Everyone at Green-Weddings hopes you are outside enjoying the Earth and are inspired to include some eco-friendly ideas into your life, whether it’s weddings, parties, or just daily activities!

Here at Green-Weddings, we have helped WeddingWire, INC support carbonfund.org’s Million Tree Challenge by planting a total of 110 trees!

WeddingWire Raised $110.00

Have you given back to you Earth?  How about planting a tree for $1! That’s right, each tree is one dolloar

You can plant a tree here: http://www.carbonfund.org/trees  

If you didn’t already know ‘The Garter Girl’ , aka Julianne Smith, you will want to learn more after reading this. Julianne has made a huge splash in the wedding industry by breathing new life into an old tradition with her hand-crafted garters and unique styles. I had the pleasure of celebrating the launch of her new collection and new design of her website at the swanky Vastu! She has pioneered the first and only eco-friendly collection of wedding garters and has released the second line, which are made from recycled plastic bottles!

The background and accent colors can be mixed and matched to find the perfect style. The available background colors are: white, ivory, natural/khaki, gray and blue. The available accent colors are: light purple, pink, maize/yellow, lemongrass/green, navy blue, white and ivory. Choose from the existing color combinations or e-mail Julianne directly for a custom garter creation at info@gartergirl.com.  Whether you use your eco-fabulous garters as your ’something blue’ or just want  to show off your gams, these garters are the  perfect eco-chic keepsake for your wedding!

Khaki and Pink

Style 451

Your Something Blue

Style 453

We wanted to share this wonderful magazine filled with tons of inspirational ideas to make your wedding more eco friendly and beautiful.

Additionally, we are excited to announce that our very own blogger Persephone is in this behind the scenes video of the photo shoot for the COVER of the magazine!!  Just Beautiful!!

Photos by Classic Party Rentals Napa, Gallery 51, Good 2 Go Event Management, Inc., Natural Charms, OhSoSuite, Panache Event Group, Pure Ambiance Event Planning , Zuzu’s Petals

Or, if you really identify with all things Irish, you could have your wedding at an Irish pub!

Happy St. Patty’s everyone, don’t get pinched!

Photo credits (Clockwise from upper Right): MMD Events, Designs by Ahn (DBA), Granny’s Bridal Boutique, Jour Parfait, Granny’s Bridal Boutique

Share your centerpiece ideas in the comments, {green weddings} readers!

Our friends at Recycled Bride shared some of their top eco-friendly tips for this year, and we just had to send them along!

1. There’s No Place Like Home – Local is the hot word for sustainable weddings in 2010. From venues to menus, couples are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and cut their budgets by keeping celebrations “all in the neighborhood”. Backyard weddings are helping guests cut back on travel, and caterers are responding to clients’ demands for more locally produced food. Even wedding favors and decorations will be sought out from local artisans and shops.

2. Alterna-florals – The hippest weddings are in full bloom with flower alternatives like sustainable succulents and DIY paper flowers. Conventional cut flowers are expensive, plus they’re grown with pesticides and have a huge carbon footprint, so couples are seeking alternative ways to decorate. Many will eschew the floral look altogether by using soy candles, fruit, and found objects for table centerpieces and bouquets.

3. The Hourglass Bride – String beans in sheath dresses are so yesterday. Inspired by voluptuous newlyweds like Christina Hendricks of Mad Men, Salma Hayek, and Beyonce, brides are embracing their curves in wedding dresses that emphasize a well-rounded figure. Many are even flaunting — or creating — an hourglass silhouette with gowns that sport belted waists, peplums, and plunging necklines. This is the year that women will ditch their grueling “Buff Bride” workouts in favor of kinder, gentler activities like yoga, and celebrate their naturally feminine shapes.

