Local Resource = Big Savings...

...and it's eco-chic. What could be better than this?




Gosh, I'm getting ahead of myself I better explain - I'm so excited to be working with Mari Bern of MBellish a wonderful company she founded over four years ago {and ahead of the eco-friendly curve I might add} which rents unique, stylish and reusable wedding decor.

She is located in Newport {a St. Paul suburb} however will come to you with her beautiful samples which is an added bonus when you and your wedding planner are selecting linens on the other end of town and having a hard time imagining how everything will coordinate. Mari has a great sense of style and creativity which is why many of her weddings have been featured in Minnesota Bride and The Knot.

Many of these pieces can be stand-alone or MBellish-ed with flowers... they're lovely either way. Two GREEN thumbs up to Mari Bern of MBellish for her contribution to the eco-chic world of weddings and providing less wedding waste.

Trend-setting Save-the-Dates and No Paper Waste

My studio mate Andrew sent me his Save-the-Date for his upcoming wedding in May, 2009. I love this idea for two major reasons...Number One: it's something completely new and as far as I know hasn't been done. If it has I don't think anything else has been as elaborate as this.

Secondly and more importantly no tree was harmed in the development and sending of these Save-the-Dates and an added bonus, no mail carrier was injured making these deliveries. Everything was prepared and sent electronically. I feel that this format has much more impact than just a postcard or magnet. Thanks to Merina Burda and Matt Brue who collaborated together on this exciting innovative project.

Check-out this link for the complete picture: Andrew & Janelle's Wedding. Feel free to contact me at Fete Perfection for more information or to reach Merina or Matt for your own customized save-the-date.

Simple Ideas to Reduce Waste

Since I Do Vow To is generating interest and gathering speed to become the newest hottest resource for trendy wedding ideas, I've decided to get back to my roots, if you will and start posting weekly tips for reducing wedding waste. Technically we are still in the engagement season, however wedding season is fast approaching so I'd love to have dozens of new ideas posted for all to adopt as their own.

The trend I'd love to forever eliminate from the whole wedding scene is to forgo the favor. Admit it...is there a single favor you've ever brought home that really touched your heart or that every time you look at it recall fondly "Liz & Tom's" wedding? I can't - and I've been to hundreds of weddings, professionally and socially.

Honestly, who needs another ornament, bar of soap, golf ball or wine charm? And as much as I love Godiva truffles in beautifully packaged boxes, I don't need 420 additional calories from the two-piece favor pack which by the way, costs $4.75 each. With 200 guests that's a savings of over $950 but money isn't the only reason to do this, although it's a secondary benefit. I hate to think of our lives as depicted in the movie Wall-E, but I also don't think that future is so far-fetched.

Wedding planners of the world, unite and fight against the favor! Brides and grooms, if the idea of a favor is a priority, why not take what would be spent and donate it to a charitable organization near and dear to your heart. I believe your guests will be touched by your generosity and grateful to not bring home another favor that ends up in the trash.

Wedding Waste

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make some unpopular declarations about weddings. I recognize that I am part of an industry that thinks little about all the waste associated with modern day weddings and I want to change that. Now more than ever we need to completely revamp our old ways and embrace the challenge of making those changes.

Last year I had the opportunity to meet Colin Cowie, author of many fabulous wedding and lifestyle books, celebrity planner and designer to the stars, dignitaries and crowned heads around the world. He is a truly gifted designer with a vision most of us can never dream of. He's also a very benevolent contributor and educator to the wedding industry, however I was shocked at his response to my simple question. After viewing a slideshow of one of his recent 2.5 million dollar weddings which really was extraordinary, I asked him what he does with all the stuff.

His response...apologetic as it was..."we throw it all away". He acknowledged his carbon footprint is grossly huge and added that this is the one depressing aspect of his business. I began thinking this is "the" depressing aspect of the wedding industry.

The wedding industry as a whole thrives on trends, change and challenges, therefore I am challenging everyone in this industry to change the way they do business and to make it trendy to reduce wedding waste by 25% starting now.

The newest division of my wedding planning business Fete Perfection, is I Do Vow To. My hope is to create awareness to all the waste and to educate couples as well as the professionals they hire to make a significant impact on the waste problem. Secondly, I would love to see couples passionate about contracting with only wedding professionals who are committed to giving of their time, rather than just money to worthy causes.

I have been meeting with many local wedding professionals to discuss the concept of I Do Vow To and to learn more about their personal missions. I am so pleased to learn how many have been quietly making a difference. My mission is to work with couples with the same sense of responsibility and commitment to making a difference, one wedding at a time.

For now, I Do Vow To is a concept and a blog, but look for details and other ideas in our new website which will be named I Do Vow To coming soon.

