Trend - Sustainable Clothing

Looking for a chic frock to wear to your girlfriend's wedding or to your own rehearsal dinner? Check out Mr. Larkin's sustainable clothing, made with milk fiber, cuthro and organic cottons. Recycled vintage embellishments make these sustainable items even more appealing!

Photo courtesy of Shopflick.com

Trend - Fabric Florals

If you're looking for a way to create florals that will last a lifetime, consider fabric florals. These amazing creations were created by Allen Company and we stumbled upon them via Oh Joy!.

Trend - Eco-Friendly Shopping

When shopping for gifts for your bridal party, your rehearsal dinner outfit, digs for your man or decorating your home, consider those that make an effort to be eco-friendly, like Yoox.com. Catching up on my PopSugar Daily I saw that Yoox.com has started an "earth-friendly initiative called Yooxygen, offering exclusive, limited-edition eco fashions, books, and housewares. Beyond stocking organic, recycled, and vintage goods, the ECO-mmerce shop will offset 100 percent of the CO2 emissions produced by shipping its merchandise."

Way to go Yoox!! Thanks for the heads up PopSugar.

Trend - Buy Eco-Friendly For The Gifted Gardners

Looking for a bridal shower or wedding gift for your gifted gardner or outdoor loving pals? Check out the new eco-friendly MIO line available at Target, including gardening accessories and outdoor living.

Check out more about sustainable products for home design available from MIO.

Tip - Well Addressed

Looking for ways to save on money, paper and time? Consider printing wrap around labels. You can print your return address on one end and guest address on the other end wrap them around one side of the envelope.

Martha Stewart Weddings also offers a handy template to create your labels.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Trend - Giving Thanks

Not sure what to do with your bridal bouquet after the wedding? Send your arrangement to Floral Notes.com and they will recycle your petals into a set of hand crafted thank you cards made from 100% Eco-friendly materials. The cards are also embedded with seeds so the recipients can plant their card to receive a gift of fresh blooms. Something old made into something new again!

Photos courtesy of FloralNotes.com

Trend - Eco-Conscious Gowns

Designer Chris Kole answered the growing trend demands of the eco-friendly brides by draping them in natural cotton and linen fabrics. Check out his fabulous 2009 collection at The Cotton Bride.Photos courtesy of Brides.com

Trend - Earth_Friendly Stationary

If you're looking for earth-friendly elements talk to your stationer about 100% cotton paper, recycled or embedded paper, wood veneers and soy-based ink.

Photo courtesy of Earth Friendly Wedding

Trend - Butterfly Release

Many couples are opting for butterfly release at the end of their ceremony or to signify the closing of their reception. Butterflies are not only beautiful, but orange monarch butterflies are also pollinators that contribute to plant life. The raising of butterflies (on most farms) is an eco-friendly process that leaves no carbon footprint.

Check out Swallowtail Farms to learn more.

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists

Trend - Homegrown Centerpieces

Nowadays we have seen more and more couples using fruits and veggies for their centerpieces. Think of it if you plant the seeds, water the soil, and harvest the goods then not only will your décor be much less expensive, but they will be a lot more meaningful as well. Also, you can provide containers for your guests to take home the fruits of your labor. Now this doesn’t mean that you can not add some flowers or greenery in if you choose, but it is another colorful and even fragrant way to dress up your tables.

Photo courtesy of Blooms by Martha Andrews

Trend - Green Dream

Going green is a trend sweeping the wedding industry. Brides & grooms are opting for eco-conscious in many ways; some are just trying to cut down on their carbon footprint while others intend to host a completely organic day. Whatever your level of commitment to going green is, there are so many options now for your way to achieve your green dream. Evites, recycled paper products, sustainable seafood, local organic ingredients, donation favors to a green cause,succulents as favors or incorporated into bouquets, local blooms with intermixed greenery, earth-friendly venues.Trend provided by Dynamite Weddings
Photo courtesy of Allison Stahl Photography

Trend - Go "Green"

Thinking “Green” is for more than just recycling. Brides opting for “Green” weddings are real trendsetters. You could do something as simple as using recycled paper for your invitations, or use seed packets for favors.

