Interview with an Event Planner

I have had the privilege of getting to work with Vera Devera, a local event planner here in the Bay Area, on a number of weddings. I've asked her to answer some questions about event planning and specifically, green-er events. Enjoy!

1. What kind of services do you provide couples?

Va de Vie Events specializes in month-of wedding coordination,

especially for brides who prefer planning the major elements but recognize the need for help with organizing the event flow, managing vendors, setting up decor and determining the final details. We also offer partial to full planning, including providing overall event design consultation and selecting and booking vendors.

Andi Hatch Photography (c) 2010

Salvaged lace served as the base for an escort card display (recycled kraft paper that was hand punched) and attached to a wrought iron gate.

2. Why would someone want to hire a planner/coordinator?

A wedding coordinator is like the quarterback between the bride and groom with their vendors and key family members. We act on your behalf to ensure that your vision for the day is executed. The greatest value we offer is our ability to troubleshoot and put out fires. Murphy's Law applies to even the best laid plans and it's our job to make sure you don't even know there was a problem and enjoy your wedding -- after all you have invested a lot of time, energy and money into making it extraordinary!

Belathee Photography (c) 2010

Principal event planner and owner, Vera Devera

3. What kind of advice/suggestions do you give couples who are trying to stay green while planning?

1. Determine how green you want to be. What are your priorities in minimizing your carbon footprint and how does it impact your wedding's look and feel and its budget? For example, when it comes to shopping for a wedding dress -- is the greenness of the material and getting a new dress made of bamboo fiber more important than finding a dress on Craigslist and getting it customized with vintage embellishments? Where are you going on honeymoon and how are you getting there? Are you volunteering together, engaging in an eco-tour or just having a relaxing getaway within 200 miles of where you live?

2. Go local! Where is your venue? Is it near public transit? Does it already have the tables and chairs that you need (or do you need any at all, especially if you're getting married on the beach)?

Greg Raphael Photography (c) 2010

Unbleached cotton market bags printed locally with vegetable dye.

3. Hire vendors who share your values. As you're researching or interviewing vendors, find out if they share your philosophy around being green. For example, is your photographer going all digital and will they post a gallery online for your friends and family to view photos? Find out if your floral designer can make a bouquet that you can plant later (e.g. succulent bouquet) and ask your caterer where their ingredients come from and how it's grown or raised.

4. Consider the season, especially for your food and flowers. It doesn't make sense to eat fruits and vegetables out of season and that have to be flown in from south of the equator for your wedding.

5. Shop smart. Thrift stores, antique flea markets or retail outlets that specialize in salvaged materials are great sources for "found" objects that you can incorporate into the look and feel of your wedding. Or, you can shop online. Our go-to is Etsy.com and we suggest searching for vendors (especially local ones) that recycle or use sustainable materials in their work. Keep in mind that it's best to buy locally -- for example, if you find an amazing antique trunk in New Jersey, it's not cost effective or environmentally friendly to get it shipped out of state.

6. Leverage your existing network and consider the reusability of materials. Can you borrow mason jars as vases from a friend? Can your crafty aunt share scraps from fabric projects? Could your grandmother's treasured brooch be tied to your bouquet?

4. What is your favorite part of planning an event?

Partnering with our clients to find solutions to their needs -- whether it's finding a DJ on a particular budget, determining the best layout for the reception, or creatively communicating seating arrangements to guests -- is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work. We pride ourselves in being resourceful and leveraging our community of talented vendors. And ultimately, it's seeing all the moving parts come together that's the best part of our job. We often work with couples months in advance leading up to the day-of and to see the bride and groom, their family and friends and the beautiful details come together is truly awe-inspiring.

Cake photo at top:

Davina + Daniel Photography (c) 2010

The cake table is a salvaged piece from Mignonne Decor. Also featured are scraps of ribbon to connect vintage letters with a felt heart in the center, champagne glasses (from her mother-in-law's wedding 35 years prior), an antique white milk glass cake stand found at a local flea market and fresh dahlias.

Lovely Vintage Adornments

I've mentioned it time and time again, but the best way to be green these days is to reuse what's already been made. It makes so much sense. It's also important to support small business and individuals in an economy that's been so difficult for small businesses. That's why I prefer to support artists and small businesses doing their part to be green. In the coming weeks I will continue to share posts on some green folks I've come across, and will start with a new individual today.

I recently re-happened upon some lovely wearable decor and gifts made my green-eyed girl, a Brooklyn-based designer and fashioner of green and pretty things. Most of her items are made of repurposed or vintage materials. There are some great feminine items to adorn brides or bridemaids, or anyone looking for some sparkle or swirls. Some of her items include these lovely vintage beaded collars fashioned with bows, flowers or little things:

And for the more modern and whimsical bunch, here's a fun necklace made with vintage old-stock zippers:

And a fem ruffly flower belt made of old stock silk:

But my favorite item is this lovely refashioned silk head piece with sweet vintage millinery buds attached:

Her ideas are sweet and green. That's hard to beat.

G&G

Green Wedding Venues

One of the first decisions (and some would argue the most important decision) most couples make when planning their wedding, is deciding where it's going to happen.  The venue...  

For the green couple, finding a venue that will represent their value systems and green choices is important.  But, not all venues talk green and not all actually walk the green talk.  This brings us to Wilbur Hot Springs.  Yes, it's a local and sustainable event Venue. If you're a Bay Area local, you may already be familiar, and if not, it's definitely worth checking out, multiple times, I might add.  (photography above by Gia Canali)

I recently discovered that this place, one of my favorite hot spring destinations, also acts as a venue for weddings.  And so, two worlds come together and I can't imagine a more beautiful and tranquil destination for a sustainable and nature-inspired wedding. I've asked the event coordinator/officiant at Wilbur to share some insight into their venue and some pictures, so that you can imagine the peace and tranquility while reading this post.

