Go DIGITAL-This is actually not a far-fetched idea, most couples are going digital with their wedding photos already and photographers are already have been implementing this eco-friendly idea. You can save paper, ink and time by simply having all the photos put online. You can choose what wedding photos you may want to print out. In addition friends and family can look at the photos online and see what photos they may want as well.

FAVORS?- Avoid favors with lots of packaging, or on that note, avoid favors all together. If you are wanting to have favors at your wedding, make sure the favors you provide are not full of extra plastic or packaging and there are something that you guests will use and not dispose of. Custom Sweet Stations are a great hit and are consumable favors. Make sure the packaging you provide for the take home sweets is recycled and better yet made of biodegradable material. Another idea might be to make a donation to a special charity for each guest.

REUSABLE-Don't use disposable dishes, glasses, etc. Ask your caterer or bartender if they can use glasses or dishes, ones that can be washed and used again, instead of thrown away.

There are three small ways that you can make a big difference!

www.weddingonthebrain.com

~Jenny~

Image by 2duce2 Cinematic Videography

Happy filming! :)

Megan

www.weddingonthebrain.com

Why not have a gift-free wedding? Instead of receiving the usuals: kitchen utensils, pots, china, frames galore-- ask family and friends to help with the cost of of a honeymoon extra (ie: romantic special dinner on the shore, massage package, midday adventure in your honeymoon location).  If you're not a fan of over consumption, that extra leisurely perk added to your honeymoon will treat you a lot better than that blender ever will! Cash always works too! These tips save the traveling cost of taking back unwanted or doubled up gifts that will only take up space in your newlywed place!

It's easy for your guests to 'give green' and give their congratulations in a way you'll definitely appreciate!

-weddingonthebrain.com- Allison

 Smashbox has come out with their very own Mother Earth Palette to bring an earth conscientious fresh look to your face!

Four eye shadows and a blush are placed nicely into a casing made completely of sustainable materials. Regardless of the color, you will feel refreshed on your big day looking beautiful and staying green! With each purchase, Smashbox will plant a tree through the non-profit group, Trees for the Future.

Stay eco-chic!

Allison -weddingonthebrain.com-

Here’s to kickin’ off your shoes to something more comfortable! Floc Designs is a new company wanting you to do just that, and still remain eco-friendly and fashion forward at the same time! Their Pocketflops are perfect gifts to give your bridesmaids before the reception, in case they opt for more comfortable footwear to dance the night away in!

The foldable flip-flops are made from 95% recycled tire and come with a matching carrying case made from either organic or recycled fabric. They are easily customizable favors, and you can even submit your own images to be printed on them for that added personal touch!

Have a "flip"n good, eco-friendly time! -weddingonthebrain.com- Allison

Image from St. Jude's Creations

A new trend in wedding flowers is that of PAPER flowers. Sounds like a middle school craft project but these paper flowers are beautiful and look absolutely real! You can have them done by a professional such as St. Jude's Creations or you can make it a project to help your wedding party bond and get in on the planning, design, and details of your wedding!  If you opt for the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) method, try buying paper flower kits from Paper Source, Martha Stewart Crafts, or try getting paper and supplies from your local craft store.  If you need instructions, check out eHow Weddings section!  The best part is, each of your bouquets can have its own fragrance, customizable to YOUR wedding!

Good luck and let your creativity BUD!

Megan

www.weddingonthebrain.com

One of the most environment impacting parts of a wedding is the amount of paper which gets used. There are invitations, save the date cards, thank you notes, and place cards to think about. One way that you can go Green for your wedding is by using handmade paper. It’s organic, recycled, grow-able, and beautiful! Paper companies such as Cast Paper Art (castpaperart.com) is a good source for recycled paper, or if you are feeling crafty, you can even make your own!

