I'm dreaming of a green Christmas

Even tho Christmas is upon us, there's still time to stop and think about how we can make a difference with each gift given over the next few days. And what about that beautiful Christmas tree when it's finally time to put away the ghost of Christmas past.

This was printed in the National Geographic website four years but the advice still holds true.

"Between Thanksgiving and New Year's day, Americans throw away a million extra tons [900,000 metric tons] of garbage each week, including holiday wrapping and packaging, according to Robert Lilienfeld. Lilienfield is co-author of the book Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are.

So why not recycle holiday gift wrap? Lilienfield, who has published a newsletter on reducing waste since 1996, notes that if every family reused just 2 feet [0.6 meter] of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles [61,000 kilometers] of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet.

And not all gifts need wrapping. "Think back to your three favorite holiday memories," Lilienfeld said. "I'm willing to bet that they all involve time you spent with your family and friends."

By giving gifts that can be experienced, like tickets to a baseball game or a homemade dinner, you can minimize wrapping and still win points with the receiver. "People like these gifts just as much," he said."

When it comes time to taking down your Christmas tree, don't just throw it away - I like to stick it in a snow bank just outside my front window and enjoy the imaginary north woods feel it gives, especially when it's snowing. I've noticed the birds like to gather and nestle in their newfound sanctuary. There does come the time however when the last snow has melted and tree has lost it's green color but disposing the tree in your trash isn't the answer. It's perfect for composting or saw the tree branches into smaller more manageable sizes and save them for your outdoor firepit. They'll really get your fire started. Make sure open flames are permitted in your municipality before starting a fire.

Winter Wedding Preparations

I wouldn't be honest if I didn't mention the fact that there can be problems with a winter wedding, but being realistic and prepared will help to relieve the stress and worries of "what if..."so here is my best advice for coping with all that can happen.

Weather is the single-most "predictable" and unavoidable force that can impact your wedding day. Airports close, flights are delayed or canceled and guests are stranded in parts unknown. There isn't anything you can do about the weather, but there are ways of protecting your investment so your day doesn't disappoint.

• Wedding insurance can be purchased for a small fee in the range of $300 to $500. If the wedding is postponed due to weather related incidents, all fees, deposits and expenses are reimbursed. WedSafe is just one of the companies that provides insurance for a variety of causes and worth so much more than the expense which is less than .01% of your entire budget.
• For guests who travel by plane, train or automobile suggest they arrive two to three days prior to the actual wedding day. This gives them a cushion in case of delays and if all goes well and there are no delays, who can argue about having a few extra days of vacation?
• Trip insurance is also a wise investment for those travelers. The policies are usually $15 to $30 depending on the details but covers canceled flights, canceled trips due to illness or accident, flight delays which result in missed flights among other things.

When locating a venue for your winter wedding, I strongly recommend one that offers valet service or will allow you to hire your own. I have encountered instances when guests chose to go home rather than find a parking spot and walk a short distance in the negative temperatures just to get to a reception, only to do this all over again at the end of the evening. Valet service allows guests to drive up to the doors and avoid the hassle of looking for a parking spot nearby. The fee averages $5 per car which is a small price to pay compared to the cost of a pre-paid dinner averaging $75 per person. The venue does not refund the cost of meals for no show guests.

Remember to give your valet staff an extra tip, especially during frigid temps or heavy snow. At the very least, welcome them in and provide hot beverages to warm up. They'll go that extra mile if you show you care about them.

All your vendors should be on a carefully prepared timeline that takes into account weather and traffic delays. A little snow on your wedding day can be beautiful but it can also cause nightmarish traffic problems. Far better to have your vendors arrive early and sit than to be rushing in late and scrambling to catch-up.

Your flowers will not last long in sub-zero temperatures, so chose carefully when considering both your florist and the flowers. Some flowers like a poinsettia will turn black almost instantly if their petals get too cold. Confirm your floral selections are somewhat hardy and also confirm they will be transported to your ceremony and reception sites in heated delivery vans by experts who care about the finished product and not just delivery staff who have a drop-off to make and they don't care how they make it.

