A pioneer in eco-friendly bridal and wedding gowns, Adele Wechsler’s Eco Couture Collections are both inspiring and elegant!
Recently, she introduced her fourth collection of eco-friendly wedding gowns, which infuses fresh ideas into the already forward thinking Eco Couture Collection. New colors, lengths and price options make these dresses accessible to a wider group of brides. That’s great news as the green wedding movement continues to advance into the “mainstream” wedding world!!
What makes Adele Wechsler’s Eco Couture Collection a Greener Choice?
- Certified organic hemp/silk blends
- Vegetable dyed silks
- Remnant lace and fabrics
- Fair trade labor
- Hand-cut with many hand-sewn details
- Organic design elements
- Made in Canada
Inspired by colors in nature such as sandstone and desert, the newest Eco Couture Collection uses rich and luxurious earth mineral tones for a non-traditional, yet completely gorgeous look.
Last week, one of my brides ordered this lovely “Bucket of Love” filled with wedding seed favors that grow wildflowers when planted. Instead of using them as eco-friendly wedding favors, she’s using them as escort cards. How creative! She inspired me to provide some more ideas on wedding favors that could be used as eco-friendly escort “cards” (none of them are traditional cards!). Enjoy & please share your ideas with us!
Escort “Card” Ideas
Recycled Wood Circles-Made from reclaimed cherry tree branches (no trees were harmed in the making of these conversation starters!)
100% Beeswax Candle Tapers-Add a piece of raffia and a tag with the guest’s name and table number. A favor and escort card all in one!
Handmade Birdseed favor in shape of heart. Write guest’s table number on the tag it comes with. Another favor and escort piece all in one!
Beautiful & earth friendly! Your guests will love these butterfly escort cards . . . they can plant them to grow wildflowers.
Talk about love in full bloom! This “”flower pot” seed packet can be personalized, & also used as an escort card with space to write name/table #s.
Brides Magazine lists 5 things to know about escort cards:
1. Often confused with placecards, escort cards indicate the guests’ table assignments (placecards are found on the tables and tell the guests where to sit).
2. They are often called “table-assignment cards” or “seating cards”
3. Arrange the cards in alphabetical order of the guests last name. Position them near the entrance (but not the door) where guests can approach them on all sides.
4. For a couple, you can use one escort card assuming they will sit together; otherwise, write a card for each guest.
5. Use titles at formal affairs (Mr., Dr. John Smith). For casual weddings, you can go with first and last names only (John Smith).
For many eco-conscious couples, green wedding planning doesn’t end with the reception! More couples are seeking eco-friendly and philanthropic honeymoons. Our friends at Green Bride Guide and Elevate Destinations are working together to help honeymooners make a difference.
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”
According to Kate L. Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide and founder of the leading green wedding website www.greenbrideguide.com, “Many couples are not aware of the impact traditional tourism has on local communities and the environment. With most packaged trips, 80% of the revenue goes to airlines, hotels, and international companies, but through Elevate Destination we are able to offer couples amazing alternatives.”
These custom designed trips provide couples with the opportunity to better understand the environmental, socio-cultural and economic needs of the countries they visit.
- Every trip is carbon offset, to neutralize the impact of travel on the earth
- 5% of the net cost of every trip is donated to NGOs working on conservation and community development projects in the destination country
- Couples stay at eco-hotels and lodges that also give back to the community
I was thrilled to learn that couples can also add community service to their adventures, such as teaching, volunteering at an orphanage, or assisting with species preservation. What an amazing way to start your new marriage!
If you’re looking for a beautiful way to green your wedding, start with your flowers! We asked Erin Benzakein of Floret, an eco-lovely organic flower farm in Seattle, to share her tips for making eco-friendly wedding flower choices.
Buy Local
Erin tells us that buying your wedding flowers locally is a good idea . . . “The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers is a wonderful organization with members in nearly every state. You can visit their site to find a grower in your area. Most florists will happily accommodate your request to use local product.”
Ask for Seasonal Flowers
Erin says, “By choosing flowers that are in season you can avoid having to import blooms from far off lands. In my garden we have a stunning focal flower blooming every month of the wedding season! These lead flowers, when combined with foliage and other seasonal blooms can create lush, vibrant bouquets.”
All the beautiful flower photos in this post are courtesy of Floret.