4. Wedding Planning Goes Digital – From blogger brides to Facebook-ing florists, wedding planning has become an online community affair. “More and more, brides are turning to wedding forums to look for fresh wedding ideas and the latest wedding trends. Together, brides and vendors make these forums an incredible wedding planning resource to connect with others who are passionate about weddings.” says Christine Dyer, Founder of BridalTweet.com. Brides increasingly connect with each other for advice, support, and even labor trades on community-based social networks like GiveGetNation.net and BrideShare.net.

5. Not-So-Mellow Yellow – The hottest color of 2010 is also the warmest. Sunshine-y yellow pairs beautifully with cobalt blue and violet for an electrifying palette that’s bright and bold. Or combine pale yellows with white, ivory, and fresh green tones for a sunny and natural color theme. Many succulents bear yellow blossoms, making this cheerful color an easy choice for sustainable bouquets and centerpieces.

6. The Times Are A-Changing – Saturday night weddings aren’t the only game in town. Brides and grooms are scheduling their nuptials on weeknights, Sundays, and even early mornings in 2010. It’s less expensive to book  a venue or caterer on “off days”, and as telecommuting becomes more popular, guests are gaining flexibility in their schedules. Weddings we’ll see this year will include sunrise affairs followed by romantic brunches, and chic mid-week dinner parties.

7. Bright Bridal Shoes – Forget the white and ivory satin slippers and “dyeable” sandals of wedding days gone by. Bridal shoes in bright and bold hues like fuschia, emerald green and electric blue are hot hot hot in 2010. Colored shoes are a chic and stylish surprise under a white wedding gown, plus they’re more versatile than white satin and can be worn again with a little black dress.

8. Flexible Registries – The registry has been reinvented by sites like the AlternativeGiftRegistry.org, and this year we’ll see many brides and grooms skipping the Stepford registries in favor of more flexible options. More couples will opt for “open” online registries where they can request everything from charitable donations to eco-friendly housewares to cash for a down payment on a home.

9. Unexpected Seating – At both receptions and ceremonies, seating arrangements are being switched up. Think scattered chairs and benches for ceremonies, and long communal tables, clustered couches, and bar tables with stools for receptions. No more will the family and friends of the bride and groom be kept apart by rigid seating assignments at separate tables. This year’s seating arrangements will encourage guests to mix, mingle, dine and dance.

10. Something Old, Something New – The hottest sustainable trend for 2010 (and our personal favorite, of course!) is incorporating recycled elements like gently used wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses, pre-owned wedding decorations, and vintage bridal jewelry into weddings. Sites like RecycledBride.com connect buyers and sellers for free, so they can reduce their wedding budgets and their carbon footprints. More and more brides are joining the wedding resale revolution, discovering how easy it is to save money and be a little greener by buying and selling their gently used wedding items.

Tell {green weddings}, which tip is your favorite? Do you have trendy tips to share?

If you live in the greater Washington, DC area and want to have a gorgeous and green wedding, the Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase  is definitely worth checking out. 

WHEN: February 21, 2010 | 1pm to 5pm
WHERE:  Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, College Park, MD

For more information and to register, visit  www.greenweddingshowcase.com

Things to do:

Meet vendors that provide green or sustainable services such as

Sticky Fingers Bakery

Attend the  Aveda Institute Eco Fashion Show featuring many green designers for eco friendly wedding fashion, such as

 The Cotton Bride

Check out the venue and host of the Green Wedding Showcase - Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center

This beautiful setting was recently awarded with the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Award and is definitely a venue to look at while exploring the green wedding showcase!

Added Bonus

This event’s carbon footprint will be offset by Carbonfund.org which is a nonprofit company that offers great tips on how to offset your wedding! Check out their Carbon Wedding Calculator.

