ZahZoom Weddings & Parties

A ZahZoom Event Just Hit Newsstands Near You!

2011-12-28T16:19:00.000-08:00

Heather and Bradford's amazing Vaudeville wedding at Bimbos is featured in this month's issue of San Francisco Brides, just out last Friday, December 23rd!

For more about their fabulous day, you can check out ZahZoom's {blog post on the event}.

A Touch of Beauty for a Good Cause!

2011-11-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday I was honored to participate by attending and donating floral arrangements for the 7th Annual Cultural Cuisine dinner, to help the Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) raise money for future programs promoting sustainable agriculture.

The event featured a delicious multicultural feast prepared with help from MESA Stewards who influenced the menu with favorite dishes and flavors from their home countries. The menu included traditional dishes from Peru, Ecuador, and Thailand, and the ingredients came from donations from local growers and producers. Dessert was passion fruit custard cups with cream and candied fennel!

The evening also featured live music, dancing, and a silent auction boasting sustainable winery tours, eco-friendly spa retreats, a dinner at Chez Panisse, tempting gift baskets from local purveyors, and much more.

Just another way that ZahZoom stays involved in the community through values based giving and keeping it green, outside of the world of weddings!

Trend Spotter: Eye on 2012! (Lallitara Clutches and Ties!)

2011-10-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

These lovely little numbers from Lallitara (lallitara.com) make a beautiful accent for attendant attire, which can also serve as a bridesmaids' gift! Or, you could think of it as a bridesmaids' gift that useful on more than the ONE OCCASION *wink. Better still, they are upcycled, in the first place, from vintage saris- so these fashionable fabrics already lived a full life before their glamour was reassigned!

What's more- they can be purchased with matching ties, so the whole wedding party can be picture ready with coordinating, hip accessories and receive a gift as token of your gratitude, in one fell swoop!

Oh, Baby!

2011-08-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

I've been a little busy and somewhat preoccupied (thus the hiatus from blogging)- but he was more than worth it!

This handsome baby is Kaj Donaldson, my son, born late last March! I'm showing him off with an image that Easy Canvas Prints has turned into a piece of art for me. Let’s take a closer look:

Easy Canvas Prints offers user friendly interface with simple options to customize your print. First, choose how thick you want it: 0.75 inch or 1.5 inch. Then choose a wrap option: mirror image; photo wrap; or border. (Note that wrapping the photo, as I chose, has a neat artistic effect, but does cut some of the image, from the face-on perspective. Choosing a color border preserves the original dimensions of the photo from this vantage point).

A canvas print would make a lovely wedding display item (even an item for wedding signage!), or would be an excellent option for a favorite wedding memory, for your own wall, or as a gift.

ENJOY 25% OFF AND FREE STANDARD SHIPPING!

An Example Of A ZahZoom Green Wedding (Heather & Bradford)

2011-08-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Heather and Bradford were married in a music forward Vaudeville themed wedding extravaganza at Bimbo's 365 Club in North Beach (San Francisco). They set out to recycle and repurpose their way to 'reclaiming an era'! And it was beautiful.

Their ceremony was the first event of the evening to grace the main stage at Bimbo's, an historical club that opened in 1931 at 365 Market Street. On Bimbo's stage in days of yore, lines of long-stemmed chorus girls kicked high to the music; one of whom was Rita Hayworth! Gin was served in coffee cups while patrons puzzled over the optical illusion that was Dolfina, "The G

irl in the Fishbowl": she appeared to swim nude in the fish tank behind the bar, and still does today, at Bimbo’s Columbus Avenue location, where the club moved in 1951 and became even more of a happening spot. Herb Caen caught it all and recalled, “Jugglers, dance teams, stand-up comics, crooners & chantootsies...

Costumed performers from the Yard Dogs Ro ad Show assisted ushers wearing colorful vests in welcoming guests and

distributing

custom designed programs printed on

100% post consumer waste recycled paper.

(Their table numbers and escort cards -with names and table numbers penned by Tracy Joe Calligraphy- were also printed this way!)

The bride walked down the aisle to Lou Reed's fantastic cover of "This Magic Moment", the ring bearer carried their rings on a teal 45, and the flower girls scattered feathers (instead of petals) on the runner. Floral decor, by eco-minded floral design guru Emily Dreblow, of Soulflower included feathers, too!

During the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed treats such as truffled popcorn in bamboo cones, and were treated to an appearance by the famous "Girl in the Fishbowl" (as mentioned above).

After dinner there was photobooth fun to be

had.

Dancing.

And cupcakes handmade by a friend and incorporated into a candy buffet.

It happened to be a 6-year-old niece's birthday, and she was surprised by a magician at her table, and a birthday cake!

And finally, the cap of the evening: a performance by the Yard Dogs Road Show.

As a parting gift, guests took home an item that they will be able enjoy for years to come: a custom CD filled with memorable songs from Brad and Heather's wedding. The case features images from their engagement shoot with Jules Bianchi!

At the end of the night the newlyweds departed in a vintage Rolls Royce, for the Hotel Vitale (an eco-savvy, boutique hotel on the San Francisco waterfront).

A wonderous wedding, indeed!

images by Jules Bianchi

Eco-Friendly Wedding Flowers

2010-09-02T14:00:00.001-07:00

Fresh flowers are beautiful, but certainly not the only way to bring a fresh and lively burst of color to a wedding. Beautiful bridal bouquets can be crafted without a single fresh flower- like this fabric flower bouquet (pictured). Using Recycled materials is always an earth friendly option- consider meaningful fabric scraps (think memory quilt style); vintage brooches (think big, colorful, costume jewelry); buttons (think stacks of concentric color); recycled, seeded papers (origami anyone?). One perk related to these DIY projects is that their shelf lives far exceed that of cut flower creations. Therefore, you have a bouquet that will make a fantastic keepsake, without chemical preservation, for years. Also, you have time on your side, re: creativity, and total control over color, etc.

Certainly, a floral bouquet is an essential accessory for many brides, so to make your fresh flower bouquet more eco-friendly the key is carefully sourcing. By using organic flowers, which were grown without the use of harmful pesticides, and by choosing local grown flowers that are in season with respect to your chosen wedding date, you can reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding flowers (since they are not flying around the world to get to you). Bonus: in doing so, you help to ensure that the blooms you get are the freshest. If you are into planning far in advance, the marrying couple (or a green thumbed friend) can even grow flowers from seed, in the garden. A local gardening center will have knowledgeable staff who can help you to determine what blooms when, most reliably, in your area. And ZahZoom can help, too!

Photo by: Corey Hendrickson, http://www.hendricksonphotographyweddings.com/

Trend Spotter: Eye on 2010! (Ring Bowl)

2010-06-25T11:25:00.001-07:00

This lovely little piece of personalized art, by Paloma's Nest (as found on Etsy), is arguably a much more stylish keep-sake than the traditional ring bearer's pillow. (However, not recommended for ring bearers under the age of 6- especially if they are processing on marble or something equally dangerous to delicate ceramics! )

Handmade Plantable Paper Thank You Card Recipe

2010-06-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly, cost cutting, fun DIY project!

OK, so if you're the bridal couple who has no time, this is a concept to smile at, say, "Oh that's nice" to, and ignore; but if you're crafty, motivated, and this is the kind of thing you like to do in your spare time- take it and run with it...

This is a recipe for making plantable seed wedding stationary (maybe do it for your thank you cards, so that technically you don't have to finish the project until after the wedding). With no chemicals, inks, or dyes, eco-friendly, handmade paper isn't difficult to make, and it's a great way to do some in house recycling. There's a popular market for plantable seed papers for weddings, used as invites, programs, favors, etc., but by creating your plantable paper yourself, you cut down on packaging and fossil fuel for shipping, and you ensure the that end product is locally made, using recycled and organic ingredients.

Paper Products You Can Utilize/Recycle:
Used computer paper (Use paper that was already recycled once!); Magazines (Most of these are NOT collectors items- free yourself from clutterville); Crumpled Party Napkins (Not soiled, but not fit for guests? This is a great use for them); Newspapers; Egg Cartons ; Old Phone Books; Yellow Pages

Other Tools and Ingredients:
Blender or food processor
Old picture frame (or build your own frame!)
Sponge
Turkey baster
Nylons or mesh screens
Staples
Small Plastic wash bin
White felt, old dishcloths
Baking paper or old newspaper
Seeds (Choose local, organic, indigenous flower, vegetable or herb seeds that will grow in a planter or a garden)

Directions:
Using the old wooden frame, pull the stocking or mesh screen tightly over the frame, stapling the it down at the same time. Tear off small pieces of paper and place them in the blender until it appears half full. Add warm water, filling the blender. Blend the paper and water for about a minute or until you cannot see any pieces of paper and a smooth pulp is visible.
Fill the wash bin about half full of water and pour in pulp from blender. Add in at least 3 blender loads of paper-more if desired (the more pulp, the thicker the paper). Stir the mixture.

Slip the frame into the washtub, gently moving it from side to side to get the pulp around to the top of the frame level and to the desired thickness. Let the layer of pulp settle and slowly lift the frame up so it is above water level. Let it drain for a moment and check to see if it is level. Fill the turkey baster with pulp from the washtub and use it to fill in any uneven spots or gaps in the pulp.

After removing the frame from the water, let it drain. When it stops dripping, carefully lay the frame (pulp side down) onto a fabric square or an old dishcloth. Use the sponge to press out as much water as possible, wringing excess water back into tub. (This step may take some practice to master so be patient.) Holding the fabric square flat, slowly lift up and remove the frame. The wet paper should remain on the fabric. If the paper sticks to the screen, you may have pulled too fast or not pressed enough water out of the paper. Once you successfully remove the frame, gently smooth out any noticeable air bubbles or rough edges.

Keep repeating steps 4-6 and stack the fabric squares (or dish towels) on a cookie sheet. When finished, place a piece of cardboard on top of the last piece and use bricks or another cookie sheet and your might, to press out the remaining water in the stack.

Gently separate sheets and dry them on a clothesline or out in the sun for 12-24 hours. When they are dry, gently separate the paper from the fabric squares (or dish towels).

To make favors, consider using cookie cutters or stencils to trace shapes. Cut them out and attach a ribbon for a finished effect.

Don't Forget the Instructions for Planting:

Tear off bits of paper containing seed and

plant directly in the ground-

the paper will compost naturally!

Reference: http://www.sustainable-media.com/

An Example Of A ZahZoom Green Wedding (Jenn & Charlie)

2010-05-17T10:20:00.001-07:00

Jenn and Charlie chose to use the colorful brilliance of spring as their wedding inspiration and set their wedding against the backdrop of the naturally beautiful Presidio park.

Personal flowers, by Nelle Donaldson of ZahZoom, featured seasonal spring blooms in bright yellows, fresh green and creams. ZahZoom uses flowers grown in California.

