The day I should get married, it would come as no surprise to my guests that they’d likely take home a food-type favor from the reception. I love food! They know it, my tailor would know it. But, what could be better? A remembrance of the day to be shared at the table, instead of a dust-gathering tsotchke relegated to a shelf, a box, or worse, the trash. And, I think the offerings from Bee Raw Honey fit the bill perfectly!
Offering raw, unfiltered, varietal honeys in fantastic packaging (The wax-sealed vials? Glorious!), Bee Raw sources honeys from family-owned apiaries across the country and each variety is derived from a single floral source. This gives each honey its distinct color, flavor, and aroma. The 1 oz. vials make for the perfect favor, and the 8 oz. jars and honey flights would be more than thoughtful gifts. You can even select the…
In honor of Earth Day, which was last Sunday, Green Bride Guide is giving away one $100 gift card to a lucky reader! Read below for how to enter and a super cool surprise!
Finding the right foods for your wedding reception isn’t always easy. The pressure is on to find foods that reflect the tastes of the newlywed couple while also pleasing the guests. Some couples may find it difficult to decide on appetizers that are right for everyone. Not to worry, we’re here to help! These vegetarian and vegan appetizers are sure to be crowd pleasers that will leave guests hungry for more!
Potato skins are a popular snack with just about anyone. Why not please the crowd, and their taste buds, and serve vegetarian potato skins at your wedding? Skip the bacon but keep the cheese, sour cream, and chives! Vegetarian potato skins are a delicious…
Planning the wedding reception menu can be a daunting task. Couples need options that will please everyone but still remain representative of their personalities. These unique and sustainable trends can help in the decision-making process and are sure to leave your guests craving more!
Edible Plates and Utensils
Brides and grooms strive to create a memorable day that can set the couple apart from the rest. Edible plates and utensils can help create your unforgettable event while eliminating waste! Edible plates and utensils not only provide a wonderful accent to the menu options but they also provide sustainable options that are hard to ignore.
His & Her Foods
Can’t decide whose favorite food should be served on your special day? No worries, his and her menu options offer couples an exciting alternative!
Couples can showcase their individual personalities and provide guests with unique dishes to choose from. His and…
So you’re engaged! Now what? Celebrate your future with family and friends at your Green Engagement Event! Find unique and beautiful vintage champagne flutes from local shops and tag sales. Fill them with some lovely bubbly and toast to your love with organic champagne or crisp prosecco poured over ice or homemade fruit pops!
Keep your décor simple and seasonal. Use local fresh fruit and flowers to create effortlessly elegant tablescapes. Any forgotten books in your home?
Hollow them out and place a plant inside! This unique effect creates a whimsical pot and adds a touch of natural beauty to any room or tablescape.
If you are planning a brunch celebration, make bite-sized French toast and croque monsieurs to cut back on waste. Take reducing waste a step further by sending your invitations to guests on personalized tea bags that they can enjoy later!
If you read a lot of blogs, chances are you have developed a few geeky blog crushes. Joy the Baker is totally mine. If we were in high school, I would vote her homecoming queen. So, when she graciously agreed to guest blog for us, I could barely contain my excitement (wait…is this starting to sound creepy?) and may have let out a giggle. Check out this great post and then scoot on over to her blog so that you can have a crush, too (I will not confirm or deny that I have pre-ordered her cookbook). Enjoy, friends!
No one can say no to brunch. There’s something about the enticing smell of potatoes roasted with onions and butter that absolutely no one can deny. Pair those roasted potatoes with fluffy eggs and homemade Bloody Marys and you’ve got the makings of one fine (and totally inexpensive) engagement brunch…
When I was a kid, we had some close family friends, the Manfredas. Mr. & Mrs. Manfreda had come from Italy and settled in San Francisco, finding a home in the North Beach neighborhood and raising their three children. This was a family that was serious about their food. In fact, they converted the entire lower level of their home (which would have ordinarily functioned as their garage) into one giant kitchen and dining room with a massive table where friends and family would gather together for any reason to celebrate over a big meal.
