Going Green- Favors

It might seem like eco-friendly favors make more of a statement than a difference.  But, don’t underestimate the difference a small choice can make.  Not only do they serve as reminders to your guests to make their own choices mindful ones, but they also encourage favor manufacturers to choose wisely.

You can find a number of options for “green favors” but here are a few of our favorites. 

Natural Bees Wax Candles

and

Bamboo Coasters

Going Green- Rice Alternatives

The tradition of throwing rice at end of a wedding is a traditional symbol of celebration, abundance and (of course) fertility.  But, as you probably know rice isn’t super friendly to birds and small animals.  So consider some of these alternatives:

Bubbles- These are becoming VERY popular, tie a ribbon around them and they can be a favor as well… but they can feel a bit cliché. 

You can also use special wedding rice that is formulated to dissolve with water, and is harmless to wildlife.

But, for a unique and romantic touch, consider lavender buds, or lavender “rice” it can be bought in bulk and portioned out into bags or favor cones.  Not only is it  beautiful, and biodegradable, but it releases a sweet scent when crushed underfoot.

Going Green- Invitations

In honor of Earth Day, this Thursday, I’ll be writing about eco-friendly party planning all week-long.  Today, it’s invitations. 

There are a number of “green” options for invitations, including recycled paper and soy inks.  But my favs come from our friends at Lucky Onion- check out their green initiatives which include shipping in ”gently used” boxes, and donating overstock overages to the art departments of their local schools. 

Once you are thoroughly impressed with Lucky Onions philosophy,  check out the line of seeded invitations they offer.  You can plant the whole invitation right in your yard, and enjoy a wild flower patch in honor of your event.  Now THAT is green!

Flowers For April Showers

…or weddings, or banquets… you get my point.  While it’s true that most flowers are available year round, you will pay a premium for flowers out of season… and usually they are flown in from the other side of the equator. 

Unless you have your heart set, picking flowers “in season” is an easy way to trim your budget… and save on fossil fuels too.

Here are some flowers blooming now in most parts of the country:

Daffodil- yellow and cheery.

Star Gazer Lily- substantial white blooms with touches of red and pink

Anenome- blue, pink, red & white

Ranunculus- white, pink, red, orange and yellow

Sweetpea- white, pink, coral, and lavender

Tulip- a rainbow including white, pink, yellow, red, and purple

Whats The 4-1-1?

Planning a wedding, or other major event, makes you a prime target for information overload.  Watch out, too much information and too many different ideas can leave your event feeling schizophrenic.  Story or “Mood” boards can help you organize your thoughts and create a cohesive event. 

Start by cutting out pictures from magazines and printing ideas you see on-line.

Sift through the pictures you find to focus on specific details, such as a favorite centerpiece, or a color scheme. 

Lay out your detail selections on a piece of poster board or foam core- seeing all the elements of your event together will help you edit yourself. 

Refer to your mood board regularly as you plan your event, it will keep you focused on your theme.

Unveiled- Bridal Veil Trends for 2010

Any little girl who walked around with a pillow case on her head will
tell you- nothing feels as special as a bridal veil.  Although they had
fallen out of favor with modern brides, trying to shake off convention,
2010 bridal fashions are bringing the veil back with vengeance.

Bridal designers sent some exciting veil options (and alternatives) down
the catwalk at the 2010 fashion shows, including a line of colored
veils from Illusions Bridal

Cocktail hats; with and without veils

and headbands

But the top trend for fashion forward brides? The birdcage veil.
These vintage inspired short veils have been popping up on red carpets,
it was just matter of time before they made their way down the aisle.

Street Fair Party Planning

I’m all for repurposing fav flea market finds…  in that spirit here is the first of my “Street Fair Party Planning” tip… (there will be more!)

Spice up your seating arrangements by using snap shut coin purses to  hold place cards.  They do double duty as party favors.  

Post-Easter Basketry

Whether or not you celebrate Easter, shake off your sugar coma and check
out these creative uses for your old baskets.

1. Silverware Caddy: dress up the front of your buffet line by wrapping
utensils in brightly colored napkins and stuffing them in a basket.

2. Centerpieces: tuck a bowl with a block of florists foam into a
basket, and have at it… or fill them with seasonal fruits.  I love
these apple filled centerpieces and the smaller baskets of cherries as favors.

image from Martha Stewart Weddings

3. Hold wedding programs: or paper fans, favors… anything you
want to make readily available to guests

4. Flower girl baskets: add some ribbon to dress them up, or keep
it natural for simple charm.

5. Guest book Redux: skip the guest book and have your friends and family
write messages and place them in a basket.  You will cherish the
personal wishes.

Purse Parties

Ok- not the kind where you get a “Fendi” clutch for $45, but fun, and totally girly all the same.  Make your next all girl get together extra special with invitations like these

from InvitationBox.com

and fun favors available here:

Wedding Guests Sound Off

Wedding season is right around the corner and, in preparation, Better
Homes & Gardens has compiled a list of the four biggest complaints of
wedding guests.  It’s true, when planning your wedding, you can do (more
or less) whatever you want… BUT remember that your wedding guests are
just that, guests.  And while it is your day, it’s always best to make
your guests feel welcome.

1) A CASH BAR.  An open bar can be the fastest way to blow your wedding
budget.  But, not every guest shows up prepared for a cash bar.  (Not to
mention that, in most cases, people have traveled and brought a gift…)
There are middle of the road alternatives to a cash bar: offer beer and
wine only, with a cash option for call drinks.  Or, offer a hosted bar for a
designated “cocktail hour”.  Better yet, be trendy and create one or two complimentary a signature cocktails.

2) RUNNING OUT OF THE BEST ENTREE.   Or food in general…  In all
likelihood, you will have guests show up who have not RSVP’d.  You may
even have guests show up who weren’t invited.  Unfortunately, it’s not
usually the uninvited guests who aren’t served, it will be one of your
nearest and dearest who has graciously waited their turn in the buffet
line.  There ways to combat this- a good caterer will have 5-10% extra
food prepared regardless of sit-down or buffet meal (look for this in
your contract.)  This allows for uninvited guests, larger than average
servings and last minutes changes to entrée selection.  You can also
have a sit down dinner with pre-selected meals.  No RSVP= no
entrée selected.  Also, be honest with your caterer, they are there to help
you.  Give the full head count and don’t try to cut costs by assuming your
confirmed guests won’t really all come.  And don’t forget to feed your
vendors.

3) UNHEALTHY FOOD. Low fat, low carb, vegan, raw, gluten-free … there
are hundreds of dietary option out there and you cannot and should not
be required to cater to them all.  Be aware of your guest list: if your
future Mother-In-Law was raised Kosher, a crab feed might not be the way
to go.  Also, be conscious of serious allergies: nuts, shellfish, etc.
Otherwise,  offer a vegetarian option, be sure there is a green salad and if possible a lean meat and your guest will have little to complain about.

4) WAITING. If something doesn’t go according to plan and you get
off-schedule, you don’t want your guests to get bored.  To make sure
they don’t, give them something to do, something to eat, or something to
drink at all times.

Got a wedding beef?  Share your comments and keep future brides from committing the same faux pas.