Gorgeous Succulents

Gorgeous and Green created another gorgeous wedding bouquet using local succulents and local dahlias. Many of the succulents were grown by me, and others came from local bay area gardens. As usual, I tried to use as many locally grown and non-sprayed flowers as possible in the wedding decor.

Most of the wedding was vivid jewel tones, a theme taken from the bride's collection of glassware that we used to decorate tables at the Berkeley Botanical Garden.

Since the bride was wearing a vintage inspired cream lace gown, we toned down the bouquet to give it the same vintage and feminine feel.

The great thing about cut succulents in a bouquet is that after the wedding is over, you can replant your succulents in soil and they will grow into a plant.

G&G

Impromptu Green Wedding

This Spring Gorgeous and Green had the pleasure of working with a bride and groom who walked into my boutique the weekend before their big day. They decided to have an impromptu wedding at a local winery called Testarossa Winery, and I have to admit that their quick decision making and planning was phenomenal. It also turned out to be quite green and sustainable because they were choosing from great local vendors and had sustainability in mind.

Besides myself, another sustainably-minded green vendor that they chose for their wedding was Cara of Cara Mia Photography. Not only is she a lovely person, but her work is beautiful, and I thought I would share some pics from the event as well as some interview questions I asked her.

GG bride's bouquet with local anemones, peonies, pincushion berry

How are you personally invested in sustainability and being green?

For me being green expands beyond my business which is just an extension of how I live life and the choices I make every day that effect the environment. I like to work with companies and vendors who are conscious of their carbon footprint and who offer real sustainable alternatives like recycled paper products, vegan leather and less plastic packaging. My work is all digital so there's less paper and chemical waste and I buy used equipment to try to get the most life possible out of electronics. At home, where my office is, we try to eat mostly locally grown organic food and compost our waste. My biggest passion is focused on raising awareness about plastic pollution in the ocean. I have a blog "A Mermaid's Tear" http://www.amermaidstear.blogspot.com/ where I share information about the devastating affects of single use plastic waste in the environment and ways we can change our habits. As I've learned more about this issue my awareness about both our spiritual and physical interconnection with nature has deepened tremendously and permeates my personal and business life.

GG local ivy garland with hanging amaranth, roses and local anemones

What are some of your favorite green ideas you've seen at weddings?

I always enjoy seeing handmade or eco-friendly favors like homemade jam or candy, plantable seed cards or beeswax candles. Any couple who chooses to work with a green caterer or florist that specialize in locally harvested and organic produce and flowers is my most favorite idea. That's the single most environmentally friendly thing a couple can do.

GG boutonnieres with local and non sprayed callas

Thanks Cara for your beautiful pictures and lovely thoughts.

G&G

Backyard Wedding

Here's a recent post from my gorgeousandgreen.wordpress blog that I thought I would share here as well. I hope to share more lovely pics when I get them!

The bride and her father

I haven't gotten the full photos yet from the Photographer, Amy Ellis, but I thought I would just share some sweet pics from a wedding Gorgeous and Green did a couple of weeks ago. Although it was in a backyard, it looked so very nice and quaint, perfect for a celebration.

The centerpieces

The bride and groom had asked for a lot of green and also wanted to include elements like blue thistle and lots of eucalyptus and kangaroo paw to note their heritage. (The groom is from Australia, so the kangaroo paw and eucalyptus or "gum leaves", were a special notation for him)

The happy couple

The bride and groom looked wonderful and they were a joy to work with. Cheers!

G&G

Succulent Wedding

Simple succulent weddings. I love including succulent rosettes in bouquets and arrangements. These succulents were grown here in Oakland, and the dahlias were grown in Half Moon Bay.

Photos courtesy of www.MicheleBeckwith.com

I also love simple weddings like the one featured here. The client asked Gorgeous and Green to provide the bouquet and boutonnieres for the Bride and Groom, family and special friends. There wasn't a big wedding party full of 10 bridesmaids in pink taffeta or 15 groomsmen in rented shoes. There weren't huge crystal candelabras or 7 layer cakes. Sometimes we can do those things and try to be as sustainable as possible (rent the candelabras and taffeta) But sometimes keeping those things off the list can actually make it easier to be sustainable with the concentrated amount of decisions left to make in a more simplified wedding.

