and lumpy add another cup. You want to have a thick slurry, smoothie or thick milkshake consistency. If you want to be able to write on the handmade paper, add a tablespoon of cornstarch. The cornstarch will make the paper less likely to absorb ink.

6. Blend your mixture on a medium high blender setting until it has the consistency of thin oatmeal.

7. You can experiment with colors by adding food coloring. Pour it in and mix very briefly. At this point you can also add your flowers, herbs or other materials. Or if you don’t want your materials all blended up you can wait until you pour the paper mix into the mold then add your materials by hand. Do not blend seeds in the blender. If you want to make plantable paper, wait until your pulp is ready in the molds.

8. Once your paper is blended into a nice slurry of pulp, fill your tub with about two inches of water for every blender-full of pulp.

9. Pour the paper pulp into a mold, then lower the mold into the tub of water at an angle and shake to distribute the pulp evenly over the screen. If you are using a deckle, place it over the mold now, gently shake it back and forth, and pull both the mold and deckle up out of the water tub gently. Let the water drain. Allow all of the excess water to flow back into the tub of water.

10. If you don’t want to dip the pulp into the water you can now add your materials such as seeds, flowers, and herbs. By not dipping the pulp into the water your paper can be thicker but not as even.

11. Use a sponge, cloth, or towels to dry the excess water off the back of the screen. You want as much excess water removed as possible so your paper can dry.

12. Now it’s time to lay a piece of felt, wool, or thick towel on top of the paper pulp on the screen and turn the whole thing over — mold and all — onto a hard surface such as a flat edgeless cookie sheet. If the paper doesn’t come off easily, dry the back of the screen some more, tap it, or carefully peel the paper off.

13. If you have not already done so, you can now add flowers, herbs, or seeds to the paper mixture. If you choose, make imprints in the paper by pressing plants, leaves, or even textured objects such as lace into the paper. Leave the objects there until the paper has dried.

14. Cover the paper with another piece of felt and roll over it with a rolling pin to bind the fibers together and to help imprint any designs. This will also help your paper dry faster, flatter, and more even.

15. You can keep adding new sheets of paper to your pile as you make them; just separate each one with a piece of felt so they don’t stick together.

16. Sandwich all the paper sheets together and keep them lying flat by piling books or boards on top of them. If you really get into the homemade paper process, you could make a simple paper press from boards and C clamps. Kitchen cutting boards are also very effective for pressing the paper to keep it flat.

17. Leave the sheets alone until they are dry. Drying time can vary, but start by leaving the sheets overnight. Store the sheets so they remain flat until you are ready to use them.

Making handmade paper is a fun though somewhat time consuming process but after you get used to it all it becomes less complicated. The first time is the hardest.

This tutorial was excerpted and edited from The Everything Green Wedding Book by Wenona Napolitano.

DIY Wine and Vineyard Themed Wedding Ideas

2011-08-26T15:08:00.001-04:00

Looking for great DIY ideas for a vineyard or wine themed wedding? Check out these great craft ideas from around the web.

Cork place card holders are a popular and simple DIY craft for wine theme weddings. Find details at The Bubbly Bride and a tutorial at Wedding Bee.

These wine bottle candelabras are beautiful and would make fabulous centerpieces. You can find them at CountryPorch.com

Here’s a way to use a wine bottle as a unique table number and centerpiece display.

This bride went all out with her wine wedding. This big wine barrel served as her card box.

You can find several other great DIY wine bottle ideas on Your Perfect Day and the wedding bee bridal boards.

Eco and DIY Ideas for a Rustic or Garden Theme Wedding

2011-06-09T13:00:00.001-04:00

Wedding season is approaching and Valentine’s Day is around the corner (which means proposals and newly engaged couples). Now’s the time to start planning and crafty DIY brides to be are brainstorming for fab ideas for decor and wedding accessories.

Here are a few ideas for eco and DIY wedding dcorations for a garden or rustic theme outdoor wedding.

A great way to be eco and DIY with a garden or rustic style outdoor wedding is to think outside the wedding box and look to traditional and old fashioned garden decor and even garden tools like wheelbarrows, wagons, watering cans, and buckets.

These can all easily be transformed into quirky wedding decor.

Try these ideas:

Have your flower girl carry an old fashioned watering can instead of a basket.

Use old vegetable baskets (like bushel barrels you see at the farmer’s market-only smaller) or small metal buckets (think old milking pails) as centerpieces for your tables. Fill them with flowers or the metal buckets with floating candles or floating flower heads.

Grab an old wheelbarrow and transform it into a fabulous place for guests to deposit your gifts.

Then you can just wheel it out- presents and all after the wedding. No wheelbarrow? How about an old wagon.

Old mailboxes make perfect card receptacles. A bit of sanding and a fresh coat of paint might be all they need to become something unique and gorgeous for your wedding.

Thirfted terra cotta flower pots filled with plants or flowers make great centerpieces- or scale them down to mini pots for growing favors to give to your guests. If you don’t like the traditional terra cotta color give them a quick and easy coat of paint to match your wedding colors.

Big garden items like trellises and arbors are always welcome wedding decor and if you purchase one for the wedding- you can reuse them in your newlywed yard and garden.

The same goes for any other garden related item – they can serve double duty by being reused after the wedding in your home or garden.

Start planning early to find a great collection of rustic garden theme wedding items perfect for both your wedding and your garden. Hit up flea markets, architectural salvage yards, antique stores, and yard and garage sales.

You just never know where you’ll find the perfect treasure.

Easy DIY Bridal Bouquet

2011-06-09T12:55:00.002-04:00

The current trend in bridal bouquets are pretty, semi-round, hand wrapped styles which is great for those who wish to go DIY. The hand wrapped bouquets can be made with fresh or artificial flowers.

I prefer artificial simply because they are easier to work with. There’s no refrigeration required and you can make the bouquets in advance with no worries. Plus they will last forever. They’re great for displaying in a case or on a shelf and it’s a nice way to preserve wedding memories.

If you go with artificial flowers the best type of flower for these bouquets are ones with full, round, bushy flower heads like roses, carnations, and ranunculus.

To make the hand wrapped bouquet you will need:

Flowers- the larger you want the bouquet the more you’ll need

Floral wire

Floral tape

Pretty ribbon to wrap the stems of the finished bouquet - usually a wide one inch ribbon works well

A hot glue gun to attach the ribbon onto stems

Wire cutters

Scissors

To make the bouquet:

1. Strip all the leaves and excess buds off the flower stem. You’ll want it bare so it can easily be wrapped. Start with one large center flower. It can be bigger, or a different color or the same. I like to make it the focal point everything works around. I usually use a large rose.

2. Next, choose at least four flowers to be the next layer. Four will make for an average to small bouquet. Each layer will need more flowers. It’s like creating a half of ball. You build layers around the center flower. Carnations or another puffy flower work great for this layer.

3. Position and tape each flower individually. This gives you wiggle room and the ability to move one flower without moving them all. Floral tape is wonderful because it will hold but allow flexibility if you need to redo anything. The goal is to have the top flower slightly above the first layer but still blending in a circular pattern.

4. The third layer will require six or more flowers depending on how big they are. You want full layers without gaps. Again full flower styles work best. This layer can be switched up a bit though. I have found mums and hydrangeas work nicely for this layer.

Remember to wrap each stem with tape to attach them individually. Believe me this is important. I made one bouquet where I just bunched and wrapped- ugh I couldn’t adjust or fix anything.

Usually once you have your third layer finished the bouquet is ready for finishing touches. However you can add a fourth layer if you want to go big. Just repeat all the steps and add a few more flowers to the layer.

5. If you think the bouquet needs something extra you can add small filler flowers like baby’s breath, or even leaves, berries or butterflies to add something extra or fill in any gaps. You may need to wire some items to secure them to the stems of your flowers.

6. Position and fluff flowers so everything fills in and makes a round shape. Cut the stems so they are all about the same length. Then tape them with the floral tape. Once everything is securely taped in you can start wrapping the bouquet with the ribbon.

7. I like to start from the bottom and wrap upward adding just a tiny dot of hot glue under each turn of the ribbon, just enough to secure the ribbon without making it a hard knot from the dry glue.

Once you get to the top of the stems (where they start to curve into the bouquet), cut the ribbon in a line to flow with the curve of your handle then glue and tuck it in out of sight.

You might want to experiment a few times with extra flowers or flowers that are not your actual bouquet flowers. That way if you mess up there’s no worries. Once you get the hang of it though you could probably make this easy bouquet style in no time.

Creatively Green: Juice Beauty Review & Giveaway Just In Time for Ea...

2011-04-13T16:05:00.000-04:00

Creatively Green: Juice Beauty Review & Giveaway Just In Time for Ea...: "Description: A proprietary blend of fruit stem cells deeply penetrates the skin to repair DNA damage and encourage new cell growth to aggres..."

3 Everything Wedding Books for Brides to Be

2011-03-16T16:06:00.007-04:00

The Everything Wedding Book Description: Ever since it was published as the first book in the Everything series, The Everything Wedding Book has been the go-to resource for brides-to-be. Now it's back and better than ever! Written by trusted wedding planner and expert Katie Martin, this new and improved edition includes information on: Multicultural and interfaith ceremonies Having a nontraditional wedding Floral design, with a new lighting and decor section Planning an eco-friendly wedding Using the Internet to set up a wedding website and to buy products and services From the guest list and invitations to the honeymoon and thank-you cards, this is the definitive guide for anyone planning, helping to plan, or hoping to someday plan the wedding of her dreams! About the Author Katie Martin is the president of Elegance & Simplicity, Inc., a wedding- and event-planning company that has been featured in magazines such as The Knot. Martin has appeared on the Style Network, Channel 9 (CBS) local news, and on WTOP. She is also the founder and director of the Washington D.C. Couture Wedding Consortium. The Everything Wedding Checklist Book Description: The registry, invitations, reception, flowers, rings, placecards--how's a girl to remember it all?! During this insane time when every detail seems to take on a life of its own, brides need help! This book provides solutions that target every bride's greatest worry: "Did I forget something?" Loaded with timesaving tips, this handy guide helps you stay on track and focused with checklists for: Making tough budgeting choices Determining wedding party responsibilities Choosing ceremony options Figuring seating plans Packing all that's needed for the honeymoon . . . and much, much more! With simple, step-by-step checklists for each aspect of planning the wedding of your dreams, you won't forget a single thing for your unforgettable day! About the Author Holly Lefevre is a sought-after wedding expert. Her planning expertise has earned her acclaim in TV and print media. Lefevre is the author of How to "I Do": Planning the Ultimate Wedding in Six Weekends or Less. The former editor of the Southern California magazine, Brideworld Magazine, Lefevre has appeared on Lifetime Television's The I Do Diaries: My Best Friend's Wedding and NBC's The Other Half. The Everything Bridesmaid Book Description: Dress fittings? Bridal showers? Bachelorette parties? What's a bridesmaid to do? Today's bridesmaids are finding that their brides expect help and enthusiasm when planning the best day of their lives. "The Everything Bridesmaid Book, 2nd Edition" is the perfect handbook for bridesmaids looking for practical advice on their integral role in the wedding. It features no-nonsense, updated information on how to: help her find the perfect dress; keep your bride calm on her big day; tame a 'bridezilla'; throw an unbelievable bridal shower; and, plan and survive the bachelorette party. From knowing the proper etiquette to handling any and all responsibilities that come your way, "The Everything Bridesmaid Book, 2nd Edition" is the one guide guaranteed to get you through the wedding looking like a pro.

Book Review- The Bride’s Guide to Musicians

2011-03-09T17:41:00.002-05:00

Book Review- The Bride’s Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable by Anne Roos

Picking out the right wedding music is one of those things that can be more complicated than you would ever expect.

Other than the song my husband and I were going to dance to I had no idea what to use for the father daughter dance, the mother son dance, or any other special songs.

And then there’s trying to choose between hiring live musicians or a DJ and just not knowing how it’ll all work out.

Anne Roos has written a book that will simplify everything for the soon to be married couple. And what I think is super cool about this book- Anne Roos is a musician that I considered for my wedding. Not live since I’m in Michigan and she’s not. But she plays Celtic harp and I wanted Celtic music in my ceremony so her recordings were at the top of my list when choosing music.
She’s been playing the Celtic harp at weddings for more than 25 years and has worked with every kind of wedding—and every kind of bride Now that she’s written a book I had to check out her advice.

In this new book Anne explains how any couple can incorporate live music into their wedding—and how they can do it on almost any wedding budget. The biggest myth she dispels is that live music is more expensive than a DJ. According to her- not true.

In the book Anne will guide you through planning the music for your perfect wedding with help from her practical advice, worksheets, checklists, sample contracts, tips from other wedding professionals, and so much more.

If wedding music advice is what you need you’ll find it in The Bride’s Guide to Musicians.
Here’s just a sample of what this book will show you:

* Five principles of shopping for musicians along with the most important questions to ask
* How to save money by booking the band yourself
* How to audition musicians
* Suggestions for making the most of bridal shows
* How to spot overpriced musicians—and how to recognize a bargain
* How to work with musicians to select the songs that will reflect your personality and your wedding’s theme—and how to pick songs that will get everyone up on the dance floor

* What to include in the performance agreement
*Sample contracts you can fill in and use
* Lists of hundreds of song ideas for your ceremony and reception, grouped by style, theme, genre, and era.

That’s a lot of much needed information packed into one book- The Bride’s Guide to Musicians. I wish this book had been around when I was planning my own wedding but at least now I can recommend it to other brides.

Enter Online Photo Contest to Win $13,000 Dream Wedding and Honeymoon

2011-02-14T13:43:00.000-05:00

Velas Resorts in Mexico are offering the chance for couples to win an all-inclusive destination wedding.

Velas Resorts have earned 26 AAA Diamond ratings and many other international awards. Their resorts include Casa Velas, a boutique adults-only hotel and ocean club located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course; Velas Vallarta, a family-friendly all-suite resort located on 10 acres of oceanfront; and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on the Banderas Bay and Grand Velas Riviera Maya, with both jungle and beach settings. Velas Resorts offer packages for weddings of any size which include romantic extras like candlelit dinners and aromatherapy couples massage.

Now the Velas Resorts are offering to make wedding dreams come true with their new photo contest which opens on Valentine’s Day.

