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Farmers' markets aren't just for fruits and vegetables! Ensure your wedding flowers are fresh, local and seasonal by getting them from the farmers' market, too. Purchase blooms the day before or morning of your wedding, and create gorgeous DIY bouquets. If you're not so crafty, choose the flowers yourself and then pass them on to a florist or talented friend or family member to arrange.
You can get in the spirit of the season without overdoing the green and red decor. Give gingerbread men decked out in white and black frosting tuxedos and gowns as favors. They will be a hit with guests and they will be gobbled down in no time! Candy stations are another great way to conserve resources and keep everyone satisfied. Use your own glass containers from home and fill them with candy. They can be reused again once the party is over. Instead of a colorful candy display you can dress down your winter stand in white and silver candies for a clean and crisp look!
Serve white hot chocolate and crushed peppermint for a twist on an old favorite. Another popular trend is serving churros and hot chocolate sauce, a favorite Mexican dessert. These sweet treats will warm up your tummy and keep you energized and on the dance floor all night!
Photo Credits: Bride and Groom Gingerbread from No More Tiers on Flickr, Silver and White Candy Station by Candy Warehouse on Flickr, White Hot Chocolate and Peppermint from My Recipes, Chocolate and Churros from EllerinaLove
Terrariums are fun and easy to make! To start you can buy glass fish bowls or even recycle light bulbs for a tiny terrarium. Place a one inch layer of small gravel on the bottom of the glass container. Find some good draining potting soil and fill it to the proper height depending on the size of your glass. Then, take your plant, make a depression in the soil, and firm the soil around the plant being careful not to overcrowd! Repeat this step for each plant and lightly water your terrarium.
Place each plant at your table as a setting and insert wooden sticks in the soil with each guest's name. You can add in used sand or shells from the beach for a summer inspired design, or hens and chicks with river stones for a woodland design. Terrariums and air plants are low maintenance and recycle their moisture so they need very little attention! Once your guests bring them home they do not have to worry about upkeep. Terrarium plants stay green year round so you can use them at your wedding for any season to add a touch of green to your wedding theme!
Mini Bird House terrarium by The Fleurist via The Haystack Needle, Spiral terrarium via Danger Garden, Hens and Chicks Centerpiece by Martha Stewart, tiny terra lightbulb, purple tillandsia terrarium and copper stricta air plant by Sea and Asters on Etsy.com, Guest names terrarium by Design Sponge, desert blue and red terrarium by Litíll ltd.
Oftentimes a small destination wedding has less of an environmental impact than a large, lavish affair back home. Find a smaller, all-inclusive eco-resort or lodge that offers luxury accommodations and spa experiences, but will also provide ecotour options like bird-watching, safaris, and kayaking. Pair terms like "all-inclusive resort" with "organic" "eco" and "green" in your search engine to find a list of options. If you want to go to a larger "club" resort, Beaches and Sandals are now Green Globe 21 certified and offer all-inclusive beach vacations and wedding packages.
Why not incorporate a punch of plum into your wedding? You can add just a touch of this hue, or do something daring and wear a plum wedding dress! If your bridesmaids are wearing plum, find some shoes to match them and a garter to boot. If you already own plum shoes, hairpieces, or jewelry, reuse these items and incorporate them into your wedding.
Your flower girl can carry plum baskets for just a splash of color, or your invitations can initiate the color theme with plum text, illustrations, or a simple piece of organic fabric tied to the paper in that perfect purple shade! Seasonal purple dahlias are a great way to spice up your bouquet and take advantage of local flowers. Continue the trend all the way to the reception with brilliant plum linens alongside flowers and foods that compliment this color.
Cassi and Luke’s wedding was a perfect reflection of their eco-conscious values and their passion for local foods and products. These Maine natives shared their special day in their home state with the beauty of nature all around them.
Perched on the edge of Richardson Bay, Lyford House is a stunning venue with spectacular views of San Francisco. A registered National Historic Landmark, the terrace overlooks the water and the panoramic view sweeps from Belvedere all the way to the San Francisco skyline, Sausalito, and Mount Tamalpais. This historic home also functions as an Audobon bird sanctuary. San Francisco based Locally Grown Weddings created this photo shoot inspired by avian life and the beauty that surrounds it!
The Lyford House provides a stunning backdrop for a wedding celebration. When guests enter the grounds they pass through a wide expanse of wild grasses and native plants, where they may encounter over 200 species of wild birds and mammals.