The flowers need to be protected as much as possible so as not to subject them to the bitter cold and they need to be moved swiftly into the venue. They cannot sit outside for more than a couple minutes without being severely affected by cold.

If the thought of outdoor photos appeals to you, be prepared - a strapless gown will look stunning with a mink stole or better yet full-length faux-fur. Beautiful opera length gloves will enhance the look but help a little to keep the nip off your fingers. For the groom, coordinate a scarf in your wedding colors and add a little style by getting him a Confirm your photographer has the right equipment to shoot outdoors in freezing temperatures and take frequent breaks to warm up.

I saved the best for last - hire the professional services of Fete Perfection to deal with the unexpected problems that can arise at any wedding but especially at winter weddings. Enjoy your day knowing your consultant is quietly working behind the scenes to make your wedding day the day you always dreamed of.

Compelling Reasons for a Winter Wedding

Yesterday I came clean on my passion for winter weddings, today I'm going to give you every reason under the sun dog to have a winter wedding and to do it with style and ease.

• Some of the best deals can be had in the winter, which is technically the off-season in snow country. Food and beverage minimums are significantly lower, 25 to 50% lower than during prime wedding season. This goes for wedding professionals as well. While they may not lower fees as drastically, they are happy to book a date when everyone else is home playing Monolopy by the fire. I'm certain you will see major concessions or complimentary upgrades of goods or service if you inquire about a Saturday in February or March.
• Design and decor is a no brainer - the color schemes are wide and varied but all have one thing in common, look around what do you see? Sparkles, bright lights, warm hues, ice crystals, numerous shades of white and nature at its barest, bark and branches, ice and evergreens...the options are endless. You see beauty in the crystal blue sky after a snowstorm, frost patterns on your window panes and every little tree branch blanketed in newly fallen snow, shimmers and glistens. These same looks can be recreated indoors with the help of a talented florist, designer or wedding consultant. Some of these looks can be done on your own, but just be careful it doesn't look like Aunt Betty and her knitting club did your "decorating".
• Flexibility with venue options is much greater with a winter wedding. I've seen couples have to settle for a wedding date or a location that wasn't their perfect or first choice because many sites book a year or more in advance. Chances are you will get your first pick of dates and locations with a winter wedding.
• Along these sames lines you are almost guaranteed to confirm the most highly sought-after wedding professionals by choosing a winter wedding. The award-winning, industry leaders book dates a year or more in advance but with your winter wedding chances are great you can secure your first choice.
• Chances are good your wedding date will not conflict with friends or coworkers weddings so your guest attendance may be higher than the average 65%.

Watch for additional posts regarding winter weddings - there is so much to say and so little time to say it...

Winter Weddings

Okay, I admit it...I am a closet winter wedding geek. For anyone who knows me, they hear me constantly complaining about the snow and cold but more likely they'll hear me scheming to get to the warm waters of the Caribbean or Mexico.

However when I stop and think about it, winter can be a beautiful time of year all courtesy of Mother Nature. I read that forecasters are predicting a snowier than usual winter, which means driving headaches and parking angst. But hey, I'm a "glass is half full" kind of gal so I'm choosing to put a positive spin on this.

I had the great pleasure to design and pull together a fabulous winter wedding for Ashley and Shea this year and we used a lot of silver and gold. But the color palates can vary from silver and blue, to all white tone on tone, to red and green during the Christmas season. Actually there's almost no colors that won't work for a winter wedding...except black and orange maybe.

Here are some ideas and photos of elegant yet simple decor for your winter wedding. Check out my previous post on ice lanterns. They are eco-friendly and economic and make a stunning impact with little effort.

I'll be posting some of the huge advantages to a winter wedding over the next few days so stay warm and enjoy the holidays.

Hacienda Siesta Alegre

During my recent site inspections in Puerto Rico I had the good fortune to visit Hacienda Siesta Alegre the most spectacular and unique venues in all of Puerto Rico. It's actually a race horse training and breeding ranch but also the home to Linda and Greg Jackson, the owners who moved to Puerto Rico in 1981.

