Green Weddings & Events, More Clients, Less Impact

WOW ! Did you know that approximately 400 lbs of garbage are associated with each wedding?

Prior to the Association of Bridal Consultants Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, I thought I knew what a Green Wedding actually was. However, after attending the session by Kate Harrison, author of the Green Bride Guide, I found I knew very little.   Her book  The Green Bride Guide: How to plan an Earth Friendly Wedding on any budget, is a best selling wedding book.  She has now created the country's first green wedding professional certification class with the Wedding Planning Institute to help wedding planners learn about eco-friendly alternatives. 

In 2010, green weddings were the number five wedding trend globally, with 46% of couples looking to include eco-friendly elements to their wedding day plans.  The book offers dozens of tips and tricks to green a wedding day on any budget, without sacrificing style.  Some of the topics include:

• The environmental impacts of traditional weddings and the importance of going green.
• Ways to green any wedding or event just by making simple substitutions.
• Tips and tricks to green your wedding business.
• Techniques for incorporating the green message into your marketing materials. 

After attending this session, I feel that I have a better understanding of the environmental impact of each part of the wedding, from invitations to favors, to food and flowers.   I will be telling my clients about business associates that I work with that are environmentally conscious and assist my clients in finding eco friendly alternatives throughout their planning process. 

I plan to commit ways to make my own business greener, and look for more ways to use ideas and market them to others. 

Here are some links that could be helpful:

GreenBrideGuide.com
RecycledBride.com
SmartBrideBoutique.com

I will offer some green solutions in future blogs and welcome any green weddings that you have done that you would like to see featured here.   We can all be part of a Global Solution.  Let's give it a try.

Bamboo Island Gardens - Unique Wedding Ceremony Locations - A Hidden Oasis

www.islandlawnservices.com

A hidden oasis awaits you! This property showcases 20 different types of species of non-invasive clumping bamboo plants. Last night, I was a guest at a networking meeting that was held at Island Lawn Bamboo Landscapes located at 6540 85th Ave in Pinellas Park, Florida. This was the second time that I have been to this location and I continue to marvel at what a fantastic location this is for a small, intimate wedding ceremony, or other function. Once you step onto the sidewalk that leads to the rear of the building, you will be amazed at the transformation! You will believe you are in a beautiful tropical paradise. Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me last night, but I will add some photos. The location can accommodate approximately 100 guests, they have a gorgeous custom designed bamboo arbor, tiki umbrellas, and soothing fountains throughout the gardens.There are two outside restroom facilities, and a music sound system. Inside there is a refrigerator, and microwave, and areas for your caterers to work out of. For an intimate evening event, Kelly and Karlyn, the owners have tiki torch style lighting, and lighting to bring out the beauty of the different types of bamboo they grow. For the event that I attended last night, they had round tables with bamboo style seats, and candles on the tables. It was gorgeous. It is a peaceful and beautiful place. Have a look at their website www.islandlawnservices.com or give Kelly and Karlyn a call for a free complimentary consultation and to check availability. They can be reached at 727-548-0595. This location would provide a truly unique, exquisite, and tranquil location for your ceremony.

North Clearwater Florida, Lori and Tim

There are so many wedding superstitions, but the one that best fit the wedding Tim and Lori recently in North Clearwater is the one that has to do

with rain! Lots of rain!!!

The couple and their family had planned a lovely beach wedding but the weather was just not going to cooperate! It is said that if it rains on your wedding day, you will be blessed with fertility and good fortune, it is also said that your marriage will be a success because you worked under pressure and faced the obstacle together! Lori and Tim sure did that! The wedding was moved into the living room of the home they had rented. It was through the quick work and cooperation of all of us, to turn the living room into a lovely area for a wedding. Alysa George of Central Florida Weddings & Events worked her magic and assembled the archway and decorated it with the flowers and laid down the petals and pulled it all together so that Lori could be escorted in by her dad, along with the sons Brayden and Bryson to meet Tim under the arch! Along with that, they had written beautiful personal vows that they shared with each other. Tim's vows began with " You have the right to remain silent........" as he is a police officer, so that was very cute! It was a beautiful, intimate, and loving ceremony, and when they shared their vows, it was so evident how much in love they are. Brandon and Bryson did a great job blending their sand together with their parents, and enjoyed their important role in the ceremony. Congratulations Tim and Lori and your beautiful family! May you have an eternity of love and happiness together.