Photographer: Meg Solaegui

1. How is Wilbur a sustainable wedding/event venue?
Wilbur is 100% off the grid, powered entirely by solar panels and propane. Renovations and improvements are performed using eco-conscious building materials and practices. The solar panel array was installed in the early 1990s. Up to that time, the Wilbur hotel had been lit with kerosene lamps. The transition to solar-powered lighting was completed in 1991.

The refrigerators are all electric and are specifically designed to run on solar power. They are more efficient and use approximately one-third the power of consumer refrigerators The stoves in the kitchen, and the fireplaces, which heat the hotel in winter, are powered by propane. Wilbur uses compact fluorescent light bulbs and low-flow toilets. And the cleaning products we use are all eco-friendly.

Wilbur’s hot springs flumes are non-impact. In other words, the water is simply diverted from the geothermal source, held temporarily in the flumes and then returned to the creek. No chemicals are added to the flumes,and as a result no chemicals are being added to the water table.

The hotel and hot springs are located on approximately 240 acres. In 1999, the surrounding 1560 acres were purchased and designated as a nature preserve. In 2006, Wilbur began working with range ecologist Craig Thomsen from UC Davis to restore native plants to the area, and combat invasive species. Thomsen’s work continues currently, with Wilbur participating in raising grant money, and providing lodging in trade to guests who work with Craig.

Photographer: Meg Solaegui

2. What can Wilbur offer that other venues can't? (hot springs and natural elements, obviously, but I'd love your take on it)
We offer seclusion and privacy. It's incredibly quiet here, not including the bird songs, the running creek and the breeze in the trees. Our mission statement is Sustaining Wilbur Hot Springs Hotel and Preserve as the Perfect Place to Relax. When a group books exclusive use of the hotel, our staff is available to assist, yet not intrude.

Yes, our waters are unique...The waters had been used for healing for centuries by the Native Americans  and soon the European settlers knew of the healing springs. Specific sources along the creek were determined to be beneficial for hair, another for the feet. The unique minerals have a positive effect on muscles, joints and particularly for skin and all over detoxification. 

Photographer: Kurt Foeller

3. How does your role as officiant play a part?

A wedding is supported by the location of the ceremony and reception. Couples often request that I say something about this unique, natural place. I love to speak of the seasons and the animals that live here. How precious to see a hummingbird or deer during the ceremony!

I provide personal, meaningful and heartfelt ceremonies. Traditional or non traditional, I am experienced in creating spiritual, non-religious or secular, yet romantic ceremonies. I have collaborated with many couples of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. I honor all faiths, traditions or simply non-religious. There is no requirement that a couple use my services, I am available if they choose.  http://www.sacred-ceremony.com 

Photographer: Jacqueline Lasahn

4. Most amazing/interesting fact about Wilbur?
1: The hot springs rise up from a deep source at about 128 -140 degrees. Of course, we cool it down before it enters the flumes! 

2: Fresh air - we're up above the pollution. No city lights, an amazingly clear sky. One summer night, a guest pointed to the sky and remarked that there was smoke from a forest fire. When I told him it was the Milky Way, we both laughed! 

Wilbur Hot Springs is a great local venue, or even destination venue for your green-minded wedding or event.  I know it's going to be a destination of mine for years to come.

G&G

Planning Green

For a wedding or large event, there are a lot of little details. And those details can start to get overwhelming, so hiring a professional planner or coordinator can be a stress-reliever, if it's in your budget.  Hiring a green even planner and coordinator is even more important when you're trying to go green.  Not only are they super organized and adept at planning events, but someone who knows green can also help you make your event the most sustainable and eco-friendly it can be. (Photography above by Cathryn Lovecraft)

Photographer: Cathryn Lovecraft

I have had the opportunity to work with and get to know a local green event planner, Karine Brighten, here in the Bay Area.  I've asked her to share a little about green event planning.  Here is what she had to say:

1. Why did you choose green event planning?

I decided to do green event planning because I am very passionate about environmental issues in my personal life as well as in business.  I love educating my clients on how to make their events eco-friendly.  It's great when they realize they can actually save money while feeling great about their eco-conscious choices.

Photographer: Genvieve Shiffrar

2. How is a green event planner different from other event planners?

A green event planner is different than other event planners because we work very closely with other green businesses, we are very conscious about the environmental impacts that events can have, and we make decisions that will reduce our environmental footprint.  

Photographer: Genvieve Shiffrar

3. Besides hiring a green event planner, what do you see to be the most valuable green choice a couple can make in their event planning process?  

The most valuable green choices in my opinion are reducing the amount of paper (using electronic tools instead), having the event close to home, and working with local green businesses.

Not only is Karine green-minded, Karine Brighten Events is also certified Green Business.  Meaning that her own business practices are green like the events she plans.

G&G

Vintage Dresses = Green Dresses

These lovely dresses are from a collection of vintage and restyled vintage dresses from Recapture, a couture bridal service that specializes in vintage gowns from Victorian times to the 70's.




These dresses are super cool and so great because they are made from reused fabrics and lace!

I had the pleasure of meeting Robin, the owner, after opening my boutique last month in Berkeley. Her salon is just a few minutes from me and I hope to work with her more in the future, since Vintage is often such a stylish way to go green.


G&G