The magnificent redwoods and ferns that make the lush landscape of Stern Grove in San Francisco was plenty ceremony decor for the couple. I've asked the photographer for some up close shots of the bouquet, since it was so lovely, but in the mean time you can peruse these lovely shots of the couple from afar. Very romantic.

G&G

Destination Wedding Minus the Destination

Last year Gorgeous and Green provided the floral decor and design for a wedding that took place locally. The inspiration was a Carribean Island. The bride's fiance is from the Dominican Republic, and rather than send everyone there for the wedding, she chose to bring the island here. And keep the carbon footprint a little lower too.

The bride was concerned about being green and so we included some green practices:

-The bride used non-paraffin candles made from sustainably harvested palm oil which I carry at the G&G boutique

-I chose a few hundred locally grown roses, hydrangea and lilies instead of flowers grown in South America or beyond

-The bride opted to rent many of the vases we used and what she didn't rent, she purchased as gifts for her guests to take home and use.

-I did not use any floral foam in any of the designs, and that was a challenge, especially with the beautiful cascading bouquet she had ordered. In case you don't know, floral foam is made of a type of plastic that has lots of hazardous chemicals in it to make it so nice and spongy! It's bad for the environment, and bad for those who come in to contact with it on a constant basis, so I won't touch it. There are other ways to find beauty in flowers, they are from nature after all.

The colors were reminiscent of the clear carribean sea and peach conch shells. Although it all felt so much like a beach vacation, we were not more than 20 miles outside of Oakland.

All Photos in this post by Lucie XYZ Photography

I guess you can have your island and be sustainable too!

G&G

Decorating with Jars

On a budget? Looking for something vintage-inspired or just simple? Want to avoid buying stuff for your decorations that you'll never use again?

Many couples are choosing to use canning or mason jars for their decorations. They might choose them because they are vintage looking, rustic, affordable or reusable. Not only are cute but they are recyclable and not made of plastic.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly way to decorate with flowers, finding affordable containers is a great way to keep costs down. Here are some pics from a wedding Gorgeous and Green did just last weekend for a couple who got married at a lovely antique store named the Rose and Thorn, in Sebastopol, CA.





I used all locally grown flowers, most of which were un-sprayed or organic. I also used biodegradable ribbon and leaves to decorate the outside of many of the jars. Some were newly bought canning jars, and others we had collected in preparation for the event.


G&G

Simplify and Stay Green

Finding green solutions to your planning and event needs can be overwhelming at times. One tip: don't over-plan. All the little extras can actually add up to bigger carbon footprint and extra waste, plastic, etc. Figuring out how to stay simple and not over-plan can actually reduce your stress too. Staying simple can help you go green and keep you happy!

I have not had one yet, but I look forward to the day when I have an event where we use just 1 type of flower. Not only would it help keep the planning costs down, we'd be able to source a local flower that might even be organic. We could support a local grower and get all the flowers from them.

Take the daisy for example. This is such a simple flower but still so bright and cheery, some would even say romantic. I recently delivered a lovely all-shasta daisy bouquet for a Gorgeous and Green client and it was very simple and cheerful. Take a look:



Lovely and simple.

G&G

Simply Green Wedding Decor

One of the best ways to stay green is to stay simple. Again, being green can be beneficial to your budget and the planet. How great is that?

All photos by Terry McCarthy
tmcphotography.com

This is yet another story of a lovely green and sustainable wedding event that took place in Oakland at a nice local Public Parks lodge. Gorgeous and Green provided the flower designs for the event, and the flowers were all locally grown. Some were local organic flowers, which can cost a little extra, but to keep the budget down we used fewer blooms. We also used some vintage milk and green glass vases that I rented to the couple for the event. Here are lovely dinnerplate dahlias in a rented vintage vase which = lovely understated elegance.




The Bride and Groom had a traditional Chuppah at their ceremony, which I dressed up minimally with twigs and blooms.