One lucky couple can win a complete, all-inclusive, luxury beach wedding at Grand Velas Rivera Nayarit and a three-night honeymoon at Casa Velas.

The grand prize winning couple will have the opportunity to stay for four days and three nights in a luxury ocean-front suite at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit and have a complete wedding ceremony with up to 8 guests that includes: a welcome dinner, a symbolic ceremony, a full wedding reception, decorations, minister, live music, wedding cake, and a three-hour open bar.

Plus the couple will receive a wedding package that includes: a photographic session by Dream Art, a 50-minute couple’s massage, a gift certificate and necklace for the bride from Diamond International, and lingerie for the bride from ëa Lingerie.

The winning couple will also receive a honeymoon complete with accommodations in a Grand Class Suite with private plunge pool, VIP roundtrip airport transportation service, a bottle of champagne or wine upon arrival, one Spa Experience for two, and gourmet dining along with premium beverages.

Second prize winners will receive a three-night honeymoon at Velas Vallarta, where they will stay in a luxury ocean-view suite and enjoy champagne, a romantic dinner, boat tour for two, and other romance amenities.

The contest is open from Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2011) to March 14th, 2011.

This contest is open to residents of USA, Canada, and Mexico who participate by sending a creative photo along with 50-100 words describing why you want to have a wedding at Velas Resorts.

For more details on how to enter the contest and submit your photo and essay, please visit http://www.velasweddings.com/.

All photos entered will be published at http://www.velasweddings.com/.

The Velas Resorts Communication Committee will choose the best 14 finalists, based on originality, enthusiasm, and emotion.

Final voting will be open to the public and the the first prize winners will be chosen from among the finalists.

Entries must be submitted between February 14th and March 14, 2011.

Public voting will occur from March 16th-31st, 2011, and the winners notified on April 1st, 2011.

BambuHome One of the Vendors That Sponsored My Mother's Wedding

2011-02-14T03:52:00.000-05:00

Plates and Trays from BambuHome

When my mother announced soon after Thanksgiving 2010 that she was getting married in January of 2011 I was stunned- briefly.

Then I quickly got to work on planning her green wedding.

I am green partially because of my mother- the woman has always been a "save that don't throw it away repurposing person". I got that from her and she got it from her mother who lived through the Great Depression and a lifetime tough economics. Growing up my world was naturally crafty and green.

So I knew that her wedding had to be green as well.

Having a less than a little over a month I had no idea if I could pull off a green wedding. I didn't have a lot of time to do DIY projects that I normally would have done with more time. I did still manage to create all the floral arrangements and bouquets from artificial flowers I had on hand (left over from my floral design days) and I used glass bowls and mirror tiles for centerpieces that have been making the rounds from friend to family member for various parties since 1999 when my best friend originally purchased the bowls for her wedding. I added the mirror tiles in 2003 for my own wedding.

The biggest challenge other than food was the table settings- I couldn't stomach Styrofoam or plastic disposables yet with our minimal budget we couldn't afford fancy china and real silverware.

Bambuhome offered a fabulous solution with their bamboo veneerware plates.

The plates offered simple elegance and eco style while still being convenient and disposable. The larger plates were used for the buffet table while the small plates were absolutely perfect for the cake and dessert tables.

The bamboo bar trays in kiwi added a gorgeous splash of color to the tables and were perfect for holding napkins and silverware.

My mother was very pleased with the eco products and everyone at the wedding commented on how stylish and unique the plates were.

The wedding was a simple, budget and eco-friendly wedding done in record breaking time (from start to finish less than 2 months). It wasn't lavish and over the top but simple and down to earth just like my mom. It was perfect.

I can honestly say I'll be turning to bambuhome products for future events.

small cake plates and another kiwi tray from BambuHome

Your Essential Guide to Green Weddings in 2011

2011-02-13T15:50:00.000-05:00

Your Essential Guide to Green Weddings in 2011

As a bride-to-be, you may be wondering exactly how to plan the lavish wedding of your dreams without causing a negative impact on the environment or breaking the bank. Fortunately, you have come to the right place…

1. Give thought to your guest list. Not only will it reduce stress to only invite people that you really care about, but it will also cut down on the environmental impact caused by sending extra invitations, paying for additional guests, and asking more people to travel to your wedding.
2. Ask your guests to carpool to your wedding.
3. Check out local artists to create wedding invitations, favors, and decorations for your reception.
4. Look for a wedding photographer that prints photos and albums on recycled paper.
5. Use organic disposable items like sugarcane plates and plastic supplies made of corn-based materials.
6. Choose a convenient wedding location to cut down on gas and travel costs.
7. Opt for an outdoor wedding to cut down on the use of lighting and also provide a beautiful and natural location for your ceremony.
8. If you’re having a night wedding, light the tables with candles to cut down on lighting and also create a romantic ambience.
9. Choose a location wisely that focuses on recycling and water conservation.
10. Use green transportation on your way to the church, like arriving in a new hybrid car.
11. Have your ceremony and reception in one place to reduce travel that creates excess carbon emissions.
12. Create your own wedding website to offer convenience and cut down on save the date cards, RSVP cards, registry cards, and even invitations.
13. Create your own wedding invitation design to minimize the resources used.
14. Print your wedding invitations on cotton, hemp, and bamboo products.
15. Choose a vintage gown as opposed to a brand-new, very expensive wedding dress.
16. Customize your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress to offer a sentimental touch as you recycle old materials.
17. Consider renting a wedding gown to save serious money since you will only use it one time.
18. Purchase a wedding diamond that is certified as conflict-free.
19. Choose wedding diamonds from Australia and Canada that were mined in peaceful conditions.
20. For original wedding bands, choose wooden touch rings as an eco-friendly option.
21. Decorate your reception with potted plants instead of cut flowers.
22. Decorate your ceremony with organic candles made from soy or beeswax.
23. If you use balloons for decoration, make sure that they are FSC certified.
24. Choose a wedding vendor that caters local, seasonal, and organic foods.
25. As a healthy and environmentally conscious alternative, serve mainly vegetarian cuisine at your reception.

Not only will these innovative ideas ensure a fun and memorable wedding celebration, but they will also seriously cut down on your total budget and environmental impact!

Bethany Ramos is a professional makeup artist that also co-owns her own website, The Coffee Bump. For a great selection of the Bunn coffee maker, check out Bethany Ramos' website today.

I Planned My Mom's Real Green Wedding

2011-02-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

I have been writing about green weddings for a couple years now but I have not put my advice into real wedding planning practice, at least not completely from start to finish, until now.

I used a lot of green ideas and DIY ways in my own wedding back in 2003 but this was before eco-friendly cups, napkins, and the like were readily available and somewhat affordable. So we did what we could with lots of DIY decorations and accessories along with many other green and greenish practices.

I've also helped many brides incorporate green and eco ways into their weddings over the years from using reusable décor to recycled materials.

Recently though I had the chance to plan a green wedding from start to finish and realized... sometimes it's not easy being green.

The biggest obstacle I encountered was time...or lack thereof.

My mother announced a couple weeks before Christmas that she was getting married- and the wedding date was set for January 15. Yikes, a little over a month to plan a wedding- with the holidays smack dab in the middle of it all. My next obstacle was discovering that due to the major economic downturn of the past few years almost all of the wedding companies I had previously worked with locally were gone. My cake lady was gone, the small bridal shops all gone, even my decorating and supply store was gone.

Keep reading here.

Decorating the Newlywed Home

2011-01-31T14:25:00.004-05:00

After the wedding when you've sorted through all your newlywed gifts and goodies are you still lacking a few things?

Or did you receive items that just aren't your style?

Return what you can and look for items that are uniquely you online. One great place I found is AllModern.com one of the 200+ stores in the network of CSN Stores.

They have a little bit of everything for those with uniquely modern tastes.

Lamps, furniture, wallpaper, and a fabulous selection of wall art and decor

Just glancing at their site I fell in love with stick on chalkboards and sticker stick on photo frames (which I've seen featured in magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, and Women's Day) and their mirrors that come in unconventional shapes like puzzle pieces and can can dancers.

I bet there's something there that you'll fall in love with as well.

If you see something you like you don't have to wait until the wedding is over either- you can create a wedding registry with AllModern.com and any of the other CSN Stores. Pick something from any site within the CSN network of stores and add it your wedding registry.

I'm adding the photo frame stickers to my wish list. My daughter seen them in a magazine and would totally love them for her room. I bet she'd love the chalkboard too. I'd actually like it for my kitchen but I bet it wouldn't stick to my textured walls.

Do you see anything at All Modern you'd love to have?

Check Out These Interesting Ideas for a Green Wedding Shower!

2011-01-31T13:05:00.000-05:00

A wedding shower is definitely a rite of passage, where you get to gather together with all of your closest female friends and family members to eat cake, drink punch, and maybe open up some sexy lingerie…

Still, in today’s world, you may be hoping to not only have a memorable wedding shower but also make it more eco-friendly - and here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Organic Wine Tasting: Not only is wine full of beneficial antioxidants to promote a healthy heart, but there are also many local wineries that grow organic grapes with sustainable practices that benefit the environment. If you have an organic winery nearby, consider hosting your wedding shower there for not only a fun and beautiful venue but a memorable occasion to celebrate your big day!

• Go Potluck: If you request that each guest to your wedding shower brings their favorite locally grown, organic food, you will have a great time tasting new dishes that you may have never tried before, and you will also be benefiting the environment at the same time. Simply brilliant…

• Spa Trip: Going on a girl’s day spa trip is a wonderful way to relax and curb pre-wedding jitters, so make sure to seek out a spa that uses organic and natural skin care products, as well as organic cotton in their robes and towels. This is an innovative way to beautify, relax, and be kind to the earth!

• Try Ecotourism: Ecotourism is an interesting industry that is rapidly growing, and you can easily book a green and environmentally conscious weekend getaway online. This could include a short cruise, ski trip, or stay in a local cabin that will give you and your bridal party a small break with a minimal carbon footprint by staying in green hotels, traveling in hybrid cars, and eating in local organic restaurants.

The truth is that there is no set recipe to what makes a wonderful and memorable wedding shower for a bride-to-be! If you are a bride that is also concerned about your impact on the environment, then you can choose from one of the many creative options above to plan a unique shower that is also environmentally conscious…

~Bethany Ramos is a full-time freelance writer and professional makeup artist that also co-owns her own business, The Coffee Bump. For a great selection of the Bunn coffee maker, check out Bethany Ramos' website, The Coffee Bump.

5 Easy Ways to Green Your Wedding Without Spending a Fortune

2011-01-27T05:46:00.000-05:00

Having a green wedding is trendy; green weddings are fabulous... and according to many people green weddings are expensive.
This isn't always true.

Sure if you go out and buy all brand new green items made from eco-friendly materials you may spend more than if you purchased conventional not so green goods.But there are many ways to be green without spending more- in fact there are some ways to green your wedding that can actually save you money.

Here are five ways to green your wedding while being budget friendly.

1. Find gently used or pre-owned wedding items. There are many places where you can find gently used or pre-purchased but never used wedding items- like CraigsList.org, RecycledBride.com, and eBay.com. Some people buy too much for the wedding, others may have decided not to get married while other items may have been overstock from a retail store. Whatever the reason it's to your advantage because you can find anything and everything from wedding gowns to jewelry to guest books and cake toppers for a fraction of the retail price-and you'll be saving money and resources.

Keep reading here.

Eco Invitations from Twisted Limb

2011-01-26T17:42:00.003-05:00

Looking for gorgeous wedding invitations that are eco-friendly as well as stylish? Look no further than Twisted Limb Paperworks in Bloomington, Indiana.

The carbon- neutral studio creates handmade 100% recycled paper from used office paper, grocery bags, and recycled water. To give the paper an extra special natural touch they add flowers, wildflower seeds, and even grass clippings from their lawn.The result is gorgeously textured natural paper that gets transformed into beautiful wedding invitations, business papers, greeting cards, announcements, thank you notes, place cards, menus and favors.

They offer a wide variety of color options to coordinate with any wedding color palette they also have a nice selection of invitation styles- you can even decide whether to receive the invitations pre-assembled or save a few dollars and purchased DIY kits.

Twisted Limb offers circle invitations, panel invitations, bookmark styles, fold over styles, sidebar invitations and many other styles- all in your choice of colors.

My mother recently married again and we opted to be as green as possible.

We received beautiful eco-invitations from Twisted Limb in the 5x7 Fold over style.

I fell in love with the delightful texture of the paper and the simple elegance of the invitations. The main part of the invitation was made with handmade paper- we received lavender and sagebrush colors.

The handmade papers are folded over on the top and the printed part of the invitation is made with eco-friendly vellum. The folded over border is finished with a zigzag stitch that offers visual appeal.

Keep reading here.

An Eco-Friendly Wedding All Starts with Location!

2011-01-24T00:55:00.000-05:00

If you want to make eco-friendly and green choices with your upcoming wedding, then it all starts with location, location, location! Of course, your wedding venue sets the scene for your special day, and it also makes up a serious chunk of your budget. This is why focusing on an eco-friendly setting for your wedding venue will not only save you money, but it will also minimize your impact on the environment.

Here are some important considerations to keep in mind…

• Convenience. It really does make a difference to choose a venue that is convenient to the majority of your guests, which will minimize gas and travel costs for everyone in attendance. This means that it pays to shop around locally and off of the beaten path, where you may choose to rent out a library, city center, or even local park so that everyone in your city can conveniently attend your wedding and reception.

• Individuality. Instead of renting out a large hall for your wedding, which may be quite expensive, you can search for unique venues, like a nonprofit organization, botanical garden, organic restaurant, or even art gallery. This is a fun way to choose a venue that supports a cause that you already believe in, and they may be more likely to offer you organic food and drinks to cater your reception.

• Outdoors. There’s no better way to be close to Mother Nature than choosing an outdoor wedding venue! This will require less decorating on your part, and it will also allow you to focus on the beauty of the earth as you celebrate your union. On top of that, if you happen to have anyone you know with a beautiful backyard or property, you can often cut down on your wedding venue costs astronomically by holding your ceremony and reception at the beautiful property of someone that you know.

• Entrance. You can still go green when you arrive at your ceremony by choosing a hybrid car, rickshaw, or horse-drawn carriage to minimize your carbon footprint. Not only is this friendly to Mother Earth, but it is also a fun and unique way to pull up to your wedding that all of your guests will remember!