During many a get together, out of this basement kitchen would roll enormous piping hot platters of homemade pastas: spaghetti with fresh marinara sauce, baked ziti, when we were lucky, pasta alla carbonara , and on, and on. Every dish was always delicious, made with love, and with every bite you knew that life, friends,…
Photo credits:
Bride in orchard setting from All the Beautiful Things.
Floral arrangement from Amy Merrick.
Blackberry wedding cake from Victoria’s Cake Boutique.
Apple green VW Van from VW Bus Listings.
Blackberries with white flower and thistles from Bits & Bobs.
Apple green striped skirt from Anne M Cramer.
Blackberry cocktails from Olivia Leigh Photographie.
Traditionally, wine is a staple at a wedding reception. Just like any other element of wedding planning, there are ways to green your wine choices and have your guests raving about it, too!
In recent years, eco-friendly organic wine production is on the rise. While many conventional grapes used for wine have been treated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals in order to generate a higher yield, organic wines do not contain the same chemicals, making them a delicious green choice for your reception.
According to Organic Vinters, an organic wine importer located in Boulder, Colorado, wine labels that boast “made with organic grapes” mean that no toxic synthetic pesticides or fertilizers have been used. Wines labeled “organic” also have no added sulfites during the wine-making process. Check out Organic Vintners for more information on eco-friendly wines, or look into local organic vintners to start researching your options.
Love DIY projects?…
If the bride-to-be is addicted to the Food Network and has a pile of Gourmet magazines sitting by the door, a kitchen-themed bridal shower might be right up her alley.
Some ideas to get you going:
The invitations:
Use a cooking themed invitation or modify recipe cards with the time, address, and instructions. See below for gift theme suggestions you can include with the invitations.
The gifts:
How about giving your guests a theme for their gifts? Ask groups of guests to bring either a favorite kitchen gadget, cookbook or gourmet ingredients. Or have every guest bring their favorite recipe and create a collection of them for the bride. Just make sure that if you are asking for themed gifts, you make it clear on the invitations.
The food:
In keeping with the theme, I think that providing appetizers and desserts that require a bit of interaction are interesting (and…
Color Board: Greens
Foodie Favors: Bee Raw Honey
Sponsored Post: Great Thanksgiving Ideas and Enter to Win a Williams-Sonoma Gift Card in a Mywedding Giveaway
Green Bride Guide with 3 Steps to a Green Wedding Menu
Green Bride Guide Giveaway & Fantastic Vegetarian Appetizers!
George and Dina’s Russian Wedding in Tbilisi, Georgia
Inspiration Board: Bright (Almost Rainbow!) Colors for Summertime
Trend We Love: Carnival Chic
Inspiration Board: Kitchen Themed Bridal Shower
Green Engagement Party Ideas from Green Bride Guide
Gourmet Popcorn Favors from Too Haute Cowgirls
Sayaka and Mack’s Hawaiian Hotel Wedding by Perfekt Photo
Spring Food Trends from The Green Bride Guide
Real Wedding Re-Run: Kurt and Kelsey’s Hidden Meadows Wedding in Snohomish, WA
DIY (sort of): Dolling Up Your Cupcakes with Ticings 
Chris and CC's Totally Glam Woodland Fairy Wedding from Feather Love
Color Board: That Which We Call a Rose
Hot Chocolate at a Wedding May Be Just the Ticket!
Inspiration Board: Backyard BBQ Bash
Sponsored post: Maggiano’s Little Italy
Color Board: Apple & Blackberry
Green Wedding Ideas for Wine Lovers from the Green Bride Guide
William Fogler and How to Calculate the Right Amount of Alcohol
A Fantastic At-Home Engagement Brunch from Joy the Baker
Inspiration Board: Fun Appetizers for the Cocktail Hour
