WeddingWire Goes Green!
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
WeddingWire partners with Carbonfund.org
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
Go Green Weekend Tip
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
From now on, on Fridays, I have decided to leave you with a fun Go Green Weekend Tip that may or may not always have to do with green weddings. However, it will be a fun tip or something to think about until my post on Mondays.
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!
Tags: eco friendly fun, go green tips, go green with your fiance, green wedding tips
Destination Green Weddings? Get Out of Town! Go Green with Green Venues
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
In keeping with the theme of Green Wedding Venues, I found one that is great for destination weddings!
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
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
Tags: eco friendly destinaton wedding, eco-friendly powered venue, green destination wedding, green honeymoon, green resort, green wedding venue, offset your wedding
A Small Town Bride Doesn’t have to Go Far to Go Green.
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
If your are getting married in Maryland and are trying to find a green venue to accommodate a fairly small guest list, then Avalon Cliff may be the perfect place.
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.
Tags: eco friendly venue, eco friendly wedding, go green venue, green ceremony venue, green reception venue, natural wedding, unique venue
Cinderella’s Green Castle
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
While recently on WeddingWire I enjoyed reading brides wonderful reviews about Castle on the Hudson These brides were able to combine a fairytale wedding of the past with the future of green weddings. As a bride you can have it all at Castle on the Hudson located in Tarrytown, New York.
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!
Brian Hayduk, co‐founder and President of Juice, adds “We are thrilled to be working with such an historic and respected property. We’re even more thrilled about their commitment to green power. Hey, it’s not every day that you have a one hundred year old castle investing in a clean energy future.” (Read more on their partnership).
Besides being green, The Castle on the Hudson is decorated with many awards ranging from the Historic Hotels of America, Condé Nast Johansens Luxury Hotel Guides endorses The Castle on the Hudson as a “Recommended Property” for 2008, to a Five Star Diamond Hotel. It is no surprise that Castle on the Hudson has gone green!
Tags: eco friendly venue, eco friendly wedding, energy efficient venue, green wedding, green wedding reception, green wedding venue
Wine and Dine with Organic Wine!
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
Some wedding elements are more difficult than others to be eco-friendly. However, your wine decision is an easy way to go green with your wedding!
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!!
Tags: Add new tag, eco friendly wine, go gree with wine, organic drinks, organic grapes, organic wine, usda
“The more we get together, together, together, the more we get together the Greener we’ll be”
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
Are your family members gathering for Thanksgiving or the upcoming Holiday season?
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!
Tags: eco friendly holidays, eco friendly transportation, green bridal shower, Green Wedding Ideas, thanksgiving
Make the Right Cake Choice and Go Green with “Choices by Shawn” Specializing in Gluten Free, Sugar Free, and Dairy Free Baked Goods
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
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…
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.
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Sugar Free Products include yummy sounding cheesecakes, from Cinnamon Coffee to a Pumpkin Cheesecake that sounds perfect for a fall wedding!
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Gluten Free and Dairy Free includes a morning muffin, tempting macaroons and an array of cookies including my very own favorite
(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”
Tags: dairy free, gluten and dairy free cookies, gluten free, gluten free cake, green baked goods, green choices, green wedding cakes, organic cookies, organic weddings, sugar free, sugar free cheesecakes, Wedding Cake
Offset Your Wedding’s Carbon Footprint
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Living, Green Wedding Ideas
After you are named ‘husband and wife’ all weddings can rack up a lot of waste from car or airplane emissions to the tons of waste from the event itself.
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/
Tags: calculate carbon footprint, carbon calculator, carbon footprint, carbonfund, co2, contribute, donation, eco friendly, footprint
Candles are a staple item at any wedding, even your Green Wedding!
Posted by Green Weddings | Filed under Green Wedding Ideas
Candles at a wedding are like icing on a cake, but what about eco friendly candles?
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/
Tags: go green candles, green candles, Green Wedding Favors, organic canldes, organic scented candles, organic wedding favors, scented candles, soy candles, wedding candles