• Awareness. Last of all, make sure that you help all of your guests choose eco-friendly transportation and hotel options if they are coming in from out of town by giving them links to green hotels in your area and resources for hybrid rental cars. Your guests will be thankful for the helpful information, and you will also be giving them the opportunity to go green as they visit you to celebrate your wedding!

~Bethany Ramos is wedding makeup artist and professional freelance writer that co-owns her own business, The Coffee Bump. For a great selection of Bunn coffee makers, check out Bethany Ramos' website today!

Win an Eco Prize Pack from Ecotensil

2011-01-19T17:00:00.001-05:00

Announcing an Eco-idea competition sponsored by EcoTensil is offering a eco-gift basket worth $200!

Let's make 2011 a green year.

EcoTensil wants to know how you make your life green.

EcoTensil is the company that has created the world’s most eco-friendly single-use spoons and they invite you to share your favorite green ideas and inspire the rest of us!

And in doing so you could win a $200 eco-friendly prize pack.

All you have to do is share a unique way you are reducing, recycling, reusing.

How are you reducing the impact of your trash to create for a greener world for yourself and the next generations?

At home
At the grocery store
In the office
At the coffee shop
On the internet
At school…

EcoTensil wants to hear from you!

Whether heroic or mundane, the impact of our actions add up. Tell Ecotensil your most innovative and inspiring solutions for minimizing your trash impact and you could win your very own Zeroing in on Zero Waste Kit -market value: $200

The Zero Waste Kit includes:

1 gallon compost pail with filters
Verterra Compostable Square Plates
Preserve To-Go cups
2-tier Recycled Cotton Carrier Bag
Water Bottle Sling with ChopStick Holder
Simply Gorgeous green chico bag
“How to Make and Use Compost” book

Second place is a To-Go-Ware lunch kit!

To enter, like EcoTensil on Facebook and post your suggestion on their wall.

Get your audience to participate by posting the contest on your site. If the winner heard about the contest on your site, you will both win the prize!

The contest will run through January and winners will be announced in February.

Thank You to All of My Mother's Wedding Sponsors

2011-01-16T14:30:00.005-05:00

My mother's wedding yesterday was a beautiful and wonderful event.

We had a pretty good turn out even though the weather was terrible and a bad case of the flu has been going around.

And we had many, many compliments on the green wedding items and everyone wanted to know where everything came from- so we told them. Announcements were made and everyone was given this web address to find links to the merchandise.

So I want to give an extra special thanks to all the companies- and the people behind the companies- that sponsored this wedding with invitations, favors, plates, napkins, bowls, eating utensils, and accessories.

It is much appreciated and added an extra special touch to the wedding that did not go unnoticed.

Big thanks go out to:

Twisted Limb Paperworks who provided the gorgeous invitations

www.twistedlimbpaper.com

Sunflower Seed with Mini Pot Favors from Tree Beginnings

http://www.treebeginnings.com/

Plantable Butterfly Seeded Paper Favors from Tender Seed Company

http://www.tenderseedcompany.com/

Bamboo Plates, Cake Plates & Trays

from Bambu Home

www.bambuhome.com

Salad Bowls from Verterra

www.verterra.com

Eco Picnic Packs that contained plates, ecoware eating utensils and wysi wipes

www.ecowareproducts.com

www.canawipe.com

www.earthentrading.ca

Birchware Eating Utensils

www.Birchware.com

Napkins from Green Party Goods

www.greenpartygoods.com

My Mom's Wedding Flowers That I Made

2011-01-15T03:24:00.001-05:00

Today's the big day, my mom's wedding-

take a look at some of the flower bouquets and arrangements I made

The maid of honor bouquet

Boutonnieres for the guys

The bridal bouquet- these photos came out blurry but I will add more non blurry ones soon

The unity candle arrangement which will also serve double duty

as the centerpiece for the bridal table

I will be adding actual wedding photos very soon so you can see all the previous items

I've shown you- in use at the real green wedding

Organic Wine and Champagne for Your Wedding

2011-01-14T03:20:00.000-05:00

For Your Green Reception, Pop the Cork on Organic Wine and Champagne
By: Liberty Kontranowski

Unless you’re planning a dry wedding reception, you’re sure to encounter the issue of buying wine and champagne for your green wedding. And serving your guests organic wine and champagne means a host of good things for them, the planet and for others. Take a look at the benefits of serving organic bubbly at your wedding:

Rich and delicious flavor – Organic wine farmers cultivate rich soil, free of pesticides and other harmful toxins. When the fruit is planted in this superior soil, it is able to develop to its maximum natural potential and is therefore more flavorful, intense and pure. All of this makes for one amazing harvest of fruit, which then turns into one amazing batch of wine…and ultimately very happy wedding guests.

Poison-free – You wouldn’t dare set out a glass of anti-freeze for your guests to drink, would you? Of course not! So why would you serve wine or champagne that’s been contaminated by pesticides? Grapes continuously make the “Dirty Dozen” list of crops that are most heavily sprayed with pesticides. By serving organic wine, you eliminate spreading that risk to your guests. What’s more, you’re helping to support an organic farmer, his family and the planet by choosing organic beverages.

Less sulfites – Many people are highly sensitive to sulfites, which are salts or sulfurous acids added to many foods and beverages for preservation purposes. While limited amounts of sulfites occur naturally in wine, no added sulfites are allowed in 100% Certified Organic wines or beverages. By serving organic wine, your guests will surely thank you for eliminating the allergic reaction that sulfites cause in some people, along with the “sulfite headaches” that some experience.

One more thought: While most organically-grown items cost more than their traditionally-grown counterparts, organic wines tend to be priced approximately 20% less than similar vintages. So, with all the benefits of organic wines plus the cost savings at hand, why on Earth would a gorgeously green bride like you serve anything else? Our thoughts, exactly!

**

~Liberty Kontranowski is a freelance writer with hundreds of articles published online and in print, covering topics like health, parenting, lifestyle, beauty, celebrities and more. She is a regular contributor to the health blog at eDrugstore.md, a safe and secure medications facilitator.

Disposable Dinner & Cake Plates Plates from Bambuhome

2011-01-13T16:50:00.011-05:00

The buffet table at my mother's wedding featuring-

BambuHome Veneerware plates and trays, napkins from Green Party Goods and eating utensils from Birchware and EcoWare

If you can see the flat bowls on each side of the big salad bowl those awesome small bowls are from Verterra- they are made from leaves

http://bambuhome.com/shop/picnic-barbecue1/natural-disposables2/

For my mother's wedding one of styles of dinner plates we used were Bamboo Vennerware from BambuHome- they are "the original single-use bamboo collection of plates, sereeware and utensils."

All Occasion Veneerware® is the one and only single-use product made from 100% bamboo and Certified Organic.

All Occasion Veneerware® is ideal for meals at home, picnics, catered events, weddings, birthdays, conferences or almost any occasion. All Occasion Veneerware® is our answer to the paper plate.

See the shop

About BambuHome Veneerware

Certified Organic
FDA approved food-safe - No bleaches or dyes
After disposal, biodegrades in 4-6 months
Not recommended for the microwave
Intended for single use

We also used bambuhome's small bamboo VeneerWare plates for the cake plates and their gorgeous kiwi colored trays held eating utensils and napkins

Choosing a Green Wedding Dress

2011-01-13T13:11:00.001-05:00

Easy Steps to Choose a Green Wedding Dress

No, I’m not talking about a bright green wedding dress (although it’s your prerogative), but instead, choosing a dress that is eco-friendly and easy on the environment! Yes, it’s actually possible to find a gorgeous wedding gown with a minimal carbon footprint if you are savvy shopper that explores a few wedding dress options off of the beaten path. The greatest advantage to choosing an eco-friendly dress is benefiting the environment, but you will also be able to find a one-of-a-kind style that very few other brides will be wearing in 2011.

· Handmade: If you know a talented seamstress in your family or local community, having your wedding gown handmade from sustainable fabrics, like bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, or vintage fabrics, is the way to go. If you’re feeling crafty and are confident in your own skills, you can even design and create your own wedding gown from sustainable fabric choices. If you don’t know a dressmaker near you, you can also order a wedding dress made from sustainable materials through a designer on Etsy.com or similar websites. Again, the greatest advantage to going handmade is that you have an input into your wedding dress style, and you will come away with a gown that is 100% unique!

· Vintage: Vintage wedding gowns are an excellent choice since you will be recycling an old wedding dress and can also channel a classic style to make you even more beautiful on your big day. You can start by searching through local thrift stores, vintage stores, or consignment shops, and you can also check online on websites like eBay. If you do find a dress that doesn’t fit you exactly, that’s not a problem at all since wedding dresses can be easily altered. In fact, if you buy vintage, your wedding dress may be quite inexpensive, and you can spend the rest of your budget on alterations so that it is the perfect fit

· Designer: If you have the big bucks to spend on the wedding dress of your dreams, there are quite a few eco-friendly wedding designers popping up these days. Several years ago, it would have been very difficult to find top wedding gown designer using sustainable fabrics, but today, many notable designers use hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, and other vintage materials. Check out Leanne Marshall, Isodora Clothing, Poetic Justice Gowns, and Conscious Clothing to get you started on your quest for the perfect eco-friendly wedding gown.

As a bride planning your upcoming wedding, first of all, congratulations! This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your love as a couple and also be good to Mother Earth as you select the wedding dress of your dreams.

~Bethany Ramos is a professional wedding makeup artist and also works full-time at her website, The Coffee Bump.

For a great selection of the Bunn coffee maker, check out Bethany Ramos' website today!

Flower Girl Basket

2011-01-12T14:50:00.002-05:00

Here's the flower girl basket I decorated for my mom's wedding.

I found it at Goodwill for like .25

I cleaned it up, wrapped the handle with ribbon. then glued on beads and flower

I used a leaf to cover any telltale signs of glue and ribbon, I always like to cover my tracks

Here's the finsihed basket complete with leftover petals from my own wedding back in 2003 (yes I am a packrat when it comes to sentimental stuff and craft supplies)

My Mother's Real Green Wedding in Progress: Favors and Plates

2011-01-12T14:30:00.004-05:00

It's almost here- Saturday is the big day for my mom.

We're wrapping up all the fine details.

Friday we'll purchase the remaining food and Saturday morning I'll be cooking everything in crock pots and roaster pans.

My house currently looks like a wedding exploded in it. :-)

Here's some of the things I have lying around and in boxes:

These favors by The Tender Seed Company are gorgeous- plantable butterfly paper on a card with beads and directions for planting

(butterflies are my mom's favorite thing)

Then we received these great eco picnic packs that contain eco-freindly plates, ecoware utensils, and biodegradable Wysi Wipes

Wrapping the Eating Utensils

2011-01-10T15:34:00.002-05:00

Napkins from Green Party Goods

Utensils from Birchware

Wrapped Napkins

Hubby wrapping everything up

I put my husband to use over the weekend- he wrapped the Birchware eating utensils in forest friendly napkins from Green Party Goods.

Everything's eco.

I had a bag of rafia that we used to tie everyhing up instead of using plastic based curling ribbon.

The napkins from Green Party Goods are gorgeous, shades of ivoryand cream roses that match the wedding colors and the guestbook I found on ebay.

The napkins are also eco-

"The pulp comes from sustainable managed forestry from trees in Sweden and Finland. The pulp is oxygen bleached - no chlorine. The inks used are water based and kind to the skin. The cell wrapper is made from post- consumer waste that is formulated to burn without leaving a residue."

My Mom's Real Green Wedding

2011-01-02T14:47:00.003-05:00

So we're two weeks away from my mom's big day and we're still lacking napkins, cups, table cloths, a cake knife set, a guest book and a ring bearer's pillow.

I made the cake topper, working on the flower girl basket and will be doing the two bouquets (three counting the toss bouquet), boutonnieres, and the unity candle arrangement.

Yikes how am I going to do this all in less than two weeks plus go shopping for food?

Oh yeah, we also don't have a bridesmaid's dress or flower girl dress. It's kinda hard to find sage or lavender dresses in the middle of winter. Stores haven't exactly pulled out the Easter pastels yet.

Thankfully all the guys have their clothing picked out. (It's aways so easy for the guys).

We're going pretty casual- no tuxes or anything just shirts, ties and dress pants. The groom is wearing a nice suit.

I'll be posting photos soon of the works in progress and the unpacking and arranging of all the eco-goods we have.

This is fun and so very stressful. Any other time than the holidays and this would have been so much easier. Now I'm running around like a crazy person (even worse than usual :-)

A Few Innovative Ideas to Make Your Wedding Friendly to Mother Earth by Bethany Ramos

2010-12-29T14:29:00.002-05:00

More and more couples these days are becoming eco-conscious in their everyday decisions, which becomes even more important and relevant when planning a wedding. If you dream of a beautiful wedding to your Prince Charming that also benefits Mother Earth, here are a few ideas for inspiration:

• Invitations: It helps to look for recycled paper as material for your wedding invitations since we all know that a full-blown wedding invitation package can generate quite a lot of wasted paper, such as the save-the-date cards, invitations, RSVP cards, registry cards, envelopes, and more. Luckily, there are quite a few choices in recycled invitations that also have a beautiful and earthy look to them if you are going for a natural theme for your wedding.

• Flowers: Aren’t flowers natural already? That may not necessarily be the case since many beautiful wedding flowers are actually imported, causing them to have a serious carbon footprint. Unless the flowers are organic, they are also grown with chemical pesticides that pollute the environment. Your best choice in securing beautiful floral arrangements for your wedding is to choose organic flowers that are locally grown, or you can even pick some from your own garden for your bouquet or centerpieces!

• Rings: What’s the big deal with buying a beautiful engagement ring and wedding band? The truth is that the mining of gold and silver can actually destroy the land and surrounding ecosystems, but there are quite a few choices in environmentally friendly wedding bands. You can search specifically for eco-friendly gold and silver jewelry, which will give you a better idea of the ecological footprint made by your beautiful diamond ring.

• Honeymoon: The honeymoon is normally the one area where couples go crazy and spend quite a bit of money, but you can be the one to do it differently. There are numerous choices in eco-tourism getaways, where you can hike and enjoy areas of North America, which will also give you a great opportunity to stay fit through biking, hiking, and walking. Make sure to research honeymoons that are off of the beaten path so that you can minimize your carbon emissions by choosing a natural vacation over a cruise or huge resort.