Calling all wedding enthusiasts and aficionados  ! Where will you be on February 6, 2010? Come to the Washington DC Couture Wedding Consortium (DCCWC) for the 2^nd annual luxury bridal show at the Decatur House from 1-4! Join the best and the bridest (pun definitely intended) of the wedding industry! Meet and mingle with founder of the DCCWC and Editor-In-Chief of Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine, Katie Martin, Style Editor for Eco-Beautiful Weddings and President of POLISHED Robin Fisher, the custom Garter Girl, Julianne Smith and ogle over dress collections by The Cotton Bride and Punkrock Bride (as seen on the cover of Eco-Beautiful Weddings Magazine). Blogging LIVE from the DCCWC and giving you the play-by-play are featured bloggers: Devon Pearce & Danielle Freedman from District Weddings, Emily Newman from Once Wed, Nole Garey from Oh So Beautiful Paper, Amy Jean Chung from Weddzilla & the Relentless Bride. Receive free gifts and giveaways. And much, much more!

Signature cocktails are a fun way to add personalization to your party punch, and it’s even more exciting when you can use organic products! Their website shows a variety of cocktail recipes that are sure to wow your guests. I love the idea of using local ingredients in your signature drink: Orange-infused for a Florida wedding, cranberries in winter, or cherry blossoms for spring in DC.

Check out some of the guest mixologists‘ ideas:

“Going Green”

• 2 oz. Square One Cucumber
• 4 oz. Jasmine Green Tea
• 1/2 tsp. Stevia (natural herb sweetener)
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 dash Fee Mint Bitters

Combine all ingredients into a large tumber, serve over ice with a mint garnish.

I love the “Peaches & Herb” cocktail that’s featured. Does it make you want to have a Georgian summer wedding or what? Check out the recipe and the YouTube video:

• 2 oz. Square One Botanical
• 3 lemon verbena leaves
• 1 thick slice of ripe white peach
• 1/4 oz. lemon juice
• 1/4 oz. organic agave nectar
• 1 dash Fee’s Peach Bitters

Muddle lemon verbena and peach in rocks glass. Add lemon juice and agave nectar and top with lots of crushed ice. Pour Square One Botanical over crushed ice and stir well with a bar spoon. Garnish with a thin peach slice and lemon verbena leaf.

Square One Botanical in Peaches & Herb Cocktail

Tell us, are you having a signature cocktail at your reception? If so, how are you incorporating eco-friendly elements? Cheers!

While browsing one one of my favorite sites, One Kings Lane, a great site with discounts on designer products, are featuring  Pancake & Franks! If you haven’t heard, this invitation company specializes in customizable high-quality letterpress printing, “delicately expressed on fine stock made from ecologically respectful 100% recycled paper with soy-based inks.”

While many engaged couples have turned to emails to notify guests of their wedding plans.  It is still quite popular and somewhat sweet to receive a formal  save the date or invitation  to their wedding guests.

Just look at these beautiful samples from their website or check them out on OneKingsLane.

Here are some custom designs for weddings:

Holiday Tip:

This season many of us are wrapping gifts, but we don’t need to waste paper in the process!  Check out Earth Presents

Cute Menorah Design

A family friend has created their own line of 100% Recycled and Recyclable wrapping paper.  The designs are inspired by the drawings of students with special needs.  These festive eco-friendly wrapping paper designs are a great way to share your cheer this holiday season!  My friends and family loved this paper, AND we could recycle it!

Kate and I had a blast attending the DC Green Wedding Consortium’s Holiday Party at the Decatur House last week. Thank you so much to Michelle Slaughter from HerPreSign and Katie Martin from Elegance and Simplicity for inviting us!

Here’s Kate and I with Michelle. She is also the Managing Editor of Eco-Beautiful Weddings, who unveiled the cover art for their premiere issue (which came out December 15!)

The reveal of the cover photo for the premiere issue, don’t you love the detailing on the dress?

All the desserts were delicious, organic and provided by Cakes by Design and Mallowdrama. We also sipped some some refreshing cocktails with Square One Vodka.

Kate and I had to sample some of the cupcakes! Yum!