Jenn & Charlie felt that it was important to recognize and involve their community, so it was a priority to make their Jewish wedding interactive by inviting all of their guests to Havdalah and to witness the signing of their Ketubah, beforehand.

They also gathered their closest friends and immediate family around the Chuppah for the wedding ceremony, and gave them special roles, as attendants, readers and Chuppah holders.

All of their guests were inviting to join in for a reading of the seventh blessing.

Green was not only a conceptual feature at this wedding- but also a bright accent! Spinning off of the March in Northern California's green lushness, and in keeping with their bold fiesta food theme- kelly green and bright spring yellow offset the dark wood interior of the Presidio Officer's Club. Organic, yellow ranunculus centerpieces minimized Jenn & Charlie's cut flower consumption by featuring live, potted plants.

The menu, by Devoted Catering, was a Mexican buffet of local, organic, seasonal delicacies, and was followed by a series of Amiee Alan's signature desserts, in lieu of traditional wedding cake.

Other decor included recycling the bridesmaids' bouquets as cocktail centerpieces; burning natural beeswax, lead free tea lights; and honoring family by decorating the fireplace mantle with generations of wedding photos.

It was a unique and romantic eco-wedding and a day I'm sure that the couple and their loved ones will not soon forget!

Images by Lydia Daniller

2010-04-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Planning your wedding? Know someone who is? We cordially invite engaged couples and their supporters to meet and mingle with the Bay Area's hottest and hippest wedding professionals. Enjoy a drink on us and get to know your wedding specialists in a lounge setting. Treats for all who attend!

Please RSVP at: http://coutureweddings.pingg.com/RSVP

ZahZoom is a 1% For the Planet Member!

2010-04-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

Business must be a force for change, if environmental challenges are to be overcome. -Peter Robinson

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Since 2002, 1% for the Planet has inspired members of the business community to contribute 1% of sales to environmental groups around the world. ZahZoom is proud to be one of those companies that is committed to this "sharing is caring" concept.

The 1FTP Timeline:

	Based on their own business models, the two men hatch a plan to encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups. Yvon calls it an "Earth Tax." Craig calls it 1% for the Planet. They go with Craig's idea.
	1% FTP holds an official launch event at the Patagonia store in San Francisco, California. Twenty-one businesses, including a winery, a coffee company and a guide service sign up as members. Not bad for the first day.
	A second launch event takes place at the Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver, Colorado, engaging an industry that understands the connection between business and the environment like few others. Several more members are, um, reeled in.
	Membership grows steadily by word of mouth, primarily on the West Coast of the United States and in outdoor industry circles. Jack Johnson, in conjunction with his music and film companies, Brushfire Records and The Moonshine Conspiracy, becomes the 50th member of 1% FTP.
	Jack releases In Between Dreams, displaying the 1% FTP logo on the back of the CD jacket. Yvon authors the book Let My People Go Surfing, which culminates in the story of 1% FTP. The publicity contributes to the signing up of two to three new member companies per week, closing the year at over 200.
	1% FTP goes prime time as NBC Nightly News features the organization in its Making a Difference series. In partnership with the Charture Institute, the first official 1% FTP local chapter is launched: 1% For The Tetons, in Jackson, Wyoming. The chapter adds 50 members within months.
	To boost consumer involvement, the 1% logo and web site gain a new look and new features. Media partners sign on to support our first major print campaign. Fast Company calls 1% of sales the "gold standard" of corporate philanthropy. More than one new member company joins every day while total donations approach $30 million USD.
	Despite a trembling financial market, 1% adds more new member companies than in any other year. The organization's headquarters moves to a new home in the aptly named Green Mountains of Vermont and sets its sights on a lofty goal: to become one of the largest funders of environmental work anywhere.
	We celebrate our 1,000 member milestone, and several international news outlets feature the movement for the first time. The movement grows online through a new generation of marketing initiatives. Membership growth continues at a rate of more than one new company a day and includes some of our largest members to date. More than $15 million flows from our member companies to the cause of sustainability. Total giving since 2002 surpasses $50 million.
	Our digital music album, 1% for the Planet, The Music, Vol. 1, is released and hits #1 on Amazon's MP3 chart and top-40 overall albums on iTunes. The album features 40 groundbreaking artists, many of them 1% members, who donated rare and exclusive music to the cause. We embark on a new decade with more than 1,200 members in 38 countries.

100% Compostable Flower Girl Pomander!

2010-04-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

Four of these floral-foam-free local grown flower pomanders went down the aisle last weekend, in the hands of four adorable flower girls! No floral foam means that, with the exception of the ribbon, these pomanders can go right into the compost bin after they have done their job of looking lovely!

Bridal & Bridesmaids -Spring Yellow!

2010-03-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

Jenn & Charlie's wedding tomorrow willl feature these simple , spring bouquets ...

Lavender, Amethyst & Chocolate Ring Bearer Pillows

2010-03-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

Handmade by Nelle- these dupioni silk & cotton ring bearer pillows compliment Rachel & Michelle's April wedding's Lavender, Amethyst and Chocolate brown color palate!

Organic Herb Garden Cocktail Centerpieces for Jenn & Charlie-

2010-03-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

Guests can enjoy these at home, plant them in windowboxes or gardens, and remember J&C's beautiful day everytime they they cook with fresh herbs!

Decorative Solar LED String Lights

2010-03-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

Lit with amber or blue LED's, charged by a solar energy- these gorgeous hand blown glass string lights could a add a truly unique decorative element to a garden style wedding reception- in the light and in the dark!

Each globe is 2.5" (6 per strand) and each strand comes with copper hanging hooks, solar panel and one rechargeable AA battery. Available at Allsop Home and Garden, www.allsopgarden.com/, for $56.99 + shipping

ZahZoom is on Etsy!

2010-02-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

NEWS FLASH:

You can now link to http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZahZoom to order custom, handmade, fabric floral fascinators, pins, boutonnieres, flower girl accessories, etc...

Important Press Release!

2010-01-20T09:27:00.000-08:00

Berkeley, CA – January 20th, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that ZahZoom Weddings & Parties has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Award™ for wedding planning. The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

ZahZoom Weddings & Parties is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

ZahZoom Weddings & Parties is happy to announce its ranking among the very best of wedding planning companies within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™. For more information about ZahZoom Weddings & Parties, please visit us at http://www.zahzoom.com/ or http://www.yourecowedding.com/.

Portrait Sessions for Charity!

2010-01-18T10:52:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming up and Amanda Harris of Mary Kay and Curtis Myer of Perfect Circle Photography have created a generous and unique, romantic gift idea: a portrait session!

Included are Amanda's makeup skills; a selection of Marin County shoot locations; two 8x10 prints; and a lot of fun! This gift is valued at over $500, but for the first 15 people who sign up, the price is only $275.

And to sweeten the deal, $50 of this amount goes to support kids and families through Ronald McDonald House charities. How beautiful and unique is that? Call it a win-win-win!

Six Steps to a Greener 2010! Resolutions...

2010-01-07T15:46:00.000-08:00

Perhaps, in 2009, going eco-friendly seemed too expensive, or too stressful: Welcome to 2010! Now it's time to make some green resolutions and stick to them. Below are six easy, effective and budget- friendly ideas for how to start fresh in your eco- friendliest year yet!

1) Buy local, organic food when possible- and hire caterers who do the same! Local produce will generally carry fewer pesticides, and will be much gentler on the environment, since it doesn't spend fossil fuel on transportation. Your local economy will also appreciate the boost, and, if you're a foodie, it's a good excuse to experiment with seasonal menus!

2) Plant some trees: In your backyard; as a gift to your community; or you can offer a donation to www.americanforests.org or the www.arborday.org and they will plant a tree in an area where it is most needed. (Order trees to be planted in your guests' honor, and these make a wonderful wedding favor!)

3) Give up one-time-use bags. The damage that plastic bags cause in manufacturing, waste, animal death and pollution is scary and paper bags also gobble up natural resources and cause significant pollution. (Go to http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php, to learn more) with all of the hip reusable bags available these days, we only have to gain by training ourselves to bring them along when we shop- be it at the local farmers market or your favorite clothing store! Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime. Plus, the bag will pay for itself if your grocery store offers a $.05 or $.10 credit per bag for bringing your own bags. And customized hemp or cotton reusable bags also make great wedding favors!

4) Use a reusable water bottle. Similar to the plastic bags mentioned above, plastic water bottles also do irrevocable damage, and clutter our natural landscapes and our landfills. Reusable bottles come in many different shapes and colors, and can save you money over time! Consider customized water bottles as a welcome gift, favor or a thank you to your wedding party.

5) Ride your bike (and maybe hit two resolution birds with one stone)! Using your bike to get to work or run quick errands saves you money, gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, and will enhance your quality of life and the longevity of our planet.

6) Upgrade your refrigerator. If your frige is ten years+, clear it out and have your waste disposal company take it away (some will even pay you!). New Energy Star appliances will drastically cut down on your carbon emissions, will be less expensive to run, and come in designs to compliment your kitchen. For a quick savings calculator, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.calculator

$10 Off Gingerbread Pedicure at Pinkies!

2009-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

TREAT YOURSELF to a

DELUXE GINGERBREAD PEDICURE
at a Special Sweet & Spicy Price

$29.00

Regularly $39.00 (a $10.00 savings!)

from December 1 - December 17

Includes a delicious Gingerbread Sugar Scrub

and a 10 minutes lower leg & foot massage.

Trend Spotter: Eye on 2010! (Groom's Cakes)

2009-11-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

The Groom's Cake is a Southern tradition; a way to incorporate the groom's interests and preferences into the wedding (where sometimes even brides with best intentions have otherwise taken over). If things are getting a little too, say, diamonds and pink, the groom's cake often features a sport, hobby, or nickname that is just about the groom feeling special, like this poker cake by Pink Cake Box. (And it doesn't need to coordinate with anything!)

Alternatively, a "groom's cake" can be just-for-fun: an excuse to include a more whimsical cake design as a part of the wedding decoration in addition to the more traditional tiers of white.

“I was at a loss for doing something special. You worked
with me on concepts and ideas based on my husband’s
interest. He was so surprised and loved it. Thanks for being
my savior!” wrote Regina of San Rafael, CA to Christian of Krumbs Cakes of the groom's cake pictured below:

Trend Spotter: Eye on 2010! (Homemade Favors)

2009-10-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

While some people opt to eliminate favors all together, citing expense, or in favor of a charitable donation, here's a trend that will continue to gain popularity in 2010: Homemade Wedding Favors

To express gratitude to traveling guests who have go to great effort and incurred considerable expense to be a part of the celebration, many 2010 couples will offer homemade favors to express that thanks, and to send guests home with a personal touch full of love.