• Food: The last thing that you can do to wrap up your complete environmentally friendly wedding package is to donate your extra food to a soup kitchen. This is a fantastic way to share the love by giving the decadent treats from your reception to those who are not as fortunate as you. This is a fun way to turn your wedding reception into a “feel good” event, and you can also take optional donations for the homeless shelter if you would like!

Bethany Ramos is a professional wedding makeup artist and also works full-time at her website, The Coffee Bump.

For a great selection of the Bodum french press coffee maker, check out Bethany Ramos' website today!

Real Green Weddings: Eating Utensils from Ecoware

2010-12-28T17:07:00.002-05:00

http://www.ecowareproducts.com/

Ecoware compostable birch wood cutlery info:

*compostable

*recyclable

*100% natural

*no additives, coatings, or other ingredients

*Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified birch wood

*cheaper than renting flatware/silverware

*unique and charming

*family run company

*Top 5 Best Eco-friendly Product in 2010

*Featured in New York Times

Real Green Wedding Favors from Tree Beginnings

2010-12-22T04:21:00.000-05:00

Check out these beautiful sunflower seed favors from Tree Beginnings.

The set comes with:

Sunflower seeds in packet (2 x 2") - hermetically sealed to preserve freshness

Personalized paper card (2 x 2 ") with sunflower graphic

Thank you message

Poem

Growing instructions

Terra Cotta Clay pot

Soil pellet,

Recycled paper brown (3 x 3") box

Your choice of raffia ribbon (oatmeal, yellow, pink, royal blue or forest green- we lucked out and got lavender to match the wedding colors)

Assembly required * video now available by email on how to assemble when order is placed.

Storage:

Seed needs to be stored in a cool (refrigerator), dry place to preserve the viability of the seed prior to assembly no more than 5 days prior to your event.

I think these cute little gift boxes will look very adorable lining the tables like a table runner straight down the middle of the long tables.

What do you think?

Real Green Wedding Invitations from Twisted Limb Paperworls

2010-12-21T16:06:00.006-05:00

Check out the gorgeous and so very eco invitations for my mom's wedding.

Aren't they beautiful?

They are from Twisted Limb Paperworks.

Twisted Limb creates handmade invitations from recycled paper.

Check out this description from their site:

Twisted Limb Paperworks is a carbon-neutral production art studio in Bloomington, Indiana. Here we sustainably create our colorful handmade 100% recycled paper using old colored office paper and grocery bags, recycled water, and inclusions of flowers, wildflower seeds, and grass from our lawn.

We received the foldover invitations in lavender and sagebrush.

They have a gorgeous assortment of colors.

Foldover invitation sample

Lavender and Sagebrush color samples

I am so in love with these invitations.

They make me wish I was getting married again.

Maybe the hubby and I have a vow renewal in our future :-)

Winter Wonderland Wedding Tips

2010-12-15T20:53:00.002-05:00

Winter Wedding Wonderland
Advice on how to heat up your winter wedding

The weather outside is frightful, but that doesn’t mean your wedding can’t be delightful. Simply Perfect by Melissa has great ideas to turn your wedding day into a winter wonderland. She offers her expert advice on all the essentials of wedding day planning and will help create a wedding that is sure to give you goose bumps.

Here are Melissa’s terrific tips

Décor:

Use oversized crystal vases to hold flowers- the crystal will mimic ice. Another option is to add handing crystals to centerpieces or your ceremony background to add some glimmer.

Candles, candles, and more candles. The winter is perfect for candlelight ambiance. It is warm, inviting, and wonderfully romantic…everything that is needed for a cold evening celebrating love.

Velvet…this is the perfect time of year to use velvet. Your table linens or even the aisle runner are the perfect place to use this lush fabric.

Attire:

Larger ball gowns made of satin are perfect this time of year. They are made of a heavier fabric that is not so good for the summer months. The sheen of satin and the glitz of crystal adornments is perfect for the winter bride.

Gowns with sleeves are also perfect for the winter and they are growing in popularity. For practical reasons, they add warmth…but they also lend themselves well to the season. Sleeves gowns come in a variety of shapes from ball gowns to sheathes.

Bridesmaids look great in deep plums, navy blues, silver/grays, or even doing a bridal party in whites or ivories. These dresses may also have sleeves for the season, or accessorized with fun faux furs or pashminas.

More for pictures…brides are wearing practical footwear when out in the snow taking their pictures. Choose a pair of warm boots to wear and they will add a fun touch to your pictures.

Stationary:

Use thick cardstock with letterpress writing.

Have the invitation etched on acrylic.

Beverages:

Create a signature drink for later in the evening.

Add a warm cocktail to the menu (Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps, Irish coffee).

About Simply Perfect:

Simply Perfect by Melissa works for and with their customers to deliver exceptional event coordination solutions. The customer focus helps them to understand and deliver your event vision. They offer exceptional service, value, extensive industry knowledge, and quality vendor relationships to create your Simply Perfect event. Their relationships with clients, colleagues, and partners are based on collaboration, communication and integrity. The services Simply Perfect by Melissa offers is a range from complete wedding planning months prior to your wedding day to sudden problems or challenges that occur the day of your wedding

Eco-Friendly Nail Polish from Soulstice Spa

2010-12-13T16:59:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for eco-friendly nail polish, either to make your beauty routine a little more green or to give for a gift, then be sure to check out Soulstice Nail Colour.

Soulstice nail colours are gorgeous, modern shades that offer long-lasting colour and shine.

They are 100% vegan and free of DBP, toluene & formaldehyde.

And they are made in the USA.

Here's a list of their shades

Hana - A sheer fairy dust.
Monaco - Delicate, sheer baby pink.
Odessa - Seashell pearl.
Kyoto - Cherry blossom pink with a sheer, silvery shimmer.
Vienna - A sheer lavender with a hint of golden shimmer.
Prague - A rich, honeyed peach.
Paris - A true pink rose.
Geneva - A glossy plum. Urban pop.
London - A vibrant, modern rose.
Rio - Sun-kissed coral shine.
Milan - A sophisticated red-bronze.
Madrid - A passionate red shine.
Buenos Aires - A sultry tango red-orange.
Hong Kong - A polished deep red with a touch of shimmer.
Rome - A classic brick red.
Cassis - Blackberry shine.
Tokyo - Deep plum-bronze.
Kiev - A rich, dark garnet.
Crete - A mythic metallic silver.
Gotham - Black noir.
Glass - A clear shine/topcoat treatment.

Here'a full list of ingredients:

Nail Colour Ingredients:Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Phthalic Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Adipic Acid/Fumaric Acid/Phthalic Acid/Tricyclodecane Dimethanol Copolymer, Citric Acid

May Contain:

Titanium dioxide, D&C Red #6 Barium Lake, D&C Red #7 Calcium Lake, D&C Red #34 Calcium Lake, FD&C Yellow #5 Aluminum Lake, D&C Yellow #10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #1 Aluminum Lake, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Red Iron Oxide, Black Iron Oxide, Guanine, Bismuth Oxychloride, Mica, D&C Violet #2, D&C Red #17, D&C Red #33, D&C Yellow #11, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Green #3, D&C Green #6, D&C Yellow #10, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate (and) Titanium Dioxide (and) Tin Oxides, Silica (and) Aluminum Powder (and) Iron Oxides, Aluminum Powder, Fragrance

I love that they offer full disclosure of ingredients while making sure that the worst chemicals like formaldehyde and toluene are out of their products.

I had the chance to try their product and I love it. The polish goes on smooth, doesn't stink and lasts a long time without chipping, peeling or fading.

I plan to invest in several more colours from their line.

If you're ready to green your beauty products then I highly recommend Soulstice Nail Colour.

Dermazone O-Plex Acne Treatment System

2010-12-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

The Dermazone O-PLEX Acne Treatment System is formulated with natural oregano oil and other natural ingredients to help fight acne without harsh chemicals.

There are three main products in the acne treatment system- the O-PLEX wash, the O-PLEX mist and the O-PLEX control. All three harness the power of natural oregano oil to fight acne. Dermazone calls their oregano oil

the Origanum complex. The Origanum complex helps inhibit P. acne bacteria while retexturing skin's surface. The O-PLEX mist and O-PLEX control both use Lyphazomes to deliver the Origanum complex for long lasting hydration.

In addition to the oregano oil (Origanum complex) the one or all of the O-PLEX products contain: tea tree oil, sweet orange oil, sweet marjoram oil, Egyptian geranium oil, and salicylic acid.

The O-PLEX wash is simple to use just dampen skin and rub in a circular motion over the entire face then rinse. This will help unclog pores and get rid of acne bacteria without drying skin.

The O-PLEX mist treats the skin. To use spray on a cotton pad and apply to face. You may feel a warming sensation. Don't worry it is supposed to do that- however if it becomes uncomfortable rinse with cool water.

The O-PLEX control is the skin lotion- this is to help treat and moisturize the skin.

Some people's skin may be sensitive to the natural oils. I apparently am.

I used it for a couple of days and it made my skin red and very uncomfortable. However my teenage son is able to use it and it has done wonders for his skin.

So it all depends on you and how your skin reacts to the essential oils

Keep reading here.

Unclog Drains Naturally with the Drain Claw

2010-12-11T09:28:00.000-05:00

Next time you have a clogged up sink skip the toxic chemicals and reach for The Drain Claw instead.

The Drain Claw is wire tool with a little brush like thing on the end. You can bend and twist the rod inside drains to capture hair and push away other clogs- naturally no harsh chemicals needed. This environmentally friendly claw was developed by a real estate agent so he could keep his bath drains open without using chemicals.

Since the number one culprit of clogged drains is hair this handy little claw is a simple solution. The claw is pushed into the drain, twisted and pulled back up- usually with the offensive hair ball attached. If you bend the tip slightly any other drain clog culprits will be pushed away and the clog cleared.

The Drain Claw can be used on bath sinks, kitchen sinks and bath tubs. Just don't use the claw after you've used toxic chemicals. Ditch the chemicals and just use the claw.

I have to admit when I received The Drain Claw for review I was skeptical. It just appeared to be too simple- as in so simple it wouldn't work. However my husband grabbed it and was immediately fascinated. Being a handy man type of guy he is much more aware of tools, gadgets and how they work. He was actually excited by it. So excited it disappeared from my grasp because he ran off to use it.

And it worked. Fabulously. He couldn't believe how easy it was to use and how effective it was for grabbing the hair balls and unclogging the drains. Needless to say all of our sinks and tubs are now draining effortlessly.

Keep reading here.

Planning a Wedding In Flint, MI

2010-12-10T13:53:00.004-05:00

Wow, I am in shock at how much things have changed in the past couple of years. I know the economy has really destroyed Flint but I hadn't realized how much.

It's been a few since years since I planned a wedding in the area- I've been focused on my writing career.

Now my mother is getting married and, of course, I'm her planner.

Well, there's almost nothing bridal related left here- at leats not in the phonebook or on the large wedding planning websites like The Knot.

All of the small bridal shops that used to be around here are gone- the two in Flushing, Nancy's in Grand Blanc (at least it isn't listed anywhere, I'll have to try calling if I can find the old number), and I think there was one in Clio or Mt Morris- either way they are gone too.

All the caterers and cake people are gone, too. The catering is being offered now by the restaurants in town- no more small independent caterers seem to be left.

Even the wedding supply store is gone- they used to sell wedding supplies and offer rentals of arches, fountains and things like that. All gone.

The phone book only lists David's Bridal and one bridal shop in Davison. Some wedding websites list other stores but I know many of them are gone. Most of the wedding websites have nothing.

I guess between the Internet stores and the bad economy everyone moved or just went out of business. It's very sad.

It also makes it very difficult to plan a local wedding when there are no local vendors.

So I'm searching the web for vendors, shops, and everything I need to plan a wedding in the Flint/Burton, Michigan area.

I thought it would be hard to plan a green wedding in Flint- turns out it is almost impossible to plan any wedding in Flint because there's nothing here.

Thankfully I am finding some wonderful green companies online who are willing to sponsor the wedding in exchange for advertising and promotion. I think it's a wonderful arrangement for all of us.

Twisted Limb Paperworks is providing beautiful, eco-friendly invitations and I believe the Tender Seed Company is providing the favors.

And we are receiving compostable cutlery from Birchware Wooden Utensils.

So we still need: plates, napkins, bowls, cups, tablecloths, decorations, a cake, catering (we are thinking about going DIY).

We also still need wedding attire for the bridesmaid, flower girl, ring bearer, and my oldest son who is walking my mom down the aisle. I'm not sure about the best man. I think the bride and groom decided on what they plan to wear- maybe (the bride is still wavering about the gown- and she still has to try it on).

I am making the floral bouquets, flower girl basket, ring bearer pillow, boutonnieres, and the cake topper.

I am also working on centerpiece ideas but my mother isn't sure if we can have open flame candles or not. So I am at a stand still until I know which way to go on that.

This is a lot to do in a month.

I just found out this week that she was getting married- on January 15.

I know YIKES. Talk about last minute.

But I am going full steam ahead to get this wedding planned and survive the holidays.

If anyone has any suggestions or would like to join in on being one of the fabulous green companies sponsoring this wedding please email me.

10 Ways to Cut Wedding Catering Costs

2010-12-10T09:25:00.000-05:00

The wedding reception is usually the most expensive aspect of the wedding. Catering can take up to whopping forty percent of your wedding budget. Here are ten easy ways to cut costs without much effort or stress.

1) First of all don't order too much. Try to get as accurate a head count as possible that way you don't end up with tons of leftovers that cost you a fortune.

2) Lighten up and be less formal. If you forgo the black tie extravaganza you also forgo the fancy price tag. You could save hundreds just by being less formal and cutting out the fancy extras.

3) Ask for discounts. You never know what they may offer if only you ask. See if you can save money by ordering a package deal. Some caterers offer discounts if you have a lot of children or senior citizen guests or if you are having your wedding on a weekday.

4) Plan your meal for the right time of day. Don't serve an extravagant dinner at a 2 PM reception. If you are having your wedding reception at an early or off time of day consider serving finger foods or just a light meal along with dessert. This could cut your food costs tremendously. Be sure to include on the invitation "cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception" or simple put "a light meal will be served".

5) Have your wedding on a Friday evening or on another off day. Saturdays are premium days and often cost more. Call around before setting the final date though just to make sure the price difference is worth it.