Seasonal Ideas!
- March: fragrant Narcissus, Muscari and Anemones
- April: Tulips, Ranunculus, Anemones, Columbine
- May: Lily of the Valley, Alliums, Tulips, Ranunculus, Peonies, Lilacs, antique Roses, Callas (large white)
- June: Roses, Lilies, Callas (large white and small colored), Sweet Peas, Snapdragons
- July: Lilies, Sweet Peas, Sunflowers, Dahlias, Callas (small colored) Zinnias, Hydrangeas (blue) Lisianthus
- August: Dahlias, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Tuberoses, Hydrangeas(blue and purple), Lilies
- September: Pee Gee and antique Hydrangeas, Dahlias, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Lilies, Snowberries
- October: Sunflowers, Dahlias, ornamental Peppers, Chrysanthemums, Lilies
I LOVE outdoor weddings! After all, my husband and I said “I Do” outside on a beautiful November afternoon in Florida under the hanging moss of gorgeous oak trees in a charming little garden. I wouldn’t have changed anything about that day!
Did you know that outdoor weddings are more eco-friendly? The natural light source saves energy, and gentle breezes provide the “air” conditioning. Plus, there are wonderfully creative ways to add “green” details to any outdoor wedding. . . like these!
Eco-friendly tree branch placecards or table number holders are made with fallen, reclaimed tree branches.
Green Hint: use soy or beeswax candles in your centerpieces!
Birdseed wedding favor is made from organic all-natural birdseed that your guests can hang in their backyard and watch the birds enjoy a special treat.
These beautiful all-natural moss decorations are covered in real moss. Eco-perfect for outdoor affairs!
In full eco-bloom! Organic EarthBloom favors are embedded with seeds (your choice of wildflowers or herbs). A guest favorite-easy to plant and grow flowers or herbs.
Talk about eco-cute! Made by Scout Books in Oregon, these adorable pocket-size notepads are made with 100% recycled paper, soy inks and using renewable energy. You can custom design the artwork to match your wedding theme and invitations, give as a useful & unique favor, or even create a fun “city guide” for out-of-town guests. The possibilities are endless!
All the beautiful photos in this post are courtesy of The Decisive Moment
When I heard about this eco-fabulous event, I had to share it with you! Save the date for an afternoon of eco-wonderful ideas and inspiration on planning a greener wedding. Atlanta’s most distinctive wedding professionals will share their tips for creating an eco-elegant affair!
Save the Date!
Sunday, July 11th, 1:30-4:00pm
The Atlanta Wedding Loft
533 W. Howard Street
Decatur GA 30030
RSVP Here
Sun in My Belly Catering will demonstrate how a combination of locally grown produce, and organic spices can satisfy the taste buds of any eco-conscious bride!
Did you know that even your bar choices could reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint? Highland Wine and Crystal will showcase champagnes and wines that use only the best quality organically grown grapes, and lighter more sustainable glass bottles.
The brilliant florists at Tulip will showcase artfully created arrangements made from locally grown flowers. Whether you are leaning toward a vintage inspired look or a classic southern wedding, express your style in an eco-friendly way.
Other eco-lovely vendors include Susan Graham Signature Events, Atlanta Gourmet Cookie, and Wow Photobooth. Best of all, the proceeds from this fine event will benefit a local green initiative—Trees Atlanta—celebrating 25 years of protecting & improving Atlanta’s urban forest by planting, conserving & educating. Now, that is truly eco-fabulous!
Custom Heart Shape Engagement Ring
When I discovered MiaDonna & Company, I was thrilled to learn of a diamond alternative to conflict stones, along with eco-friendly wedding jewelry that can truly make a difference for the earth and humanity.
Hand-crafted in the USA with recycled gold and simulated diamonds, MiaDonna’s conflict free engagement rings and eco-friendly wedding ring sets provide an affordable, beautiful and ethical alternative for today’s eco-conscious couples.
The O'Hara
The Megan
The MiaDonna Hybrid Diamond®: Mother Nature’s Best Friend
MiaDonna’s Simulated Diamond Hybrid® is a spectacular man-made diamond alternative that provides natural-looking brilliance for a simply beautiful wedding ring. And best of all, it’s 100% conflict-free and doesn’t take away from the earth’s natural resources.