Lace Votive Directions: Cut a strip of lace that's long enough to wrap around the votive. Secure in the back with hand-stitches. These are very easy to make! Assign yourself 20 per night and choose a week, (weeks to months before you wedding), to get the job done!

Donations as Wedding Favors

2009-09-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

"Giving is the highest expression of our power” -Vivian Greene

There is a newish, some might call it “green”, trend toward making donations on behalf of your guests, in lieu of traditional wedding favors.

Let’s clarify…

Traditional wedding favors:

Glass Photo Coasters (~$2/per)
Tins or Organza Bags of Candy (~$3/per)
Personalized Cookies (~$7/per)
Silver Plated Heart Shaped Wine Bottle Stoppers (~$8/per)
Mini-Monogrammed Box of Truffles (~$12/per)
Custom Etched Glass Chotchkie (~$20/per)

Pick your price point, multiply by number of guests, and donate that amount to an organization or two to which you would like to offer financial support.

(Check out http://www.charitynavigator.org/ if you need help deciding).

This approach also provides for an opportunity to share something about yourselves with your guests, as in: We care deeply about _______________.

What’s “green” about this? Well, it’s the opposite of rampant consumerism; it forgoes packaging (and shipping and handling $$); and it doesn’t clutter up your loved ones’ houses for days or months or years to come before it’s deemed un-yard-sale-worthy and doomed to the land fill. You might think that one or two of your guests would really cherish a mug with a picture on it of you and your honey lip-locking… And some might, but to most, it’s chotchkie- which UrbanDictionary.com defines with the following entry:

A small piece of worthless crap; a decorative knick knack with little or no purpose.
Meg loved her cow figurine collection, but Dave thought it was useless Chotchkie.
Side note: Chotchkie can be pretty, sentimental or even, occasionally, useful. (Though useful chotchkie usually breaks easily). If you are having trouble identifying chotchkie, just look around your house or someone else's and whatever you see that a burglar wouldn't steal is probably Chotchkie.

Some people object to the idea of charitable giving in lieu of favors, on the grounds that it might come across as preachy; or that it’s not much of a gift, since guests don’t get to choose for themselves where that donation on their behalf is made. However, I’d offer that being a role model for generosity and conscientious action is an excellent gift to those who admire you enough to come to your wedding, and is, indeed, something that they can take away with them (perhaps profoundly more useful than chotchkie).

2009-07-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

Kathy Goodman of Well Rehearsed is partnering with Neiman Marcus to design a fashion event for MOMS. This event is specifically for Mothers-of-the-Bride & Groom to help them in selecting their rehearsal dinner & wedding day attire. It can be hard for moms to find “just the right dress" -Now there is a special event just for them!

Wedding Website & Matching Eco-friendly Stationary!

2009-06-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

A new partnership that has just been formed between WedShare.com and Portovert LLC! Wedshare's online service allows engaged couples to set up their own personal wedding website, and they have just joined forces with the #1 green wedding media company, Portovert LLC., publisher of WedVert.com. WedShare and WedVert eco-designer Yoko Chapman have collaborated to provide personal wedding website designs matched with the very first 100% carbon neutral wedding stationery line named VERT.

Today's engaged couples are responsible and resourceful. They want a wedding that leaves an impression on their guests, not on the environment. Putting all of the wedding details online with a wedding website is a great way to reduce paper waste, but now engaged couples can take it a step further by purchasing traditional eco-friendly invitations and paper stationery that matches the site!

An Example of a ZahZoom Green Wedding (Deidre & Bobby)

2009-05-08T11:38:00.000-07:00

Bobby and Deidre were fantastic clients, because I knew throughout their planning process that they were going to have a great time at their own wedding, no matter what. As it should be! I was grateful that this admirable modus operandi of theirs led them to hiring me.

The personal values that they prioritised, which made their wedding unique, were: their love of the city of San Francisco (and their commitment to building a life there together); their Catholic faith; and their sincere interest in making their wedding as green as possible.

The couple were married in the historic and naturally ornate St. Patrick's Church, in down town San Francisco, so there was very little decor that needed to be arranged and brought in for the ceremony. Also, being married in a historic building is a great way to feature and celebrate the history and architecture of San Francisco, as well as a smart way to ensure that their ceremony location would stand the test of time and be there for the fiftieth anniversary nostalgia tour!

Their wedding bands, by Brilliant Earth, were made from recycled precious metals (a niche specialty and green business practice of these native San Francisco jewelers).

Deidre's bouquet was made from California grown blooms, hand tied with craft twine, for an "organic aesthetic" that also required the use of fewer raw materials to hold the bouquet together.

While it's challenging to go all organic when it comes to local flowers; the bridesmaids bouquets did include peachy-orange, California grown, organic spray roses.To ensure that the bridal party would be physically comfortable, as well as not feel pressure to invest a lot of money in a "one-time-wear"; Bobby & Deidre had their bridesmaids select navy blue cocktail dresses in the style of their choice, something they could look forward to wearing again. The groomsmen wore navy blue suits, which they could keep around for interviews if they chose to buy rather than rent!

Family photos enhanced the personalized nature of the wedding decor.

Their table decor included natural beeswax, lead free pillar candles in garden lanterns. Their menus were on mini chalkboards (a nod to the Hamlin Mansion's other life as the Hamlin School for girls).
The favors at each place setting were magnets, handmade by a friend.

Deidre & Bobby's organic wedding cake, with Art Deco detailing in orange and light green, was made by Cake Coquette.

The myriad personal and thoughtful touches that came together, in the end, made this a very special wedding. And, yes, the bride and groom had a lot of fun!

We Interrupt These "Green Words Defined" to Bring You a Special Announcement!

2009-03-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

A Soolip Wedding is celebrating its 10th anniversary! This Sunday’s event will be very exciting and they’ve added even more fabulous vendors (see invitation below).

You, lucky readers, are being offered a coupon code, valid for a $25 ticket (vs. The door price of $45): This is a great opportunity to save! They are only allowing a limited number of discount tickets so act quickly if you would like to take advantage of this promotion.

Simply visit http://www.asoolipwedding.com/ and click on “Tickets”. Then enter the discount code “Launch09” when prompted in order to take advantage of this promotion. Then have fun at the show!

Enjoy!

Renewable:

2009-03-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Renewable resources are natural resources that are replenished by natural processes at a rate that matches or outpaces the rate at which it is consumed by humans. ‘Renewable’ can also refer to commodities such as wood, paper, or leather, if harvesting is performed in a sustainable manner.

A life cycle assessment provides a systematic means of evaluating renewability. Some natural renewable resources need to be carefully managed to avoid exceeding earth’s capacity to replenish them, e.g. geothermal power, fresh water, timber, and biomass. Gasoline, coal, natural gas, diesel, and other commodities derived from fossil fuels are non-renewable. Solar radiation, tides, winds and hydroelectricity are perpetual resources, which have long-term availability that is in no foreseeable danger.

Refurbished:

2009-03-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

Refurbishing is the process of aesthetic or mechanical restoration on any scale. ‘Refurbished’ can refer to repaired or repackaged electronics or revamped antiques.

Reclaimed:

2009-03-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

Reclaimed is an adjective that describes raw materials that have been disassembled from their initial use and put to use in another capacity. This is different from recycling, because it is not necessarily the case that these raw materials are being diverted from the solid waste stream. However, in some respects it’s a truer kind of recycling since the materials are being repurposed directly instead of down-cycled. For example, what was previously the siding of an old barn is not being rescued from the dump, per say, by being transformed into flooring for a new home; instead we call it “reclaimed wood” when it’s given a new life in this way.

We Interrupt These "Green Words Defined" to Bring You a Special Announcement!

2009-03-04T15:01:00.000-08:00

In the name of encouraging folks to seek out sustainable jewelry options, ZahZoom is offering a promotion through C5 jewelry boutique.

With the purchase of any custom or ready-to-wear C5 wedding ring set, you receive an upgrade of any ZahZoom wedding planning service to include complimentary design and delivery of Welcome Baskets for your VIP guests!

http://stores.c5jewelryboutique.com/StoreFront.bok

C5 makes it possible to have breathtaking fine jewelry that has less social and environmental impact than traditional jewelry - and with Meghan's customer service friendly approach, she will bring the jewelry shop to you, making choosing your bands a convenient and intimate experience!

Recycled:

2009-03-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

Recycling involves processing used materials into new products in order to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials. Recycling reduces the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduces energy use, and reduces air pollution from incineration and water pollution from landfills. Recycling reduces the need for "conventional" waste disposal and is a key component of modern waste management.

Recyclable materials include many kinds of glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics.

Post-Consumer Content:

2009-02-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Refers to the percent of a product made from post-consumer waste recycled material. Post consumer waste is simply the garbage that individuals routinely discard, either in a waste receptacle or a dump, or by littering, incinerating, pouring down the drain, or washing into the gutter. Post-consumer waste is distinguished from pre-consumer waste, which is the reintroduction of manufacturing scrap (such as trimmings from paper production, defective aluminum cans, etc.) back into the manufacturing process. Pre-consumer waste is commonly used in manufacturing industries, and is often not considered recycling in the traditional sense.

Organic Farming:

2009-02-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

Organic farming is defined according to certain production standards, meaning there is no use of conventional pesticides or artificial fertilizers, the process is free from contamination by human or industrial waste, and ionizing radiation or food additives are left out of the processing. If we are talking about livestock are involved, they must be raised without growth hormones and without the routine use of antibiotics, and generally fed an organic diet. Organic food may not be genetically modified, according to most country’s regulations. Currently, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain a certification in order to market their food as organic, within their borders. Most certifications allow some chemicals and pesticides to be used so it should not be assumed that certification guarantees that a product has been grown organically.

Organic food production is heavily regulated, except in the case of private gardening.

Local:

2009-02-20T14:02:00.000-08:00

‘Local’ in green terms generally refers to local business, or local food. Products or materials/ingredients that have traveled great distances from their source in order to arrive at their sales destination are not considered ‘local’. A generally accepted limit for what is considered local is within 100 miles of the sales destination.

When discussing local business, the focus is on the business headquarters or manufacturing being within 100 miles of its store front or market population. The emphasis is on businesses reducing their carbon foot print and on buyers supporting green business practices. However, many businesses may prioritize fair trade over locally sourced services or raw materials. An emphasis on “supporting local business” is more about social sustainability. The idea being that, by buying goods and services directly from those within our immediate community, we are actively supporting our local economy.

Local food refers to produce, meats or other food ingredients that are grown and processed within 100 miles of where they are sold or served. The local food movement lowers the food industry’s carbon footprint as well as supports local farmers and ranchers.