Continue reading here.

Get Blushing Bride Perfect Skin with the Mia Sonic

2010-12-09T09:22:00.000-05:00

The Mia by Clarisonic was created by the same person who invented the Sonicare toothbrush. The Clarisonic Mia is a professional quality skin care cleansing system that is portable- so it can go wherever you go.

The Mia cleanses, reduces pores, even fine lines and wrinkles will appear to be reduced with routine use.

The Mia is the perfect item to add to a bride's pre-wedding skin care regiment to insure she'll have blushing bride worthy skin on the big day.

I had the chance to give the Mia a try. I was skeptical. I've used other skin cleansing systems before. With their scratchy brushes, rotating heads that quickly break and batteries that constantly die.

The Mia isn't even in the same league as those cheap knock offs.

The bristles of Mia's brush are so soft they caress the skin without scratching and the sonic rotation is so gentle you barely notice it. But the results- they're amazing. There's nothing subtle about the way your skin will glow.

The Mia gentle removes dirt and oil from your pores helping to reduce the appearance of pores making them look like they have shrunk. This can help reduce break outs, get rid of oily patches and get the dry skin off your face. What you're left with is smooth, soft and glowing skin.

The Mia is so gentle it can be used on all skin types even skin with sensitive conditions like rosacea and acne.

The Mia is compact enough that it can travel with you. It has a charger you can easily plug in anywhere- no batteries to worry about changing. The Mia is also waterproof for easy cleaning.

I love that the Mia is waterproof but keeping the brush clean is important and you don't want to have to worry about frying your little machine. I did that to a cheap one, it got wet in the wrong places and never worked again.

Continue reading here.

Find Great Bridal Deals at RecycledBride.Com

2010-12-08T09:19:00.000-05:00

A one stop shopping destination for bridal deals and steals is RecycledBride.com.

Looking for a dress that's no longer in season? Looking for discounted votive candle holders or vases? How about surplus décor like tablecloths? You can find it at RecycledBride.com. Past brides, wedding vendors, event planners...anyone who has something bridal to sell may have items ready for the bride to be at RecycledBride.com.

This free site is designed similar to eBay but it's all about weddings. You'll find categories featuring: wedding dresses, jewelry, veils, ceremony items, décor and table wear, bridesmaids' items, Mother of the Bride dresses, grooms and groomsmen attire and accessories, shoes, wedding and engagement rings, gifts, paper and everything else.

From gently used to brand new items at a deep discount you can find anything and everything you could possibly need on Recycledbride.com.

Once the wedding is over and you have leftover items or gently used items you won't be needing anytime soon you can sell them on RecycledBride.com.

Being a relatively new site I wasn't expecting there to be much for sale on the site, boy was I wrong. It is jam packed full of fabulous wedding items. There's plenty of stuff for non-brides too especially if you're planning a big event like an open house, anniversary party or even a big birthday party. I found a few things I liked, like the wine bottle turned cheese tray- very nice. I also spotted a couple wine glass charms and wine bottle stoppers that I liked (all liste din the gifts section).

Just like eBay you can easily search, scroll through items from price or see the newest listings first. However unlike eBay there is no bidding. You do have to register for a free account and if you see something you like you have to contact the seller (personally I think this is a bit of an inconvenience, I like eBay and Etsy where you just click and buy). The good news is you can use PayPal which seems to be the number one easiest way to send and receive money online.

Continue reading this article here.

A Review of ThermaSkin Natural Facial Cleanser by Greensations

2010-12-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

The ThermaSkin foaming facial cleanser is a godsend for my troublesome skin. I swear my skin hates everything I use. If I use the wrong thing my skin breaks in a rash, turns red, breaks out in pimples, or gets so dry I feel like I'm going to crack. None of which are any fun.

I always have to try something new but I'm always afraid that the new product is going to make matters worse instead of better.

Then I came across ThermaSkin Foam Facial Cleanser. It is made with Capsaicin Pepper Extract and says that it is good for all skin types including oily skin, dry skin, and acne prone skin. I was doubtful but gave it a shot.

Wow. First of all I didn't break out. Better yet it cleared up the remnants of previous break outs. It didn't dry my skin out or make it too oily. Fabulous. A miracle in a little bottle. I am stocking up on this stuff. It is amazing to finally find something that really works. I have tried everything from drug store brands to the fancy expensive stuff in department stores. Even the things they advertise on TV. Nothing has worked for me- at least not for long.

Some products will clear me up then stop working after a week or so.

I've been using ThermaSkin for a couple of months now and it's still working.

ThermaSkin is not only great for acne and blemish prone skin but on the Greensations website it proclaims that ThermaSkin works well to clear up eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.

ThermaSkin Anti-Aging Soap™claims to be "like botox in a bottle". The anti-aging secret in this formula combines tiny doses of natural capsaicin with exotic botanicals that fix your skin through increased circulation and absorption. ThermaSkin is an all natural foaming soap. It instantly and naturally unclogs pores, tightens skin, reduces lines and replenishes elasticity and color to your skin. It will gently remove makeup, dirt, pollutants and oils. The self foaming formula contains no harmful foaming chemicals such as SLS or SLES that are used in many facial foam cleansers.

Keep reading here.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations from Greenvelope.Com

2010-12-07T21:15:00.001-05:00

Greenvelope.com offers distinct and unique electronic wedding invitations that look like the real thing. It's a personalized approach to electronic invitations.

Accounts are free- you can sign up, manage guest lists, contacts, multiple events, response cards and more.

A basic bronze package which includes save the date cards for you to send out is free.

A silver package is just $99 and it includes: save the date cards, invitations and response cards.

A gold package costs $149 and it includes: save the dates, invitations, response cards and thank you cards (all electronic).

For every package purchased, Greenvelope will donate $10 to Mountains to Sound, an environmentally conscious non-profit organization.

Soon customers will be able to choose between several charities they want Greenvelope to donate to.

I scanned through Greenvelope's portfolio of wedding invitations and I am very impressed at the classical wedding invitation designs. Most electronic invitation sites do not offer classic styles. Greenvelope offers classic, seasonal and signature wedding invitations styles to choose from.

How does it work? Visit www.greenvelope.com then sign up for a free account. Then create an event and start designing your invitation.

Continue reading by clicking here.

Holiday Advertising Special

2010-12-05T19:06:00.004-05:00

For a limited time only you can get 3 months of button banner ad space on Everything Green Weddings for only $20

That's 3 months of ad space for just $20

You can start your advertising now or reserve space for anytime in 2011

Email me to reserve your spot now

Super holiday special get 3 months of ad space here and 3 months of ad space at my other blog Creatively Green for just $35-

that's 3 months of ad space on 2 sites for only $35-

perfect for anyone who has an eco-friendly business, blog or product they'd like to advertise

Payment via PayPal must be made at the time of ad space reservation

This offer expires Dec 24, 2010

Giveaway: Video Save the Date from Storymix

2010-12-03T04:00:00.000-05:00

Video Save the Date - The Green Alternative

Video Save the Dates are popping up all over the internet. They are a great alternative to mailing postcards or magnets. They are a real 'green' solution, not only saving fuel and paper, but saving some green for your budget. For those couples who really want to be eco-friendly in their wedding planning it the best way to share your big news. Plus they are a much more personal and fun way to let everyone know your big news.

The majority of the ones seen online are really sophisticated and include things like stop action motion, animated graphics and other editing techniques. So what are you to do if you don't have the equipment, software, and skills of a Hollywood production team? Everything Green Weddings has found a great company, Storymix Media that offers a super cool and easy product to fulfill your Video Save the Date dreams. All you need to do is pick one of their fun themes and upload 15 photos and a short video greeting (just shoot it on your digital camera or Flip). Then you go to their simple to use Storyboard to add some titles and arrange everything in the order you want. Storymix will make a great video and add it to a private HD online gallery for you to share the link with anyone you plan on inviting. All for under $30, that's less than you'll spend on postage!

Learn more at: http://weddings.storymixmedia.com/video-save-the-date-green-eco-friendly-budget-save-money.html

Storymix has been generous to offer one lucky reader their Video Save the Date for free.

We'll pick a winner by December 17.

It will make a wonderful Christmas present for yourself.

Here's how to enter:

1. Become a follower of this blog

2. Follow us or Storymix on Facebook

3. Send out a Tweet mentioning @everythinggreen or @Storymix

Eco-Favors by Bethany Ramos

2010-12-02T11:59:00.000-05:00

Getting Married? Check Out The Latest Trends in Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors!

Is it possible to have the wedding of your dreams that is also eco-friendly? More and more brides and grooms these days are answering that question with a resounding “Yes!” As Americans are becoming more environmentally conscious, their wedding plans are following suit. The average wedding costs around $20,000, which normally puts a newlywed couple into debt right off the bat. However, if you start brainstorming and using these innovative green wedding favor ideas, not only will you be able to benefit the environment, but you may also save money at the same time!

• Tree Favors: For the tree-hugging couple, tree favors are an excellent wedding favor that your guests will be able to plant in honor of your wedding. Many companies now sell small tree seedlings that you can have decorated with the name of the bride and groom, as well as your wedding date. Otherwise, you may want to use pieces of actual bark or a branch to hold place cards, which will add a natural and rustic touch to your overall wedding theme, all the while recycling by using natural materials.

• Bamboo Favors: Bamboo wedding favors are another popular choice since they are firstly symbolic of good luck, and they also benefit the environment. You can give your guests decorative bamboo candle holders, bamboo coasters, or even small trinket boxes made from bamboo as a parting gift for attending your wedding!

• Seed Packet Favors: If you want a truly green and adorable favor to give out to all guests at your wedding, you can order personalized seed packets that have the name of the bride and groom and your wedding date so that guests can plant the seeds and watch them grow as your new love grows in your marriage. Perfectly symbolic and also perfectly green.

• Organic Chocolate Favors: If you don’t necessarily want to give out a little bit of nature as your wedding favors, you can give out organic and fair trade chocolate that is not only delicious but sustainably made. The chocolate packaging can again be embossed with the name of the bride and groom and wedding date so that each favor is perfectly personalized for your wedding day.

If you want to take it a step further, there are also eco-friendly favor tags and favor boxes that you can order, or you may want to order handmade favors from a website like Etsy.com. All it takes is a little bit of thought and creativity to make your wedding eco-friendly and also a little easier on your wallet!

Bethany Ramos is a wedding makeup artist and works full-time at her website, The Coffee Bump. For a great selection of commercial coffee brewers, check out Bethany Ramos' website today!

Planning Eco-Weddings with Brides.com

2010-11-16T15:17:00.000-05:00

Getting married isn’t just about champagne toasts and getting showered with gifts - you can do a little good at the same time. Brides.com shares eco-friendly tips – from choosing local vendors to purchasing conflict-free jewelry – that help make the world a better place while celebrating the Big Day.

How To Plan An Eco-Friendly Wedding: http://www.brides.com/wedding-answers-tools/basic-how-tos/2010/10/how-to-plan-an-eco-friendly-wedding

A few tips include:

Celebrate on the Gulf Coast: Hosting your celebration in an area that’s been impacted by the recent Gulf oil spill will give a needed boost to the local economy. Many of these coastal towns are home to modern resorts, charming hotels, and still pristine beaches.

Ask where your wedding gown is made: Many dresses are made in factories in China and Korea, where labor is cheap and human rights are easily compromised. Shopping local ensures the workers are protected – and, you won’t have to deal with the long process of shipping from abroad.

Give back through your registry: Today, couples can authorize contributions to charity through their registry. Organizations like the I Do Foundation ensure as much as 10 percent of the cost of registry items will be donated to a selected charity.

Use recycled paper: The dull gray look of recycled paper is a thing of the past. Plus, swapping 150 conventional invitations for those printed on 100-percent, post-consumer recycled paper saves 22 pounds of wood and 32 gallons of water.

Make Your Own Paper for Wedding Invitations by Gunter Jameson

2010-11-13T03:34:00.000-05:00

Make Your Own Paper for Wedding Invitations

Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean that your wedding initiations need to suffer. You can still have amazing wedding invitations if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do a little extra work. If you are the type of bride who wants to have a very personal or natural look and feel to your invitations, making your own paper for your invitation can be extremely rewarding and you can create one-of-a-kind masterpieces that reflect your unique personality and wedding. There are a number of paper making tutorials on the internet (here, here, and here are some good ones), but there are a number of things you can do to make your invitations special and unique after you paper is made.

Make your paper ink-ready

Making paper with your kids as a school project might be fun, but these are your wedding invitations we’re talking about! One of the things you want to make sure of when you blend the paper mixture is to add liquid starch (about 2 tablespoons according to your mixture), which can be found at local hobby stores. The starch will make your paper ink-ready, meaning that it will prevent the ink form a pen or stamps from bleeding into the paper, making the writing or designs indecipherable. If you have enough time, try adding different amounts of starch to achieve your desired effect.

Mix colors

The color of the paper you use, or the amount of ink that is already on the paper, you’ll come out with different shades. Experiment by mixing different colors of paper together to get unique colors and patterns. You may have thought you wanted pink, but that reddish-orange paper you just made is too cute not to use!

Include add-ins

Part of the reason for making your own paper is that you can put in add-ins like flower petals or leaves to add character and a natural feel to the paper you make for your invitations. You can also experiment with dyes or the juice from berries that will add different colors or scents to the paper you make.

Stamps and types

Once your paper has been created, you can go beyond simple hand lettering by purchasing printer’s type or stamps to create unique text designs and pictures on your invitation.

Velum overlays

If you’re not excited about the time it will take to write or stamp out every single invitation, you can use the popular presentation of printing the text of your invitation on a velum overlay then attaching it to the front of your invitation, adding depth to your invitation design with a layered look.

Making your own invitations can take a lot of work, but it can also be fun creating a design that is just right for you. Making your own paper for your invitations is a way to give them a unique, natural look and a personal touch.

Gunter Jameson writes about several topics including travel, minimalism and online classes.

Green Wedding Favors by Margo Smith

2010-11-12T15:31:00.000-05:00

Green Wedding Favor Ideas

If you are looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint and you are planning a wedding as well, you can find myriad ideas for making green favors for your special day. If money is no object, these items may be purchased, but for any looking to live the green lifestyle completely, this includes doing as much yourself as you possibly can. This is green because it reduces the need for machines to do the work for you and trucks to transport the goods to you.

