For all the green brides-to-be out there, we are excited to bring you an exclusive preview of a new eco-luxury bridal jewelry collection launching in November. Designed by Green Diva, known for sustainable and stylish jewelry, this is the first truly earth-friendly custom formal bridal jewelry collection for socially and environmentally conscious brides.
What makes this gorgeous bridal jewelry collection a greener choice?
- No harsh chemicals are used in the treatment of the gems or pearls
- Workers are paid fair living wages in fair working conditions (Fair Trade gems and pearls)
- 100% recycled silver and gold (eliminates need for toxic mining practices)
- Hand-crafted in the USA with reclaimed, vintage crystals (not mass-produced)
Unlike synthetic or costume bridal jewelry, Green Diva’s gemstones are cut by expert lapidaries, and feature GIA-graded pearls and genuine precious metals. The jewelry is considered to be heirloom-quality with the hope of being passed down from generation to generation. Now that’s a green tradition that’s making an eco-fashionable come back!
Thinking about a destination wedding with eco-friendly options? What could be more romantic than saying “I do” in a charming wedding chapel in the beautiful foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. My husband and I (and our fun-loving dogs) just returned from a trip to Gatlinburg, where I was pleased to learn about the City’s green initiatives. I also learned that second to Las Vegas, Gatlinburg is a destination wedding favorite. Combine breathtaking scenery with the charm of a romantic chapel, and you have the perfect setting for a lovely green wedding ceremony.
Here are just a few of the lovely wedding chapels I stumbled upon during our trip:
As stewards of the majestic Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the residents and business community of Gatlinburg are aware of the responsibility to be environmentally conscious about every aspect of life in the Smokies. Learn more about their green initiatives & planning a green honeymoon.
We may be in the heart of fall, but many brides are busy planning winter holiday weddings. And, why not? A picture perfect winter wedding evokes imagery of a beautiful white dress, white lights, and a rolling white landscape of snow and pine trees. A romantic season to celebrate love, and the beauty of nature and our environment.
One of our favorite eco-friendly wedding favors is anything that grows when planted—a guaranteed guest favorite that’s good for the earth. We’ve found a seed wedding favor that’s especially perfect for winter weddings because it comes in several festive winter designs and colors. Skip the plastic favors, and celebrate your wedding (and Mother Earth) by giving your guests a lovely eco-friendly favor filled with seeds that will grow colorful wildflowers when planted (in the spring).
P.S. These are affordable and personalized for no additional cost!
Here just a few of the color/design options. See more options here:
From the moment I discovered this unique eco-friendly purse, I was in love! Made from foil candy wrappers (yes, candy wrappers), this purse is both trendy and socially responsible. Handmade by Fair Trade artisans, this unique purse is an eco-fashionable green gift idea for your bridesmaids and other ladies you wish to thank in your wedding party.
Celebrating Fair Trade Month in October!
Fair Trade organizations seek to create sustainable and positive change in developing and developed countries. For example, the artisans who make these candy wrapper purses are part of a Fair Trade organization in Mexico called MYO that was established to empower craftspeople (mostly women) to work in better conditions, earn fair wages and take care of their families. Learn more about Fair Trade.
For more Fair Trade gift ideas, visit our exclusive Fair Trade Gift & Jewelry Gallery.
Thinking about baking cupcakes or other goodies for your eco-friendly wedding? Whether you are a DIY bride, or simply want to add a special touch to your caterer’s creations, these boutique-style cupcake wrappers will bring a unique style to your dessert table. And, if you are making greener choices for your special day (which we hope you are!), you can rest easy knowing these elegant wrappers are printed with soy ink on recycled paper.
Available in several textile-inspired designs and fresh colors, these fashionable cupcake wrappers are perfect for engagement parties, green weddings, bridal showers or luncheons. Not serving up cupcakes? These wrappers work great for just about any delectable treat that deserves to be dressed up in eco-style!
We may have found the perfect eco-friendly wedding favor . . . it’s an elegant, organic, good-for-the-earth sustainable resource that is also a symbol of luck, love and happiness. Talk about a green wedding favorite! We absolutely adore these real bamboo plant wedding favors. Not only are they a greener choice, they are simply beautiful. And, they can be customized with your choice of reusable glass votive, a personalized favor tag, and several variations of marble or rock (our personal favorite is the river rock). Add your own recycled ribbon or raffia for a personal touch!
Even better, the California nursery we directly source the bamboo favors from (ensuring the freshest plant possible) has taken specific measures to reduce their environmental impact including energy conservation initiatives, employee incentives, wellness programs, and recycling programs. You can read more about their environmental and social initiatives on the product pages. Did we mention they donate a portion of their proceeds to the National Forest Foundation? Eco-fabulous!
ECO-NOTE: What’s big deal about bamboo? Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth and releases 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. Because of this, planting bamboo is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help fight global warming. (Source: Wikipedia.org)
Win a dream green wedding!
Thanks to our friends at The Washington DC Green Wedding Consortium, you have a chance to win the green wedding of your dreams—worth $50,000. Wedzilla is the exclusive blog partner for this event and will keep you updated with all the details.
A perfect date for a green wedding, the eco wedding will take place on Earth Day 2010 (April 22, 2010). What could be more exciting than celebrating your love on the day we celebrate our planet.
Apply online today—registration ends on October 20, 2009! And . . . if for some reason you aren’t the selected winner, be sure to check back with us for great ideas on planning your dream green wedding!
Natural botanical honeypot luminaries
This is a green bride favorite! Eco-friendly has never been more beautiful. These handcrafted Honeypot luminaries are made from 100% beeswax and dried flowers. Imagine your wedding tables adorned with these gorgeous candle holders. Made in Georgia, I love that they are handmade, hand-signed and dated by artists—talk about eco-unique for an eco-friendly wedding!
We’ve also seen brides use them as luminaries on pathways, and gifts for their wedding party. For the ultimate earth friendly wedding, you may wish to consider the Earth Collection of Carved Honeypots.
Light the way to your eco-beautiful beginning
Centerpieces with a naturally beautiful glow