There were many flower girls, so each got one gerbera daisy to hold, which looked sweet and kept costs to a minimum.



The Bride looked stunning, and her bouquet of locally grown garden roses and bells of ireland matched her nicely. We even used some leftover sage ribbons I had from a previous event, that added to her bouquet.


Thanks Terry McCarthy and Elisheva for sharing your photos!


G&G

More Vintage Wedding Dresses...

Going Vintage for your wedding dress is an awesome idea, because it not only reduces waste and the need to manufacture new materials, but it also might save you some money and boost your wedding style.

I recently came across a cute vintage boutique in Los Angeles called Tavin.  They offer vintage clothes and vintage wedding dresses among other vintage and new items.  If you're in the LA area, you can check out their cute shop on your own, but if you're not, you can visit their etsy store: tavin Shop.  Check out these pictures that showcase some of the beautiful items they offer:

 All Photos by Leigha Hodnet

  

  

If you're interested in their items, mention this blog and recieve a 10% discount on your Bridal Collection purchase.  Need I mention that all of their wedding dresses are priced under $1,000?

G&G

Green Photographers for your Green Wedding

There are many ways to go green with your wedding, and choosing green vendors is one of them. I recently connected with Rebecca Wilkowski, a green photographer who is actively involved in green business practices and community.  I asked her to share some pics from a green wedding and some information about green photography with you.

How did you get started as a green photographer?

In 1997 I moved to California from the Midwest, and experienced a bit of culture shock. I was really intrigued by how important fitness and health was to so many people here. I quickly made friends with people who really placed an importance on healthy living, and living in harmony with their surroundings. In some respects, I had to un-learn a lot of what I was taught growing up. As I started to feel better in my body, I started being more conscientious of how I interacted with the environment around me. When I moved to San Francisco in 2004, I attended the San Francisco Green Festival. It was then that I realized that I could apply the principals of green living in my daily life, to those of my business. It took me about 2 years of research, and a lot of trial and error, in order to change my business to being more environmentally friendly. In 2007, I became a member of Green America’s Green Business Network, in 2008 a certified photographer of Greener Photography, and in 2010 a member of the Green Chamber of Commerce.

What makes you green?

There's many ways a photographer can lessen her/his footprint, but of the most common include: using rechargeable batteries, recycling, purchasing used equipment, using non-toxic/eco-friendly products, partnering with local green vendors, eliminating waste by going paperless (i.e. my portfolio is online, my products samples are viewed as a PDF, I use email to communicate, I upload all my client’s images into online galleries rather than providing proof prints, etc), employing energy saving techniques, purchasing carbon offsets for travel to destination weddings, and investing in green technology.

Hiring a certified green photographer not only helps you plan a wedding you can feel good about, but also has other perks. Online galleries let you view and share your photos when and where it’s most convenient. Hand-crafted and archival albums help ensure your priceless memories are an heirloom to cherish for years to come. And, with the waste-reducing measures your photographer takes, you’ll end up reaping those benefits when she/he passes those savings onto you, keeping your photography from breaking the bank. Best of all, your photographer will be able to work with, and refer you to, other reputable, eco-friendly vendors, helping you to save time in planning your big day.

1) I am a Certified Greener Photographer (Leadership Circle level) and currently serve on the Board of Directors for Greener Photography. Greener Photography is non-profit organization founded in 2008 with the goal of seeking to mitigate the environmental impact of the photography industry by educating consumers, photographers, and manufacturers about the benefits of hiring a certified greener photographer and incorporating greener business practices. Greener Photography aims to be the single most up-to-date and reliable resource for eco-conscious photographers.

2) I am a member of Green America, as well as a member of the Green America Green Business Network. (I am 1 of only 10 photographers in the United States approved to currently have this designation). Open to members of Green America, the Green Business Network is a highly selected group of socially and environmentally conscious business leaders. As a member of Green America’s Green Business Network™, members conduct business according to standards that reach beyond contemporary practices in addressing the needs of consumers, employees, the community and the environment. They certify and can demonstrate that they strive to operate in a socially just and environmentally sustainable manner.