One to Grow On

You can make paper that, when planted, yields a pretty flower patch. Start with recycled paper or paper products around your house that you would otherwise throw away. Junk mail, cardboard tubes from toilet paper, egg cartons (not the Styrofoam kind) are all good choices. You can use tissue paper too. Avoid papers with any gloss or sheen, as these do not break down well. Rip it into chunks about 2 inches or less and place these in your blender. Add warm water so that it covers these bits of paper. Blend this until it becomes pulpy and looks suspiciously like your Quaker oatmeal.

Now you can add the seeds. Just a note: choosing the seeds is easy – the smaller the better. You can select tiny flower seeds or even seeds for herbs, either works well. Carefully stir in your seeds and any flower petals you would like. You can also add an herb or spice for an extra special touch of fragrance. Just be sure not to blend those fragile seeds with those blender blades. Next, ladle the pulp into a towel-lined colander and allow it to drain. (The towel will keep your pulp and seeds in while letting the excess water drip out.)

The best way to drain this pulpy mix is to place a towel and a large piece of felt on your surface, spoon it out then spread it to your desired thickness. Allow it to dry completely overnight. Use flower-shaped cookie cutters to trace or free hand cut out flowers from this paper. Assemble these into tiny bouquets to match your own and present them as your favors. Be certain everyone knows they can plant these thoughtful gifts. Everyone will think of you and your special day each time they see their flower garden.

Life’s a Beach

If you are planning a beach-themed wedding, this next idea is for you. Gather shells from anywhere and everywhere. Choose the ones with a deep enough cavity that a tea light will fit well inside. Clean and dry the shells completely. Place tea lights inside the candles, then melt wax and pour around the tea light, making sure it is covered. To ensure that you are not using petroleum-based paraffin, select beeswax or wax made from soy or palm oil. Be sure your tea lights are also made from one of these types of wax. If you would like these to match your wedding colors, crayons can be peeled and added to the wax as you melt it to give you the ideal shade. (You can buy 100 percent recycled crayons, by the way.) Fragrance can also be purchased at your local craft store if you would like these to be perfectly scented. The tea lights then become your wick and allow your guests to think of the happy couple as they light these unique favors.

Planting Love

These next ideas are great for their sustainability and their simplicity. Your wedding favor can be a tiny plant, herb or flower. Present this in an itty bitty pot tied with a pretty bow that fits in with your wedding theme. Bulbs make for gifts that last too. Choose bulbs that grow well in the region where most of your guest live. Wrap each one up in a bit of a bag made from one from yet another eco-friendly product: unbleached muslin.

Remembering the earth while you are making your vows will add to your glow as a new bride. It will add to your smiles as you recall this special day because you know you thought ahead and gave eco-friendly gifts that will lastingly remind everyone of your growing love. So here’s to you and your spouse and to making a difference!

About the Author

Margo Smith is a graduate of Brigham Young University. She enjoys writing about a variety of subjects from weddings to online classes to skydiving. She draws from her own education, her years in college and an author’s perspective on life when compiling articles.

Do You Have an Eco-Friendly Products For a Green Holiday Gift Guide

2010-11-09T19:01:00.003-05:00

I am searching for green gift ideas for kids, teens and adults.

Do you have a great eco-friendly product that you'd like to have showcased?

This green product gift guide will be published on several blogs and websites.

Email me with your product or a product suggestion.

A Wedding Guestbook as Unique as the Couple

2010-11-06T19:19:00.002-04:00

If boring guest books filled with the basic lines for guests to add a quick note along with their name and address aren't your thing than you should check out The Guestbook Store.

From the very start you can customize the album to fit your taste and style. The covers come in many beautiful colors and designs that are sure to coordinate with just about any wedding theme or style from Crimson swirl to Black velvet to custom wedding whites like White Chocolate, Ivory sateen, and Champagne Sateen.

The Guestbook Store offers covers in baroque patterns, swirls, florals, roses, even a holly berry print for the holidays.

Once you pick out the cover of your choice then you choose your page designs. The Guestbook Store offers two wedding guest book page choices either formal or casual. The casual is cute with swirls and hearts while the formal is streamlined and elegant.A standard package guestbook which consists of twenty pages is $8. If you decide to add the bride and groom's name and customize the pages the package is $16 for each twenty page package. If you wish to have 40 pages the price would be $32 with each twenty pages being another $16.

Other add on pages include lined guest book pages, pages to display your wedding invitations, journaling pages, wedding reflection pages and gift receipt pages as well as create your own page add ons.

Keep reading here.

Green Halloween Costumes for the Spook-a-Look Halloween Photo Contest

2010-10-25T20:18:00.003-04:00

This was last year's foray into making sure my kids had "green" Halloween costumes.

The predator stalking the prey

My daughter's vampire costume was a creation made from clothes in my closet, an ebay cape, and a pair of vampire fangs she already had.

We dug through my closet and found a red skirt overlaid with black see through material, a long sleeved red top and a long sleeve black lace top that she put over the red shirt. She also snagged a pair of my black heels.

My little guy couldn't say trick or treat, he said "Twick or tweat"

My little guy wore a second hand costume that was big sister's. This cute little kitty was her favorite costume that she wore for years- right until she grew out of it.

Then she was still hesitant to part with it but now her little brother loves it.

This costume was probably one of the best ever purchased because it's made it through countless Halloweens and 2 kids and it's still as cute as ever.

My daughter vamped out in our closet creation

I am posting these photos as a contest entry for the “Spook-A-Look Halloween Photo Contest” sponsored by http://www.giveawayblogs.com and http://www.uprinting.com

Please leave a comment on this psot and help me win the Halloween Photo Contest

Create a Wedding Registry with CSN Stores

2010-10-25T12:26:00.003-04:00

Have you discovered CSN Stores?

They might be the perfect place for you to create an online wedding registry.

They have over 200 stores in the network which means they have over 1,000,000 millions products to choose from.

They have almost everything you could need for your newlywed home- outdoor furniture, bar stools, kitchen items, beds, end tables- you can even find the perfect dining room table for your post wedding house.

You can add items to your registry together at your leisure from the comfort of your home at any time day or night.

Wedding planning can get hectic but creating your registry doesn't have to be. Drop by CSNStores.com today to create your wedding registry.

2010-10-16T14:41:00.001-04:00

Bridal Flowers: Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Corsages showcases a huge selection of gorgeous bridal bouquets and maids' bouquets. Along with those beautiful designs you'll find stunning boutonniere designs for the gentlemen and fun ideas for hairpieces, corsages, baskets and spheres for flower girls and flower laden pillows for the ring bearers.

Bridal Flowers: Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Corsages displays the latest styles for wedding events organized by color and showcased in stunning full color photographs. You'll find quick tutorials for creating bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, tussie-mussies, and floral spheres for the flower girl.

Even if you don't plan on going DIY for your wedding flowers this book will give you ideas for exactly what you want in wedding flowerss. You can also consider a flower delivery service for your bouquet.

I highly recommend taking a copy of this book along with your to your floral appointment when you pick out your bridal flowers.I see so many new stunning styles that it makes me want to get married all over again- and coordinate my whole wedding around a couple of these designs.

Keep reading here.

A Review of The Natural Wedding: Ideas and Inspirations for a Stylish and Green Celebration by Louise Moon

2010-10-15T14:36:00.001-04:00

"Green is the new white for environmentally conscious couples".

Author Louise Moon, founder of EcoMoon, is a leading wedding planner in the UK and loves to focus on green weddings.

In her new book The Natural Wedding: Ideas and Inspirations for a Stylish and Green Celebration Louise Moon shows couples how to "green" their wedding day.

From thoughtful features that focus on organic and locally grown food for the reception to imaginative solutions that will make the entire event as low impact as possible, The Natural Wedding has great advice green couples need to make their big day naturally romantic, eco-conscientious, and stylishly sustainable.

The Natural Wedding: Ideas and Inspirations for a Stylish and Green Celebration demonstrates that green weddings can be more stylish than a traditional wedding with a little bit of thoughtfulness and green planning. All aspects of greening the wedding day are covered: natural beauty, tasty menus, the perfect location, eco-invitations, gorgeously green wedding attire, beautiful flowers, a perfect ceremony, the eco-reception, green gifts, even after the wedding Louise gives advice for greening the honeymoon and living an eco life after the honeymoon is over because being green doesn't stop at "I do".

Louise focuses on four main styles for natural-weddings: vintage, eco-chic, seasonal, and DIY (do it yourself). She takes these four style ideas and applies them to every area of the green wedding. You can mix and match to create your perfect day or follow her guidelines for one main theme to run throughout your eco-event.Vintage obviously focuses on styles from bygone eras from the reused vintage gown to heirloom jewelry. Vintage styles are for the bride and groom who love antiques and simple elegance.

Keep reading here.

Win a REVEAL Recycled Handbag

2010-10-02T16:58:00.003-04:00

Sexy and sustainable. That’s what you get with REVEAL’s eco-luxurious handbags.

These stylish new bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and transformed into micro-suede and satin. The bags also feature vegan friendly 100 per cent cruelty free leather and zippers made from recycled materials.

REVEAL is a truly innovative and sustainable handbag and accessories line. Their new line features eco-friendly handbags, wallets, messenger bags and bamboo accessories, all made with the highest-quality eco-friendly materials.

Today you have the chance to win a luxury REVEAL handbag. That’s right! Thanks to REVEAL CAGW is giving away one REVEAL Ivy wallet/handbag in ebony.

Go to Crafting a Green World to enter this contest

If you would like to shop REVEAL you can get 15% off your entire order by using discount code CRAFTGREEN15

Lulu Print Photo Book Review

2010-09-28T15:20:00.004-04:00

As promised I am now reviewing the print version of my photo book made at Lulu.com.

I was very pleased with the outcome of the digital copy and I am happy to say I am even more pleased with the print version.

The photo book is a high quality hardcover bound book with glossy pages.

The pages of the book look fabulous- the book came out wonderful. The photos all look good and are not blurry.

One minor issue- I wish the Lulu photo book editing program had a red eye removal tool. I'm used to editing photos within a program like when making a Shutterfly book- all the photo editing software is available while working on the book design.

With the Lulu photo book it is best to do all photo edits before uploading the photos for the book- something I didn't realize until after I was working on the book.

And I didn't really think about red eye until receiving the book in the mail and a few photos show very apparent red glowing eyes.

Other than the red eye issue I couldn't be more thrilled with this great book.

I plan to order a few more copies for myself and my mother (will make a great Christmas present I think)- this one copy is going to my boy so he has a collection of the photos from him growing up.

You can create your own photo book at Lulu by visiting http://www.lulu.com/publish/photo_books/?cid=us_home_nav_pbk

Halloween Photo Contest

2010-09-22T13:38:00.000-04:00

I entered the Upromise Halloween photo contest

http://community.upromise.com/t5/Click-for-Treats-Halloween-Photo/con-p/Click_for_Treats_Halloween_Photo_Contest/tab/most-recent

Predator Stalking the Prey

Cute Kitty

Please vote for my Cute Kitty and Predator Stalking the Prey photos

Privacy Policy

2010-09-16T16:03:00.001-04:00

I or my site do not personally collect any personal information about your or your online activities.

If you enter a contest and provide contact information I do not sell or release your information to any third parties (unless you win a prize then I give the sponsor the required information for them to ship you your prize).

However some of the advertisements that appear on Everything Green Weddings and More are delivered to you by national internet advertising and application companies such as Adify.

Adify utilizes certain technologies to deliver advertisements and marketing messages and to collect anonymous information about your visit to our site(s), including information about the banner ads they display, and cookie they place on your computer and your IP address.

To opt out of information collection by Adify, or to obtain information about the technologies they use or their own privacy policy, please visit their website at: http://www.adify.com/adify-opt-out-program http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp

Dazzling Bridal T-shirts

2010-09-15T17:01:00.004-04:00

JustJen.com has adorable t-shirts for the bride to be or the newly married.

You can also customize a t-shirt just for you- put anything you want on the shirt Just Married, Bride to Be, Future Mrs..... and so on.

For the green girls you can get you bridal bling on in organic cotton.

Just Jen's Organic cotton T Shirts are Made by: American Apparel
The Organic cotton t shirt is soft and made from natural cotton, without dyes or chemicals. The shirts are Available in natural color only. Made in the USA in a sweatshop-free work environment.

Just Jen's shirts run small so order a size or two larger than usual.

Visit http://www.justjen.com/ to design a shirt today

Ideas for an Autumn Harvest Wedding

2010-09-14T14:21:00.000-04:00

Is fall your favorite time of year?

Do you love the scent of crisp clean autumn air with the slight aroma of fallen leaves and bonfires that seems to linger?

Then planning a beautiful autumn harvest theme wedding would be perfect for you.

The colorful scenery and rich fall colors naturally create a colorful backdrop.In days gone by the Autumn harvest symbolized and celebrated prosperity and abundance-today you can still feel it in the air- fall festivals, abundant celebrations, the vivaciousness of life and joy everyone feels before having to settle down when winter returns.

Its a perfect time to start a new life together. For an earthy couple- the couple that enjoys gardening and the great outdoors- an autumn harvest theme wedding is a wonderful wedding theme that allows you to celebrate the things you love most- including each other.

Click here to keep reading.

Ideas for a Fun Halloween Theme Wedding

2010-09-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

Do you love Halloween?

Many people do. You'd be surprised at how many Halloween theme weddings actually take place every year.

Some people are just drawn to the darker side and want to celebrate that with a Halloween wedding.

A Halloween theme wedding does not necessarily have to be held on Halloween. It could be held the weekend before or after or as close to Halloween as possible.

There are many options when it comes to what kind of Halloween wedding to have.

You could have an elegant Halloween or Harvest theme wedding decorated in the abundantly rich colors of fall: deep reds, rustic golds, and pumpkin oranges along with black accents.

Use natural elements; pumpkins, gourds, squash and Indian corn for decorating. Another fun Halloween wedding option is a costume ball or masquerade.

The bride and groom could wear lavish costumes or ornate wedding attire while the guests are invited to wear costumes.

If that's not your thing host an all out spooktacular wedding event with all the Halloween trimmings: cauldrons, skeletons, ghosts, Jack-o-Lanterns, witches, coffins, vampires and more.

Keep reading my clicking here.

