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

City Hall Wedding

As I've stated before, sometimes the easiest way to go green is to stay simple. And simple can be cute too. Gorgeous and Green recently provided the flowers for a couple who got married at City Hall in San Francisco, and the result was so darn cute, I had to share the pics and video provided by Reuben Rodriguez and Vanae Tran. Take a look:

The boutonniere was a simple binding of locally grown yellow button mums, camelia leaves and navy blue grosgrain ribbon.

The bouquet was a hand gathered bouquet of locally grown and non-sprayed white dahlias and yellow button mums tied with yellow cotton ribbon. The Hair piece was also a wired piece of locally grown yellow button mums and camelia leaves.

Click here to see their super darling wedding video. Or just watch here:

It's so simple yet so cute. I avoid floral foam and try not to wire or tape very much if possible. The ribbon is also cotton, so this makes for a biodegradable bouquet!


Thanks Mily and Peter for sharing your day with us!

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 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