Green:

2009-02-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

Not just a color anymore! In contemporary use green describes ecological awareness and pro-activism. Green serves as an umbrella term for ideas that used to be described with words like: regeneration, organic, recycling, conservation, and a wide array of other concepts. Green indicates the use of products and materials that originate from low-carbon impact, sustainable, cruelty-free, non-toxic sources. The purpose of living green is to leave a much smaller footprint on the ecological systems that give us life, energy, productivity and enjoyment and to replenish those sources and resources for generations of goods, energy and services that can be easily and readily renewed.

Fair Trade:

2009-02-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

Fair trade is a market-based approach to empowering marginalized producers in developing countries and promoting sustainability. It is an organized social movement, which advocates fair payment to workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to one of security and economic self-sufficiency; as well as social and environmental standards related to the production of a wide variety of goods. It focuses primarily on exports from developing countries to developed countries. E.g.: bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, fresh fruit, flowers, handicrafts, honey, sugar, tea and wine. Fair trade proponents include a wide array of international development aid, social, religious and environmental organizations.

Eco-Friendly:

2009-02-02T15:51:00.000-08:00

Synonymous with ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘eco-friendly’ refers to goods and services that are thought to impose negligible damage to nature and our environment. Beware of labels, because there is no international standard for ‘eco-labels’ –even though a product is touted as ‘eco friendly’, that might not mean a lot. So ask for details! Consider the overall impact: energy consumed; chemical use; waste; fair wages; non-renewability; animal testing.

Compostable:

2009-01-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

Products that are compostable are manufactured to break down relatively quickly (into a form of dirt) in a compost practice. Compost, also known as brown manure, is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic matter. Turning our waste into dirt can be useful for landscaping, horticulture and agriculture as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. It is also useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover.

Eco-Friendly; Recycled; Fair Trade; Organic: The Green Words We Love

2009-01-26T16:17:00.000-08:00

At the Claremont Bridal Show last weekend, I decorated my table with some of these ‘Green Words We Love’, and heard more than one future bridesmaid comment to her bridal companion: “Oh look! It’s your favorite words.” My, these words are trendy- and I meant them to be eye catching (they were accompanied by some examples of wedding related items that fell into one or more categories described by these words…), but just what do they mean, exactly? Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to develop a brief alphabetical glossary, starting with:

Carbon Neutral: Means having a net zero carbon footprint, or achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measure of carbon released with an equivalent amount ‘replaced’. The carbon neutral concept may be extended to include other greenhouse gases (GHG) measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence -- the impact a GHG has on the atmosphere expressed in the equivalent amount of CO2. The term climate neutral is used to reflect the fact that it is not just carbon dioxide (CO2), that is driving climate change, even if it is the most abundant. GHG’s also encompasses: methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Both terms are often used interchangeably. Carbon offsetting can refer to the practice of balancing CO2 released into the atmosphere with renewable energy that creates a similar amount of useful energy, so that the carbon emissions are compensated, or alternatively using only renewable energies that don't produce any carbon dioxide. Carbon offsetting, can also refer to paying another party to remove or sequester 100% of the carbon dioxide emitted, for example, by planting trees or by funding ‘carbon projects’ that should lead to the prevention of future greenhouse gas emissions. This can be referred to as carbon trading or buying carbon credits.

Top Five Eco Gifts for Your Office Party

2008-12-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

SO... Lots of holiday office parties, secret santas and all that happening about this time- Here are my top five suggestions for green goodies to share with your co-workers and friends!

1) I know some who are allergic, and some who say they don't like it, but I LOVE chocolate. And a sweet, local treat that is not only organic but consumable... You had me at 'chocolate':

Organic Holiday Truffles, $12.99
Carefully chosen organic ingredients delicious in their purity packaged in a triangle shaped holiday box. Handmade in small batches and available through ecoexpress.com (based in Novato, CA):
6 Piece Assortment includes: 70% Dark; Aztec - Dark; Ginger Lemon - Dark; Honey Fig - Milk; Milk; Vanilla - Extra Dark
All-natural/Organic/Kosher

2) I Am Not a Paper Cup, $18.98

How about replacing those old paper disposable cups you normally get from your favorite coffee shop? Most coffee shops are happy to fill a cup that you bring in yourself, and you often get more for your buck that way. Made from double walled porcelain with a silicone top, "I Am Not A Paper Cup" helps with the green cause (not throwing out papers cups on a daily basis) and yet it preserves the paper cup experience. Love sipping though that little plasticy hole- no problem! It's microwave and dishwasher safe and available at uncommongoods.com.

3) OK, clearly we don't want to be too preachy in the work place, however, if your cohort has a modern attitude they will see this book as a gift that spreads the educated consumer wealth!
The Better World Shopping Guide by Ellis Jones, $10.00, is the only comprehensive guide for socially and environmentally responsible consumers available. It ranks every product on the shelf from A to F so you can tell the “good guys” from the “bad guys” at a glance -turning your grocery list into a powerful tool to change the world. Buy it at your local bookstore!

4) Earth Friendly Writing Journal, $16.95

This 5.25" writing journal with blue, reused floppy disk cover w/ red dragonfly insert is handmade with 100% post-consumer recycled paper. In our high-tech world, it makes a great retro themed gift. Often the good old fashioned pen and paper can be the best way to capture your thoughts, and this journal provides a better way to be creative because it saves trees and puts old technology back to work. It's available at Kate's Caring Gifts out of Fremont, CA (katescaringgifts.com).

5) This on is a little more of an elegant gesture type gift- but it's lovely, long lasting, local, organic, and you can event cook with it!

Three-Herb Organic Wreath, $39.99 from ecoexpress.com

This handmade three-herb wreath is beautifully crafted with organic fresh rosemary, thyme and bay leaves, and accented with fresh red chili peppers. All can be saved and enjoyed in your favorite recipes for up to a year. Twelve inch diameter-All grown and assembled on an organic farm in Northern California.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

5 Steps to a Green Christmas

2008-12-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

Here are a few tips to set you on your way to a greener holiday...

MAKE YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER: Most wrapping paper out there on the shelves is from non-renewable resources and ends up in landfills hours after its short job of beautifying packages is done. Alternatively, consider wrapping presents in the comics page; old maps. You might decorate the blank side of paper bags with the kids, using poster paints and holiday themed rubber stamps. According to the Sierra Club, if every family wrapped just 3 gifts this way this year, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

ORGANIC & LOCAL FOODS MAKE A DELIGHTFUL HOLIDAY FEAST: Support local farmers who raise sustainable meat and grow organic produce. Make delicious local, seasonal, organic vegetable sides and offer less meat forward meal. It tastes be better to be lower impact! Click to find out where to shop for local green products in your neighborhood.

RECYCLE WHEN YOU UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY: For example, recycle your old cell phone! If you are upgrading your family this holiday season, you can drop off old phones at any Staples store, as part of the Sierra Club cell phone recycling program. Each year, 130 million cell phones are thrown out, weighing approximately 65,000 tons. AND, recycling your old phone prevents hazardous elements like mercury, cadmium and lead from ending up in our landfills.

"LED" HOLIDAY LIGHTS: Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights. LED bulbs last a long time and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during this and many holiday seasons to come!

A GREENER TREE: Some growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants, but demand is on the rise for organic Christmas trees, and the good news is that there are now a number of tree-farms that sell pesticide-free trees, so ask your local Christmas tree seller, or search for an organic tree farm near you. Ninety-eight percent of Christmas trees were grown on farms, not in forests. However, each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill. While your tree won't fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can recycle your Christmas tree. Many cities offer programs to turn your tree to mulch or wood chips: Call 800.CLEANUP (800.253.2687) or visit http://www.earth911.org/ to find the tree-recycling program near you.

Bay Area Local Holiday Shopping Event!

2008-11-25T09:42:00.000-08:00

The Urban Alliance for Sustainability (UAS) presents EcoHoliday SF! This is the 1st annual community building local green shopping event, being held at the Galleria San Francisco Design Center on Sunday December 14, 2008.

For a measly $5 at the door (kids under 12 are admitted free) come in and shop; browse; enjoy featured djs and musicians; activities including crafting workshops and massage therapy; eat, drink and be merry! Best of all, you have an opportunity to get your holiday shopping done more sustainably, since all of the vendors at this event represent companies based less than 100 miles from San Francisco, and are carefully gleaned from the green business sector!

Think: local! Think: community oriented! Think: face-to-face holiday energy! Spread the word, feel the joy, and be a more educated consumer this holiday season.

Don't miss this event! 11 am-8 pm on 12/14. Come early for raffle tickets and to enjoy the best selection of goods.

See you there!

ecoholidaysf.com

Vegan Wedding Cake Anyone?

2008-11-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

Vegan wedding cake can be hard to come by… Often bakers simply don't know how to make a cake without butter, eggs and milk.

Here are a couple of tips:

If you are not able to find a baker with vegan cake experience, perhaps you could work with a professional willing to use a favorite recipe that you provide. It’s not usually as simple as substituting ingredients such as soy, flaxseed and applesauce in a recipe that calls for dairy products… Vegetarian cookbooks are a good resource for vegan chocolate or white cake recipes. Other possibilities include vegan carrot cakes or tofu-based cakes like tofu cheesecakes –but keep in mind that there are common allergies to items such as nuts and flaxseed, so consider your guests dietary needs as well!

Ultimately, you could also elect to take matters into your own hands, literally. It may save you money to go this route, but it is ambitious to say the least. Baking, layering and decorating a cake takes a lot of time, not to mention skill. It is labor intensive and is not something that can be done way in advance of the wedding date! Consider asking your most talented and generous aunts/grandmothers/cousins/friends to share in a cooking project the morning of or day before your wedding- give them a tried and true vegan recipe, and ask them to make cup cakes! If you are craving your own DIY project, consider making the cupcake display element yourself- using slabs of wood and embellishing with ribbon, or decorating porcelain stands…

Or forgo the cake and serve a vegan dessert buffet- Make a fruit or favor tower that gives the effect of a cake, as a design element, and feed each other chocolate covered strawberries, peanut butter brownies, truffles or an elegant sorbet at the “cut the cake” moment!

Organic Signature Cocktails for the Holidays!

2008-11-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year... Enjoy!

(Rename as you please to suit your theme!)

Evergreen Forest:

4 oz. Juniper Green organic gin
5-8 mint leaves
2 oz organic lime juice
1 oz Blue Sky organic gingerale
Ice

Shake ingredients with ice then pour into a martini glass. Garnish with lime peel or wheat grass springs.

Hot Buttered Rum:

Batter-
1 lb organic brown sugar
1⁄2 lb unsalted organic butter (softened)
2 tsp ground organic cinnamon
2 tsp ground organic nutmeg
1⁄2 tsp ground organic allspice
2 tsp organic vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl beat together softened butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and spices until well combined. Refrigerate in an airtight reusable container for up to a month, or place in your freezer until ready to use. Be sure to remove batter from refrigerator at least 6 hours prior to serving to allow it to soften.