Extreme Weddings: Ripley's Believe it or Not Style

2010-08-28T13:48:00.000-04:00

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Enter If You Dare!

Ripley's Believe It or Not is known for showcasing all things wild, weird, crazy, extreme and flat out different.

Their newest Ripley's Believe it or Not book, Enter If You Dare, features the classic Ripley's material: wild people, crazy feats, and extremes of all sorts. It also features some interesting and extreme weddings that wedding lovers and trivia collectors will adore and regular people may just find to be plain weird.

Enter If You Dare mentions a sheep loving woman who made a wedding gown for herself and a waistcoat for the groom from her beloved sheep.

Not extreme enough yet? She even included the sheep in her wedding photos. Read more about this wooly wedding on page 28.

On page 29 you'll find that tens of thousands of Chinese people rushed to get married on 09/09/09 because to the Chinese the number nine is extremely good luck and they believe that marrying on this date would give them a long and happy marriage.

On page 54 you can learn about a frog wedding that took place in India to please the gods.

On page 75 read about a bear who played bestman at a wedding in Montana.

Want more wedding extremes?

Keep reading here.

Bridal Bling T-Shirts

2010-08-27T13:41:00.002-04:00

Brides-to-be are always on the lookout for something fun and unique- well here's a chance to add a little blingy fun while planning the big day.

JustJen.com creates custom t-shirts with rhinestone sparkle that say whatever you want them to- like "The Future Mrs...", "Bride to Be 10-30-10", "Bridesmaid 2010", "Mother of the Bride","Beware Bridezilla on the Loose" or anything else you'd like the shirt to say. And it'll all be spelled out in Swarovski rhinestone crystals.

You can choose t-shirt colors, styles(they even offer eco-friendly organic t-shirts), sizes and sayings- it's all up to you.

Grab a couple shirts for when you're out bridal shopping so everyone knows you're a bride to be. Make some special shirts for the bachelorette party or for your bridesmaids.In addition to t-shirts they have sweat pants and sweatshirts, hoodies, baseball caps, tank tops, panties, aprons, and bikini bottoms and tops.

You could create a custom wardrobe for your honeymoon with just married sparkle on t-shirts, sweats, even your bikini. Make sure everyone knows you're a new bride so you can get a true honeymoon experience.

Keep reading here.

A Review of Lulu's Photo Books

2010-08-18T14:41:00.003-04:00

A couple week's ago I wrote about Lulu's photo books- how you can create them with your wedding memories.

Well I decided to give them a try and make my own photo book. I created a memory book for my oldest son who graduated high school this year and starts college next month. I think a nice keepsake book of photos of him from his first 19 years would be a great (late) graduation gift for him. Plus I can always order extra copies for me, grandma and anyone else who may want a copy.

I've used a couple of other photo book design programs before- Snapfish and Shutterfly. I have found Shutterfly to be the most versatile and user friendly. Their software lets you easily design each individual page from layout to background color and style. That I really like.

Lulu's current program allows you to pick a theme then you can only change pages around within the theme- there are a certain number of page layouts that you can choose from but the color scheme and backgrounds stay on theme.

However the result is a beautiful uniform book where everything matches up perfectly- which I truly appreciate. Having a nice uniform look without thinking too hard or scrolling through hundreds of pages and layouts made the book easier and quicker to complete.

I can't wait to see the printed- finished product.

A couple great features of the Lulu photo books:

* The ability to easily add photos from your Flickr, Facebook, or Photobucket accounts

* You can sell the finished product and make a couple bucks off friends and family who may also like copies of the book

* If you don't want to design the book from cover to cover it has an autofill feature that takes all your uploaded photos and puts them in the book for you. Me I'm too controlling to let the program do that but for someone who wants a quick and easy book its the way to go.

* Several sizes to choose from along with many themes to pick from (I love the seasonal autumn backgrounds- I am going to have to make a Fall memories book next)

One downside I had with the Lulu program was several times the program froze and I couldn't upload photos- but that could be because of my internet. I have DSL- high speed but not super high speed so some programs do run slow. So I don't think it was a Lulu issue more of a connection issue.

Overall I am very pleased with my finished book. I'll let you know how it looks once I get my print copy.

Wash All Your Laudry for a Year for Just $32.95

2010-08-16T16:48:00.004-04:00

Laundry balls are a wonderful invention that can help you save a lot of money in the long run.Laundry balls get your clothes clean without using a bunch of expensive laundry soap. They help agitate the clothes for cleaner results without the harmful chemicals in chlorine based bleach and some harsh laundry detergents. Laundry balls also help your clothes last longer by keeping the clothes fresher and in shape.

The Robby Wash laundry ball is an exclusive worldwide patented laundry system that has been "tested, proven and guaranteed" to work. Designed in France the Robby Wash ball meets the strict compliance requirements of Europe and contains no phosphates or chlorine. The Robby Wash ball has received many safety certifications including those from REACH and RoHS. Each Robby Wash ball is made of durable ABS materials.

Well I received a Robby Wash ( love the name my youngest is Robby) laundry ball to try out at home and I must say it seems to work very well. I was honestly surprised.

I have never tried a laundry ball before because I had my doubts about their effectiveness. I decided to give it a try and tossed the ball in with a large load of laundry- some with stubborn stains that had already went through the wash once without coming out. The ball is super easy to use- you just toss it in with the laundry and it works in both top and front loading washing machines.

Keep reading my review here.

Learn more about Robby Wash here:

http://www.oransi.com/robby_wash_he_high_efficiency_laundry_detergent_s/37.htm

Top 11 robby wash ball benefits that delight:

http://www.oransi.com/why_robby_wash_hypoallergenic_baby_laundry_detergent_s/38.htm

Buy the Robby Wash Laundry Ball Here:

http://www.oransi.com/robby_wash_high_efficiency_wash_ball_s/39.htm

Folding Flipflops that are Eco-Friendly: Pocketflops

2010-07-30T13:10:00.002-04:00

Looking for eco-flipflops?

Then check out Pocketflops the newest addition to eco-footwear!

Pocketflops are a genius invention- not only are they made from recycled eco materials- they fold in half.

That's right these trendy flip flops fold in half- downwards so the dirty sole doesn't touch anything in your bag.

So convenient you can throw them in your purse or tote bag and have them when you want to kick off your heels and put on something a little more comfortable.

Convenient, eco and fabulous. What more could you ask for?

Learn more at http://www.flocdesigns.com/index2.php#/home/ and shop at http://shop.pocketflops.com/

Wedding Tiaras that Transform into Jewelry After the Wedding

2010-07-21T09:51:00.000-04:00

Let's face it, after the wedding where do those tiaras go? Mine sits on a shelf with my wedding photo and cake topper collecting dust. It's not like I have much use for wearing a tiara after the wedding. I don't know about you but I haven't come across too many events that warrant tiara wearing. What about you?

The convertible tiara truly is a genius idea. I would love to be able to wear my wedding tiara for special events like an anniversary dinner. I just don't want to wear it as a tiara anymore. Turning it into a bangle bracelet (also described as an evening cuff) would be fabulous. Reusable is big right now and anything wedding related that can be used or worn again after the wedding is very popular.

Here's a wedding tiara truly fit for a queen.

High end Italian jewelry designer Roberto Coin has created a wedding tiara that can be transformed into a bangle after the wedding. Now you do have to send the tiara back to the designer after the wedding so it can be refashioned into a bangle, it doesn't just bend by itself and tada become a bracelet.

Roberto Coin's idea is brilliant albeit a little pricey. These convertible tiaras are currently retailing for around $77, 000. The Tiara is part of the Roberto Coin Cento Collection that features the 100 Facet Cento Diamond. The tiara is made with 18K white gold and scalloped Cento diamonds with a 13.42 ctw.

So not only is it fit for a queen, you might have to be a queen to afford it.

Keep reading here.

Wedding Photo Books from Lulu.com

2010-07-20T21:54:00.000-04:00

Lulu.com, one of the leaders in the self-publishing book industry now offers new couples the opportunity to create wedding photo books for free.

You only pay for what you decide to buy and there's no minimum purchase required. You can buy one book or fifty books. It's up to you. You can even sell your photo books at the Lulu.com Marketplace and earn money. Just think of all your family and friends that may want a book filled with memories from your big day.

The photo books are easy to create.

To try it visit www.lulu.com/publish/photo_books/wedding_photo_book/.

Then you can choose which size book you would like to create: 8.5x11, 9x7, 8.5x8.5, 5.25x3.5 (set of 3), or 3.75x2.5 (set of 4).

Keep reading here.

Give the Perfect Wedding Gift from Alphabet Photography

2010-07-20T21:50:00.000-04:00

Are you looking for a truly unique wedding gift? Alphabet Photography offers beautiful photographs that you can use to create words. Any word you want - Love, Joy, Happiness, Eternity... any word that is special to the new couple would make a great wedding gift, including their last name.

The beautiful letter photographs offered by Alphabet® Photography are the work of photographer Jennifer Blakeley. Jennifer and her husband Sam operate the business together but Jennifer is the one behind the camera.

Jennifer's decision to create alphabet photographs were inspired by a children's book called "Alphabet City" published in 1999 by Stephen T. Johnson.

During 2006 and 2007 Jennifer spent a lot of time travelling throughout Canada to photograph a collection of photos that look like every letter of the English Alphabet. She has several images of every letter from A to Z.

What creativity it must take to look at objects and see not just the object or the architecture but to see letters in everyday life.

Do you see letters in fences, chairs, while strolling along through the park? I know I don't but I've never looked for them before. Jennifer set out with a vision to create something new and different and offer it to everyone.

Keep reading here

Wedding Webcasts

2010-07-18T13:24:00.000-04:00

The newest trend in the wedding industry is Internet broadcasts of your wedding live over the Internet with a wedding Webcast. You can reach all your friends and family that couldn’t actually make it to your wedding. By using Internet broadcasts of your wedding, you can have a destination wedding and still share it with all your friends and family. Can’t afford a big wedding, yet you still want everyone to share in your special day? Have a live wedding Webcast that everyone can attend.

If you are planning on having a videographer, or if you have a techie friend willing to help out, this can be a great upgrade. Prices for a live wedding Webcast usually range from $300 to $750. The service usually includes reservation of your Web space and broadcast time, as well as an archive of your Webcast for easy viewing for those who missed it or for you to download and burn copies to DVD.

The downside is you still have to provide all the equipment. You'll need a digital camera or a video camera that hooks up to a computer and high-speed Internet access, which means your wedding site has to have a broadband connection. Your guests will also need high-speed access to view the Webcast live. This can be a problem in rural areas or at remote and outdoor wedding sites.

For those who have the access and the tools, a wedding Webcast is the perfect solution to make sure everyone can be a part of your wedding day.

Bridal Shower Basics

2010-07-17T13:24:00.000-04:00

Folklore says the bridal shower originated when a poor Dutch maiden fell in love with an impoverished miller. Her friends showered her with gifts to replace the missing dowry.

Today bridal showers are thrown for brides to be in many cultures. It is a party that will traditionally outfit the home. Dishes, towels and kitchen appliances are often-suggested gifts, though today circumstances are different for each individual couple. That is where the bridal registry comes in handy. If the couple has a registry it is best to buy something from that instead of trying to pick out a gift on your own.

The bridal shower is usually hosted by the maid of honor, another bridesmaid or a combination of any or all of the female bridal party. Any female that is invited to the wedding should be invited to the bridal shower unless, of course, they live far away or you are throwing a type of shower for certain people only, like a workplace party. I

nvitations should be sent out a couple weeks before the shower and the bridal shower should be at least two weeks before the wedding.

Depending on the bride-to-be’s interests, hobbies and personal taste a theme shower might be fun. You could have casino night (play casino games), a book banquet (everyone brings a book for the bride to be), a garden party (everyone brings a plant, seeds or gardening supplies) or any other theme the bride may enjoy.

Another option is throwing a co-ed party. More and more couples want to skip tradition and enjoy all the fun pre-wedding planning, parties and showers together. Some fun ideas for co-ed bridal showers are a back yard barbeque, pool party, ski weekend, luau or a picnic.

Plan a menu ahead of time depending on the type of party you are having. Finger foods are usually best so the guests can walk around and mingle. If you are having a theme party, coordinate food with the theme. For example, if you are having a luau you could have a fruit tray and serve fancy frozen drinks or fruity smoothies.

Plan to have several games and prizes available for the winners.

When the bride opens her gifts, make sure someone records all the gifts and who they are from so she can send thank-you notes to everyone.

The bridal shower is a party to make the bride feel special and prepare her for the wedding.

Make sure she doesn't have to do any cleanup. Let her enjoy the day. She'll surely thank you for it.

Famous Love Quotes

2010-07-16T13:23:00.000-04:00

Whether you are looking for famous love quotes or special readings about love and marriage to include in your wedding ceremony or just looking for wonderful words of wisdom and inspiration to help you write you own wedding vows, this collection of quotes is sure to inspire heartfelt thoughts and feelings about the importance of love and your upcoming wedding.

The only true gift is a portion of yourself.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.
~George Sand

One must learn to love, and go through a good deal of suffering to get to it…and the journey is always towards the other soul…
~D.H. Lawrence

To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.
~ Karen Sunde

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.
~ Robert Frost

Love conquers all things....
~Virgil

To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another.
~Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz

Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.
~Jean Anouilh

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.
~Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Hearts are not had as a gift but hearts are earned….
~William Butler Yeats

Give all to love; Obey thy heart….
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The course of true love never did run smooth.
~William Shakespeare

The best proof of love is trust.
~Dr. Joyce Brothers

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life for which the first was made.
~Robert Browning

Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other.
~Euripides

In love the paradox occurs that two beings become one and yet remain two.
~Erich Fromm

What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.
~Leo Tolstoy

Motto for the bride and groom: We are a work in progress with a lifetime contract.
~Phyllis Koss

The development of a really good marriage is not a natural process. It is an achievement.
~David and Vera Mace

No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.
~Mark Twain

When love and skill work together expect a masterpiece.
~John Ruskin

Unique Wedding Venues in Michigan's Genesee County

2010-07-15T13:22:00.000-04:00

Are you planning a wedding in Michigan's Genesee County?

You have a wealth of wedding locations, reception sites and vendors to choose from. The area has hundreds of churches and many halls, banquet centers and country clubs.

There are several places that really stand out for what they offer, their service, the uniqueness of the area or just the beauty of the place.