If you are getting married in the DC area, be sure and check out the entire member list of the DC Green Wedding Consortium. They are all great vendors who will help you put an “eco-beautiful” spin on your big day! You can also browse all the other Green Wedding Consortium member cities here.

]]> http://www.green-weddings.net/green-weddings/eco-friendly-fun-at-the-dc-green-wedding-consortium/feed/ 0 http://www.green-weddings.net/green-weddings/need-help-planning-a-green-wedding-find-a-green-planner/ http://www.green-weddings.net/green-weddings/need-help-planning-a-green-wedding-find-a-green-planner/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:25:21 +0000 Green Weddings http://www.green-weddings.net/?p=289 Green weddings can be somewhat more challenging to organize and pull together. There are always different areas of a wedding that a couple can go green with. Common areas are catering, location, florals and it’s sometimes hard to know what will work best for your dream wedding.

If you are nervous or unsure about picking the right things, I’m here to help! This week will be dedicated to finding green wedding planners who specifically plan green weddings. Green wedding planners are a great resource for your ‘here and there’ or full on eco-friendly wedding in every aspect! Stay Tuned…

I have visited the Botanical Garden before and it’s a must see, however this is a wonderful time to visit for those planning eco-friendly weddings to get inspired by Edible Gardens!

Starting this Saturday through Sept 13th, Botanical Garden will be hosting festivals, farmer markets, and exhibits promoting this summers main event, Edible Gardens. The idea is to be inspired to “Grow, prepare, and eat garden-fresh produce” NY Botanical Garden

As an engaged couple this would be a fun event for this weekend or any of the two festivals and Thursday wine tastings! Plus you will have the chance to get to meet a few famous chefs,Martha Stewart will be renovating Nancy Bryan Luce Herb Garden!

Martha Stewart and her team visited The New York Botanical Garden on April 25 for a ceremonial planting of Martha Stewart’s Culinary Herb Garden, which will be one of the many highlights of The Edible Garden, the upcoming summer-long celebration of growing great food. Click here to download the site plan for the garden.

According to, Chloe Rosenberg’s New York Botanical Garden embraces fresh food movement in The Bronx,> “Martha Stewart has collaborated with the Botanical Garden to revamp its herb garden. It has been transitioned from a facility housing mostly medicinal herbs to one containing herbs to be used in food. The herbs include five types of basil and three types of thyme. ‘I think it turned out really well. They made a really nice garden here.’ said Andrew Beckman, the garden editor at Martha Stewart Living. Stewart is scheduled to visit the garden Saturday. She plans to prepare herb-themed cocktails – including such creations as Purple Basil Mojitos and Marthatinis – for garden visitors…Others include Emeril Lagasse and Lidia Bastianich. Celebrity chef Mario Batali narrates the exhibit’s audio tour, which visitors can access via their cellphones.”
From www.mydailynews.com

Get more information at http://www.nybg.org/edible_garden/

Get your tickets!

ENJOY A ECO FRIENDLY WEEKEND!

From Perfect Bound

I wanted to share Liesl Menning, Martha Stewart’s personal assistant, and Kevin Haynie, famous country musician, environmentally conscious wedding. With the help of Wedding Planner Darcy Miller and a wedding bouquet made by Martha herself, their ideas can be an inspiration for any summer wedding!

Go to 2:23 for clips of Liesl Menning’s Wedding.

One of my favorite ideas was to combine the place setting with a gift by making the place settings a CD of songs written by Kevin. Now only if we could find a musician to marry!

Kevin wrote love songs for the CD.

Read More on TheMarthBlog

Check out some of their Vendors:

View more Pictures from their Photographer Josh Reeder

View the menu from their caterer Jeremy Barlow, Chef and Owner of Tayst Restaurant “first and only green certified restaurant in Nashville”

WeddingWire is right on track with the latest wedding trends, Green Weddings.  WeddingWire understands weddings are large investments using lots of energy.  With this understanding, WeddingWire partners with Carbonfund in the effort to help engagned couples to offset their wedding’s co2 emissions by creating a calculator tool on WeddingWire’s wedding websites.

