Guest Bloggers

Eco-Friendly Wedding Dresses from Green Bride Guide

When purchasing your wedding gown it is important to be mindful of petroleum- based synthetic fibers, such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic. There many other beautiful materials out there to consider that are eco-friendly and free of chemicals. Many people will even consider wearing a gown that has been in the family for years or a vintage style gown. Organic cotton, hemp, and other natural fibers are a great way to be eco-friendly in your green inspired wedding. These eco-chic designs below are all-natural and sustainable without sacrificing style!

An outdoor summer wedding is a perfect time to show off a beautiful dress. This organic cotton tie shoulder dress is a very light and simple gown. It is important…

Group Wedding Planning: Good Idea or Recipe for Disaster?

When you pictured yourself planning your wedding, my guess is it was just that – you decision-making merrily along, envisioning bunting and tulle with maybe the help of a wedding planner and probably the help of your fiancé and definitely your mom in the picture somewhere.

 

Because planning a wedding typically falls on the bride’s shoulders. And I think most of us are okay with that, right ladies? However, there are times and situations which call for something that looks just a little bit different – a willing break with tradition. And honestly, today, I want to know what you think: is it possible to group plan a wedding?

 

For example, can the bride take on the…

Have You Found a Caterer Yet?

In my humble, humble opinion, one of the most important parts of a wedding (for the guests) is the food (sorry, bride and groom, but odds are that you will be giving hugs and accepting congratulations before you can say “chicken, not fish.”).

 

The food, also in my opinion, can be one of the harder pieces to put together. So many caterers, so little time. Plus, food tends to be one of the most expensive parts of a reception: together, catering and your venue should traditionally make up just about 50 percent of your budget! Here’s how to start tracking down the reception meal for you.

 

The Mass Email

 

Reach out to a lot of caterers. Find

Open Bars and Champagne Toasts

A few weeks ago, we spent some time discussing one very important aspect of a wedding reception: the food. We talked about brunch receptions, dinner receptions and cocktail hours, the pros and cons of each and, of course, how they can fit into your budget. But what we didn’t talk about was something of equal importance: beverages.

The Open Bar

Traditionally, this means that the guests are welcome to select the beverage of their choice at no personal cost – in other words, the wedding bill will ultimately include the bar tab. But you can break down the open bar scenario even further, choosing from a full bar, a specific selection of beverages, an even smaller selection of perhaps simply wine…

Park-Themed Wedding Details from Green Bride Guide

Many people do not think to take advantage of their local park or state parks, but they are a great area to have a wedding in a natural setting. Guests will be able to enjoy the outdoors while gathering for your special day. One may choose to have their wedding in a city park such as Central Park or somewhere a little quieter such as a state park. Either way your special day will be remembered for being unique.

 

Plantable invitations are a great eco-friendly option. The paper is embedded with wildflower seeds so your guests can plant them and enjoy beautiful wildflowers after your wedding day. Even if you have a city park wedding you can use this theme!

These…

Spring Wedding Bouquet Centerpiece from Chelsea at Frolic!

This charming springtime bouquet is perfect for the bride who loves pink. The best part is it’s easy to make.Cost is around $35.

Supplies:
flower clippers
floral tape
ribbon

Flower Recipe:
2 bunches of pink and white sweet peas
2 stems of pink ranunculus
3 stems of viburnum
1 stem of pink hyacinth (opened)
1 stem of double daffodil

Steps:
1. Remove most of the leaves from the stems.
2. Start with the two bunches of sweet peas as the base of your bouquet.
3. Add viburnum to the lower and upper corners of the bouquet, diagonally from each other.
4. Fill in holes with ranunculus, hyacinth, daffodil, and extra viburnum.

Excited About Your Spring Wedding?

Rumor has it that it’s spring outside. I caught a glimpse of it a few weeks ago when I spent the weekend in Washington D.C. and the cherry blossoms were just starting to open – but this week, in Colorado, we’re having snow instead of flowers.

 

This makes me exceptionally sad for several reasons, not the least of which being that all this snow is eating into one of my favorite wedding seasons! The pretty pastels, the bright spring flowers, the soft green of grass that has finally managed to re-appear…maybe even more than summer, spring is the perfect season for seizing the day and busting out the colors in your ceremony and reception.

Suggestions for a Spring Wedding

Can’t…

Sweet Strawberry Dessert Table from Host-It Notes

I have a new rule: No editing Erin’s sweet table posts before lunch. Doesn’t this look so amazingly delicious? As summer is winding down, berries are the perfect inspiration for a dessert table.  The combo of cakes, cookies, and Italian sodas makes for a very fun bridal shower or small reception idea (and her use of a red clover plant keeps the decorations simple, but interesting).  But I do warn you, unless you want to have a giant scone for lunch, read this after you have had a sandwich. Seriously.

Dessert tables capture all the most delicious parts of a party—pretty treats, flowers, decor, and skipping straight to dessert.  That’s why they are perfect for a bridal shower. Everything…

How to Help Plan a Wedding

We spend a lot of time here on this blog talking about (and to) the bride. Tips, inspiration, real weddings…it makes sense. The bride is, after all, the woman in charge. However, when it comes to getting things done, there are usually at least a few helping hands – and you, helping hand, whether you’re a mother, a father, a maid of honor or the friend making the cupcakes because you happen to be a buttercream pro, are the person I’m talking to today.

 

The thing is, helping plan a wedding can be complicated. It can be tiring. It can be emotional (It can also be so much fun. And kind of addicting. And wildly exciting. Don’t let me forget to…

A Wheatgrass Centerpiece with Chelsea from Frolic!

This centerpiece is so easy to make and is perfect for a fresh, modern Spring wedding!
Total cost was less than $10.

Supplies:
-Wheatgrass plants (or you can plant the seeds and wait a few weeks for them to grow). We recommend 3 for a round table and 5 for a long rectangle table.
-scissors
-parchment paper or freezer paper
-waxed twine (available at kitchen stores)
-chalkboard garden markers and chalk or a chalk pencil available at Terrain

Steps:
1. Cut a square of parchment.
2. Wrap the bottom of the grass pots in the paper and tie with string.
3. Write the table number (or names if you want them to be…