Ok, I really, really, really want to try this. I don’t know where; I don’t know when, but I think this is simply amazing… and EASY. No kidding!! It is live moss growing in a word or even a decorative shape that you choose. What a perfect way to have a monogram at your wedding or new home. Take a peek at the photo below, and then head on over HERE to learn all of the how to’s. So fun!
Photo from Spore Borne.
This project is SO darling!!! It also looks amazingly easy, and you could use these for so many different things… even place cards. I just adore the entire thing from the vintage tea cups to the antique flatware. So sweet! After you take a peek at the finished product, just head on over to Intimate Weddings (click here) to take a look at the instructions.
Photo from Intimate Weddings
Being environmentally friendly doesn’t just include recycling and buying your veggies locally, but nowadays there are a lot of eco-sound options for your wedding day, too! Check out page 19 in clutch, the bride’s guide to have and to hold for many options. In fact, Rachel had so many amazing ideas that we could not fit them all into one article, hence a few postings to present some more ideas about having a “green” wedding day. Enjoy!
Engagement and Bridal jewelry
While some young ladies may have the distinct honor of wearing a cherished, family heirloom upon their ring finger after engagement, not all of us have that special opportunity. But not to fret, you and your beloved still have the opportunity to style beautiful recycled and trade-free wedding bling – without breaking the bank or feeling like you’ve settled for less than the best.
Thanks to greenkarat.com, you can choose from a variety of ecologically responsible jewelry, 100% recycled precious metal, lab-created diamonds and gems in a lovely array of colors, and even recycled diamonds. Each stunning ring is made custom order, and most are priced well under $2,000.
Ring images courtesy of greenkarat.com.
Wedding Gown & Accessories
Your commitment to the environment doesn’t mean you have to scrimp on style, after all, what would a wedding day be without a blushing bride in a beautiful gown? Many eco-conscious brides are opting to reuse bridal gowns passed down from a parent or relative. If this option is available to you, but the style isn’t quite “you,” consider restyling the gown into something more fitting and updated with the help of a trusted seamstress, which can leave you with the perfect “something old” and “something new.”
Another lovely option is to repurpose the fabric into an elegant bridal clutch, resulting in the perfect, meaningful and beautiful wedding accessory. If enough fabric is available, you might consider having several clutches made (in a different pattern/style) to present to your bridesmaids and/or mother/mother-in-law as a special thank you gift.
This image is courtesy of VeriteVintage on etsy.com. “The dress is accompanied with a note that states, ‘This dress was worn by Catherine McDonagh on her wedding day June 1924 to Michael Kelly, Boston, Mass.’” How fantastic to have a genuine vintage gown with a history!
If an heirloom dress from family isn’t an option for you, don’t fret; there are a plethora of wonderful websites you can visit to purchase a vintage, sample, or once-worn gown. Plus, some of these same websites and shops can also be used to purchase attire for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Here are my favorites:
If your taste is vintage, this site will make you drool with all of its lovely, classic gowns.
Here you can peruse, buy, and sell gently worn wedding gowns and accessories from other brides and brides-to-be.
Above is an example of an accessory that can be made from a wedding gown, as is found on BelleJouJou on etsy.com.
- Church Street Bridal Shop (sponsored by the YWCA)
If you’re local to Lynchburg, VA (or even if you’re not!) this lovely gem is a must shop for any bride-to-be. Boasting dozens of sample, designer gowns, donated from high-end wedding gown boutiques (think NYC’s Kleinfeld, ladies) you can easily walk away with the perfect dress for $600 or less. And the best part is that with every purchase you make at this non-profit organization, your money is being poured back into the community to help women in need. Talk about a wonderful win-win. Church Street Bridal also sells bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride gowns, too, so be sure to bring along your wedding party for more shopping fun. Information is available online at churchstreetbridal.com.
You never know what kind of wedding gems await you in your city — it’s always worth a check, anyway. (Just be mindful of who you communicate with on this site, and always take someone with you on a pick-up. Safety-first, ladies.) You can also hit up the local Goodwill for once worn, lovely gowns to upcycle or craft into something else.
Thank you again, Rachel, for your insight into taking the environment into consideration… even on a wedding day!
