In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would think green and give you some of my WED favorite “eco-friendly” ideas to style your wedding all happy and green without wasting and killing unnecessary trees and shit…

Ahhh…It’s the little things… 

Dressed to Impress…

Go classic with this twist on the little black “organic” dress for your rehearsal dinner. The  CMarchuska  Sylvia dress is perfect for toasting in, and perfect for the environment using high fashion, and highly sustainable fabrics and a super reasonable price. This hot up and coming line from designer Christine Marchuska  debuts on the runway tonight in NYC, and I’m told her Spring collection offers a brighter eco chic look for your favorite ladies in waiting. Stock up on her “Vivons Vert” (Live Green en francais” organic  tees for welcome baskets or out fit your girls in them instead of those terribly tacky “bridesmaid” shirts for wedding day errands, and bachelorette party weekends. I mean… would you really prefer to wear a rhinestone encrusted tank top?

CMarchuska Sylvia Dress $164

CMarchuska Vivons Vert T-shirt $38

ALSO.  Brides… check out this AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL eco-friendly wedding gowns from Natural Bridals on Etsy. They are really simply magnificent and elegant and totally great for the environment and you and your hubby and the bridal party… just about everyone. 

Natural Bridals (Etsy) Eco-Chic Wedding Gowns $6,800

The dress above is made from Bamboo and Organic Cotton Jersey Dress with Organic Linen Flower Details and Charmeuse bust and sash. So pretty. And the one below is made from Hemp/Silk with Floral Jacquard Halter and a full gathered skirt… and that one is just $2,600.

Natural Bridal's Charlotte Couture Eco-Friendly Wedding Gown $2,600

Do Me a Favor…

Lose the favors altogether. thanks. Seriously. People throw them away… so instead of wasting money on cheap plastic doodads for weddings that will end up in someones junk drawer at home… keep it simple and donate to a charity. Your guests will understand, and probably be very impressed at your willing and giving spirit. If you MUST give your friends and family something to remember your special day by, keep it natural. Plant miniature herbs like lavender, rosemary and basil in tiny containers for guest to take home and plant in their own garden. Another idea… think locally and give your guests something that’s meaningful to you and your hubby. Jars of honey, homemade jam, and peaches might be local to your area and look adorable with a touch of ribbon.

Photo Courtesy of The Knot

Photo Courtesy of The Knot

Photo Courtesy of The Knot

Be Our Guest…

Paper is wasteful. Yes, yes we know. “But what about our invitations?!” She cried. Relax. There are plenty of recycled invitation options out there. Try 100-percent recycled paper from TwistedLimbPaper.com or plantable invitations from BotanicalPaperWorks.com are embedded with seeds that guests can plant and grow! How’s that for remembering your special day? If you’re feeling like you have a trendy and eco-chic crowd as it is who will understand your decision to opt for digital invitations over paper, go with MyInvitationLink.com and customize your invites with music and pictures.

CENTERPIECES…

Yes. Flowers are “green” already. But some of them are loaded with pesticides and garbage that make them less pretty, expensive, and dangerous to you and your guests. Stick with flowers that are in season to avoid shipping costs and fuel usage associated with bringing in exotic flowers from far away just because you refuse to settle on something that’s in season. Seriously. Pick your diva moments. This isn’t one of them. Go local and use fresh flowers from farmers markets and local gardens to decorate tables with recycled glass containers like these beautiful green glasses made from… beer bottles! So cute. Found objects and mismatched containers make great centerpieces.

Recycled Beer Bottle Glasses from Yava Glass (Etsy) 2 for $20

If you’re still not sold on the eco-wedding and you think it’s totally impossible to integrate “green” into your wedding world check out the Etsy Handmade Wedding Blog post on “Crafting an Eco-Friendly Wedding”. 

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

When it comes to wedding invitations, I’m a pretty big proponent of the real deal. However… in today’s eco-friendly, socially aware world of  ”green” weddings…
a girls gotta have options. And we have DISCOUNTED options for you ladies…

When I first heard about the possibility of the digital invitation, I had my doubts. It’s kind of like how I feel about the Kindle. I want to like it, but there’s something about holding a real book in your hand.