Flushing's Glen Gables is predecorated for the most part and offers both a beautiful chapel and an elegant reception area that can be rented separately or together.

Another place that stands out is Crystal Gardens Banquet Hall and catering in Clio. They have an on-site wedding chapel and offer a complete, full-service banquet center including complete setup and cleanup, wait staff, decorating and more. Not many places offer everything in one convenient package. The convenience is worth the price here. Another full-service banquet facility is Davison's Stonegate Banquet Center.

If you are planning a small, intimate wedding, Angel House Victorian Manor may be just what you are looking for. Located in downtown Flint on South Grand Traverse, they offer wedding and reception packages for 40 or less in a beautiful, cozy, Victorian setting.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is a truly unique place to get married. On the outskirts of Genesee County, the permanent village of Hollygrove on Dixie Highway is where the festival is held every year on the weekends. It begins in mid-August and usually ends the third weekend of September. Every weekend has a different theme. They have wedding packages available that range from a simple wedding in public during the festival to a catered affair in the castle. Having a wedding at the festival would be a dream come true for anyone planning a medieval, renaissance, or fairy-tale theme wedding.

If you want a beautiful outdoor wedding, you should consider one of the Genesee county parks.

The natural beauty is there. Enjoy it. Using a park is often free or available with just a small donation. Check their rules for setting up anything in the park. They also have pavilions for rent.

If you are looking for a unique location to have a historical theme wedding, consider Crossroads Village, open Memorial Day through Labor Day and for special events. The 51-acre site has 34 historic structures and friendly folks in period attire that welcome you to the homes, mills and shops that date back to the 1800s. They have banquet facilities and offer wedding packages.

Want a wedding on the water? Check out the Genesee Belle, an old-fashioned paddlewheel riverboat that offers lunch and dinner cruises. It is also available for private rental and weddings.

Budget Wedding Tips

2010-07-14T13:21:00.000-04:00

To tighten your wedding budget, hold your wedding on a day other than Saturday.

Most wedding vendors (chapels, reception halls, caterers, sometimes even photographers and others) will offer cheaper rates for a Friday or Sunday wedding and even cheaper for a day in the middle of the week. Always ask what rates are offered for different days of the week.

Get married in an off month instead of a peak wedding month

May through September are peak months, October through April are off-peak months and prices are often cheaper because services during those months are in less demand.

If you are sending out invitations with reply cards, use postcards instead. Postage for postcards is cheaper than cards with envelopes.

Shop at department stores instead of Bridal shops for your bridesmaids' attire and flower-girl dress.

Check out clearance racks and shop during or right after holiday seasons. During the Christmas holidays you can find nice cocktail and semi-formal dresses for your bridesmaids cheaper than at a bridal shop. You can also find these dresses on clearance right after the holidays. Another good time to shop for dresses is during and right after prom season and homecoming. During Easter and right after you can find pretty little dresses that would work nicely as flower-girl dresses. If you are having a summer wedding, look for sundresses in soft, shimmery or sheer fabrics. Your bridesmaids will love you because they'll spend less money and have a dress they can wear again.

Always ask for discounts.

Most brides don’t ask or try to negotiate. A lot of vendors will work with you on prices, especially if you are in an area that has many competitors for the same services.

Borrow anything you can instead of buying or renting.

Borrow decorations like garden trellises and arches, vases and bowls to use for centerpieces for flowers or floating candles and mirrored tiles for centerpieces. Borrow anything you can. Instead of renting a limo, maybe a family member or friend has a nice ride like a classic car or muscle car that you can borrow.

Barter and trade services or products if you can.

When you deal with smaller, privately owned companies you can sometimes trade services. Say you are a seamstress or accountant. See if they’ll trade with you or at least give you a big discount if you provide them with something they want or need.

Enlist the help of friends and family.

Perhaps you have some talented relatives or friends: a floral designer, a computer expert, a budding DJ or photographer, someone who is crafty and creative. Enlist their help and services. Have someone crafty make your centerpieces and bouquets. Have the computer whiz design and print your invitations or make custom music CD’s for favors. Just see what they have to offer that can help you out.

Traditional Wedding Financial Resposibilities

2010-07-13T13:20:00.000-04:00

If you are starting to plan your wedding, you should have a budget set up well in advance. You also need to determine who pays for what. Every situation is a little bit different, but you and your future spouse should have an open conversation with your parents about your expectations and make adjustments accordingly. Not discussing a wedding’s costs can cause confusion and even arguments later on, especially when the bills arrive.

In general, it is important for the bride and groom’s families to come to terms with the wedding budget. Families may need to cap the number of guests who are invited, and the bride and groom may need to scale back on flower arrangements. The following lists can give you some rules to go by and to adjust as necessary:

What the Bride’s Family Traditonally Pays For

The engagement party
Engagement and wedding photography
Videography
Wedding invitations, announcements and postage
Bride’s dress and other wedding attire
Fees for the ceremony site and other ceremony costs, such as musicians or singers
Ceremony accessories, such as aisle runners
Transportation for the bridal party to the ceremony and reception
Entire cost of reception, including food, drinks, cake, music and decorations
Bouquets and corsages for the bride’s attendants, including the flower girl
Flowers
Their own wedding attire
A gift to the couple

What the Groom’s Family Traditionally Pays For

The rehearsal dinner
Their own wedding attire
Their own travel costs and housing
Wedding gift to the couple
What the Bride Pays For
A gift for the groom
The groom’s wedding ring
Her own hairstylist and makeup artist
Housing for out-of-town attendants
Presents for her attendants
Personal stationery and thank-you notes or cards
Wedding guest book, cake knife, ring bearer pillow and other accessories

What Either the Bride or Her Family Pay For

Bridal consultant services
Boutonnières for the fathers and grandfathers
Valet parking or parking attendants
Security arrangements
A party for the bridesmaids

What the Groom Traditionally Pays For

The bride’s engagement ring
The bride’s wedding ring
The honeymoon
A wedding gift for the bride
His own wedding attire
Marriage license and any other legal fees
Officiant’s fee
The bride’s bouquet
Flowers for both mothers
Boutonnières for himself and the male attendants
Corsage for the bride’s going-away outfit
Corsages for grandmothers and other honored female guests, such as godmothers or special aunts
Housing for his out-of-town attendants
Bachelor party if no one else pays for it

What the Bride’s Attendants or Parents of Child Attendants Pay For

Individual gifts for the couple or a joint gift from all
Their own attire and accessories
A shower and/or luncheon for the bride
Their own travel expenses

What the Groom’s Attendants or Parents of Child Attendants Pay For

Individual gifts for the couple or a joint gift from all
Their own wedding attire
Their own travel expenses
The bachelor party

What the Out-of-Town Guests Pay For

Their own transportation and lodging
A gift for the couple

Italian Wedding Traditions for the Modern Bride and Groom

2010-07-12T13:19:00.000-04:00

Several years ago I married an Italian-American man. His Italian heritage means a lot to him and although we were not having a traditional Catholic wedding, we did want to include some elements of traditional Italian wedding customs to honor his Italian heritage.

I performed some research on my own while he called his Dad to find out what we could use in our wedding. A few Italian customs may seem a little antiquated or not so easy to incorporate into a modern wedding.

Some are reserved for actual Italian weddings in Italy. Yet there are several customs and traditions that are quite easy to include in a modern wedding and reception.

Some traditions that almost all modern couples do without even thinking are attributed to the Italians. The wearing of a veil can be traced back to Italy (and throughout other regions of Europe as well) to conceal the bride and ward off evil spirits. Folklore claims it is very good luck for the veil to be torn.

Even diamond engagement rings can be traced back to medieval Italy. It was believed that diamonds were created out of the flames of love.

Other Italian customs that are easy to include in a modern wedding are:

A tradition from the southern regions of Italy has the bride and groom shatter a glass at the end of the wedding day. The number of pieces the glass shatters into symbolizes the number of happy years the couple will have together.

The groom should carry a piece of iron in his pocket (Toc Ferro) on the wedding day to ward off the evil eye (mal’occhio) and any other bad luck that might come along.

The bride should carry a satin bag (la borsa) at the reception in which guests place envelopes of money. This bag could also be used during the modern dollar dance to collect the money. The satin bag is a much better alternative than having the money pinned to the bride, which was done at my sister-in-law’s wedding. I refused to be a bridal pincushion.

Candy-covered almonds, also called confetti (bomboniera), are tied in mesh bags and tossed at the couple instead of rice or birdseed. Traditionally this was to ward off childlessness and symbolize the union of bitter and sweet. The number of confetti in each bag is very important. It should never be an even number, because that is bad luck. It should always be an odd number, preferably 5 or 7 which are each good luck numbers. If you don’t want to be hit with bags of almonds, a modern take on the confetti would be to give the bags away as favors. A little bag could be placed at each table setting.

Food is very important to the Italians and the wedding feast is no exception. Traditional wedding feasts are multicourse dinners, usually beginning with an antipasto salad and continuing on with soup, pasta, chicken and vegetables. A symbolic wedding food is twisted dough covered in powdered sugar (wanda). Traditional Italian candy is also usually served.

After the meal, cake is served with espresso and other coffees.

These are just a few of the traditional Italian wedding customs that can be included in your modern wedding.

Tech Tools for Wedding Planning

2010-07-11T13:19:00.000-04:00

Wedding planning is now going high-tech. Technology has wormed its way into the wedding planning industry. From save-the-date e-cards to live wedding Webcasts, the Internet and other computer technology is making wedding planning simpler, yet at the same time making it easier to reach out to more people.

It's easy to plan your wedding online. Most wedding vendors have Web sites that let you see what they have to offer and compare prices. You can buy anything and everything online, from invitations to your dress, favors, decorations and cake toppers. For-hard-to-find, unique and one-of-a-kind items, eBay is a wedding-planning wonderland.

You can also reach out to faraway family and friends via the Internet and keep them up to date on wedding planning happenings and goings on. You can send save-the-date e-mails and e-card announcements through evite.com. You can even send e-mail invitations, although many traditionalists frown on sending the actual invitation via e-mail. The newest tech tool for weddings is the live Webcast. Now all those faraway friends and family can still be a part of your wedding, even if they can't make it in person.

The internet also offers the ease of creating registries at online retailers. No more going to the store to pick out everything on your registry. Now you can create your wedding registry at 3 AM in your pajamas at any of hundreds of retailers. Your guests can also shop online to purchase your gifts and ship them right to your front door.

You can buy music online and create a personalized playlist for your ceremony or your wedding, which can save a fortune since you won't have to hire musicians or a disc jockey. After the wedding you can put your wedding videos on discs, along with still photos, and send them to friends and family. If you are really good with the computer or know someone that is, wedding video, still photos and music can be combined to make a really beautiful keepsake of your special day.

Another great tech tool for your wedding is the digital camera. Digital cameras take great still and moving photos that can be edited on a computer, printed at home, put on disk and shared with others. Having great photos and videos from your wedding no longer requires a photographer and videographer. You can have some friends and family that have good digital cameras take great photos and videos for you.

Other tech tools that can ease wedding planning include software that can help you plan and make checklists, seating charts, guest lists, budgets and menus. There are also other programs available that help you design and print customized invitations and other wedding stationery.

Once it took a lot of fancy, expensive equipment and someone well trained in using that equipment to create custom things for you, and it didn’t come cheap. Now designing and printing invitations and making custom CDs, photo CDs or movie DVDs is easy and relatively cheap if you have a computer and the software and accessories to do it.

How to Plan a Tuscan Theme Wedding

2010-07-10T13:18:00.000-04:00

If you or your fiancé are of Italian descent, a Tuscan theme wedding is an excellent way to pay homage to your Italian heritage. Even if you are not descended from the Tuscan region, a Tuscan theme or Italian Country theme is a very beautiful way to decorate for your wedding. Tuscan style is simple yet elegant. Tuscan themes incorporate food and nature and can turn your wedding into a very beautifully decorated event that will be memorable not only for you and your fiancé, but for everyone that attends.

A Tuscan theme wedding can be held in a garden, a vineyard or an Italian restaurant. Think grapes and wine and incorporate shades of greens and purples into your color scheme. For centerpieces you can use wine glasses or wine bottles, bowls of fruit, candles shaped like grapes, votive cups with grape designs or glass bottles filled with oils, vinegars, and herbs.

For other decorations you can have topiaries incorporating grape vines and grapes or sunflowers. You can embellish your garter, flower-girl basket and ring-bearer pillow with charms of wine bottles, grapes and wine glasses. Your flower-girl basket can be filled with grapes instead of flowers. Your guest book can have wine bottle and grape accents on it. You can wind grape vines around trellises and arbors, drape them in doorways or twist them around columns or poles.

Visit an import store or a store that specializes in Italian and Tuscan foods and try to purchase wines, olive oils, marmalades, jams and cheeses from the Tuscan region. You can use these as accents for your tables, or you can serve the specialties to your guests.

As an appetizer you could have a tray of cheese and fruit. For dinner serve Italian foods, including traditional Tuscan foods such as bruschetta with tomatoes, garlic and basil or serve breads with dipping oils and herbs. You could serve antipasto salad or panzanella, which is a salad made with bread soaked in olive oil. You can serve roasted chicken or pork with a variety of pastas. You could even have a variety of gourmet-style pizzas to please your pizza-loving guests.

For dessert you could serve traditional Italian desserts such as biscotti, cannoli, cheesecake, truffles or spumoni in addition to your wedding cake served alongside espresso or coffee.

To enhance the feel of your Tuscan theme wedding, you could have Italian music playing in the background. Find specific music styles or traditional songs from the Tuscan region.

You can also include some traditional Italian customs into your wedding.

Bomboniere, mesh bags filled with sugar-coated Jordan almonds, are traditionally given to guests as favors. Make sure to fill the bags with odd numbers of almonds; even numbers are considered to be bad luck. Five almonds symbolize love, fidelity, longevity, fertility and happiness.

Another custom is the buste; the bride carries a satin bag (la borsa), and guests place envelopes of money into the bag to help with the wedding expenses. At some Italian weddings the best man cuts the groom’s tie into pieces and sells the pieces to guests. The money raised is given to the newlywed couple.

Planning a Tuscan theme wedding is a wonderful way to have a beautiful, romantic and meaningful wedding day. If you love Italian culture and the simple elegance of Tuscan style, a Tuscan theme wedding is perfect for you.

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