Eco-chic Weddings

In case, you missed this before, I'm sharing it again because there are so many great ideas, I don't want it to get lost in the shuffle of my blog! I recently finished reading "Eco-chic Weddings" by Emily Elizabeth Anderson and have LOTS of great information to tell you about. As you know my passion is sharing eco-friendly ideas that you can consider for your wedding, it doesn't have to be everything, even a few green efforts can make a big difference. This will be a pretty lengthy post, so stick with me, have a cup of coffee, get a piece of paper to take notes, or get ready to click on links and bookmark them! Most of this information is directly from Emily's book and some I have added in.

Facts To Think About:

• According to Conde Nast Bridal Group- American Wedding Study 2006 the average American wedding is now $27,825 in 1990 it was $15,208
• Prioritize!! What is the most important part of your wedding that you are willing to spend money on and what could be edited out?
• Borrow -  Emily wrote in her book that she borrowed her friends pearl bracelet which was special since her friend couldn't be at the wedding. Maybe borrow someone’s veil too.
• Think about one-time-use items like your wedding shoes that you will only wear once, do you really want to spend that much on them?
• According to the Bridal Consultants of America, October is now the most popular month of the year to get married.
• Ask and find out if your venue/caterer compost leftover food? Could they donate to a compost community garden?
• Reduce: Send your wedding invitations earlier than planned so that you don’t have to send out save-the-dates, or it’s too late to send out save-the-dates so you just send invites
• Self-adhesive stamps come with non-recyclable plastic sheet backing so if possible get the moisten and stick stamps
• Recycle your ink cartridges, more than 300 million ink cartridges end up in landfills every year. You can take them to Staples and get a discount!
• Average money spent on honeymoon is $3.700
• This is a BIG FACT I DID NOT KNOW!! 10% of honeymooners go on a cruise, but did you know that one of the largest waterway polluters is the cruise ship industry! Discharge into the ocean by cruise ships is not covered under the Clean Water Act. I have actually never been on a cruise but it's such a huge industry for tourism.
• Consider going to a “green” location and doing “green” activities and rent from Enterprise Rent-A-Car since they have the Toyota Prius

{Vendor Spotlight} Chocolat by Adam Turoni

I lurve chocolate!! Yep, if I could eat chocolate everyday 24-7 I would, so when a local chocolatier contacted me about tasting his gourmet handmade luxury chocolate, I said YES of course. Adam has a long history with chocolate and many years in perfecting his skill. He says that, "with lessons learned from the kitchens of my grandmother to Chez Panisse to Chef Greweling I am spinning chocolates that taste like the magic of memories". You will remember his chocolate too!!! You can find his chocolates at all Wright Square cafe and Paula Deen's store or place an order with him for your event.

I was impressed with Adam's beautiful presentation of chocolates seen below, his gorgeous office space which is located on Desoto Row one of the few certified “green” buildings in Savannah, but more so by how delicious the chocolates were! Adam supports local businesses such as Savannah Bee Company, PERC, Brighter Day, and local spice and tea shops. He only uses premium chocolate chips to start with in order to make his delicacies. All of his chocolates tasted amazing, but my favorites were:

• Raspberry Mouse ganache, always a favorite combination but WOW he is good!
• Peanut Butter Cup, he makes the peanut butter from scratch and you can tell since it's so fresh and smooth.
• Sourwood Sea Salt Honey Caramels are soooo good and my husbands favorite (I let him sample my leftovers!)
• Cafe Americano has a nice robust infusion of local PERC coffee which is right across the street from Adam, perfect for an after dinner dessert with fresh brewed coffee!
• Blood Orange and Grand Marnier Truffle is very BOLD and sophisticated.
• Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel is also potent and a nice compliment to the orange truffle.

I loved this wall in his office that he painted and created a fun frame display!

Here is a close up of his signature Almond Bark Lion Medallion

Chocolat by Adam Turoni
2423 Desoto Ave, Savannah, GA
(570) 510-1820
chocolatat@ymail.com
http://www.chocolatat.com
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{Vendor Spotlight} Savannah Toile

Update! Have you seen Carlette's newly designed website!? It's so user-friendly!

Carlette Cormier creates the most beautiful unique gift ideas that are PERFECT bridal gifts for your bridal party, gifts for your wedding guests, or just to buy for yourself! She makes custom hand made items featuring the historic sites of Savannah. (look close!) It's called The Savannah Toile Collection. Purses, handbags, tote bags, tea towels, garment bags, aprons, table settings and more and you can choose your colors!

Here it is! New to the collection - PINK clutches! You can choose other color too.

picture by memoriesnmore.net

Tote Bag: Perfect for wedding welcome bags, 'on-the-go', trip to the beach, or traveling on vacation. 