What makes it spectacular? The view is incredible...it's located high atop a mountain and smack dab in the middle of thick, lush natural vegetation with views that reach the ocean located miles away. What makes it unique? Besides being a working ranch, its the home to the owners and the entire space can be rented out for events.

In addition, two movies out of Hollywood were shot there this summer which was a thrill for Norma Perez, the General Manager of Hacienda Siesta Alegre. Here are a few photos but you really have to visit the property to truly appreciate what a fabulous venue this is to provide a 100% Puerto Rican experience.

Luxury Shame

For everyone catering to the high-end luxury business, whether it's weddings, real estate or consumerism this is a must read article published recently in Newsweek - Luxury Shame
I think it's long overdue no matter the reason.

El Yunque Rain Forest

What could be more natural and beautiful than a rain forest?

I had the good fortune to visit El Yunque Rain Forest on the eastern side of Puerto Rico last May. Here's some images from my unprofessional perspective. The scenery is so lush and thick I couldn't help but feel very small and insignificant compared to all the wonders in the world. Just another reason to protect what we are so blessed to have.

I'll be back in Puerto Rico next week and will have to make a point of visiting this glorious area again.

Sustainable Gift Giving

I found this article on Angie's List and wanted to share tips for sustainable gift giving.

Apply the three R’s to decorating and gift-giving

by Ellen Goff

Facing the holidays doesn’t have to drain your energy, emotions or budget. This year, consider a different approach that’s more thoughtful and sustainable and less about the stuff. Here are some fresh ideas.

Reduce

Most people could reduce their overall volume of decorations, lights and gift wrap without hardly noticing that anything is missing.

Use energy wisely. Convert some of your traditional light strings to LED-type holiday lights. Remember to turn all display lights off — both inside and out — before you go to bed.

Cut back on packaging — don’t insist on a box for every gift. Use gift bags or wrap a gift with a gift, like folding a scarf over a pair of gloves and securing it with a ribbon.

Reuse

Give gifts that have more than one life.

A basket of herb plants can be welcome greenery at your window during the winter, flavor your cooking in the spring, then flourish out in your garden all summer.

Blooming bulbs like amaryllis or narcissus stay in bloom for weeks. In the spring, plant them outside to rebloom another year.

Recycle

Although there are more leftovers to deal with in December, you should still salvage as much as possible.

Collect gift packaging, paper boxes and other recyclable materials and either store away for next holiday season or recycle it.

Recycle your Christmas tree, either through municipal collection or by having it ground up into garden mulch (available in some areas). Or, cut the branches off yourself and place them around your shrubbery and planting beds as an added layer of protection against weather extremes.

A Fresh Tree

If you’re concerned about enjoying a live tree and being environmentally responsible, relax! Christmas trees protect watersheds and stabilize soil while preserving agricultural land, open space and wildlife habitat. The cut trees are replanted each year. And, when the holidays are over, real trees can be recycled. If you want to weigh the merits of a live tree vs. an artificial one, visit the National Christmas Tree Association website at christmastree.org for a point-by-point comparison.

Ellen Goff is a master gardener and environmental advocate. Aside from writing about and photographing plants, Ellen tends to a 3-acre landscape she shares with her husband, cat and border collie on the shores of Lake Wylie, S.C.

Smart Ideas for Wedding Planning = Substantial Savings

I was asked to write an article about how couples can save money while planning their wedding. This advice applies to couples with substantial budgets as well as those with limited budgets. Good advice is universal, so here are my favorite tips:

• Cutting the guest list is going to provide the most substantial savings – for example, if you haven’t seen someone, yes even relatives, in over a year and etiquette is clear on this, no need to extend the invitation. Many times those relatives and acquaintances are relieved not to have to make the decision to attend. At a minimum, couples will save $100 per person which includes cost of invitations, décor, floral, food and beverage and entertainment. As I mentioned that's just the minimum, many times depending on the design and location of the wedding savings can amount to $500 per person or more so choose your guest list wisely.

• Hiring a professional wedding consultant is the single best money spent/saved – they can recommend the very best professionals for the budget and will negotiate discounts or complimentary upgrades. These same deals cannot be obtained by couples alone and many times the savings covers the cost of the consultant. Consultants will also save the couples hundreds of hours of time looking and interviewing wedding professionals.