Trend provided by Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Trend - Eco-friendly Weddings

Eco-friendly weddings are a more than a trend they are a responsible way to enjoy your wedding without the guilt of excess. Here are a few ideas to make your wedding day earth friendly:
• Off set your event’s carbon foot print by using the calculator at www.terrapass.com it is an easy way to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• Instead of a traditional wedding favor try these ideas: make a donation in your guest’s name to your favorite charity. Fall weddings are the perfect time to give your guests a tulip or hyacinth bulb as a favor.
• The Second Hand Rose in Sacramento provides gowns for under privileged teens that have dreams of a gorgeous dress for the prom. Consider donating your gently used wedding finery to this worthy project. More info www.jfssac.org/pages/rose .
• Consider donating the flowers from your ceremony and reception to a children’s home, nursing home or women’s shelter.
• Use soy candles to decorate your event. Most candles are made with petroleum based paraffin wax, a limited resource. Soy wax is a renewable resource that is limited only by how many soybeans are grown. It is also beneficial to farmers who sell soybean crops. Soy based candles will last almost twice as long as paraffin based candles.

Trend and photo courtesy of Flourish

Davis Whole Earth Festival

For those in Sacramento, Davis and surrounding areas, don't pass up the opportunity to check out the Davis Whole Earth Festival.

The Whole Earth Festival takes place May 9th-11th at the UC Davis campus quad. There is live music, great food, guest speakers and amazing crafts. If you are looking for Earth friendly gifts for your bridesmaids/groomsmen or original ideas to incorporate into your wedding, check it out! There are handmade crafts, shirts, hats, candles, jewelry...everything is creative and original.

Make sure that you get your friends and your fiance together to carpool to the Whole Earth Festival. If you need bodies to fill your seats, check out the website's Ride Share link to maximize your car's potential. See you there!

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day and people are celebrating in a variety of ways all across the globe. Local communities are rallying together to focus on the environment and how we all can change our impact (also known as our “carbon footprint”). Looking for easy and simple ways to participate in this global party? If possible, ride your bike to work or to the store instead of driving. Ditch those disposable plastic bottles for a reusable stainless steel container (your water will stay cooler and taste better too). Opt for reusable bags instead of plastic or paper bags for transporting groceries and other items. And, of course, one of the most significant ways to show the planet you care- Recycle! Recycling is one of the most significant ways to reduce your impact on the earth, and these days, it just makes sense. Remember, we all can participate in taking care of our beautiful planet!

Ask Marvin - Reducing My Carbon Footprint

Dear Marvin,
I would like my wedding to be as “green” (eco-friendly) as possible. Do you have any suggestions on how to reduce my carbon footprint while having the dream wedding I have always wanted?

Thanks,
An eco-conscious bride

Dear Eco-Conscious Bride,
Not only can you have the dream wedding you have always wanted, but you can make it as green as you like while still maintaining the ambiance of your choosing. For example, just by opting for non-disposable serveware, you will cut down immensely on waste while adding sophistication and elegance to your celebration. Another way to be more earth friendly is to use recycled paper for your stationary needs, such as invitations and the corresponding RSVP cards. Also, depending on the venue you choose, there may be several options available for organic catering or catering companies that support locally produced items. In addition, most catering companies will be more than happy to recycle eligible items on your special day (so don’t be afraid to ask). Fortunately, these days there are several different options available in most areas, so that you can be as environmentally friendly as you want. Who said it isn’t easy being green?

Marvin

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers

Get Green at Your Wedding!

I have recently visited a Dynamite website that I wanted to share with you all! Portovert is a website known as "The Gateway to Greener Weddings".

The blog posts, articles and "lookbook" are all geared towards those brides with the desire to deliver an Eco-friendly, dream wedding. The advice, education and sample images they offer can definitely get a soon-to-be bride to take notice of all the potential unique, inspiring opportunities that can be incorporated into their own wedding.

Turning green never felt so food!

Guess who did the flowers? Martha with Blooms by Martha Andrews, a Dynamite Vendor! While I like most people to think I do everything with absolute intention, I had no idea originally these came from Blooms. The bouquet was inspirational and I enjoyed the site. Too funny.

Photo courtesy of Portovert

Eco-Honeymoons

Eco tourism is becoming quite the trend lately in the world of travel. There are several options available for all types of vacationing preferences, ranging from relaxing stays at beach resorts to rainforest hiking adventures. One place in particular encompasses the above mentioned attractions plus much more: Lapa Rios Ecolodge is a nature reserve located in the beautiful country of Costa Rica that offers a variety of environmentally friendly activities. Oh…did I mention the reserve itself is 1000 acres of tropical rainforest? Lapa Rios is designed to accommodate any interest or desire you may have while on your honeymoon: from hiking and kayaking to massage and yoga. You can create the trip of your dreams while being eco responsible!