Cassie

weddingonthebrain.com

Check out these eco-friendly placemats from Publique Living! These pop-up mats are made from 100% recycled paper, and bring in some added charisma to place settings. Perfect for rehearsal dinners and showers, you can add your own creative embellishments and guests’ names to the mats. Keeping green-chic in mind, try using toxic free pens and paints for that added touch. The mats are super fun, environmentally friendly, and everyone will enjoy them!

Go Eco-Fabulous! -weddingonthebrain.com- Allison

As Green Wedding shows, there are alternatives--products and services that can reduce environmental harm while ensuring a joyous and stylish celebration.Featuring stories of couples who have "gone green" on their wedding day, this book explains how couples can green their dream wedding, and why it is important. The book presents ideas for offsetting the global-warming impact of your guests' travel, to designing a menu (including cake and Champagne)  local ideas, and organic design.  check it out on amazon.

Carrie Goff-weddingonthebrain.com

www.weddingonthebrain.com

~Jenny~

We all know that a woman's weakness is chocolate.  What if I told you can have a chocolate that is not only delicous but helps saves the planet also.  We came across Endangered Species Chocolates from "The Knot Season Preview," the chocolate is all natural, ethically traded, and even shade-grown cacao which means the cacao is grown beneath the natural canopy of the forest and is farmed by farmers in a humane enviroment with fair wages.  Not only is this chocolate organically grown but 10% of their net profits is donated to Habitat and Humanity, so why not help and eat chocolate.  On each chocolate bar you will find a different species and inside the rapper is information on that particular at-risk specie.

For all of you who are thinking about having a "green" wedding, Endangered Species Chocolates makes a great wedding favor.  With their delicous flavors like chocolate blueberry, raspberry, cranberry and almonds, and my personal favorite milk chocolate peanut brittle this the perfect touch for your green wedding day.  You can find Endangered Species Chocolate at http://www.chocolatebar.com/.

Happy Eating~ Rachel

Exquisite! Green tip: Use plantable paper for your invitation and wedding programs.

The slogan of Botanical Paperworks says it all: Share, Plant, Grow! This company has the coolest, most unique ideas for all kinds of paperwork (i.e. invitations, favors, cards).  We certainly love them and here's why you should too:

1.  They are SO eco-friendly: guests can literally plant the paper and it will grow into something fabulous.

2. Botanical Paperworks has everything from invitations and favors to thank you cards and guest books!

3.  They are totally affordable; nothing is better than helping the environment and staying within the budget!

4. Botanical Paperworks provided 'Share and Blossom' plantable favors for our party bags at the KNOT Market Party last week!

What's not to love about the eco-friendly company?  You will be hooked as soon as you see their awesome ideas!  

Thanks to Botanical Paperworks for include one of your pretty plantable paper samples in the gift bags

-Exquisite!- Samantha Woods

Exquisiste! Green TIP: Everything used in the salon is eco-friendly and cruelty free

One of our wonderful raffle sponsors for "The Knot-Season Preview Event" was the Primping Parleur, http://www.primpingparleur.com. This fabulous salon, located in Brea, is a bride's dream, designed for the everyday women. The salon offers celebrity worthy treatments. Whether getting ready for engagement photos, having a girls get-together or bachelorette party, this is the place to go. With make-up to facials to waxing and their infamous brow bar, every girl needs to spoil themselves sometime at this heavenly salon!

Exquisiste Event Planning and Design

www.weddingonthebrain.com ~Jenny~

When looking for your delicous and lucious sented candles most people look toward Pier 1 but i've come across something truly amazing.  In the gift bags for "The Knot Season Preview," Nohm Candles provided yummy pomegranate soy candles. These candles are purely organic made from soy wax.  This family owned business started when they learned about carcinogenic chemicals which go into paraffin wax.  What first started as  family fun turned into Nohm Candles!  These candles are made from pure fragrances, essential oils, and combination of natural waxes. You can get them in 6 oz. tins or votives.  Instead of using normal candles at your wedding do your part in helping the enviroment and use soy candles.

www.nohmcandles.com

Go Green ~ Rachel