• Regarding favors, my recommendation is save yourself money by not providing them…guests really do not care about taking home a favor and in most cases they are thrown away at the end of the night. Rather than a favor consider donating the dollars you would spend to a charitable organization near and dear to your heart.

• Lighting is a dramatic and cost-effective way to transform the look of your wedding – consider hiring a lighting expert to up light walls in dramatic colors or points of interest such as windows or columns or down light areas of the room or shine the couples initials or logo on the dance floor. Great lighting is simple and dramatic and will save hundreds of dollars over dramatic centerpieces or linens.

• Bridal gowns can be purchased at dramatic discounts at consignment boutiques or look for samples that have been on the rack for several months. Do not be afraid to ask to see samples that have been in inventory for a long time and if you find one you like, ask for their best price. I had a bride who purchased her gown on eBay and it was perfect for her.

• To save substantial dollars on flowers, re-use ceremony flowers at the reception. One or two large ceremony displays can be moved to the reception and placed in significant locations such as near the head table or the dance floor. Consider a variety of centerpieces such as florals for 1/3 of the tables, dramatic candles for 1/3 and a smaller combination of flowers and candles for the remaining tables. Large dramatic centerpieces can cost $500 or more so imagine having 20 tables…the cost exceeds $10,000 however if the remaining tables each cost $150 the total is $5450, Guests will walk into the reception and focus on the large dramatic look first. There should be continuity between the two or three centerpiece designs so it doesn’t look haphazard. At the end of the night, give the flowers to guests or donate to hospitals or nursing homes so they can continue to be enjoyed rather than discarded.

• Use Centerpiece cakes for an environmentally friendly approach rather than reception flowers by providing four of five different flavored cakes on every table. There is no waste at the end of the night and guests love to get up and sample other flavors. Centerpiece cakes range from $35 to $100 each which provides huge savings over a one-time-use floral display.

• For entertainment save money by hiring local cover bands. Depending on your area, many cover bands can be hired for four hours at the same prices as a DJ. Speaking of DJ's, I do not recommend trying to save money by using your iPod - after spending thousands of dollars to make your day perfect, why would you rely on one little device to keep your party rocking into the midnight hour? What if something goes wrong...don't tempt Murphy's Law.

• Food saving ideas include providing one main entrée to your guests rather than offering multiple choices – caterers and venues charge extra to manage the additional labor involved. Ask for childrens menus and pricing because this can save 50% or more off adult menu pricing. Offer two or three different hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour rather than five or seven. Guests will eat what they are offered and the more that is offered the more they fill up. Offer a plated meal rather than buffet. These days buffets costs more per person because the caterer or venue does not want to run out of food and because they have no way to gauge guest consumption, they overstock and thus overcharge.
  

• Save on beverages by hosting kegs of beer rather than individual bottled beer – most times guests are happy with whatever is hosted and a keg of beer will provide approximately 163 glasses for about $350. 163 bottles of beer will cost approximately $815. Many venues offer package pricing for beverages, however I do not feel this is a savings to couples. For example, 200 guests can be charged a four hour package price of $30 per person for a total of $6000. However statistically 1/3 of the guests leave right after dinner, so unfortunately the couple has paid for two to three hours for guests who have gone home. At least 10% of guests do not drink alcoholic beverages however all guests are charged the package price regardless of their beverage preference. Some venues even charge the package price to minors.
  

• For invitations, consider DIY – do it yourself is fairly simple with all the design programs available and if you are not necessarily creative go to a local paper supplier or stationery store for ideas and see if they offer complimentary classes. If DIY isn't your thing, there are many great websites for stock stationery which can be customized with design and color choices for less than $1 each.

Thankfully, people continue to get married and fortunately that is the one constant in this very scary, unpredictable economy we're faced with so why not protect what assets we do have.
Good luck and if you have other time or money saving tips, post them in the comments section and I'll be sure to post them as well.