Bungalo View at Lapa Rios

Responsible Travel is another great website that offers enviro-friendly honeymoon options from which to choose. Always wanted to visit the Greek Island of Ithaca? Imagine the experience of Patagonia and The Andes in Argentina. These and many more amazing trips are available through this site. In addition, Responsible Travel also offers many helpful tips and links to aid you in planning your perfect honeymoon.

Patagonia, Argentia

I would love to know how many of you readers would be interested in planning an eco-friendly honeymoon or vacation!

Could Green be the new White?

As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, so too are weddings. With more and more brides marrying at an age of heightened maturity (as we are marrying later and later in life on average), many are finding new ways for their wedding day to make a huge impact on their guests…and a very small impact on the earth.

While I am not suggesting that toting handmade hemp shoes and an organic cotton gown down the aisle is for every (err…any?) bride, there are many small things you can do to keep our planet pretty AND create the wedding of your dreams.

If you want to go green, here are some easy things you can do without sacrificing style:

· Order sustainable food products. Talk to your caterer about using locally grown fruits and vegetables in your menu selections (locally grown=fresh, and fresh=yummy, so this option is a plus for everyone). You can pump up your efforts by also going organic.

· Consider choosing natural fabrics. You can go as far as having the groomsmen, bridesmaid or flower girl attire made of organic cotton, or go for a simpler option and use natural fabrics as table linens or napkins.

· Go vintage. It can be done in style (who says you can't choose vintage Oscar de la Renta as your gown), and using existing prodects means that you aren't requiring the manufacturing of new materials. You can let your bridesmaids wear a dress they already own, buy or rent used dresses, or choose dresses they will wear again (really). You can choose a vintage wedding gown, rent one, or select vintage wedding bands and jewelry for your big day.

· Use recycled/recyclable paper products. Invitations, wedding stationary, save the dates, announcements, table cards, disposable napkins, menus, programs…weddings require A LOT of paper. Why not use recycled products and spare a few trees? Many elegant and unique eco-friendly options are out there. Look for paper that is non-chlorine bleached and at least 30% post consumer waste.

Eco-friendly invitations, plantable Monogram Seed Paper
Available at www.botanicalpaperworks.com

· Consider socially conscious wedding favors. Many brides are opting for creative “thank you” favors for guests, so why not be creatively conscious while you’re at it? You can donate to your favorite charity in honor of your guests. (I did, best decision ever: not only did the charity benefit, but the earth did too (I printed the announcement card on natural vellum) and I didn’t have to tie 175 tiny bows.) Another fun option is to give each guest a flower—you can pot them yourself and use as place cards & leave behinds or order plantable favors (check out http://www.botanicalpaperworks.com/ for some super cute ideas). The options are virtually endless.

· Talk to your florist about using pesticide-free flowers. There are many local pesticide free nurseries and suppliers available they could work with. Using local suppliers reduces your ecological impact; and, the US has more stringent regulation so flowers grown here almost always carry less pesticides. You can also check out http://www.organicbouquet.com/for for ideas.

One dozen Aphrodite Roses, $44.95, Organic Bouquet

· Register for eco-friendly goods. Pottery Barn has amazing organic bed linens and bath towels. Or you could opt for bamboo or hemp placemats instead of regular linen, or register for art or pottery made locally. Check out http://www.branchhome.com for some hip eco-friendly ideas ranging from bowls to bedding. If you are registering for appliances, choose those with the Energy Star label.

100% organic-bamboo bowls by Bambu, $24, available at branchhome.com

· Recycle, recycle, recycle. Talk to your caterer to find out what they do with all the used soda cans, water bottles, and wine bottles at the end of the night. Get them to commit to recycling or designate a friend, family member or member of the wedding party to be in charge of gathering the goods for recycling.

Trend - Going Green

If "going green" is important to you look for a florist that specializes in organic. Look for a florist that purchases their flowers close to home from local gardeners.

Many of these local gardeners carry many varieties that the wholesalers do. And if often will save you some money as a side benefit.

Trend provided by Blooms by Martha Andrews

Photo courtesy of The Memory Journalists