Wedding Trends That Take The Cake

You’re engaged, and you’re ready to start planning for your big day! The best place to start? Right here…with these 13 Top Wedding Resource Sites!

Best Little Wedding Shop: The Best Little Wedding Shop has been serving brides across the country since 1995 has decided to make their top-quality product line available to brides across the world. In this fast-paced world, brides find it easier and faster to shop online for their Wedding Invitations & Bridal Shower Invitations, Wedding Accessories and Wedding Favor needs.

Team Wedding : Team Wedding wants to be a part of your wedding planning team. Just name a wedding topic, and they can help you with it! Browse by category or state for some terrific planning tips and resources.

Brides.com : Brides.com has a wide range of galleries and topics for you to research, and they have tools that you can use such as budget, to-do list, guest list, and seating chart guides.

The Knot: The Knot has tools, great articles, videos and honeymoon ideas. Check out their photo galleries and wedding planning tips, plus peruse “Grooms + Guys” and “Maids + Moms” for some specific wedding strategies.

MyWedding.com: MyWedding.com offers and “Ideas and Trends” blog, free wedding websites and over 100 local wedding guides to help you plan your wedding.

Perfect Wedding Guide : At Perfect Wedding, you can find vendors, get ideas, go shopping and attend events. This is a terrific comprehensive online wedding guide for brides and wedding planners.

Green Elegance Weddings : Offers eco-friendly wedding tips for couples who want to leave a small green footprint when they get married. They offer wedding contests and green wedding news too.

FrugalBride.com: Canada’s number one online wedding magazine, FrugalBride.com,  is a great resource for brides that offers wedding bulletin boards, frugal wedding crafts and budget tracking worksheets for weddings. They also offer a “Bride’s Planner,” a “Groom’s Planner” and “Vendor Tips.”

GayWeddings.com: If you’re planning a non-traditional wedding, GayWeddings.com discusses gay and lesbian wedding questions that you may have. They also offer products, resources and information networking to same-sex couples seeking to affirm their life-long commitments to each other through commitment ceremonies, civil unions, domestic partnerships, civil marriage and other alternative weddings.

InStyleWeddings : Want to plan a classy, celebrity-style wedding? The InStyle Wedding website can help you plan your dream wedding. Even if you can’t afford a lavish wedding, you can get fabulous tips and ideas here.

WeddingChannel.com: If you’d like the answers to all your wedding planning questions, WeddingChannel.com is a great resource, and they also provide tools like bride checklists and budget calculators.

WeddingSolutions.com: WeddingSolutions.com offers “Real Reviews from Real Brides Like You,” “Celebrity News and Gossip,” wedding registries and a multitude of wedding resources and advice.

DestinationWeddings.com : DestinationWeddings.com offers a full service “one stop shopping” approach which has one goal in mind–to make the planning and coordination of your Destination Wedding as simple and stress-free as possible.

Lisa Bakewell

As you plan your wedding, you’ll also need to decide what types of gifts you’d like to receive. Why not consider gifts for a greener home? Why not choose bamboo gifts?

Bamboo is a fast growing and renewable grass that has inspired a variety of Eco-friendly gifts that would make perfect wedding gifts. Some bamboo gift ideas include:

Bamboo Rugs
Bamboo Place Mats
Bamboo Coasters
Bamboo Wind Chimes
Bamboo Bath Towels
Bamboo Bed Sheets
Bamboo Duvet Covers
Bamboo Cutting Boards
Bamboo Utensils
Bamboo Candle Holders
Bamboo Light Fixtures & Wall Sconces
Bamboo Serving Bowls
Bamboo Fountains
Bamboo Tables
Bamboo Chairs
Bamboo Clothing

You might also consider these household gadgets to green up your wedding gift registry and save the Earth’s resources…not to mention your own resources.

Rechargeable Solar Flashlight
Water Powered Alarm Clock
Solar Batteries and Battery Charger

Green Earth Bamboo has a great assortment of Bamboo Bath Towels, Bamboo Bed Sheets, Bamboo Duvet Covers and Bamboo Clothing to choose from. Here’s a sampling of what they have to offer.

Duvet Covers 

Unlike other duvet covers – this is the softest duvet cover you will ever own! Plus it’s hypoallergenic, wicks away sweat and is made from the world’s most sustainable resource!