The Ultimate Recycling

During my recent visit to Puerto Vallarta I was invited to dine at the family owned restaurant, El Palomar de los Gonzales. Although this is not a restaurant review, I have to give the entire experience a 5 star rating.

The restaurant is located on the side of one of the many mountains overlooking old Puerto Vallarta with views of the bay.

My gracious hosts, Juan Gonzales, his mother Senora Gonzales and sister Maripepa Gonzales entertained me the entire evening with fascinating stories about the history of their restaurant. Apparently over forty years ago their father purchased property on the mountain, long before anyone else did. In fact, when he brought his wife to see the land, she shook her head and asked, "what, you buy me air?" The slope is very steep and not friendly to building, but this did not deter Senor Gonzales.

The only request of Senora Gonzales was she wanted a one story home...well forty years later the entire building is home to the restaurant, a jewelry store, banquet facility for up to 100 guests, a bar, two outdoor terraces, swimming pool and the private residence of Juan Gonzales and his family and a separate residence for his mother. All built by hand over the spance of twenty years by Senor Gonzales. Did I mention the structure is seven stories perched high on the side of a mountain? No wonder its views are amazing.

Juan Gonzales did not want to see his boyhood home leave his family, so when his parents were ready to sell, he made arrangements to purchase the home and convert it into the restaurant. Twenty two years later, the restaurant is as popular as ever. I invite visitors to make a special trip to El Palomar for an unforgettable dining experience.

Here are a few photos of the restaurant along with living areas just as they were when the Gonzales children were growing up.

I can't think of a more original form of recycling than this. Oh and did I mention they grow most of their own ingredients on their family farm. The seafood is locally caught and the beef and chicken are raised on another family farm. This is one impressive family. I wonder if they ever fight?

Make A Wish Foundation

The Make a Wish Foundation is near and dear to my heart. In case you haven't heard, they grant wishes to children living with debilitating or life-threatening diseases.

It all started in 1980 with one little boy's wish - Christopher James Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer but at the age of seven years was battling leukemia. The rest comes directly from the Home Page of Make A Wish Foundation.

"U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin had befriended Chris and his mother, Linda Bergendahl-Pauling. He also promised Chris a ride in a police helicopter. When Chris’ health worsened, Austin contacted Ron Cox, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer, and planned a day that would lift Chris’ spirits.

On April 29, 1980, Austin and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris’ day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter, which also flew him to headquarters. Three cruisers and a motorcycle officer greeted him before his meeting with the DPS command staff. There, Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history.

But his experience didn’t stop there. Cox contacted John’s Uniforms, which agreed to make a custom-tailored DPS uniform for Chris. The store owner and two seamstresses worked through the night to finish it. The officers presented the official uniform to Chris on May 1 and arranged a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his uniform. Needless to say, Chris passed the test with flying colors on his battery-operated motorcycle.

On May 2, Chris was back in the hospital. He asked to arrange the room so he could always see his uniform, his motorcycle helmet and his “Smokey Bear”-style campaign hat. DPS motor officer Frank Shankwitz presented Chris with his motorcycle wings. He accepted them with a smile that lit up the room.

The following day, Chris passed away, but not before seeing his dream come true and experiencing the hope, strength and joy that came from receiving his wish."

One of the commitments I am making on behalf of I Do Vow To is donate my time, skills and energy to this benevolant organization and to sponsor a wish on behalf of every couple I work with in 2009.

Ethical Weddings

I came across Ethical Weddings, a planner in West Sussex, England who helps couples with all aspects of "ethical wedding planning". In other words, their commitment to fair trade, green, organic, local, eco-friendly, cruelty-free and recycled...the same commitment as I D0 Vow To.

Take a look at all the great tips and ideas for having a fabulous wedding and savings in more ways than one. For example, I'm not a big fan of wedding favors. In my experience, unless the favor is edible, many are simply trashed at the end of the night. Who wants to bring home more clutter? Trust me, the favor may have meaning to the happy couple, but it means more junk for the guests. I like this idea however, seed packets - who doesn't love to see the fruits of their labor sprout after a long cold winter?