In a pre-heated coffee mug combine 2 heaping tbs batter with 1 1⁄2 oz Papagayo Organic Spiced Rum. Top with boiling water and stir well to mix. Serve with a spoon. Hint: It is best to make the batter in advance so the spices have an opportunity to mingle!

Royal Red Rasberry:

3 oz. Square One 0rganic vodka
1-2 oz. Organic Raspberries
Splash Of Sour
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into martini glass.

An Example Of A ZahZoom Green Wedding (Nancy & Blair)

2008-11-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

Blair and Nancy were married in an organic garden at the school where Nancy works. The "Garden of Hope" is a shared labor of love for this couple.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Each of Nancy's nine bridesmaids carried a bouquet of locally harvested organic lavender, and each chose the style of her own dress, in hopes that these lovley silk frocks might not be doomed one-time-wear.

________________________________________________________________________________Blair and Nancy supported the school's music program by hiring a senior girls' string quartet to play their ceremony and cocktail reception.

Handmade, recycled paper fans served as escort cards, notifying guests of their table assignments...

____________________The fans doubled as decorative and practical accessories durring the ceremony.

Balir and Nancy performed a planting ritual as a part of their ceremony, to symbolize their commitment to being cultivators and nurturers in their lives together, and with respect to the world around them.

Their guest tables were decorated with an elemental theme (Earth, Wind, Fire Water) and they gifted each guest a douglas fir sapling in a paper tube at their place. Each tree was wrapped in meaningful poems and ready for planting!

Epicurean Group created a beautiful, local, seasonal, organic buffet.

Guests also enjoyed organic cupcakes, in line with the elemental theme, by Cake Coquette.

The indoor/outdoor seating arrangement was perfect on this warm June night...

Blair and Nancy had a very romantic wedding, in a meaningful place, and in a manner that strongly reflected their values, including their eco-friendly lifestyle!

Images by Terri Loewenthal Photography, http://www.terriloewenthal.com/weddings

The "Green Wedding" Budget

2008-10-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

"Wedding": The same thing, by any other name, costs less. It is sad but true; when buying a "Wedding dress", or seeking out a "Wedding band"- you are very likely to end up spending quite a bit more money than you would if you were, say, planning a prom. "Wedding" is a magical word, with the power of romance, fantasy and familial expectations behind it. Some people claim that by adding "Green" to your search terms (as in, "Green Wedding"), you are likely to spend an extra 10% on top of wedding inflation... But here are some helpful suggestion for going green on a budget.

If the environment is your top priority, think about ways to lower the impact of your wedding celebration:

Be a guest list minimalist. The fewer people traveling to your event, the lesser the carbon footprint. Your priority should be for friends and family that would be truly meaningful witnesses to your marriage. And of course, fewer guests is always less expensive!

Offer Carbon Credits on Your Registry: since CO2 emissions from guest travel are usually the biggest environmental impact of weddings, check in with an online “carbon footprint” calculator, such as www.terrapass.com, to estimate the amount of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions that will be directly associated with your wedding. Then, through a registry site such as Felicite.com, you can link your guests to TerraPass, which puts money toward U.S. carbon-reducing energy projects. This gives your guests a means to participate in offsetting the environmental impact of the wedding.

Felicite.com is also a great resource, since the more traditional items from you registry will not be shipped without your approval, giving you the option to pick up your gifts at a nearby store instead of everything arriving in boxes at your door, saving a lot of waste and hassle in the form of copious packing materials!

Use organic or soy based inks on recycled paper wherever possible. This can be particularly cost saving if you have some design skills and can communicate directly with a green printer. Skip the 'inner envelope' tradition, create a post card "reply card" to save on postage, and use a wedding website to keep your guests up to date on directions, wedding related activities and registry information, cutting down on your need to include multiple inserts with your invitation!

Which brings me to another money saving tip: keep it simple!

Which applies to: having your wedding and reception in the same place. 1) This involves only one site fee 2) This will save money and energy related to transportation costs on your wedding day. 3) By saving transport time, you may end up being able to keep within shorter contracted hours for your photographer or musicians, for example.

Utilize beautiful surroundings. In the scenic outdoors or in an ornate historical building, you have an opportunity to save waste and money, since there is no call for reinventing the space with expensive decor. If you go the indoor route, seek out a LEED-certified space. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” and means that this venue has jumped through some hoops to conserve energy, water and electricity, perhaps by installing efficient lighting, appliances and recycled carpets; utilizing wind or solar power; and/or other means. See my article on the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Use fewer cut flowers. Your florist's proposal may be more expensive than you imagined, unless you get creative! Use potted plants plants for decor and non-floral centerpieces -perhaps something you can gift to special family members or especially supportive friends? Also consider sourcing locally grown, organic flowers for bouquets, etc. Shop at a local nursery and avoid Ecuadorian Roses and other flowers that have been shipped from afar (often from countries with less stringent pesticide regulations!). If your guests can't take them, donate left over plants or arrangements to a hospice or elder care program.

Consider natural products for escort or place cards. Many of these you might collect yourself- which means that they cost next to nothing. For example: River stones with guests names and table assignments painted on...

Another natural product that I use is lead free natural beeswax candles. These are not necessarily a money saving item, but since I recycle my glass tea light holders, I am able to offer a candle package that is comparable to less environmentally friendly, paraffin alternatives.

Buy used or vintage: Gown & Tux (you'll need them altered, regardless!), Refashion or donate your gown after the wedding. Or sell it on e-bay and make back a buck! Also, consider vintage rings. See my article: Vintage in Vogue (recycled rings).

And finally, take a low-impact honeymoon. Don't travel too far. Stay in rustic cabin or go camping. Pamper yourselves with gourmet meals of local, seasonal, organic food...

There is hope. You can live your values without breaking the bank!

An Example of a ZahZoom Green Wedding (Fabiola & JT)

2008-07-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

When Fabiola and JT chose to get married in their "City of Love", San Francisco, the bride did wear green! And it was important to the couple to offset the impact of relatives traveling from France, by having as green a wedding as possible...

JT and Fabiola designed and created a handmade invitation on recycled paper, using a California Poppy theme that was a reoccurring element in their wedding because it represents, to them, their love of the Bay Area, and conveniently provided a lovely color palate for their special day.

Fabiola's bouquet could not contain California Poppies, since the flower is protected by a state law prohibiting anyone from picking or destroying it. Instead, local, seasonal flowers were combined to create a similarly striking visual appearance with light green and bold orange.

Because we were willing to plan ahead and plant our own California Poppies from seed, we were able to incorporate them into a living centerpiece:

The couple was married in the Presidio. They exchanged their vows outdoors, in English and French, and included a rose ceremony, where the couple exchanged single roses and promised to give each other simple gifts, such as garden roses, on their anniversary, and agreed to use these flowers as a peaceful s. ymbol of reconnection any time that their relationship might need it, in the years to come.

For a lower impact reception, JT and Fabiola went completely vegetarian in a private room at the pioneer vegetarian restaurant, Green's

And instead of asking their guest to rent and drive cars, this couple provided a fun form of group transportation by renting a motorized cable car to take guests to the ceremony and then to the reception at Green's, stopping along the way for some classic San Francisco photo opportunities:
At Green's Restaurant, their places were set with a plantable favor (California Poppy seeds) and a customized menu on 100% recycled paper.

And Cake Coquette delivered a beautiful organic vanilla fruit & cream cake.

After enjoying a delightful dinner by the natural light of the sun, setting over the Bay-

The guests enjoyed their cake and danced the night away...

VINTAGE IN VOGUE (Recycled Rings)

2008-03-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

At some point in the pea soup between falling in love and building a life and a family together, it is customary to ‘get engaged’. Engagement is traditionally ratified by the presentation and acceptance of a ring. This ritual ring giving is commonly believed to have roots in both unity symbolism and bride price.

However, today the questions of: “What cut will she like?”; “Baguettes or no?”; and “What size is her finger?” are complicated by ethical questions that, as conscious consumers, we must ask- Questions about mining practices and free trade, about environmental and community impacts, and about workers’ rights.

One answer to reducing our negative impact on the above is to make a greater impact as consumers by buying or passing down vintage jewelry, so as not to contribute to the market for new materials. As an added perk, vintage engagement rings are often less expensive without compromising craftsmanship!

Antique, heirloom, estate?
Antique explicitly refers to an engagement ring that is over fifty years old. An heirloom ring has been passed down from generation to generation. An estate ring is specifically less than fifty years old, and may even refer to a quite recent ring, as long as it was previously purchased for use. Beware though, when using the word vintage. While the word is used to describe “old” rings, it can also sometimes be a descriptor for a line of rings crafted in an “old style”: vintage style or antique style rings.

PERIOD FASHION:

Victorian Antique Engagement Rings (1835-1900) The Industrial Revolution brought the discovery of diamond mines in South Africa, as well as domestic wealth with which to buy baubles. Victorian settings typically feature rows of diamonds, cut with an extra facet (“mine cut”) on the bottom of each stone. Set in yellow or rose gold, Victorian rings range from very simple to more complicated designs. The classic six-prong diamond solitaire was introduced by Tiffany’s in 1886.

Edwardian Engagement Rings (1900-1920) With the invention of the oxyacetylene torch, platinum became the most popular metal for engagement rings. Because they now the tools to imitate high fashion, jewelers began crafting with filigree and lace-like designs. They added milgraining and filigree details to the settings.

Art DecoEngagement Rings (1920-1930) The 20s were dynamic, filled with jazz and exploration. With a more streamlined geometric look, Art Deco rings embody the industrialization of American culture at the time. They also often reflect a more worldly sense of fashion, with nods to Asian, Egyptian, and Native American aesthetics. These rings often incorporate some more colorful stones, radiant sapphires, bright emeralds and fiery opals. Other Art Deco rings emulate the glittering streamline form of Art Deco architecture such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.

TIPS

· Craftsmanship! This is where you can get a lot of value by purchasing an authentic era ring. The semantics might get confusing if you are talking to jewelers that craft “Antique Style” rings, but you’ll spend a lot more for the same level of quality if you end up shopping for a new ring.

· Diamonds are a pretty classic stone choice, but they are not the only cupcake on the menu! Be thoughtful about choosing softer stones such as emerald or opal, which can make your ring more fragile and less utilitarian.

· Keep in mind that popular cuts and styles for modern rings won't necessarily be represented in older diamonds. While in modern diamonds, only brightest white passes mustard, but in eras past diamonds with tinges of rose, green or yellow were popular. Also, the methods for identifying internal flaws have advanced so that antique diamonds may not meet modern day standards.