Soft and luxurious organic duvet covers made from 100% viscose from bamboo. These bamboo duvets come in a beautiful, earthy color selection to coordinate with your other bamboo bedding selections. Duvet covers are fashioned with button closures and interior ties. This organic duvet is a perfect reflection of your eco-friendly life style. Simply slip your new duvet cover over your bed comforter and save money on having to dryclean your down comforter, when you can easily toss your bamboo duvet in the washing machine! If you’ve never owned a duvet cover, you will be amazed at how convenient it is and what a nice touch it can add to any bedroom. Feel the luxury of soft bamboo first hand and it will surely become your favorite fabric. Softer than cotton, cashmere and silk, our bamboo duvet is hypoallergenic, breathable and resists odor.

Bamboo bed sheets  

100% Viscose from Bamboo Sheets are so luxurious and soft you’ll never want to sleep on another fabric again! Made from an organic and eco-friendly source, these incredible sheets are terrific for people who have skin allergies. All of Green Earth Bamboo’s bedding has natural wicking abilities to absorb much better than other fabrics, therefore making them especially nice for those with night sweats.

Aside from the fact that viscose from bamboo is so comfortable and soft, it’s nearly indescribable until you’ve tried it for yourself. Green Earth Bamboo’s  beautiful bamboo bed sheets come in a variety of earthy colors, and go wonderfully well with Green Earth’s other bamboo bedding, such as a beautiful bamboo bedspread coverlet, duvet cover, pillow shams and pillowcases. Create a bamboo bedroom that’s luxurious and cozy for you.

Bath towels 

Wrap yourself in pure luxury with organic bamboo towels that are ultra soft and super absorbent. Green Earth Bamboo’s bath towels come in three beautiful colors to complete your bamboo bathroom. Their towels are so soft and comfortable you will want extra sets for everyone in the family, and extra sets of hand towels for your powder rooms. If you have the luxury of a jacuzzi, whirlpool or hot tub you will most certainly want a couple of the bamboo bath sheets in the extra large size.

Bamboo clothing  

Green Earth Bamboo has fashionable women’s bamboo clothing that you’ll love! Super comfortable, stylish and made from an environmentally friendly source, bamboo clothing is ultra soft and cozy, super absorbent and breathable, and it naturally resists odor–keeping you feeling fresh all day long.

Viscose from bamboo is also temperature regulating , so you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And organic bamboo is a pesticide-free, sustainable and renewable resource.

To learn more about the wonderful qualities of Bamboo, please visit our Bamboo Facts section for a wealth of information on organic fabrics and how bamboo takes the lead as the fabric of our future.

Lisa Bakewell

Recycled Paper Wedding Invitations…

Looking for a wedding invitation that has Mother Nature’s seal of approval? Best Little Wedding Shop has a great collection of Eco-friendly, recycled paper wedding invitations, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice style to “go green”! Order your favorite design today and do your part to help save the environment!

One of the most obvious ways to make your wedding invitations Eco-friendly is to use recycled paper. Recycled paper has greatly improved in durability and quality, and when one ton of 100-percent recycled paper is used, it saves 7,000 gallons of water and enough energy to power an average home for six months. Recycled paper also saves about 17 trees from being cut down to make the paper.

Naturally Ever After Wedding Invitations® come in unique styles and themes that you’ll fall in love with! This unique “designer line” offers Eco-friendly wedding invitations with natural earthy tones which are stunning!

Other Green Trends…

Seeded paper is also a trend in Eco-friendly paper products. They also make a unique wedding invitation that your guests will love, since your guests will be able to plant your wedding invitation! Seeded paper is handmade and contains a mix of wildflower seeds. Pressure is carefully controlled during the production of the invitation to help guarantee seed germination. Once you’re guest is ready to plant the flowers, all they have to do is plant the wedding invitation in a pot or in a sunny spot in their garden.

Another option for an Eco-friendly wedding invitation is one made of tree-free paper–paper made without using wood. Today, tree-free paper accounts for about one third of paper produced in developing countries. Plants like the African kenaf, hemp, flax and cotton are all used to make tree-free paper. Crop leftovers like rice and banana stalk fibers can be used, as well as cotton rags.

Looking for Eco-Friendly Wedding Gifts?

If you are looking for eco-friendly wedding gifts, try Green Earth Bamboo for bamboo sheets, bamboo clothing, bamboo towels and bamboo socks.

Pulling off the perfect wedding is a challenge, but making yours an eco-friendly wedding doesn’t mean making it more difficult. Use these 10 tips for planning your green wedding:

Plant the centerpiece.
For centerpieces and other wedding décor, you can use potted flowers, trees or plants. When the wedding is over, you’ll have a head start on beautifying your yard or patio!

