Wedding Ideas and Inspiration Blog

Posts tagged eco-friendly

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!

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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 to make sure that the dress you are looking to purchase is organic cotton rather than non-organic cotton. Non-organic cotton is not the greenest choice, considering 10% of the world’s pesticides are used to grow it. This dress is 100% organic cotton and made out of a fabric similar to satin. It is also available in natural or white.

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The Rita gown is a unique style because it is a short bustier dress. It is made out of eco-friendly beaded wool and hemp/silk organza. Hemp is a renewable material made from the cannabis plant. Cannabis is naturally pest-resistant which means it can easily be grown without pesticides. Each dress is hand made from the highest quality sustainable, recycled and vintage fabrics.

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The Rose gown is another unique take on a wedding gown. The gown is actually a full skirt that comes with a bustier. The blush pink peplum bustier has intricate pearl beading and a vintage brooch. Each dress is hand made to order and made from the highest quality and recycled, vintage products.

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The organic cotton gathered gown is perfect for an outdoor wedding. This simple dress gathers at the waist and neck and is available in natural or white. Many women prefer to wear cotton gowns over anything else because cotton is light and breathable material, perfect for a hot day. This designer uses 100% organic cotton fabrics and low-impact fiber reactive dyes to create their gowns.

For more eco-chic wedding dresses, visit our Wedding Shop!

About the author:

GBG’s CEO, Kate L. Harrison, has a JD in Environmental Law and a Master’s from Yale in Environmental Policy. She planned her own green wedding in 2007 and wrote the best selling green wedding book The Green Bride Guide: How to Plan an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget. In 2009, she founded www.greenbrideguide.com to help couples use their weddings to promote social and environmental change while supporting the local green economy.

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 adorable birds perched on a park bench are featured on handmade 100% recycled paper.

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For a national park wedding, these Rocky Mountain invitations are absolutely perfect for the adventurous nature lover.

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Forever Fiances’ signature paper is handmade from 100% post-consumer waste paper (the paper we put in the blue bin). Their signature paper is also embedded with wildflower seeds so you and your guests can plant it and grow wildflowers! It is made with carbon neutral energy so these are some of the greenest invitations available.

If you are having a picnic themed reception, this picnic set can be used in the wedding reception as part of your decor. This set is handmade of finely woven willow that is enriched with a dye-free and chemical-free cotton lining. This set also comes fully equipped with everything one may need for a green picnic for four: bamboo plates, bamboo cutlery, recycled wine glasses, bamboo cutting board, and organic cotton embroidered napkins. Many baskets are imported from overseas, but this basket is made in the USA from eco-friendly materials.

About the author:

Saying Yes to The Recycled Dress

Still searching for the perfect gown, bridesmaid dresses or even wedding shoes and décor? We’ve got a place that you may have never thought to look before. Tradesy is an online resale marketplace for new and gently used wedding dresses from top designer brands.

For brides who want a green wedding or for those who just drool over top designer gowns that are normally outside of their budget, Tradesy offers gorgeous gowns that are great for your wallet and the environment. We even found some of the latest styles from Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier. Did we mention prices can be up to 70% off retail? Dreams do come true.

We warn you though, the hunt becomes addicting as there are so many amazing dresses and accessories to discover. Here are a few of our favorites from our very own Tradesy treasure hunting.

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This Monique Lhuillier Arianna gown from the designer’s Platinum Collection is just exquisite, brand-new and 33% off retail.

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It just took your breath away didn’t it? This ivory Alvina Valenta gown is ready to transport you to your fairytale wedding. Oh, and it’s over 30% off retail.

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Finally, this beauty from Vera Wang is 62% off retail. She truly outdid herself her with a full A-line gown, a draped wrap bodice and delicately layered asymmetrical tulle skirt.

Tradesy has capitalized on the growing trend of more than 20% of brides selling or shopping for a gently used wedding dress. If you’re still shopping for the gown, Tradesy or similar sites like PreOwnedWeddingDresses and Still White could be an option. Maybe you’ll even find yourself saying yes to selling your own dress post-wedding.

Details for Your Honeybee-Themed Wedding

The honeybee is responsible for pollinating 130 different crops in the U.S, including fruits, vegetables and nuts. Most of the honey that is sold in a grocery store is labeled as honey, when it actually is not. Most of the honey that is sold contains harmful ingredients and does not contain pollen, a main ingredient of honey. This is why it is important to buy your honey from a local farm or natural food store to ensure that what you are buying is organic and all natural.

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Not only does honey taste good, but it is also good for you! Natural honey can help restore your skin, promote healthy bacteria in your intestinal track, and help control allergies. Organic raw honey is a perfect favor for your wedding that people will enjoy and can use in a variety of ways.

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These tasty vanilla honey and fig lollipops make a great wedding favor! The lollipops are made by combining local, all-natural ingredients like pure cane sugar, herbs, and spices into copper pots. They are sweet while still remaining natural without the use of artificial flavors or corn syrup. This sweet treat reflects a simple and delicious Italian dessert with the vanilla-honey flavor and the slight taste of sliced fig.