The shoot featured all local and sustainable foods.
The team's baker created a beautiful avian inspired wedding cake made from fresh local ingredients. The cake was a light pink creation decorated with beautiful tree branches and topped with two glass birds.
All tables were elegantly designed and decorated with bird themed dishes with creative table numbers nestled in floral arrangements with vivid pink Gerbera daisies.
The gown came from Adele Wechsler’s Eco Couture collection. Evoking Victorian romanticism, the gown was a beautiful long sleeved dreamy creation with realistic flower detailing and a simple veil to complete the look.
D & H Sustainable Jewelers provided stunning vintage earrings and recycled metal wedding bands for the shoot. They also specialize in wedding ring designs with conflict free diamonds.
Summertime provides a multitude of colorful, seasonal fruits to use for both your menu and décor. By providing an array of versatile options, the watermelon can function as a bowl or centerpiece that can be composted after your reception. The juicy insides of this bright, festive fruit can be carved out, cut up, blended or grilled to fill every part of your menu. Try mixing the melon with other fruits for a refreshing drink or cook this juicy pairing with meats. Chopped watermelon can be mixed into a salsa or fruit salad and you can also creatively combine these subtle flavors for dessert with frostings or chocolate. Pickling and seasoning the rinds can make for an excellent topping on dishes such as pork belly or shrimp. If you want a reusable centerpiece after all the watermelon is scooped, use the outer rind as a colorful container to fill with dessert, decorations or even drinks!
Having a beach wedding? Eco-friendly flip flops make great summer wedding favors that guests can take home and wear again. Worried about rain and mud? Put a few pairs of flip flops in a basket for guests to borrow so they don't spoil their expensive shoes. Look for flip flops made from natural materials like rubber, jute, or hemp.
The entire celebration was held in the same location. The rehearsal dinner took place in the beach house, and a tent was set up just outside for the reception. Guests could walk from the beach ceremony to the reception tent and then inside the house to sleep. Large, round vases were filled with white shells, surrounded by matching ivory sea stars, coral, sand dollars and glass jars filled with blue and white candies. The couple gave out sustainable bamboo coasters as a favor.
Instad of buying boutonnieres, Morgan and her mother made them by hand. In addition, Morgan found a helpful how-to video and sewed the flower girl's skirt herself. Bruce and Morgan each made a personalized hanger for the big day to read "Mrs. Miller" and "love" in wire. Lastly, they stamped the welcome bag for guests with the words "love" and "celebrate," and filled them with organic goodies from Trader Joe's.
After meeting at a new teacher orientation, Morgan, the librarian, and Bruce, the third grade teacher, discovered they had similar interests and shared favorite outdoor activities (golf and tennis). Their friendship blossomed and they married in a beautiful Virginia Beach ceremony on April 16, 2011.
“Being a strong believer, I know God brought us together for each other. We’ve had amazing times and I cannot wait to share the rest of my life with this man,” said the bride
Vintage clothing is the perfect companion for a summer wedding by the sea. For brides, a beautiful, flawless money saving trick is to buy a vintage dress and pre-loved items. The elegance of the attire and the laid back feeling of a beach will give a romantic and timeless feel. For grooms, a vintage tuxedo or suit can easily be matched with casual shoes which may already be hiding in the closet. Instead of traditional invitations, having edible mediums of communication such as cookies or chocolates in an invitation box is a great way to express yourselves as a couple. Another way to make your wedding greener is to wrap bouquets of local and seasonal flowers in vintage fabric or recycled materials for a stunning, eco-friendly touch.
It's easy to be in inspired by nature's vibrant palette during the early summer months. Just look outside your window and you will see lush greens, warm yellows, and bold pinks. Take a walk to a local farmers market and you will find red raspberries, colorful peaches, and ruby cherries. Use these color sets to create the perfect summer wedding decor. Match bright colors with understated neutrals for a look that will make any room pop. Finish off your decor with the items that inspired you. Incorporate fresh and local sunflowers or set out glass bowls filled with fruits to compliment the color scheme. They also make a deliciously refreshing snack for guests.
Get inspired by the bold colors of early summer! Fresh cherries and berries nestled in charming baskets burst with flavor and color and make lovely favors. Enhance the decor with DIY recycled paper fans and seasonal flower centerpieces in coordinating colors. Add vintage glasses, mason jars for drinking, and strawberry garnishes for water, and you have an eco-friendly look with all the sweetness of summer.
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