Interesting fact: Each one carat MiaDonna Diamond Hybrid® sold in place of an earth-mined equivalent prevents up to 250 tons of ore being extracted from the earth.
The Kaden
Custom Katherine Heigl replica
Shining a Green Light on Wedding Jewelry
MiaDonna lives by a set of green principles that are impressive and inspiring for couples seeking an ethical and eco-friendly alternative for their wedding jewelry.
Below are just some highlights . . . read their full green commitment here.
- Every setting is created using recycled solid 14K and 18K gold, Pure 950 palladium or Pure 950 Platinum which reduces the harmful effects associated in the mining of these natural resources
- Uses eco-friendly packaging — paperless gift bags
- Offices are 95% effective in reusing, recycling and minimizing the potential power and natural resources a traditional office would use (head office is powered by wind energy)
- Recycles the water used in production of the jewelry
- Contributes to carbon offset shipping program, which means every order they ship helps to rebuild forests
There’s more! MiaDonna also created a foundation called “The Greener Diamond” that works with humanitarian organizations and celebrities to help communities that have been devastated by the unethical harvesting of precious natural resources.
Kadence Wedding Set
The Susan Wedding Set
Doesn’t it make sense to celebrate the start of your life together with an engagement and wedding ring set that not only symbolizes your eternal love, but also a safer, greener, better world?
Brilliant, indeed!
Each week I bring you eco-wedding ideas that I hope inspire and educate you on planning a greener wedding. Today, I hope to enlighten you with a quick education on paraffin candles, and introduce a new candle alternative that is both eco-friendly and affordable.
Paraffin is a petroleum by-product from oil refineries, and studies have shown the fumes from paraffin candles can be toxic (according to the EPA and USDA). Unfortunately, most cheap paraffin candles are made in Chinese sweatshops without environmental or labor regulations. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to consider some other alternatives for your wedding candles.
Until now, non-toxic alternatives to paraffin candles have been more expensive and often cost-prohibitive to use at weddings. That’s why we are so excited about our newest collection of natural wedding candles made from sustainably-sourced palm wax.
These beautiful candles are made with sustainably produced palm oil through Green Palm, an organization committed to tackling the environmental issues associated with the palm industry.
Why we love these eco-candles!
- 100% palm wax candles contain no paraffin , other petroleum products, or any additives
- Clean-burning palm wax candles are made from a renewable resource-the palm fruit, which is the most efficient oil-producing crop in the world
- Recycled packaging printed with soy-based inks
- 100% cotton wicks that contain no lead, zinc or other metals
- Supplier is member of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm (RSPO) and pays a premium for sustainably produces palm oil through GreenPalm
- Supplier provides clean and safe working environment, fair wages and health insurance for workers in Malaysian facility
- Supplier contributes to 1% For The Planet, a U.S. non-profit that oversees the distribution of millions of dollars to other approved non-profit organizations around the world
Celebrating Love with a Greener Glow . . . What Could be More Beautiful!
Leave it to our eco-fabulous friends at Green Bride Guide to create a green wedding registry that offers hundreds of beautiful, stylish and eco-friendly gifts: Green Bride Guide Green Wedding Gift Shop & Registry
From non-toxic cookware and recycled wine glasses to earth-friendly fine china and organic cotton textiles, the shop is overflowing with eco-lovely goodies.
Did we mention they’re beautiful?
Kate L. Harrison, Founder and CEO of the Green Bride Guide tells us “Our new website offers couples the opportunity to use their wedding registry to support environmentally-conscious businesses. We offer hundreds of pre-screened environmentally responsible and affordable choices couples can feel good about adding to their wish list, without sacrificing style or quality.”
I absolutely love how the products are organized! You can shop by:
- Country of origin—choose to support fairly paid artisans from around the globe
- State, if the products are Made in the USA —register for gifts that are made closer to home, which decreases the carbon emissions produced during transport
- Eco-strategy information –see only handmade or ethically sourced products
- Certifications—search quickly for goods produced under specific labels, like USDA Organic
As if you need another reason to love this green gift shop . . . it is the first green wedding registry to offer free carbon-neutral shipping. That means the Green Bride Guide is helping to minimize the environmental impact of the transportation process by purchasing carbon offsets from its partner, Brighter Planet.
Bravo!!