Decorate with bamboo.
Bamboo is considered one of the most sustainable materials on earth, growing up to two feet per day, so it takes only three to seven years to mature. Use stalks of bamboo in centerpieces, or choose other bamboo accessories for your reception tables. To get more information on bamboo, visit Green Earth Bamboo.

Plant a tree or two or three.
Plant one tree or more in your backyard or the neighborhood where you got married after the honeymoon. That way you’ll be able to track the growth of the tree by the number of years you’ve been married.

Ditch the bouquets.
Have your bridesmaids carry fans instead of flowers. Or how about beautiful silk boxes or purses? If you still want the look of flowers, consider using silk instead of real blooms. Though they may be a bit more expensive, they will last forever.

Think locally.
If you REALLY want traditional blooms, support your local nursery. Locally grown, seasonal blooms will cost less money, and you’ll be helping your local economy. You could also use locally grown herbs, greenery, and berries instead of blooms or you can use them for fill in your bouquets.

Make a donation.
Make a donation in your guests’ names to an organization that plants trees (such as AmericanForests or the Arbor Day Foundation) in lieu of a traditional wedding favor.

Choose organic foods.Base your menu on food that is organic or locally grown. Consider serving a wedding cake made of organic ingredients as well.

Toast organically.
True Organic wines are certified by the USDA National Organic Program and have become quite popular. For the back-story on organic wines, check out this article from The Wine News.

Light an earth-friendly flame.
Candles are a must for weddings, but paraffin candles are produced from petroleum, which is not very earth-friendly. Use soy wax candles instead.

Put it on the Web.
Create a wedding site where you can list your wedding details instead of including them in your invitations. There, you’ll be able to list your registry details (along with your wedding details) and be able to express to your guests that you’d like eco-friendly gifts or, in lieu of gifts, you’d like a donation made to your favorite charity.

Lisa Bakewell

“Being green,” as they say, is very chic these days, and eco-friendly weddings and gifts are becoming very popular. Recyclables and natural gifts–once thought to be “cheap”–are now very trendy, and most givers and recipients of environmentally conscious gifts are pleased to be part of the trend to save Mother Earth.

Here are some great eco-friendly ideas: 

GIFTS: As you and your soon-to-be-spouse plan your wedding, consider registering for some great eco-friendly gifts. There are some great companies out there providing top-of-the-line, creative fare. Also, consider buying eco-friendly gifts for your entire bridal party and family!

Green Earth Bamboo: Bamboo is one of the more eco-friendly products you’ll find. For starters, it grows at an astonishing rate of up to four feet per day (so there’s an overabundance), and it’s naturally antimicrobial, which means that it doesn’t require any pesticides or herbicides during its growing process. Bugs just plain don’t like the stuff! Also, there are several types of bamboo, so when purchasing these products, you’re not taking food away from pandas.

Green Earth Bamboo offers beautiful bamboo bedding sets including bamboo sheets, blankets, bedspreads and duvets that every bride and groom would love to own. Green Earth Bamboo also offers luxurious bamboo bath towels and a fashionable eco-friendly clothing line. There is nothing cozier than bamboo to warm your soul!

Check out these organic bamboo towels. They’re incredibly plush and soft, antimicrobial, fast drying and super absorbent. These eco-friendly bamboo bath towels come in three beautiful colors and are so luxurious and comfortable that you’ll want to add extra sets to your gift list.

Brides…consider luxurious bamboo bath mitts, pure and natural soap and cozy women’s nightshirts as great gifts for you bridesmaids.

UnCommonGoods: Features merchandise created in harmony with the environment and without harm to animals or people.

Check out their Platter in a Bottle. Made from 100% recycled glass, these wine bottle-shaped platters provide a lovely backdrop to any cheese, crackers, fruits or vegetables you serve at your next party. Each piece undergoes an 8-hour process to emerge as a one-of-a-kind platter.

Another gift idea from UnCommon Goods is the Super Bowl made out of recycled windshiled glass. This large bowl can be used as a decorative object, a vase for fresh flowers, a punch bowl or a goldfish bowl.

Etsy.com: Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. There are thousands of gifts to choose from. Check out this bracelet made from beach-gathered materials. Every piece of the bracelet is either recycled, upcycled, repurposed, or reused–even the bracelet itself was recycled according to the site with every bit of the sterling silver being obtained from an eco-friendly supplier.

GreenandMore.com: Offers products for those who are concerned about the environment but don’t have a lot of time. They strive to offer truly green products, helping to minimize the impact on the planet without compromising quality and style.