World's Best Photographer

Biff Ulm of VADA Photography is my all time favorite photographer on this planet. That might sound like an exaggeration but its not - he keeps pushing all photographic boundaries and just when I think he can't possibly go further, he rockets into the next gallaxy.

Biff is also one of the most kind and humble gentlemen I've ever had the pleasure to meet. He works quietly behind the scenes and if I didn't see his amazing images I would think he wasn't even in attendance.

I was fortunate to work with him at Mark and Lynn's wedding and Joan and John's three-day wedding this summer. I'll be posting their photos on the updated gallery of my website, Fete Perfection just after thanksgiving.

Biff is so widely sought after, I have a hard time finding dates he is available. Check out his images on his blog Vada-Voom. Oh and by the way, his real name is Biff.

Adopt a White Tiger or Two?

This has absolutely nothing to do with weddings, but I love the photos so wanted to share. The story is, these white tigers were separated from their mother when hurricane Hannah hit this summer. The tigers were moved to a location in South Carolina and immediately adopted by Anjana, the chimp who apparently has done this many times, adopting other large cats when their mothers were unavailable. She appears to love it and so do the cubs.

part!02: the inspiration

So what was my inspiration as a result of my attendance at engage!08: the encore? Simply put, "I Do Vow To". How did engage!08: the encore bring about such an inspiration? It started with a question I posed to Carley Roney and David Liu, founders of The Knot, the largest and most successful wedding planning website in the world.

As a wedding planner and owner of my own business, Fete Perfection, I am cognizant of concerns couples have about excess and waste and benevolent causes when planning their wedding. I asked Carley and David if they would consider featuring stories about wedding professionals who do more than provide goods or services to couples. For example, I am well acquainted with many wedding pros who donate their time to building homes and schools in third world countries, or contribute a sizable percentage of their fee towards community service projects, benefits or charities. And I work with vendors who are committed to minimizing waste, minimizing harm to the environment and giving back to community as thanks to their good fortunes.

Although Carley and David agreed my suggestion is good, the focus of their publication is to provide inspiration and updates on wedding trends, planning tools and useful new ideas to their brides. They didn't see stories about some of these benevolent vendors fitting their audience needs.

At first I thought, "oh well, I tried" but after hearing encouragement from a number of the engage!08 attendees, I thought "oh well...I'll try again! After returning home I began researching and developing my idea into what is "I Do Vow To" helping engaged couples and wedding planners to positively impact community through thoughtful planning and educated decisions. My goal is to meet the needs of couples who want to work with those wedding professionals who build homes or schools for the underprivileged, or those who sponsor a child through World Vision. My goal is to find florists and caterers who will work to find the freshest ingredients from local sustainable farms or purchase flowers, when possible from local cooperatives or small local greenhouses so jet fuel isn't consumed sending flowers from South America.

For now "I Do Vow To" is my newest blog and with continued research and networking look for "I Do Vow To" the website and team of wedding consultants dedicated to helping couples committed to making a positive difference locally and globally while planning their wedding.

Thanks to Donna von Bruening of DVB Photo for all the great candid photos posted here.

engage!08: the inspiration

The true name for this outstanding symposium I attended in October is engage!08: the encore, however for me it should be engage!08: the inspiration...why you might ask? Well in order to truly answer I need to explain what this opportunity meant to me.

The one-day symposium was held at the Ritz-Carlton of Grande Lakes in Orlando, which of course set the stage for perfection from luxurious accommodations to fabulous food and first-class service. Engage!08 successfully debuted in June 2008 as a "high impact wedding business symposium designed to take you and your company to the next level" as outlined by founders Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce both of Engaging Concepts.

I was fortunate to be able to attend encore in conjunction with planning meetings with Disney Fairytale Weddings and was able to meet and network with 80 wedding professionals from 5 countries and 25 states. In addition to meeting new friends and colleagues, I had the good fortune to hear from dynamic leaders in the wedding industry starting with Rebecca Grinnals, co-founder of Disney Fairytale Weddings and founder of Engaging Concepts which provides expert consulting to the wedding and honeymoon industry.