 

Savannah Toile Apron

picture by memoriesnmore.net

Accent your southern wedding, shower or reception with these Savannah Toile Tea Towels. With a hint of Savannah, these towels create an atmosphere of charm and hospitality often associated with southern living.  Use them to create a comfortable atmosphere or offer them as gifts to your friends, family or wedding party.  

Look for her on River Street or go online to order!

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www.savannahtoile.com

{Organic Wednesday} Mirage Lip Gloss

On Sunday and Monday we had a blast working on styling for a Victorian Styled Shoot along with a handful of talented wedding professionals. More details to come on that adventure, but my exciting news to share with you today for {Organic Wednesday} is this new all natural lip gloss. Gwen of Pretty Woman Day Spa did the make up for our model and used their mineral based oil free make up and WOW so beautiful!! Plus it didn't feel caked on and lasted for the entire shoot without any retouches!! Gwen used her new mirage lip gloss that they just launched and are now selling it at the spa located at 23 Plantation Park Dr., Suite 302, Bluffton, SC 29910. The lip gloss has a mirror on the side of it and it even lights up! So cool. 
This is definitely on my wish list!

If you missed my blog post about the Pretty Woman Day Spa click here to read more

UPDATE!! I finally went by the Spa and bought my very own mirage lip gloss! 

I bought the Color "New York" LOVE IT!!

{Organic Wednesday} Scentsations by Julie

I recently went to a Women In Business Expo and happened across a women who makes the most AMAZING bath products. I'm a huge fan of Nourish who was a previous post but sometimes you like a little change. Scentsations by Julie is for those who are looking for that European French inspired fragrance that is a little more sophisticated. I'm such a sucker for bath products and CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY!

Here is a little bit about Julie: "Long before I was certified in Aromatherapy I had discovered the wonderful benefits of pure essential oils. For years, as a hobby, I would mix oils and enjoy them in the bath to help relax and quiet my thoughts. I soon wanted to share the magic with my friends and family. From there, the Scentsations by Julie story began. Each blend/scent has its own special story inspired by those who have encouraged me along the way. The blends/scents have been named after those special friends". She creates spa quality handmade aromatherapy products and gifts using 100% pure essential oils and other natural ingredients. Lotions, Salt/Scrubs, Soaps and Massage Oils. The fun part is to choose which blend is your favorite: (my favorite is the Signature!) What is a "Blend"? A blend is a careful formulation of two or more essential oils designed for a specific therapeutic purpose. 

• Signature is a calming, balancing and sensual blend. Excellent for insomnia, gaining clarity and lowering stress levels. Superb for maturing and dry skin. Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Clary Sage
  
• Hope is a romantic, balancing and uplifting blend that ignites creativity, spurs confidence and instills a sense of value. Jasmine, Rose, Bergamot
  
• Jay is a calming and centering blend. Excellent for meditation and prayer. Soothes dry skin conditions and promotes well-being.Sandalwood, Patchouli, Orange
  
• McKenzie invigorates, purifies, revitalizes and soothes. Brings alertness and clarity. Aids stomach problems, headaches, respiratory ailments, sore muscles and joints. Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Orange
  
• Moosey is a cleansing, grounding and uplifting blend. Helps improve the immune and digestive systems. Very relaxing an euphoric at the same time. Tangerine, Orange, Clary Sage, Patchouli, Rosewood
  
• Sarah is a healing, soothing and peaceful blend. Helps in restoring skin damaged by burns, blisters and even stretch marks. Our mildest blend suitable for babies. Lavender, Chamomile and Mandarin

Read more about her products and order your online: www.scentsationsbyjulie.net
juliemansfield@earthlink.net
912-704-6913

{Organic Wednesday} GREEN Methods, LLC

I go on and on about how some cleaning products are terrible for your health and the environment and I recently found someone else who thinks just like ME! Tiffany just started Green Methods LLC cleaning company in Savannah. She was also at Savannah's Food Day which was Sat. Oct. 22nd. There she showed people how to make their own GREEN cleaning product and let them take them home in recycled water bottles. So cute!

Eco-friendly cleaning products will not only help keep your home clean, but they will also keep the air and the overall environment in your home free of chemicals. By using eco friendly household cleaning products, the toxic burden of your house on the environment will be reduced.

Tiffany only uses eco-friendly and non-toxic chemicals and common household natural products such as: baking soda, and vinegar. She also promotes recycling. This is a small effort towards saving our environment and putting an end to harmful chemicals being released into the atmosphere and into our water!

***GREAT IDEA FOR LOCAL BRIDES***

 WHY DON'T YOU GIVE A GIFT OF CLEANING FOR A BRIDE! 

There is nothing better than coming home to a beautifully clean house!! Perfect idea for a wedding gift!!