Green and More has a wide array of eco-friendly home appliances to choose from as well as an extensive variety of home decor choices. An interesting gift choice for you or your wedding party might be the eco-friendly vases that Green and More offers. There are several to choose from, and the materials range from paper to wood, glass to ceramic and copper to LED rechargeable atmosphere vases.

Global Exchange Fair Trade Online: Global Exchange is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Since 1988, they have increased the US public’s global awareness while building partnerships worldwide.

Check out the Dhukuti Tablerunner from Nepal. These blockprint table runners are handcrafted by women involved in the Association for Craft Producers in Kathmandu. ACP is a women’s craft center established to provide low income or abandoned women with employment and training in traditional skills. ACP provides access to a fair wage, health care, education and marketing skills and strives to raise worker’s self esteem and ability to compete effectively in the marketplace. Choose from three color combinations, and select matching placemats and napkins from the same collection.

DONATIONS: Consider giving or receiving a donation gift to honor an environmental organization or socially responsible group. A few non-profits that you may want to consider include: 

The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

Conservation International Foundation: They believe that the Earth’s natural heritage must be maintained if future generations are to thrive spiritually, culturally and economically. Their mission is to conserve the Earth’s living heritage and to demonstrate that human societies are able to live harmoniously with nature.

Trees for the Future: Trees for the Future is one of the leading agroforestry resources in the world, helping people in developing countries improve their rural livelihoods through the introduction of environmentally sustainable land management projects focused on beneficial tree planting.

Conservation Fund: The nation’s foremost environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting America’s most important landscapes and waterways for future generations.

The Clean Water Network: The Clean Water Network (CWN) is a coalition of more than 1,200 public interest organizations across the country, representing more than five million people, working together to strengthen and implement federal clean water and wetlands policy.

MEMBERSHIPS: A great gift idea might be an annual pass to a national park, museum passes or a zoo membership. Also, concert tickets are thoughtful gifts that create no waste and will bring great pleasure to the recipients.

Don’t forget to consider eco-friendly, green wedding invitations when planning your wedding. Also, check out this previous post for more eco-friendly wedding ideas.

Lisa Bakewell

Are you concerned about the environment and trying to reduce your carbon footprint? Then maybe you’ll want to consider an “Eco Wedding.” Adding eco-friendly aspects to your wedding–whether they’re added in all stages of your wedding planning or not–can substantially reduce damage to the environment. And even though there are still a limited number of vendors who provide green products and services for weddings, with a little research and ingenuity, you should be able to green up your wedding day with no problem. Use these tips to help you plan your big day in a green way.

• Take it outside. Contemplate an outdoor wedding to save energy. If you get married in the morning or afternoon, you won’t need any additional light. If you get married in the early evening, you may want to use soy-based candles for lighting. They don’t emit harmful fumes when burned like wax candles do.
• Make it wild. Use local and seasonal wildflowers for bouquets and table décor at your reception. If that option isn’t available, consider using a florist in your area that only purchases organically grown flowers for their shop.
• Make it natural. Use eco-friendly wedding invitations for your green wedding. Crafted on quality recycled paper, eco-friendly invitations should contain at least 30% post-consumer fibers.
• Keep it close to home. Choose a wedding location close to your family and friends, so people can carpool.
• Eat fresh. It used to be considered alternative to offer a vegetarian selection during a dinner reception, but couples today are requesting organic, seasonal and/or locally grown food options.
• Lease it. Rental companies and caterers can supply everything you need in the way of tents, tablecloths, glassware, tableware, dishes and centerpieces. Since these items are frequently reused, their environmental impact is quite minimal. Use a local vendor, and limit the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by delivery trucks.
• Wear some green. While a wedding dress made of recycled paper might seem a bit extreme, they are available. If this route isn’t for you, though, you might consider dresses made of organic cotton, organic silk or hemp blends. If you want to go even greener, go vintage. Wearing a family dress, or opt for one from a vintage clothing or secondhand store. Not only will you be helping the environment, you may realize a significant cost savings!
• Digitize it. Digital cameras take better quality photos and don’t require all the harsh chemicals used when developing 35mm film. Most photographers opt to go digital these days, but check with yours to be sure.
• Give eco-friendly gifts. You’ll find a variety of unique green wedding gifts and favors you can give your bridal party and guests. Some ideas? You might want to give a bamboo towel set with natural organic soap and body butters to your bridal party; a mini herb garden or potted plant as a gift that keeps on growing; or make a donation on your guests’ behalf to a local environmental organization. Use your imagination.Lisa Bakewell