Other featured speakers included Carley Roney and David Liu of The Knot, Sylvia Weinstock, Bee Kim of the Wedding Bee, Sean Low, President of Preston Bailey Designs and Simon T. Bailey renowned author of Release Your Brilliance. We had an entire day of interaction with these industry innovators and learned some of their secrets to success. Everyone of them challenged us to push our potential beyond all boundaries and to release the inhibitions that may have been a road-block to future success.

So what does this have to do with engage!08: the inspiration? Stay tuned to part!2: the inspiration.

Celebrity Chef and Restaurateur for Catering

Brenda Langton, award winning chef and successful restaurateur is the driving force behind Spoonriver Restaurant dedicating her life to the advancement of organics and supporting local growers.

Brenda understood the need for local support of sustainable farms, organic growing and the need for healthy eating at least two decades before the rest of the world "got it". Brenda traveled extensively in Europe where she observed the origins of co-operative markets and restaurants rooted in local ingredients.

Brenda will customize your wedding day menu based on food preferences, style, presentation and seasonal ingredients. I recommend you stop by Spoonriver for your first taste of delectable dishes and then call her to discuss further. You can find Spoonriver at 750 South 2nd Street next to the Guthrie in Minneapolis.

Cool Lighting for Winter Weddings

When I say "cool" you have no idea I really mean "cold" lighting ideas for winter weddings. We created these ice lanterns for Ashley & Shea's January wedding at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. They were very easy and for just a few cents for candles were also very cost-effective. Here are other examples of ice lanterns that could easily be adapted to your winter wedding motif.

One tip however, it's best to freeze the water in a flat level portion of your freezer rather than depend on the outdoor temperatures to do the freezing for you. Unless we're in the middle of an arctic deep freeze, make two lanterns at a time and use the steady temperature of your own freezer to consistently obtain the most uniform shape. They can be stored outside once they have been frozen to perfection.

Experiment with food coloring, colored pillar candles or as the water freezes, add touches of ribbon, garland, flowers, berries or evergreens...the results are amazing.

Pumpkins for Weddings? Yes!

Two years ago late October my daughter Jenny had a destination wedding of sorts...she and Nate were married in Brainerd, Minnesota and had their reception at Sherwood Forest the fine dining restaurant owned by GrandView Lodge. Trying to be objective of course, everything was perfect and the attention to detail with both food, ambiance and service we could not have asked for a better experience

We used white pumpkins consistently through out the design in both the ceremony at the very formal St. Francis Catholic Church and at the reception at the very rustic but elegant setting of Sherwood Forest. When the weekend was over we took the pumpkins home, carved them and used again for Halloween pumpkins just a few days later. Who says jack-o-lanterns have to be orange? I have to mention Jenny and Nate's wedding was my first experience with Biff Ulm of Vada Photography and, as anyone who knows me, will not be my last.

Fabulous Earth-Friendly Ideas

A number of earth-friendly elements were combined to make Regina and Justin's amazing fall wedding...well...amazing!

Yesterday's post focused on "previously-viewed" ceremony displays doing double duty at the reception. The images to the left show how this one dramatic display is almost completely transformed once moved to a new location.

Thanks to Martha of Martha's Gardens for inspiration and her commitment to earth-friendly wedding flowers. With close to 200 guests, we had 23 guest tables, however not every table had a dramatic floral centerpiece. At least 10 tables had a variety of candles, vases both square and chunky with candles, votives and colorful newly fallen leaves adorning the tables. This not only saved money but the environment by using completely re-usable vases, beeswax candles and of course leaves which would have blown into the Mississippi River anyway!

At the end of the night, the flowers were gathered and reused the next day for Sunday brunch and some made their way to a nearby nursing home to brighten a few lives.

Recycling Ceremony Flowers

A commitment we make to couples who hire us is to get the most out of the flowers we use for both the ceremony and reception. In these next few photos check out the ceremony displays...they're magnificent but they're also recycled for the reception and do not look out of place. I love it when we can find new uses for "previously-viewed" flowers.

Smart Wedding Flowers

From buying in bulk to re-using petals for a fairy tale send-off, the editors of Portovert.com have rounded up ten of their favorite ways to save on flowers (hint: these ideas are all eco-friendly, too!).