Top Ten 2009 Wedding Trends According to Me

I see an awful lot of top ten lists these days. Some I believe and some I have to double check facts on Snopes because they're so outrageous. Here is my top ten wedding trends according to the calls I'm receiving and the couples I'm working with.

1. Guest lists are shrinking
2. Couples are paying 90% of the costs
3. Budgets are shrinking
4. Destination weddings are increasing in popularity
5. Fewer dramatic floral centerpieces are complimenting smaller non-floral centerpieces
6. Yellow of all shades is in
7. Grey is the new black
   
8. DIY is playing some role in wedding plans even if it's just one small DIY project
   
9. Rehearsal dinners are far less formal and smaller attended
10. Mother of the bride lives in the city the wedding will be in, the couple does not.

Number 10 is one reason I work with as many MOB's as brides themselves. They have full time jobs and chances are haven't planned a wedding in years so want the reassurance that what they're doing is right and on schedule.

So there you have it. My top ten list -

Spotlight: Destination I Do Publication

I love Facebook for all the connections and networking I never otherwise would have known about. For example, I became friends with Jennifer Stein, the Editor in Chief of Destination I Do wedding publication. Since I am a Certified Destination Specialist, one would think I would know all about every publication dedicated to destination weddings, but sadly, I did not. True confessions out of the way.

Destination I Do is a great resource not only for couples planning their destination wedding, but wedding consultants as well. In my travels searching for the perfect location I have toured some fabulous locations and some... not so much. Destination I Do confirms my experiences and offers excellent suggestions for using local resources, saving money on decor and hot new places for rehearsal sites or adventure.

As much as I would love to personally explore every locale and experience all the various cultures destination weddings can offer, I cannot unless I win the lottery - well finding Destination I Do comes in as a close second. It's published twice a year can be found in most bookstores.

Spotlight Rocco Troyani

I met an amazing designer while working with Laura and Peter in Puerto Vallarta - Rocco Troyani. He's a warm and engaging gentleman with a deep devotion to every couple he works with. He often pairs up with renowned designers David Tutera and Colin Cowie but is humble enough to personally meet with each couple as well as oversee all set-up and tear-downs.

Here is a video of one of his most recent productions. When we have photos of Laura and Peter's wedding, I'll post them here.

Great Invitations at a Great Price

I have been following updates and invitations from The Green Kangaroo for awhile now. I just came across great invitations at great prices. Here is a post directly from their website - btw, this is just a small sampling of their great products.

20 GREAT PRODUCTS FOR $450 AND UNDER!

Want beautiful invitations without breaking the bank? Check out our 20 hot products that are all priced at $450 and under for 100 invitations! All invites come with reply card, inner / outer envelope plus return and reply address printing. PLUS, all invites can be customized in any of our 32 ink colors and 40 font combinations. What a steal!

*Prices above are based on 100 invitations and can vary depending on one-color or two-color designs (1-color = $390 and 2-color = $450). Please see specific product page for ink color options and prices at varying quantities. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding our products or pricing. Happy savings!

The items below are our DIY products and include enough printing paper, adhesive, envelopes and pockets to make 100 complete invitations. Buy these a la carte items by visiting our DIY page or contact us and a design consultant will be happy to help you build you product!

Wedding Websites are Eco-Friendly

For most couples planning their wedding, I recommend they register for a wedding website. What exactly is a wedding website? It's a completely personalized website the couple sets up usually for free, which guests refer to for pertinent information.

Isn't that what the invitation does? Yes and no. Details about the date, location, maps and hotel accommodations are included in an invitation, however, there is some information that should never be listed on an invitation such as "no children or adult only reception" It's also in poor taste to list your gift registry on the invitation.

Wedding websites are a must for destination weddings. Couples post hotel accommodations, the group rates and deadlines, details about the area, excursions and optional events as well as posting photos of themselves and their wedding party. For guests who may not know both the bride and groom equally, additional details such as how they met, likes and hobbies can also be included. Many couples will also take a poll such as where to honeymoon.

I also recommend a website to couples who may be planning their wedding locally, but have many out-of-town guests who know little about the area. Even couples who are staying put and their guests are local can benefit from this little planning tool.

Many websites are free while others charge a nominal fee. The complexity of your wedding may require a fee based site because the capacity is significantly larger but in either case, here is a link to a clearinghouse of wedding websites that compares the options so you know what fits your needs. Wedding Websites

Good luck and happy planning.

Non Floral Centerpieces

While doing research for an upcoming wedding I came across non-floral centerpieces that are tasteful, elegant and environmentally responsible. Understand that I'm not trying to put florists out of business, I love using flowers but I also like to mix up designs and non-floral elements throughout the wedding.

I often scour antique stores or flea markets for ideas or unique containers which can be purchased for less than the cost to rent. Use your imagination but don't get carried away and let your wedding look like the Church ladies decorated.

Here are several examples found on Martha Stewart Weddings. Check out her website for a complete description and instructions.