Okay. You’ve got the dress. You’ve finally decided on locally grown in-season flowers. You’ve selected an organic caterer. You’ve ordered the invitations on recycled paper. Now, what are you going to wear on your feet?? Let’s just say earth-friendly has never been so eco-cute!
Have you heard about these adorable Mohop sandals that are environmentally friendly? So eco-unique. With one pair of wooden sandals, you can lace any ribbon to create your very own unique, custom-fit pair. Plus, your bridesmaids can wear sandals and mix and match laces in their own style with colors that coordinate with their dresses. Fabulous!
Featured recently at the Elegantly Green Wedding Showcase in Boston, Mohop sandals are individually hand-made by Annie Mohaupt in Chicago. How are they green:
- Woods are sustainably-sourced domestic hardwoods (essentially, woods from family owned American farms and lumberyards, that plant more trees than they harvest)
- The soling is composed of natural rubber and rice husks (that are normally disposed of)
- A high-end 100% fabric is used instead of real leather (which is typically tanned in an extremely toxic process)
So get creative! These beauties are re-wearable in many colors and lace options!
In the “old” days when brides thought of eco-friendly wedding invitations printed on recycled paper, perhaps they had visions of brown paper with frayed edges. Today, recycled has never been so beautiful!
And, we are delighted to announce (just in time for the new year) that we have launched a new collection of environmentally friendly wedding invitations designed by eco-conscious (and eco-fabulous) designer Jennifer Stambolsky from Earthly Affair.
Fresh, elegant, modern and eco-chic, this beautiful collection is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper, which means no trees were harmed to create this lovely collection of eco-friendly wedding invitations.
My personal favorite design is the two little lovebirds perched on a branch (featured above). The popular Shade design was recently featured in the premiere edition of Eco-Beautiful Weddings (below).
How are these wedding invitations eco-friendly?
- Use 100% recycled PCW paper, which means no new trees are used and averts waste from landfills.
- Envelopes consist of 100% PCW paper, are FSC-certified, made with green energy, processed chlorine free.
- Offset CO2 emissions resulting from direct shipments through carbonfund.org.
In addition to this lovely new collection, we offer seeded wedding invitations that grow wildflowers when planted (so earthy), and elegant letterpress wedding invitations which use tree-free paper. Earth friendly, eco-elegant and everything you’ve been dreaming about for your green wedding!
I first brought you the news about the fabulous Clay Hill Farm Green Wedding Giveaway last month. Now, it’s less than one month until the entry deadline of January 1, 2010. Are you ready to get creative for your chance to win a green wedding prize package valued at $40,000?
Marriage is about commitment and compromise. Green is also about commitment and compromise. How does a commitment to the earth fit in with your new commitment as a couple? Clay Hill Farm asks contestants to tell their story in a play, a video, a painting, a poem, a song, an essay or whatever your creative juices cook up. Food for thought . . .
- Do you consider yourself green already?
- Do you consider green to be common sense practicality?
- How does a commitment to the earth fit in with your new commitment as a couple?
- Would you like to be green but feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start?
Visit the official Clay Hill Farm Green Wedding Giveaway contest site for more tips and to enter. Pick your shade of green and shout it to the world!
P.S. Meet Jonathan Blakeslee & Joelle Guerard, 2009 winners. They share some advice below their photo.
“Winning was the most amazing experience of our lives. From the start when we first saw the website through the judging process where we met the other finalist to the final announcement and the wedding itself, everything was just perfectly planned and organized down to the last letter. Clay Hill Farm and all the sponsors made us feel like the most important people in the world. It was just a wonderful experience. The best advice we could give people when entering into this contest is just be honest and be yourself and you will shine.”
Planning an eco-friendly wedding, outdoor celebration or nature-themed event? These wonderful butterfly branch placecards & holders are unforgettable! Made from reclaimed tree branches, these handmade placecard holders add a naturally beautiful and eco-friendly touch to any wedding reception.
Original and eco-unique, these fabulous tree branch placecard holders also double as a lovely favor for your guests to take home-allowing you to share the beauty of nature along with the importance of preserving our earth. Each butterfly is hand-stamped on ivory card stock in a creamy caramel color. Hand-write your guests name for a personal and elegant touch. This is truly a green wedding favorite!
Today’s brides are becoming more “eco-conscious” and “budget-conscious” as they plan their wedding. We stumbled upon a great resource that’s perfect for green brides looking to save some green!
Recycled Bride is a FREE marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of all sorts of gently used wedding items. From wedding veils to vintage rings, dresses to décor, shoes to accessories, and more!
Not only will brides save money with designer items discounted up to 80%, they can reduce the carbon footprint of their special day. How? Buying pre-owned wedding items reduces the consumption of natural resources, in comparison to newly manufactured items. The same applies to handmade and organic wedding favors made from recycled materials.
With 2.5 million weddings per year in the US, you can make a difference by becoming a recycled bride! BONUS—Recycled Bride donates a portion of its Google Ad revenue to Global Green USA!
Again, I am amazed and delighted by the creative ingenuity of people who find ways to transform would-be “waste” into stylish and sustainable products. Introducing VerTerra Dinnerware—an eco-friendly and eco-elegant collection of plates, bowls, and serving dishes made from fallen palm trees. How cool! Brides, if you are looking for eco-unique green wedding gift ideas, this one has my vote!
VerTerra is serving up a greener dinnerware collection with these sustainable practices:
- Made of 100% fallen leaves and water
- Non-toxic and free from chemicals, waxes, or dyes
- 80% of the water used in processing is recaptured and recycled
- 100% natural and biodegradable (although you won’t want to throw these away!)
- VerTerra products are made in South Asia, where they have created hundreds of fair-wage jobs for craftspeople who work in safe working conditions, are provided access to healthcare and earn a steady income well above the average rate to support their families.
Bravo VerTerra! Special thanks to Theodore Samuels for photography & Silkstone Events (food)
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!
Are you dreaming of a green wedding, but concerned about the price tag? Well, thanks to our friends at Sun Crystals, you can register to win an eco-friendly, outdoor wedding powered by the sun.
Here are some highlights from the Sun Crystal Website, where you can read more details and register:
- Nationally recognized eco-wedding planner Danielle Venokur will be lending her design expertise to the event, which will be completely powered by trailer-based solar panels.
- A city hall-style ceremony complete with an officiant, sunflower bouquet, naturally sweet mini wedding cake, professional portrait, gift bag and live music.
- Your guests and the public are invited to celebrate your special day, enjoy refreshments and a sweet treat.
- Hurry-registration deadline is October 16, 2009
According to the Website, the event also highlights the brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability. McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, with its SUN CRYSTALS® Sweetener Product is a member of 1% For The Planet®, donating 1% of its sales this year to the American Solar Energy Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. Now that’s a sweet treat for Mother Earth!