LOCAL RESOURCES:

Lang Antiques
323 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
415.982.2213
http://www.langantiques.com/
Tampico
2147 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
415.563.3785
http://www.antique-rings.biz/ Dianne's Old And New Estates
2181 Union Street # A, San Francisco, CA 94123
415.346.7525
diannesestatejewelry.com

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GREEN YOUR RINGS:

1) If your great-grandmother’s ring is worn, outdated, or simply the wrong size, consider getting your heirloom diamond reset in a renewed metal band, derived from recycled jewelry or industrial products! When precious metals are repurposed and then re-refined, they can produce gold and platinum of equal quality to newly mined metals.

2) Conflict free diamond Jewelers such as Brilliant Earth in downtown San Francisco support the goals of the No Dirty Gold campaign, and are a great resource for more sustainable wedding jewelry.

As usual, reduce, re-use, and recycle!

An Example of a ZahZoom Green Wedding (Jill & Peter)

2007-09-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

As a green wedding coordinator, I am often asked questions such as, “So, everything’s green? The cake, the dress?” To which I answer, “Yes, but not in the St. Patty’s day way that you might be imagining”. And from others, well versed in sustainable semantics, “So how do you green a wedding?”

Interestingly enough, some dresses and centerpieces are green both in color and eco-consciousness. Such was the case when Jill Fehrenbacher and Peter Rojas were married last July, and Jill (the woman behind Inhabitat.com, a weblog devoted to eco-friendly design) elected to have her sage hued dress made by a local Bay Area dressmaker, and chose green, yellow, black and white as her wedding colors!

Jill and Peter’s wedding serves to illustrate one way to have a gorgeous wedding that includes limiting waste and supporting local, organic and recycled economies, as well as the couple’s personal values.

FLOWERS & ATTIRE:

One of the first things that we talked about was how to dress up a large bridal party, without going overboard. Jill had six bridesmaids, and didn’t want to ask each of them to buy a dress of her choosing, so she picked a uniform color instead. Each bridesmaid wore a black cocktail dress that suited her and was, in some cases reused, and, in all cases, reusable. I designed and assembled the bridal party’s personal flowers using California grown seasonal picks including orchids, freesia, chrysanthemum and hydrangea.

The chapel was decorated with potted orchids that went home with lucky guests, and for the dinner reception, we used non-floral centerpieces. The bridesmaids also recycled their bouquets as cocktail centerpieces, to conserve on cut flowers.

Jill and Peter knew that they wanted to have very few cut flowers in their wedding, since these expire quickly and are often promptly discarded. Jill chose centerpieces of lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), a hearty desktop companion that is a highly efficient recycler itself, converting carbon dioxide and nitrogen from the air into respired oxygen! At the end of the evening guests were encouraged to take some lucky bamboo with them, to enjoy at home.

THE MEAL:

Jill and Peter observe a vegan diet, and so it was important to them to have their wedding dinner reflect their lifestyle in this way. Back to Earth Organic Catering put together a delicious vegan menu, and Jill and Peter consented to include some wild caught salmon as an option for
their non-vegan guests.

For dessert, Jill and Peter’s favorite gourmet vegetarian restaurant, Millennium, made and decorated a three tier, three flavor, vegan cake for them (in chocolate-hazelnut, carrot, and lemon chiffon).

D ESIGN:

The overall look of the wedding was warm and simple, with elegant lines and highly personalized creative touches. During the reception, the newlyweds displayed a crest that Jill

had designed for the occasion of their marriage, and which had been emblazoned on their 100% PCW recycled paper invitations and pre-ordered thank you cards, in soy & vegetable based inks.

The avid blogging couple, who were featured last February on GeekSugar, ceremoniously changed their status on Myspace.com, from “single” to “married”, before their guests. To add another techy-themed item to the mix, recycled computer circuit board luggage tags served as escort cards that doubled as practical favors.

And instead of your average disposable votives, guest, cocktail and cake tables were decorated with reusable glasses, each containing a lead and paraffin free beeswax tea light (because you breathe what you burn).

Overall, Jill and Peter’s wedding was a great example of what two beautifully unique people can do to create a memorable day that not only speaks to their aesthetics and personality, but also serves to share their values of sustainability with the people they cherish most.

Eco-Chic Shopping Event!

2007-09-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Tell your friends! Appel & Frank is hosting a green shopping event, Thursday September 27th, from 5:00-9:30 PM at The Regency Center, Sutter Room, 1270 Sutter St. at Van Ness in San Francisco!

Take a closer look at: http://appelandfrank.com/

PS: Look for a gift from ZahZoom in the swag bag!

What is that About, Anyway?

2007-06-18T13:24:00.001-07:00

There are some rituals that American Culture associates with weddings, which a few of us embrace happily (if not blindly), and many of us look at and say: “What is that about, anyway?”

Let’s look at some of our classic American wedding traditions, and learn what they’re all about, and how to approach them consciously and sustainably…

THE BRIDE IS ESCORTED BY HER FATHER:

If it weren’t for the Hallmark nature of it, this tradition would not have survived feminism. A daddy’s girl myself, I certainly understand the appeal. However, the tradition of being escorted down the isle by ones father has come directly from times past when the bride was given into marriage, as property, from one man (her father) to the next (her husband). This symbolism shows a troubling disconnect with our modern ideals of egalitarian partnership.

This is not to imply that it is misogynistic to dream of marching to Cannon in D on Papa’s arm, but consider that there are alternatives:

Some brides walk alone; some walk with their mother and their father; others have the bride and the groom escorted by both parents at different points in the processional…

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE:

This is a Victorian tradition. The "something old" corresponds with the bride's relationship to her family and her old life. The "something new" is, of course, symbolic of the couple’s new life together and their future hopes and dreams. "Something borrowed" from a happily married woman is meant to impart marital contentment on the bride; and the "something blue" represents marital fidelity.

If you’re a rabbit foot on the rearview kind of bride, you may identify with this ritual. And, of course, including handed-down family heirlooms and borrowed articles in you wedding attire can be a sentimental and eco-friendly approach (just source the ‘new’ item thoughtfully).

Again, there is a little age-old sexism here if you scratch the surface. This ritual is traditionally about the woman’s transition into her new life (her husband’s life)… And, as of yet, we’ve very few grooms following suite with such metamorphic symbolism. Perhaps both halves of any duo could use some good luck charms?

THE WHITE GOWN:

Thank you Queen Victoria! Apparently this Royal abandon court tradition and created a lasting following when, instead of the customary silver gown of a queen, she chose to wear white on her wedding day.

The color white has maintained its reputation as a symbol of purity and virginity, and is often associated with brides and weddings for this reason. However, with the changing face of marrying couples: maturity; remarriage; and same sex marriage; the stigma of premarital sex is virtually a thing of the past.

Before the dawn of the white wedding, all a bride had to do was wear her ‘Sunday best’ to the chapel. Today, more and more women are splurging on knock’em dead gowns in a rainbow of hues… Opting for something stunning, even comfortable, and from a sustainability perspective, reusable!

WEARING FLOWERS:

Doth he wear his lady's colors? In medieval times, knights wore colored flowers to symbolize their affection for a particular lady. Boutonnieres and corsages have long been used as decorative symbolism in weddings. Today, we use flowers to decorate and to honor the members of our wedding party or closest family. Flowers and colors can be read to have meaning, from the promise of health and good luck to subtle messages of passion or faithfulness. Orange blossoms can signify purity, daisies are associated with loyalty, violets: the ever modest flower, and of course, the red rose of true love.

Consider local, seasonal flowers for your wedding. Tropical lilies for San Francisco in July might be lovely to look at, but is it worth the plane flight they took to get there? And what chemicals were they sprayed with to preserve their beauty?

If you are against cut flowers altogether, look into live plant options for décor. And always consider gifting or donating your left over arrangements…

WEARING RINGS:

Spouses wear wedding rings as an outward symbol of their commitment to marital fidelity. The tradition purportedly began in Egypt where the endless circle of a ring was symbolic of an eternal bond, while the open center symbolized an opening to the unknown future.

This tradition was later adopted by the Greeks, after Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BC. Up to this time, engagement rings were usually made from natural materials on hand, such as leather, bone, hemp rope or ivory. The early Romans’ material of preference was iron, instigating the tradition of metal rings. Precious metal rings were rare, and became a particular symbol of trust… more pointedly, that a man could trust his wife with his valuables.

The “ring finger” commonly refers to the “fourth” digit, (next to the pinky). Wedding rings are traditionally worn on the left hand. This is a relatively new trend, however. During the 17th century, the English sometimes placed the ring on the thumb, and the Gauls and Britons wore their rings on the middle finger.

The Latin, “vena amoris”, translated as vein of love, refers too the belief that this vein ran directly from the fourth finger to the heart. The wedding band was placed there to signify everlasting love.

The engagement ring is traditionally worn only by the betrothed woman, as a symbol that she has been promised to one and is not to be courted by other men. The modern romance of a marriage proposal has kept the symbolic gift of the engagement ring going strong, but not every woman wears a ring before she is wed.

As you buy rings, think about sourcing conflict free diamonds, or forego diamonds in favor of another precious stone or jewel. Inquire as to where your materials came from and try to use a jeweler who sources from responsible miners. See greenKarat or Brilliant Earth.

THROWING RICE:

Throwing rice at the newlyweds is an old tradition. Rice was considered a "life giving" seed and so it was superstitiously thrown on the couple to ensure fertility. Rice throwing has gone out of favor in the last couple of decades, and has been linked to a (false) rumor that grains of dry rice can kill birds as they expand in their tiny stomachs. More realistically, rice creates a giant mess and many venues prohibit the ritual for that reason. If you enjoy this tradition of fanfare, consider having guests throw rose petals or bird-seed (but beware, one talented slugger in the crowd, and you may have birdseed in your hair for the rest of the evening!).

INTRODUCING THE WEDDING PARTY

Introducing the newlyweds and their wedding party is a popular modern tradition. This ritual usually happens just after the guests are seated for dinner, before the food served or toasts are made.

This is an introduction of the couple’s nearest and dearest, their wedding party, to their families and guests. Each member of the party makes an entrance, and finally, the bride and groom are called in, with name changes if applicable. This final introduction, especially, marks the couple’s transition into marriage. The announcement is usually made by a DJ or MC.

From a greening perspective, this ritual also justifies saving paper by forgoing programs for the ceremony!

CUTTING THE CAKE

The tradition of a “wedding cake” evolved from literally breaking bread over the bride’s head, and sharing the crumbs with the guests. Later it manifested as elaborately stacked sweet rolls to be shared among the guests, and finally, to a cake, a symbolic ‘breaking of bread’ between the partners, with their family and friends. The traditional cake cutting ceremony is characteristically the first task that bride and groom perform together as husband and wife. They cut first piece of cake together.

Into the 19^th century, serving “bride’s cake” or “bride’s pie” was exclusively delegated to the bride. She would cut the cake and distributed it to her guests. Cake cutting became more complicated with early multi-tiered cakes, because the icing had to be hard enough to support the cake's own weight. This necessitated cake cutting as a joint project, and made room for a symbolism of partnership and shared responsibility.