 
Give Tiffany a call or email her:
*References are available upon request* 

greenmethods4homes@gmail.com

912-354-8509 

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{Organic Wednesday} Green Spas

Being in Savannah is such a great location because you can drive to Atlanta, Charleston, or Jacksonville if you have a few hours for a long journey, but Hilton Head Island (HHI), South Carolina is just 45 min. and about 30 miles north. They have a wonderful beach (that allows dogs on it), huge outlet shopping and plenty of golf. Since my friend lives in Bluffton (just before HHI) I go there ALL THE TIME! So when I found out that there are not 1 but TWO Eco-friendly spas there I had to go visit them, AND YOU SHOULD TOO! Both owners and companies are wonderful, sweet, professional, welcoming, hmmmm all other synonyms for amazing too!!

Why should you go to their spas?

• Give someone a gift for their birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Anniversary, teacher appreciation, or Wedding Planner appreciation ; )
• Plan a girls night out
• Get a couples massage
• Book your bridal party there with your best girlfriends
• Get ready for your wedding with all the woman before your HHI wedding
• You need to relax and de-stress
• Make it a day trip-go to the beach, eat some good food, play golf, there are many things to do in Hilton Head to make a day out of it!
• SUPPORT ORGANIC ECO-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES

If you are looking for a quiet escape and to receive TOP LEVEL massage therapies, facials and body treatments, then book your next appointment at Ahh Green Spa. They use organic fair trade, and vegan products so you know your body will be covered with only the best products!

How are they green? SOOOOOOOO many ways!!

• They painted with Zero-VOC Natura paint from Benjamin Moore
• The trim around the doors is FSC certified lumber, stained & sealed with low-VOC wood stain and sealant. 
• They installed a hybrid hot water heater that is 62% more energy efficient than a regular electric hot water heater.   
• They installed an Energy Star washer & dryer. Instead of shipping their laundry out to a service that will use harsh chemicals, they do the laundry in-house. This allows them to cut down on transportation of linens, as well as having control over what is used to wash them. They use USDA Organic laundry detergent and set the washer on the sanitizer setting. They also don’t use fabric softener or chemical-based dryer sheets. 
• All of the sink faucets and toilets are WaterSense certified 
• The wooden tables and some of the chairs in each of the treatment rooms were found at local consignment stores.  
• The artwork they have displayed is from local artists.  
• They use organic massage lotion. 

They opened less than a year ago and have already received so many great reviews and were voted #3 things to do in Hilton Head. Read some of their reviews here: tripadvisor.com reviews 

http://www.AhhGreenSpa.com
http://twitter.com/#!/AhhGreenSpa

6 Lagoon Rd, 

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 in Coligny Plaza

Phone: 843-715-2643 

Pretty Woman Day Spa features three treatment rooms, retail boutique, and makeup service area. They offer an extensive menu for skin care, body scrubs, wraps, and massage. Each spa treatment is personalized with a variety of exotic scents and products to offer you a unique and memorable experience. They offer all natural beauty treatments and have GREAT gift baskets you can personalize and give to your bridal party or give a gift to someone special! UPDATE!! I finally went by the Spa and bought my very own Mirage lip gloss! I bought the Color "New York" LOVE IT!!

ALSO Gwyn, the owner, can travel on location for your WEDDING day make-up. 

About Gwyn:

• Licensed Cosmetologist 
• Cosmetology Instructor 
• Licensed Esthetician 
• Esthetic Instructor 
• Professional Makeup Artist 
• Certified Aromatherapy Instructor

http://www.prettywomandayspa.com/

23 Plantation Park Dr Suite 302

Bluffton, SC 29910 

Phone: 843.815.220 

Unique Ring Bearer Idea

Paloma's Nest is home to the *original* Ring Bearer Bowl™...
creating a new tradition in modern weddings around the globe!
Paloma's Nest is dedicated to creating pieces for the home and for the heart. These pieces are intended to become modern heirlooms, to be cherished by you and for many future generations to come.
Each and every piece in the Paloma's Nest collection is designed and hand-crafted by Caroline Colom Vasquez in our studio in Austin, Texas, with care, pride, and passion. Caroline uses only all natural materials including fine clays, wood, paper, and cloth, knowing that these items will be passed on for many generations.
They also make great bridal gifts such as Words on wood that wrap around your wrist, as seen on Good Morning America and The Today Show!
Paloma's Nest combines the simplicity of natural wood and the purity of some great words (or special names or dates) to make a striking statement. Let us stamp special names (perfect for Moms and Grandmothers!), phrases or dates on your custom bracelet to create a piece that will be cherished!
You have your choice of a thin 3/4" bracelet, or the thicker, chunkier 1" width. The bracelet is sealed to protect the inked words, but it is NOT shiny or glossy.
Check out their Etsy Shop Here