There’s still something lovely and romantic about getting an over sized envelope in your mailbox. (one and a time)

But I have to say… I was dead wrong. I checked out My Invitation Link and was completely blown away.

These are AMAZING.

It’s so easy. You pick the music, the template and the photos and click send. There are countless templates to choose from and these invitations will NOT set you back. you can add text to tell the story of how you met, information on your special day and more! 

With your paid account you can create save the date cards, invitations, announcements, even thank you cards. 

(Although I’d still send a handwritten thank you)

 As a subscriber you have the option of having your invitations and announcements hosted for three, six, or twelve months. Prices range from $39 for three months, $59 for six months and $79 for one year.

You can change the music, pictures or template in that time and you can send it to as many people as you can afford to invite!

*Remember it’s still an invitation… watch your budget and don’t invite everyone you know if you can’t afford it.

Now, here’s the best part… Wedding Belles Online Readers get a 20% discount on all MyInvitationLink.com invites with the CODE: weddingbelles 

Saving the planet, and your wallet in one foul swoop.

Look at you go… 

I always loved this next combo together. It’s romance with an edge. Who doesn’t like that? Be careful with these colors though. I feel like it’s better to stay with deeper shades of purple or lime green to keep it looking fresh and new and less like an Easter basket… unless that’s what you’re going for…
Just a thought.

Photos COurtesy of TheKnot.com

AND… some things you can actually buy…

Very chic and very modern custom wedding invitations from Etsy seller,  Modern Ink Studio! 

AND… if you place your order before April 15, 2009 you get  15% off your entire order! They also have very cool custom table numbers for just $1.99 each! 

Olivia Custom Wedding Invitation

Olivia Custom Wedding Reply Card

Modern Ink Studio Custom Table Number

These Zen invitations from Etsy seller Tucci Paper Company also are for a set of 20 for $40. A little bit more organic looking.

Zen Invitations 20 for $40

Aria’s Spring 2009 bridesmaid collection has lots of froof! Yay! They run from $151- $250.
Purple dresses paired with bright green hydrangea, orchids and bells of ireland is a perfect spring color combo!

Photo Courtesy of Brides

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

I hope you were all a little bit more lucky in life and love today! After all everyone really is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. Make those little green leprechauns hiding in the shadows send some of that luck your way! In honor of my Irish half here are some of my favorite green Etsy items for you brides out there (and I personally know at least one) incorporating lucky and lovely shades of green into your wedding world! Green Weddings! So fun!

A word of caution: Don’t incorporate ALL of these things into your green wedding world. Often…less is more.

This is adorable from Etsy Seller LuckeyU. You can absolutely do this on your own too. A little spanish moss, branch basket and ribbon (local craft store) and you have your very own DIY ring pillow. OR you could just invest in this fabulous one.

Ring Bearer Pillow- LuckeyU on Etsy- $25

Ring Bearer Pillow- LuckeyU on Etsy- $25

No secret I love me some pink and green. But green works well on its own with weddings because it matches all your flowers- more or less- and it’s almost a “neutral” color when used sparingly as an accent color with other neutrals. These super cute polka dot ties from Etsy seller Me and Matilda, would be great with a khaki colored suit. Very casual, very backyard, very good near water. Love them!

Me and Matilda Neckties on Etsy - $126 for 7 ties

Neckties from Me and Matilda on Etsy- $90 for 5

Subtlety can go a long way… ditch the bright green bridesmaid dress and opt for shades of green that COMPLIMENT each other. Don’t make me come find you…

Parrot Bay Silver Earrings from Jeanne de Andrade Designs $24

Leg Candy… Green Garters go a long way.

French Boudoir Style Garter by Designs by Peterene on Etsy - $30

And finally and quite obviously… lil bit of Froof…

Sweet Nothing Rose Fascinator from Tattered Rouge on Etsy-$18