3) My company is an approved member of the Green Chamber of Commerce.
The Green Chamber of Commerce is a growing and diverse business network dedicated to:
• Promoting the success of its members,
• Supporting the development of sustainable business practices, and
• Advocating for a green public policy

4) My company is currently in the process of applying for approval as a Green Business by the Bay Area Green Business Program. The BAGBP distinguishes small businesses that protect, preserve and sustain our environment. Their partnership of environmental agencies and utilities assists, offers incentives, and verifies that participating businesses conserve energy and water, minimize waste, prevent pollution, and shrink their carbon footprints. Businesses that meet BAGBP standards are officially recognized as “Bay Area Green Businesses”.

5) Back in 2006, I modified my business practices to be more environmentally friendly. I’ve covered areas such as business practices, technology, office workflow, and client products & services. Simple tips I recommend for any photographer to become more green include: reducing/reusing/recycling, using non-toxic/eco-friendly products, employing local vendors and staff, eliminating paper waste (go paperless!), using electronic media (email, FTP, websites, blogs, online galleries), employing energy saving techniques, using public transportation/carpooling, purchasing carbon offsets, and investing in green technology.

My company also offers a stylish line of eco-friendly products, including environmentally-friendly wedding albums, canvas wall prints, and DVD folios made from recycled materials. I make a conscious choice to work with, and purchase products from, other companies who are also Green Businesses or who offer eco-friendly products, whenever possible.

6) I have had the pleasure to work for, as well as photograph, many San Francisco Bay area green businesses and environmental organizations, including the Environmental Defense Fund, San Francisco Community Power, Pet Camp, Alonzo Printing, Veritable Vegetable, Lick-Wilmerding High School, Temple Emanu El.

How do you live green in other ways?

I actually went “green” at home first, and after I saw the benefits, I applied what I had learned to my business. In my personal life, I eat organic, in-season, free-range and locally farmed food; purchase eco-friendly clothing and furniture; reuse and recycle; compost food waste; carpool; patronize local small businesses; and try to limit my purchases to only those items I truly need. I also volunteer and donate to environmental non-profit organizations.

What's your greenest advice for the engaged couple planning a green wedding?

Find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible. Utilize the expertise of a green wedding and event coordinator. They will not only help you avoid the common pitfalls of wedding planning and save you lots of time, they’ll also be able to refer you to other eco-friendly vendors and provide you with lots of great ideas you might not have thought of. Talking to brides who have planned green weddings is another great way to get referrals. I also highly recommend the following websites: Greenerphotography.org, Greenamericatoday.org, Greenbrideguide.com

G&G

Green and Beauty Products

No doubt, on your wedding day and beyond you will be using soap, hopefully some deodorant, maybe some fragrance, a little lip balm or gloss, maybe some powder, mascara, nail polish... etc. Most of us use body and face care products and a fair amount of us use makeup.

All of these items can be green and good for us, or not so green and possibly even bad for us, depending on what's in them and how they're made. More and more consumers are getting smart about the products their buying and slathering on their skin, but there's more to it than you might think. I myself got a little tutoring session from the Organic Consumers Association and Skin Deep, the Environmental Working Group's cosmetic database.


Whether you're looking for some new organic products to try out or want to know more about what's in the stuff you are already using, these two websites might have some good information for you. Take a look at Skin Deep's Cosmetic Database to find out what level of hazard they've deemed that lipstick or mouthwash. Or, take a look at the list of Body Care Companies that have one or more products meeting USDA organic standards. (or look for the USDA organic seal, which means more than just seeing organic in the name or ingredients list)

I found some USDA organic products that I was already familiar with, and some new ones too. Take a look at a few picks I found for face, body and hair:

Miessence Concealers and Powders shown above

Miessence Mascara

Organoderm Moisturizer

Organoderm Facial Cleanser

Simply Organic Volume Spray

Simply Organic Hair Shine

Whatever you choose to rub or spray on your body, choose wisely. Pay attention to the ingredients list and ask questions. Some say up to 60% of what you put on your skin goes into your bloodstream. That's more than enough reason for me to do more investigating and make some changes.

G&G