After the cake cutting ceremony, the couple feed each other the first slice. This intimate and often fun-loving ritual symbolizes the couple’s commitment to provide for one another.

Looking for organic cake? Try Miette, in the Ferry Building, San Francisco.

THE GARTER AND THE BOUQUET:

It is said that the garter once represented the virginal girdle. When the groom removed the garter he was symbolically making a public announcement about the brides change in virginal status.

In the 17th and 18 centuries, today's garter was a silk sash tied below the bride's knee. The groomsmen considered the sash a trophy. Whoever got a hold of it would wear it in his hat for the remainder of the celebration.

Today, there is often a theatrical component following the bouquet and garter toss, where a single woman, having caught the bride’s bouquet, has the garter placed on her own leg by the single man who caught the garter… This can get a little burlesque!

Some modern brides feel that the bouquet and garter ritual is distasteful, because it puts single women on the spot. Others forgo the tradition because of stories of children or older guests getting trampled in the toss and scramble.

If you enjoy the tradition, consider the fate of your tossed bouquet. The bride may want to hoist a bridesmaid’s bouquet into the hungry crowd, and preserve her own.

Gifts for the Wedding Party

2007-04-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

You have carefully chosen the extraordinary people that will participate as members of your wedding party, and you wish to honor these friendships with gifts that express your gratitude and affection -Now how will you pull off great wedding party gifts that also express your good intentions toward sustainability?

The usual suspects, as attendant gifts go, are silver jewelry, engraved beer mugs, beach totes, cufflinks, etc… However, below, you will find eco-friendly and socially responsible suggestions that might be that much more meaningful:

Gift baskets are a thoughtful way to present an array of small gifts. Distant Village offers a range of sustainable packaging, and even custom bags, boxes and baskets.

For fancy fillers try our local Hydra natural soap of San Francisco, or Global Girlfriend online fair-trade, eco-friendly boutique, supporting projects that help women worldwide gain economic security.

If you’re anti-DIY, Global Exchange offers a Women Around the World Gift Basket that is part of a worldwide campaign to end violence towards women and girls. Also check out their Fair Trade Extravaganza Gift Basket or the Code Pink Gift Pack. For men, Global exchange offers hemp wallets; belts; duffle bags; hand-crafted silver money clips and sweatshop-free sneakers.

World of Good ethically sourced gifts housewares and accessories, offers bags, jewelry, scarves, and shawls, as well as eco-friendly journals hand-crafted from tree-free paper in India.

The Nature Conservancy sells unique natural attire including “Ties to Nature” silk ties and also sells gift cards for their online gift store.

Look at Ten Thousand Villages for a variety of fair trade items.

Or consider:

Citizen Eco-drive solar powered watches.
-
Vy & Elle.
Golf accessories from Eco Golf, include biodegradable golf tees and water soluble balls that break down in 96 hours. Also check out their hemp hats that are ready for personal embroidery.
Original Bottle Cap Lures, 100% natural and biodegradable and made from recycled metal bottle caps
Recycled wine bottle Protect Our Earth drinking glasses are available at Uncommon Goods.
Hemp belts or guitar straps, at Natural Nirvana.

If you’re a hands-on shopper, stop into the following eco-friendly San Francisco Stores:

American Apparel

2174 Union St, San Francisco, CA

Tanks, tees and thongs in organic cotton.

Azalea Boutique

411 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA

Men’s and women's eco-friendly tees, shoes, handbags and beauty products.

Happy Planet

4501 Irving St, San Francisco, CA

Everything from organic cotton sheets and pillows to organic undergarments.

Global Exchange

4018 24th St, San Francisco, CA

A socially conscious, nonprofit, green gift shop.

Little Otsu

849 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA

The Mission's vegan boutique featuring paper products, novelties and accessories.

Spring

2162 Polk St, San Francisco, CA

A home-store that exclusively sells green products, like organic bedding and natural beauty products.

Do You Remember?

2007-03-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

Once, not so long ago, there was a quiet, delightfully green, celebrity wedding...

It was November 6th, 2005, when Alicia Silverstone and Christopher Jarecki exchanged vows barefoot on a Lake Tahoe beach. Afterward, they enjoyed a very green reception with close family and friends, and by Hollywood standards, the whole thing was kept very well under wraps!

However, People Magazine did do a brief feature some months later, which tells the story:

According to Megan Meyers, creator of Portovert Magazine, the first and only magazine for eco-savvy brides and grooms:

"Alicia's wedding was probably the epitome of green-meets-beautiful. She thought about every single choice: organic vegan food, pesticide-free flowers, and recycled but very elegant invitations. She wore a ring handed down on her husband's side, and it was a very, very green wedding on the beach at Lake Tahoe….”

Alicia’s own comments were, “It was amazing to be surrounded by the people you love most, all gathered in one place.”

Other Celebrity Green Weddings to note:

March 2, 2007, Elizabeth Hurley & Arun Nayar: Entirely organic menu and a livestock gift registry
April, 2005, Prince Charles & Camilla Bowles: Organic fruitcake and pesticide-free flowers
August, 2003, Stella McCartney & Alasdhair Willis: Sustainable clothing and organic food

*All images for this post courtesy of People Magazine

For Your Information:

2007-03-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

SOOLIP MEDIA ALERT:

Celebrate the Art of Getting Married With A Soolip Wedding!

LOS ANGELES’ PREMIER
MODERN BRIDAL EVENT

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2007

WHAT: A Soolip Wedding, Los Angeles’ premier bridal event for the stylish, modern bride, brings together a carefully chosen selection of today’s most distinctive, upscale bridal resources. Mixing luxury national brands with local LA gems, this boutique bridal experience offers brides, their wedding parties, and event and wedding professionals the chance to see artistry and beauty from individuals and companies that share a similar aesthetic and commitment to quality.

This year, A Soolip Wedding introduces A Green Wedding for the eco- conscious bride and groom. Environmentally sustainable elegance now is possible with aesthetically-pleasing choices, ranging from tree-free papers and other reclaimed materials, to organically grown and wild-harvested ingredients for festive party foods, to party favors that have a life beyond the event.

“Though going completely green for many of us is a seemingly impossible hurdle, know that each environmentally sound action we take does make a difference,” says Wanda Wen, Co-Founder of Soolip and creator of A Soolip Wedding.

A formal runway fashion show featuring gowns by Monique Lhuillier, make-up by Sephora, and hair by Chris McMillan (the Salon) will highlight the event. Krislyn Designs will accent the runway with a natural and organic environment. Guests will also have the opportunity to drop in on “Conversations with Experts,” talks by bridal industry professionals sharing their advice and secrets of the trade.

A Soolip Wedding Sponsors include: Sephora, Social Hollywood, Los Angeles Weddings magazine, Alyssa Nicol Photography, Frette, Dandelion Ranch, Gearys, Single Stone, Williams-Sonoma, inkbox design boutique, Wolfgang Puck Catering, The Leading Hotels of The World, Ltd., WedShare, Classic Party Rentals, Chris McMillan (the Salon), The Bridal Bar, Splendora.com and Renewable Choice Energy.

WHEN: Sunday, March 18, 2007 11am – 3pm

WHERE: Social Hollywood 6525 Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90028

HOW: Tickets may be purchased online at www.asoolipwedding.com or by calling 310.860.1300 For event information call 310.860.1300

PRICE: $65 per person includes: fashion show, luncheon, gift bag, cake and champagne tasting

A Soolip Wedding

Sounds fun!

I Love H&M

2007-02-27T14:06:00.000-08:00

I love H&M. I used to really like them. I have always appreciated their affordability and great selection of classics and perfect trend setter fashion pieces… And now I am in love. (That’s how it goes, when 1^st you’re attracted, and then the initial butterflies swell around shared values, admiration and respect).

From H&M:

“H&M is a Swedish-based retail company, established in 1947. Today, H&M operates in 22 countries and has more than 50,000 employees all working to the same philosophy: to provide fashion and quality at the best price. We put a lot of energy into ensuring and improving the quality of the goods. We also have the resources to carry out thorough tests and regular quality controls. In addition to good quality products, our quality concept requires the garments to be manufactured without the use of environmentally hazardous chemicals or harmful substances and to be produced under good working conditions.”

The Latest:

H&M has a March line coming out, featuring organic cotton, for women, teens, children and babies.

Organic cotton(Gossypium hirsutum) is grown without the use of harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. The production of organic cotton is still very limited (<1%>

As of June 2005, H&M holds a license to use the official eco-label of the European Union (www.eco-label.com). ‘The Flower’ stands for restriction of hazardous substances and reduced water pollution throughout the process, from the raw cotton to the finished product.

For more information on H&M’s corporate responsibility, click here.

We, too, have the power to increase demand! More organic cotton means greener garment choices for everyone (green jeans?), options for organic cotton seed oil, yarns, high quality organic rag cotton papers –even U.S. dollar bills! It's a cycle where change begets change.

So, think organic when purchasing, for example, your next towel set!

Why Are Celebrities Going Green?

2007-02-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

Green is hot! Green is in! Green is the new black (as they say)… But is that to imply that sustainable consumerism will have the same versatility and lasting popularity as black-tie formal, or ‘the little black dress’? I, for one, certainly hope so.

Celebrities have traditionally been role models for millions of people spreading trends like over-size bags, chunky highlights and teensy waistlines like wildfire. We comply with these trends because we believe that indulging in them will increase our confidence, our attractiveness, our happiness… These fashion trends get a lot of lime light, and they seem important.

So, of course I think it’s great when some of the focus shifts toward something that I think is more important, namely, the green movement:

The Environmental Media Association (EMA) and E! Television hosted a Golden Green Party on January 15, 2007. The event was fittingly held at 9900 Wilshire Beverly Hills, a building being converted into the first luxury residential project in the Western United States to qualify for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold rating!

Excerpt of Press Release from New Pacific Realty:

“…‘Green living has become a way of life for many of today's celebrities,’ noted Debbie Levin, President of the EMA, ‘and we are proud to be the first ones to step up and create a party that unites talent and social responsibility. We are not only celebrating the best that Hollywood has to offer, but also their commitment to making a positive difference to our environment’…

To promote the green message even further, Tree People [planted] a tree for each attendee. Tree People is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the Los Angeles area for over three decades, helping nature heal cities by offering sustainable solutions to urban ecosystem problems…

The Environmental Media Association (EMA) mobilizes the entertainment industry in a global effort to educate people about environmental issues and inspire them into action. EMA was created in 1989, as a non-profit 501(c) 3, with the simple but powerful concept that through music, television and film, the entire entertainment community could influence the environmental awareness of millions of people. Through the use of weaving environmental messages within entertainment programming and utilizing "celebrity" for positive role modeling, EMA continues to have a profound effect on how the public receives environmental information. EMA serves as a valuable link between the entertainment industry and the environmental community. For more information, please visit www.ema-online.org.”