From the press release: Martha Stewart Weddings Editorial Director Darcy Miller believes, “With the state of the planet on so many people’s minds, it is natural that brides and grooms want to incorporate a green aspect to their wedding. The offering of the carbon calculator on a couple’s wedding website is a great way to educate the couple and their guests about offsetting their carbon footprint and throwing an eco-savvy event.”

After reducing one’s carbon footprint, carbon offsetting is the only way to become carbon neutral. “We are excited to have worked with WeddingWire in conveying our global warming message and integrating our carbon calculator on WeddingWire’s wedding websites, said Eric Carlson, President of Carbonfund.org. “This helps couples and their guests take responsibility for and offset their carbon footprint by supporting innovative carbon reduction projects.”

Carbonfund.org’s carbon emissions reduction projects are in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation in the U.S. and abroad. All of Carbonfund.org’s projects are independently verified to the highest certification standards. The nonprofit organization provides an array of individual and business offsetting options.

In addition to the carbon calculator, WeddingWire helps engaged couples reduce their carbon footprint by providing referrals on its site to local vendors in the couple’s vicinity for wedding needs. Using local vendors helps minimize CO2 emissions from transporting goods. Over 100,000 vendors nationwide are part of WeddingWire’s network, providing everything from wedding venues to wedding cakes.

“We are always looking for new ways to leverage our technology to better serve our users,” says Timothy Chi, Chief Executive Officer of WeddingWire. “This partnership with Carbonfund.org will be incredibly beneficial for the countless number of couples looking to be environmentally conscious. With the integration of Carbonfund.org’s carbon calculator, couples can ensure their personalized wedding website serves as the central place for wedding guests to become informed on the importance of a sustainable future, access event details, gift registry information, submit online RSVPs, and find local area information.”

For more information, please visit http://www.carbonfund.org/weddings.

SOURCE: WeddingWire, INC.

http://www.weddingwire.com/corp/press-center

That being said, the first Go Green Weekend Tip….

Use less water in the shower and take a shower with your fiancé!

That’s right you can save a lot of water and heating power by sharing bath time, so have fun and Go Green this weekend!

Though some believe it is not totally green to have a destination wedding, but If you really want to have you wedding elsewhere, you still can do a part by picking an green venue. If you don’t want to have a larger party travel, why not venture here for a honeymoon!

Green hotels are springing up everywhere, so go ahead and travel but offset the traveling by opting for Green Venue. Try out Belize’s first eco-friendly beach resort as a perfect tropic green wedding venue, Palmetto Bay Maya Beach Resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in Belize.

• Beautiful vistas both sea and forest make perfect background to your wedding
• Amazing facilities including a roof terrace that can serve as a ceremony or reception location

  

• Beautiful rooms and accommodations will certainly make your guests remember your wedding
• Diverse culture with “a cross-pollination of cultures – ancient Maya people, Spanish and British, African roots, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese and Indian influences and yet the official language is English”
• 

  
  

• Activities range from lounging at the infinity pool to kayaking to exploring the Myan ruins

  

• BONUS- “Designed Green from the Ground up to Protect all this Forever”

Palmetto Bay offers “sustainable technologies and systems to reduce ecological impact. As the first resort development in the Belize to be designed ‘green’ from the ground up, the resort has integrated leading edge geothermal, solar, and water filtration technologies, which alone is estimated to conserve 1,000 gallons of water per day at full occupancy – beneficial to both the environment and reducing ongoing operational costs for owners.” From FindArticles – Palmetto Bay Resort to Bring Luxury Beachfront Resort Real Estate to Southern Belize’s Placencia Peninsula Business Wire, June 3, 2008

Located 8 miles from BWI airport, this venue offers its intimate facilities tucked away in the wilderness overlooking 15,000 acres of the Patapsco River Valley State Park. Avalon Cliff offers 6 outside gathering areas as well as the main clubhouse which can hold 30 guests. While Avalon Cliff doesn’t have wireless and is only open in April May June August and September, it does offer Go Green Wedding Packages.