1. Buy in Bulk: Ecuador's long days and cool nights yield some of the world's most perfect organic roses, but only Organic Bouquet ships carbon-neutral pesticide-free blooms from the region. The company's wholesale site makes bulk orders cost as little as ninety-eight cents a stem.
2. Location, Location, Location: We've said it before and we'll say it again: buy locally! Packaging and transportation can significantly increase the cost of goods. Buying local, seasonal flowers can save you as much as 40%.
3. Double Up: Repurposing flowers is thrifty and sustainable. Display your bridal bouquet purposefully in a thematic container to dress up your couple's table.
4. Reuse: Want a spectacular send-off? Ask friends to pluck rose petals from table arrangements for the end-of evening toss.
5. Less is More: Choose large, full flower heads, like the hydrangea, forcenterpieces. Fewer large-headed flowers will produce the same wow ffect of a dozen or more smaller blooms.
6. Branch Out: Add an architectural element, like curly willow, which can be harvested from your backyard (and replenishes itself quickly!).
7. Something Borrowed: An eclectic collection of containers can add warmth and romance to a space. Skip the rentals and borrow vases, pots or unusual containers from friends and family.
8. Mix it Up: Exotic flowers are lovely, but you can achieve the same element of surprise by combining flora and fauna with other natural objects like fruits, vegetables, shells and nuts.
9. Take Root: Well-spaced pots of manicured plants can add a special touch to a wedding, and can be found at your local garden nursery. They're inexpensive and make lovely favors for guests.
10. Skip It: There is no one way to decorate a wedding. Flowers are beautiful, but there are other ways to bring color to your celebration.

This is a re-print from iDo Foundation which I came across today - these are sound practices and ones we have adopted for "I Do Vow To"

Affordable Edible Centerpieces

What could be a more perfect solution to "tastes great - less waste" than centerpiece cakes? Here are just three examples of the six different styles and flavors of cakes from the delectable kitchens of April Wysocki of Country Cake Cupboard in Long Lake for a wedding we designed and coordinated this summer.

The mother of the bride came to us with concerns over excessive waste associated with her daughter's wedding and as it turns out, this was the driving force behind every decision made or vendor hired.

Three caterers were hired for various other events that weekend; the casual welcome dinner on Friday, rehearsal dinner Saturday and going-away brunch Monday morning after the wedding. In all three cases, the caterers worked with local sustainable farms for organically grown produce. They also committed to providing less waste and using recyclable materials for decor and serviceware.






















This wedding was truly a one-of-a-kind from start to finish in both functionality and design and I know our couple and mother of the bride felt their goals of designing and producing an environmentally and socially responsible wedding were exceeded.

Why "I Do Vow To"

With a very uncertain economy and even shakier sense of life as we know it, our confidence and security are being tested daily. Gas prices are up, gas prices are down, global warming threatens human existence...not to mention terrorism threats and the daily roller coaster we call the stock market.

I have been meeting with many couples who want to go beyond just planning their wedding. They want to show gratitude for their blessings as well as wanting to contribute in some small or large way to leaving a smaller carbon footprint, reinvesting in the local economy and improving the lives of others. They want their wedding to represent an awareness of the greater good, in addition to having one heck of a good time.

So, why "I Do Vow To"...we want to meet the needs of these couples and wedding professionals who recognize the opportunity to make life just a little better for those less fortunate than themselves. For example, one of my favorite photographers does more than photograph weddings - he donates a minimum of four weeks every year to building homes or schools in third world countries. He also sponsors a child for an annual membership fee in the name of the couples who hire him to photograph their wedding.

After extensive research, networking and hand-selecting vendors, I have put together this opportunity which I believe will fulfill the needs of those couples who feel a commitment to making a lasting impact to community in big or small ways. Every couple who contracts with "I Do Vow To" will have the benefit of choosing other wedding professionals who are committed to making a global difference as well.

Watch for additional posts as "I Do Vow To" adds additional professionals to our recommended list of vendors and new ideas we would love to see catch on.