Events like this are great, especially when they receive positive press… but I think the power lies in what we see on a more consistent basis, in tabloid magazines and on E! Television, through the actions of celebrities like Tom Hanks, lauding the electric car, or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with their hands on humanitarian efforts and work with Global Green.

Ecorazzi has an alphabetical list of green leaning celebrities in their “celeb cloud”, which links to articles citing their green interests and activities.

But, why are celebrities going green? I would assume, for similar reasons to my own (see: “What Green Means to Me”). Making the world a safer, healthier, better place by being the change and finding ways to personally live a more sustainable lifestyle is meaningful to many people. The green movement is full of opportunities for teaching, learning and progress. What better platform than celebrity to bring this engaging movement to the public eye?

USGBC

2007-01-29T14:42:00.000-08:00

Acronyms can be deluding… BBC, KGB, and USGBC all begin to sound the same. It can be a bit confusing, especially out of context.

So, let’s put the USGBC in context: The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is a group of 7,500 organizations from various divisions of the building/construction industry, with regional chapters that provide local green building resources, education, and leadership opportunities. The USGBC is a non-profit with a mission to “transform the building marketplace to sustainability”.

Green, sustainability: there is some context. We like those words on this blog.

But what is LEED?

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the USA’s (we all know that one, right?) standard for the design, construction, and function of green buildings. From the horse's mouth (the USGBC, that is), “LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality”. The Bently Reserve is an example of a San Francisco building that can boast LEED-certification.

Organic Architect, Eric Corey Freed also uses the LEED Rating System.

Consider a LEED-Certified building for your wedding, or your next event!

If you are interested in LEED-certified residential remodeled homes, consider checking out the following Bay Area event:

8/17/2007-10/26/2007, 3027 25th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Contact: Patty Block, PR Executive, Meridian Builders & Developers, Inc,

(650) 344-6691, pblock@blockconsulting.net

La Casa Verde, Sunset Magazine 2007 San Francisco Idea House Home

Create A Sustainable Registry

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SO, Everyone-And-Their-Mother is asking about your gift registry –but you’re thinking outside of the Macy's, Sears, Bed Bath and Beyond box...

How to get what you want and give them what they want?

Try creating your own registry list on your wedding website, and consider including the following:

-Home delivery organic produce: Eat Well Farm (out of Dixon, CA), Guerilla Organics (out of San Francisco, CA), Organic Express (out of San Francisco, CA), Planet Organics (out of San Francisco, CA), Terra Firma (out of Winters, CA), Westside Organics (out of Hayward, CA).

-His and hers National Parks Passes .

-Encourage gifts of services: Have a friend who is a yoga instructor, a builder, a masseur or a seamstress? If your guests know that their talents are welcome gifts, they will be more willing to suggest it!

-Resources for charitable donations:

· Adopt an Acre

· Alternative Gifts International

· Earth Share Charity Gift Card

· Just Give Charity Gift Certificate

· Heifer Project

· Rescue the Reef

· Seva Foundation’s Gifts of Service

· Special Kids Fund Gift Cards & Certificates

· Trees for the Future

· World Wildlife Fund’s Adoption Center

-A gift basket of eco-friendly household goods (green cleaning products, soy candles, organic cotton towels, energy-saver light bulbs.)

-Gardening supplies from Seeds of Change.

-Resources for fair trade goods (if you actually need some tools and gadgets and things!) :

· Fair Trade Federation – Retail Store Member Listings

· Global Exchange Fair-Trade Online Store

· Ten Thousand Villages

· World of Good

DIY Favors

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Not everyone has time to make their own favors, but for the right couple, do it yourself favors are the ultimate personalization! If the words "unique" and "personalized" gel with your event, (and mean something different to you than pasting your monogram on every cake, glass and ribbon) consider hand-crafted options: Save money; select eco-friendly materials; and have fun!

Here's an example:

Size up a version of Trapezoid Box Template (or check out other free templates from Mirkwood Designs).
Print onto recycled paper (size carefully so that you won't have to print multiple versions.... TIP: for a 3"x2"x1.5" box, set your margins to 0.5 inches to insure that the full template fits on one page!).
Punch holes over the black dots on the template.
Use the template and a utility knife to cut your unfolded boxes out of the hand printed, plantable, recycled or tree free paper stock of your choice.
Fold where shown by the dotted lines, using a ruler/flat object to help make your lines crisp.
Glue side and bottom (check out Yes! Stikflat Glue).
Fold top flaps over.
Tie ribbon through holes (Hand dyed silk would be preferable to turquoise organdy).
Place two local, organic truffles inside your 3"x2"x1.5" Custom, Handmade, Trapezoidal Favor Box (or fill with organic delicacy or token of your choosing).
Add a personalized, recycled card stock tag, or stamp the date or event title on the side of the box.
Take a moment and admire your own creative genius!

If you're not a DIY type- check out BlissWeddingMarket.com's Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors .

Tradition!

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Something old,
Something new,
Something borrowed,
Something GREEN!

(Now I'd say that's 75% traditional and 25% savvy).

Still, weddings are a cultural tradition… so how much breaking of tradition can you, or do you want to get away with, before it doesn’t feel like a wedding anymore?

I think there is a misconception among some that a green wedding is essentially a minimalist event, a small party, simple back yard nuptials… And, some marrying couples seek just that, but a green wedding, is certainly not limited in this way! Signing up to be eco-friendly, conscious consumers when it comes to this very meaningful day in your lives, is not to throw wedding traditions in the gutter (that would be wasteful!)

There exists a myriad of wonderful wedding traditions for my clients to consider, and it is according to each unique pair to decide which of the many are key and significant to them.

But let’s touch on some of the basics…

Haven’t bought the ring yet? Look at:

Green Karat
Ecologically responsible wedding and commitment bands.

Don’t know what to do about all of that paper you’re supposed to send and label with? Look at:

Organic Weddings

Tree-free and recycled paper and plantable papers

Want to do favors, but don’t want to hand out kitsch? Look at:

The National Arbor Day Foundation

Give a tree!

People want to give you wedding gifts- but you don’t need more stuff? Look at:

Just Give

Take donations!
As put by Consumer Reports: “The mission of this nonprofit is to connect people with the charities they support and make donating easy. Selecting from over 850,000 charities, couples can register online, list their favorite charities, and guests then make donations in the couple's name. The processing fee for the service is 3% of the donation, paid by the gift-giver. JustGive has an especially helpful FAQ section and a toll free customer service number, although the number is hard to locate and service hours are not listed. 877-JUST-GIVE”

And that’s just a taste of the classy steps you can take to green up your day! For many caterers, organics are a part of their sense of gourmet. Many wineries are adopting greener viticulture practices…

What better time to embrace your values? Green is chic. And what is a traditional wedding without a healthy helping of chic?

So, eat, drink, be merry - and make your choices count!

Green Honeymoon or Destination Wedding:

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What Makes The Following Trips and Accommodations Green?

Qualities and practices such as the following:

· Organic gardens

· Composting

· Green Cleaning Services

· Organic Menus

· Clean Energy Sources

· Recycling

· Waste Reduction

· Biodegradable soaps and detergents

· Concern for their communities

· Support for local businesses

· Finding creative answers to the most complex greening challenges

FIND OUT THE DETAILS FOR YOURSELF! CHECK OUT:

Africa
Eco Safaris

Australia
Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa

Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru
Discover Amazonia

Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Pakistan, Tibet, Thailand, &Vietnam
Explore.Educate.Experience

Chile, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Panama, Venezuela
Eco Voyager

Costa Rica
The Divine Dolphin

Ghana
Eco-Tours

Honduras
La Cascada Lodge

Other Locations:

The Ambrose
Santa Monica, CA
77 rooms, 11 floors. Boasts its own tranquil Asian-inspired garden with soothing fountain & Koi pond.

Ancient Cultures, Sacred Sites & Spectacular Landscapes

Eco-Travel

Fiji Resort

Green Hotels

Planeta

Responsible Travel

Top Ten Simple Ways to Be Greener...

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1. Seek out and purchase eco-friendly products and services to support green economy (e.g. hire a green event coordinator!).

2. Recycle and compost at your home and office to reduce waste.

3. Use canvas/reusable shopping bags: it will save trees and electricity and reduce waste.

4. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste and reuse packaging materials (from wrapping paper to peanuts).

5. Drive efficiently and drive less: combine tasks and errands, and carpool or use public transportation whenever possible.

6. Be aware of the air and the water: keep smoking cigarette butts, oil, gas, paint, fertilizers, or other toxic household products off the streets and out of your drains and gutters.

7. Avoid using disposable products. Shop for things that last!

8. Improve the environmentalism and efficiency of your home: insulate well, maximize your use of natural light, use non-PVC pipes/plastics and non-toxic paint, flooring and carpet.

9. Put on some warmer clothes, instead of heating an entire room or building.

10. Use stopjunkmail.org to eliminate unwanted post: a huge waste of paper and energy.

What "Green" Means to Me...

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Television icons, Hollywood celebrities and even politicians are stepping up to tell us that "Green is the new black" (Thank you Oprah, thank you Ecorazzi, thank you Al Gore!) Who wouldn't sign onto an infinitely viable trend? All that is required of us is an increased level of stewardship, and sometimes going green even saves some green!

Take this example: Original Pawleys Island Duracord Hammock, for $184.99, OR Envirope Hammock, for $125.95 (made from mostly old soda bottles, "Envirope" is softer than virgin polyester but with the same durability. It is mildew- and UV-resistant, assuring a long life). Meet my material needs, save money, support green economy and recycle a bunch of old soda bottles? It's a win, win, win, win proposition! If I were in the market for a hammock, no contest.

There was a time when "saving Mother Earth" was an ambition reserved for those without real problems on their hands...

Fortunately, there has been a rise in awareness and more and more people recognize that blind consumerism and gross waste are mistreatments of our living space and our neighbors -A reeal problem for all of us.

I grew up among hills and farms, gardens and bees. We lived off-the-grid, relying primarily on solar and hydro-power. Rural life helped me to recognize and appreciate our human role as members of a symbiotic ecosystem. As a part of that ecosystem, each of us makes an impact on it, and it is ours to decide what kind of impact that will be.

Activism comes in many shades and forms, but if we believe that every effort to effect change, on the micro or the macro-level, is one more drop in the proverbial bucket, then our cumulative actions are meaningful; we can imagine that bucket filling and appreciate our part in the change.

From my perspective, a wedding or event is about sharing beautiful and meaningful traditions with people we care about. Our occasions to celebrate are priceless, and the savviest way to accomplish such joy includes minimizing the eco-footprint of our festivities, and maximizing the heart.

This is the philosophy that I bring to my work, because this is what "green" means to me!