Imagine an all natural light show at the end of your beautiful wedding or rehearsal dinner. The kicker, knowing that you have done it the all natural way! Besides using locally organic products and picking up your guests in a eco-friendly limo, Avalon Cliff donates 10% of profit to environmental causes. As a Certified Wildlife Habitat, it has donated money to wildlife preservations. Click here for more information to a private green wedding venue.

This historic landmark is not only nestled in the lush green lawns & gardens, but their energy source has also recently been updated with the help of Juice Energy. From the press release, “Through a new agreement signed in February, Juice will be supplying Castle on the Hudson with electricity equivalent to 100% of their annual use, in the form of wind power,” thus becoming the nations first eco-friendly castle!

Think about it, the taste and quality of the wine served to all of your guests is always a crucial decision, but not many of us know that organic will actually produce some of the best tasting and quality wine. Before I lend some organic wine suggestions, here is a small tutorial of what organic wine really means.

According to the USDA Definition for Organic food is as follows: “Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; petroleum-based fertilizers or sewage sludge-based fertilizers; bio-engineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.” Read more

What does that mean? Basically all you need to know is that there are three variations of ‘organic’ wine:

100% organic: These wines are produced with grapes that are certified 100% organically grown and do not have any added sulfites.

Just ‘Organic’ – Refers to wines that have at least 95% of their ingredients from certified organic sources. These wines may have an additional 100 ppm of sulfur dioxide added to them.

Made with Organic Grapes – Refers to wines that have at least 70% of their grapes from organic sources. These wines may have sulfur dioxide added as well. *wine info from Stacy Slinkard, About.com

Now don’t get me wrong, any of these organic variations are better than nothing at all! Keep in mind, because of harsh conditions, unfertile the soil and nasty insects, grapes are one of the most chemically sprayed produce out there today. However, I would like to share a few organic vineyards that create wonderful wine without harmful pesticides.

The Organic Wine Company proudly displays organic in their title. This company offers a number of imported French wines. Like many organic conscious wine connoisseurs, this company is based off of a long tradition. Véronique, the founder of Organic Wine Company, states, “For more than 200 years, my family has grown grapes and made wine on our St. Chinian property, Château Bousquette, in the South of France. In 1970, our grandfather, a retired professor of medicine, decided to devote his “Golden Years” to the family estate. He studied and experimented, seeking better, healthier ways of growing grapes and making wine. In 1972, he began cultivating our 50 acres of vineyards organically.” Véronique even selects the wines they offer for the Wine of the Month Club that would make a wonderful gift!

Lolonis Winery really gives a new perspective on organic wine. The wine wizards at this vineyard don’t label it as organic, they claim “This is no accident. In our experience, the organic winemaking methodology makes a wine that is unstable, and its quality is often suspect. Quality is the highest priority at Lolonis. We stake our well-earned reputation on it” (Lolonis Winery).

What I think is great about Lolonis Winery is their deep appreciation for the ladybug! It’s the ladybug that keeps away harmful insects, there is no need for pesticides.

My third pick as helpful in times of economic crisis! Trader Joe’s defies a common misconception that organic wine is expensive. Trader Joe’s offers an inexpensive organic chardonnay. Read here for more information about that TJ’s wine.

The right wine can really enhance your guests overall dining experience for your wedding guests. So, no matter if you want a French wine, 100% organic, or something not too expensive these variations organic is the way to go green!!

If so, don’t make your family members travel again to participate in pre-wedding festivities. Save them money, time, and not to mention a large amount of energy used in transportation. Combine the joy of the holidays and the joy of your wedding with a few strategies!

