The first is OneWed, an excellent wedding planning resource and a really fun online destination for brides looking for new, exciting tips and also a little celebrity wedding planning gossip.  Heather was featured in the “savvy scoop” section of the OneWed Bridal Blog where her “Rule of Three” is discussed.   

The second is Northern Nuptials, a fantastic site for those of you looking to plan a destination wedding in Northern Michigan. The website is the most extensive listing of wedding sites, vendors and honeymoon locations in Northern Michigan.  It was really an honor for Heather to be asked to do their first guest editorial “how to make your guests feel at home during your destination wedding.”  The article and website have tons of details and information valid for lots of couples planning destination weddings, not just those in Michigan.

Be sure to check them out and don’t forget to let us know what you think!!

We thought the best thing to do was offer some free planning advice (free … Not a word I throw around often) on how to host a “Green” event.  Seriously, there are lots of things you can do to make your event a little more environment friendly ranging from the extreme (and often expensive) to the simple (sometimes free).

There are people out there that would tell you the number one way to cut back on your event’s eco footprint is to cut back on your guest count.  Yes, I agree that is a fact.  Actually, that is the number one way to cut back on your budget as well (my current and past brides are shaking their heads right now thinking “how many times have I heard that line before”).  But let’s assume that you have cut your list as much as possible and cannot bare the thought of removing anyone from your list.  Here are my suggestions to help your event stay as eco friendly as possible, there are plenty of low cost items, because no matter how much you love your Mother, you also love paying your mortgage!

1.) Ask your catering company to  not use any bottled water.  This will cut down on your bar costs as well as the amount of plastic and waste at your event.  In most places (especially Chicago) you probably have excellent tap water, so enjoy it!

2.) insure that your catering company recycles as much as they possibly can.  It only takes them a little extra time to recycle everything but it makes a serious impact on the environment.  You cannot imagine the amount of waste there is at a wedding.

3.) Provide transportation for your guests.  If they can “car pool” or take shuttles you provide, then there are far fewer cars out on the road.  Every driver counts!

4.)  Send Eco-Invites!  There are tons of companies out there producing recycled and eco friendly invitations.  Also consider sending evites for your rehearsal dinner and morning after brunch (sorry guys, I cannot get on board with sending electronic wedding invitations – call me old fashion).

Here are a few places to get recycled invitations but don’t forget to check locally as well! Shindig Invites and Invite Site.  There are a ton more but I like these two.  We even sell a selection of green invitations so just ask for them!

5.) Shop Local.  This can make a big difference!  The closer to home you shop the less fuel and energy go into getting items to you and your event.  Look for local jewelry and dress designers, work with local designers and printers.  Ask your caterer if they can find a local source for your food.  All of this can make a giant impact while keeping money in your community, now who does not need that?

6.) Have guests take home left over sweets or food.  Most catering companies are not allowed to let you donate left over food for health code reasons. In fact, most shelters and soup kitchens cannot take the food for the same reason, but that does not mean it should be thrown out or wasted!  Send it home with friends and family that are not traveling a long distance … Good sweets never go bad (at least not at my house, they don’t last that long!).

7.) Consider a green dress or a “designer Second”.  Here in Chicago I like to send people to Here Comes The Bride in Addison, or Wedding Belle’s in Barrington.  Not only are you making a good “green” decision but it is going to save some green in your pocket as well!  

You can also consider having your dress made with eco friendly fabrics, check out Olivia Luca,  Conscious Clothing (where they have tons of different things made out of hemp) and  Rawganique.

7.) Look for a LEED certified venues and hotels, they are hard to come by but they do exist.  In chicago you might want to check out  Hotel Felix, Hotel Arista, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo (they have beautiful new wedding pavilions) or even any of the Chicago Park District locations!

Hotel Monaco Chicago, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Allegro Chicago, InterContinental Chicago, and the Talbott Hotel all recently received Green Seal certification, an environmental lodging standard with requirements in waste minimization, energyefficiency, water conservation, waste-water management, and green procurement.  Not bad choices either!

8.) Give some thought to your guest favors.  Our favorite is not giving one at all!  Instead consider making a donation to your favorite charity in honor of your guests.  They will love it and not have to drag anything home at the end of the night! 

If you simply must give an actual gift consider native seedlings, bamboo, or a plantable paper flower.

9.) Last but not least, simply consider the when and where!  If you are willing to have your event on a non traditional day (think Friday or Sunday) or at a non traditional time (breakfast, brunch or lunch) you will save tons of money and that is green all by itself!  One of my all time favorite events was a morning ceremony and brunch in W Chicago Lakeshore’s Altitude.

Just for fun here are some cool pictures from that event.

April 17 & April 18

Mira Couture | 1 East Delaware Place

Featuring the designs of Paloma Blanca, Alfred Sung, Stephen Yearick, YSA Makino, Vatit Itth

No Appointment Necessary

Mira Couture | 312.255.1699

Lynn Litwin Trunk Show

April 5 & 6

The Left Bank Jewelry & Wedding Shoes

1155 West Webster Avenue

Chicago based couture wedding accessories designer Lynn Litwin will be at our favorite spot, The Left Bank. Lynn creates unmistakable detailed hair gems and jewelry. Her exquisite limited edition designs make them an exceptional heirloom. She has graced the covers of major bridal magazines including InStyle and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Don’t forget to RSVP: 773.929.7422 | theleftbank@sbcglobal.net

Get inspired by other LILL brides. LILL Brides have designed custom handbags to coordinate with the bridesmaid dresses or to compliment the bridesmaid’s unique personality. With so many options available, you will be able to create perfect, one-of-a-kind bridal handbags for your special day. 

Call right away to make your appointment with a stylist.  This is a super fun thing to do with your bridal party and the end results totally rock!

If you have not been to LILL you really must check it out!

904 W. Armitage • Chicago, IL 60614

773.477.LILL (5455) 

 chicago@1154lill.com

Regular Retail Hours:
M  T  W  F  11-6:30     TH 11-8     SAT 11-6     SUN 12-5

** For the record, LILL always offers 10% off for bridal parties if you purchase five or more bags … and these bags are really fantastic!!

Here are two trunk shows sure to knock your socks off …

The Left Bank

Hosts

A Haute Bride Trunk Show

February 20th  | 11 AM – 8 PM

February 21st & 22nd | 11 AM – 5 PM

The Left Bank | 1155 West Webster

Haute Bride creates custom couture wedding jewelry and hair accessories

I personally think the best part is the Champagne and Chocolate Bar they serve all weekend!

To schedule an appointment, please call
773.929.7422  or email at theleftbank@sbcglobal.net

And don’t miss this amazing show either … a chance to shine all night long!

Tejani Jewelry & CS Brides present the

 Tejani Bridal Collection

Tejani is bringing their NYC based couture Bridal Jewelry Collection to Chicago!

February 27th & 28th | 9 AM – 7 PM

March 1st | 9 AM – 4 PM

The Peninsula Hotel | 108 East Superior

Visit the Peninsula Hotel to view Tejani’s 250 piece bridal jewelry collection in person!  Try on your favorite bangles, earrings and necklaces while shipping champagne (again, my favorite part!) in the lap of luxury.

Purchase during the Chicago Trunk Show and receive a 15% discount off the entire order!

To schedule and appointment please visit Tejani on the web or email info@tejani.com