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These bee skep stickers are great handmade stickers for adding the finishing touch on envelopes, gift wrap, scrapbooking, weddings, or as a hostess gift. These stickers are made of natural acid free cardstock (Green Seal Certified 30% recycled post-consumer fiber) and an acid-free adhesive, which is easy to remove from backing.

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Another great way to add the finishing touch to your wedding is with these honeybee favor cards. These cards are a perfect way to announce a donation instead of a traditional wedding favor. It is made up of entirely 100% recycled paper, embedded with wildflower seeds.

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This beeswax candle set is a must have for any wedding reception. This finely-crafted candle set is covered over with little bees and the wicks are braided unbleached cotton. This set is perfect for those who are sensitive to perfumes or dyes. These candles are 100% pure beeswax and have no added scent or coloring.

About the author:

Eco-Friendly Engagement Rings

Searching for the perfect wedding ring is just as important as having the perfect dress. You can always donate a wedding dress or re-fashion it, but a wedding ring is something you will never want to give up. Mining precious stones and metals cause a lot of harmful environmental damage, which is why it is important to consider choosing an eco-friendly alternative without sacrificing style.

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The Antler and Amboyna Burl wedding band also has a rustic touch and is finely crafted from naturally-shed deer antler and eco-friendly burl wood. This wedding band is cruelty free, because deer and elk shed their antlers seasonally. If you want to bring out your wild, rustic side; this ring is for you.

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These rings are a perfect set of his and hers that is both eco-friendly and stylish. The Purple Box Elder Wood is unlike most wood rings, because it has been through the enhanced water resistance process. This process reduces the water absorption in the wood. The purple wood is more unique and modern than the brown colored wood.

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Maintain a touch of elegance while keeping it rustic! This wood engagement ring features a diamond with mother of pearl and wood inlay.

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The Maple Inlay Set is made up of entirely recycled material. It consists of maple wood and sterling silver inlays. This set is ideal for a his or hers bridal set or anniversary gift.

For more rustic ring inspiration, visit the ring section of our Wedding Shop!

Diane and Mike’s DIY Portland, OR Wedding by Heather Bayles Photography

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Diane is one crafty gal with a deep love of the environment. Most of her details are vintage and DIY, accomplished with the help of a dedicated group of family and friends. Her wedding fashion has a darling shabby chic vibe with her brooch bouquet and DIY veil (very creative!). Read below for the details on all of Diane’s fun projects! Thank you to Heather Bayles for sharing this fantastic Northwest day!

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What was your vision?

Planning for the wedding was very fun, but surprisingly stressful. I purposely did not let myself get absorbed by the millions of wedding magazines or websites. We both wanted an environmentally friendly, reasonably priced and FUN celebration. With this in mind our theme developed into a vintage, eco-friendly, DIY wedding.

I found my wedding dress at a resell wedding boutique and fell in love with the dot lace pattern and unique lace trim. It had great bones. With help from an amazing seamstress we were able to redesign it to be exactly what I had envisioned. It originally had long sleeves with beautiful trim cuffs. We cut the sleeves off but I still wore the cuffs.

What were your DIY projects?

Brooch bouquet- Most of the brooches came from my mother’s and grandmother’s collections. I scavenged thrift stores and estate sales looking for enamel flowers and filler brooches.

Lace birdcage veil- I made a cute hair accessory out of a folded handkerchief and vintage earring and I sewed the leftover lace onto it.

Wedding card table- The table runner was made from a variety of different lace and vintage fabrics. We used vintage suit cases and train cases to hold cards. Instead of a wedding book we had guests write a note on vintage postcards. I used mason jars to hold wedding pictures of our parents.

Favors- At the bridal shower I had friends and family make the origami boxes that held our engraved rocks. It was so fun teaching and making these cute wedding souvenirs.

Table centerpieces- One of my bridesmaids had experience in making terrariums and offered to make them so we worked together to create the moss terrarium centerpieces.
Did your wedding location hold a specific significance to you?

Yes, I am a practicing Nichiren Buddhist and I knew I wanted to have the ceremony at the Oregon Buddhist Center. We were the second couple to host a wedding there.
Did anything funny or out of the ordinary happen?

Driving to the ceremony it started to downpour and then hail. I was pretty nervous, but shortly after I arrived the sun started to shine and the clouds cleared out long enough to get some fabulous photos and enjoy the terrace during the reception.
Any advice you’d give new brides who are just getting started?
Do what you want, be happy, enjoy the planning, even though you think it’s never going to end. Looking back you will only remember the good parts. Weddings don’t have to cost a fortune or be wasteful. Choose carefully and be creative.

Vendors:

Photographer: Heather Bayles

Venue: Ecotrust Building

Dress and shoes: vintage

Men’s Attire: Nordstrom Rack

Catering: Artemis Catering

Flowers: dried hydrangeas- reused from Mike’s sister’s wedding.

Check out more wedding venues, favors and dresses in Portland.