No matter what state of the wedding process you are in, this can be the perfect opportunity to kick off your engagement, have a bacchelorette party, or even better, have a bridal shower.

1) Skip the formal written engagement announcements: Announcing your engagement at a family gathering will only add to the love and joy you are all giving thanks for.

2) Going to a fun area for the holidays: Everyone wants to kick back on around the holidays, so why not plan a night out for the Bachelorette or Bachelor party. Or better yet, holiday season many bars are booked for private parties, so, through a low key shindig at someones house and really save on transportation to and from bars, not to mention the pricey bar tab. If you’re sold on going out, since most likely you will be together, think about having a joint Bachelor/Bachelorette.

3) For the bridal shower announcement: The holidays often means all types of family members, old and young are all together. This is a prefect situation for the bridal shower. Thanksgiving, in particular, is a wonderful occasion to give a bridal shower as you are thankful for meeting your future husband or wife.

Also just for some organic fun…Here are some beautiful table setting and decoration ideas from Sarah Dennis Toasts and Tables blog using all natural items!

Now, the highlight of my day was going around to all the exhibitors who had endless amounts of food samples. Little did I know, as I was leaving the convention center, a cookie that was handed to me would be my favorite sample of them all!

The show was Sunday, and now Thursday, I went into my Cooking & Entertaining goodie bag and pulled out a seemingly traditional chocolate chocolate chip cookie. Unwrapped and into my mouth, the taste immediately brightened up my face and I went for another bite. Licking my fingers, I emailed my friend who I also attended the show with me and said, “this may be the best cookie I’ve ever had, you must try it asap!” He wrote back, “Delish!”

After emailing my friend, I checked out their website hoping to find this cookie!

To my surprise, I was presented with…

Choices By Shawn

Specializing in Gluten Free, Sugar Free, and Dairy Free Baked Goods

All the cookies, muffins, and cakes are divided into these three types.

• Gluten Free offers Carrot Cake, an area of muffins, Cinnamon bars, and fudge cake.
• Sugar Free Products include yummy sounding cheesecakes, from Cinnamon Coffee to a Pumpkin Cheesecake that sounds perfect for a fall wedding!
• Gluten Free and Dairy Free includes a morning muffin, tempting macaroons and an array of cookies including my very own favorite

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIE

(Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

Ingredients: Semisweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, lecithin, vanilla), brown sugar, canola oil, eggs, vanilla, gluten-free all-purpose flour (garbanzo bean, potato starch, tapioca flour, whole grain sweet white sorghum four, fava bean flour), baking powder.

“Contains eggs”

I propose to you, make the right choice and add a sweet taste of green with

“Choices by Shawn”

If you can’t manage to go green on the day of your wedding, there are still ways to help the environment. CarbonFund offers a great wedding tool to help offset your carbon footprint!

Do your part and take a few minutes to calculate your wedding’s carbon footprint and contribute the calculated amount to carbonfund.org They will provide your contribution to help climate friendly companies and for energy efficient projects. They suggest to contribute $80.00 to offset 8 tons of waste, but depends on your weddings calculation.

More Information can be found from  http://www.carbonfund.org/site/pages/individuals/category/Weddings/

Searching on www.weddingwire.com I found more than what I was looking for when searching for candles for weddings. Organic soy based candles from Mia Bella Gourmet Candles

Not only does this vendor provide soy based candles, but they also provide scented candles!

There are unscented and traditional scented candles that you would think of such as Cinnamon and French Lavender. Then there are those that are a bit more exotic like Forbidden Fruit and Chocolate Kiss.

Sifting through all 120 scents, my imagination took off and I began thinking of different elements where I could use the candles. You could place some of these cute candles with floral arrangements to match the scents, such as Lilac and Gardenia. You could even use these mini candles as wedding favors!

Through WeddingWire, I found something I never considered before, but I’m so glad I stumbled upon this little gem at http://www.littlelightomine.scent-team.com/