Wedding Whites on Etsy

Blusher Birdcage Veil ($27) by YJ Design / Ostrich Feather Accessory ($98) by Twisted Crystals / White Organic ring ($59) on La Chica De Los Anillos / Lily Ivory Shrug ($210) by Holly Stadler / White Angel Ring Pillow ($150) by Tiana Che / Anna Eco-Friendly Dress ($550) by Thread Head / Persophone Dress ($950) by Prizy Sebastian / White Blossom Corsage Brooch ($65) by A Alicia Wedding / Pearl Nugget Earrings ($16) by Wired Out Designs Vivienne Headband ($195) by LoBoheme / Melissa Mantilla Veil ($75) by Marisol Aparicio / Shabby Chic Birds Cake Topper by Romancing Juliet / Emilia Ivory Shoe Clips ($26) by Jurgita Handmade .

Inspiration: Wedding Dress

I just love this Paloma Blanca wedding dress! The little lace details are what really make this dress.  And even better - it's from the Recycled Bride. Originally $2000, this silk trumpet dress was worn once and the seller is now asking $1500. 

Foosie Design : Wedding Invitations, Save-the-Dates & More

I love handmade items and naturally Etsy.com is one of my favorite resources to find new artists. I recently posted my weekly Etsy finds on eco-friendly items.  One of the artists featured was Foosie Design . I love her 'stuff'.  This is a custom stationary store that is best described as casual elegance.

Founded in 2008, the Foosie Design studio based out of Eugene, Oregon but the online store allows the Foosie stationary to reach across the country.  The name stems from an old irish word that means 'sweet treat'.   And not only are the invitations just that, they are also made in a very earth-friendly and cost efficient way. Made from 30-100% recycled papers , Foosie Design stationary is printed on an energy efficient printer using recycled toner cartridges. Even the cut-off paper is left behind and re-used as scrap paper or recycled. And small details, even down to the shipping drop off is eco-friendly, as daily trips to the local FedEx hub are made via bike to help reduce the amount of fuel wasted on scheduled pick ups.   All these thoughtful steps make these invitations an eco-friendly choice.  

I just love her style! To view more of her work check out her site at www.foosiedesign.com or her etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/foosiedesign .

(Note: Foosie Design also has a page on the site dedicated to explaining how it all works. Which is a great way to help those first-time party planners the process and time you will need to go through.)

DIY on Martha Stewart

Found: Lovely little Do-It-Yourself center piece Big Bloom idea for small budgets on Martha Stewart.

DIY: Magnolia Blossom at Martha Stewart

  

Like this idea? Check out another easy DIY by Rachael Ray or table seating by yours truly. 

Eco-Friendly Wedding Budget: Pre Owned Wedding Dresses

   Most of us do not have an unlimited budget for the wedding day.  So a great way to save on your budget and still get that designer dress you have been drooling over since you saw it the last three issues of magazines - preowned wedding gown. There is a fantastic site devoted to just this, appropriately called PreOwned Wedding Dresses . (And some dresses may even be samples and were never worn.)  Shop by style, price, designer or most popular.  This is a great way to save and still help the environment. Here are just a few gowns that I loved on the site and had to share:

 Monique Lhuillier ($3800 orig $7600)  / Vera Wang 'Diana' ($4650 orig $7689) / Elizabeth Fillmore 'Maddison'  ($1500 orig $2862) / Vera Wang '2G119' ($1900 org $3400) / JIm Hjelm 'JH8859' ($1500 orig $3150) /Jenny Yoo 'Anessa' ($600 orig $1200)

Amy Michelson '2220 Ballet' ($1350 orig $3044) / Monique Lhuillier ($3500 orig $5500) / Jim Hjelm '8859' ($1500 orig $3500)/ Amy Michelson 'Laurel' ($1500 orig $3800)/ Alvina Valenta 'AV9700' ($1100 orig $3000) / Carolina Herrera 'Spring 2008' ($2650 orig $5400) /J.Crew '11423' ($600 orig $1000) / Carolina Herrera ($2000 orig $2600)


  Even if you have already found 'the one'  you will be wearing, they have accessories from veils to shoes to shawls to jewelry.  (and you can even sell your dress on here too!)


Looking for more budget-friendly dress ideas? Previous posts include:
Trunk Shows & Sample Sales 
Vintage Inspired Dresses

Eco-Friendly Items on Etsy

We can all do our part in small ways to help preserve the environment. And for my weekly Etsy finds I searched out some great little enviro-friendly items including a fantastic bridal gown from one of my favorite handmade Etsy vendors, Your Fairytale Wedding, recycled paper invitations from Foosie Design and an herbal party favor for your wedding guests from Favor Creative ... 

Sweet Romantic Bridal Gown ($799) by Your Fairytale Wedding / Unique Collar with Organic Silk  ($39) by Lilliput Chipmunk / White Wool Acorn Ornaments (12 for 6) by Green Baboon Designs  / Wedding Invitations 'Cynthia & James' ($4.55) by Foosie Design / Turquoise Hemp Bag with queen anne's lace ($45) by Lizura / Peaced Together Babydoll Dress  ($60) by Mountain Girl Clothing / Julian Boutonniere ($22) by Lint and Lavender / Blue House Slippers ($25) by Green Tea Vintage / Sea Glass Personalized necklace ($31) by Swept From the Sea / Seed Pod Place Holder ($12) by Thitaree / Lemon Balm Herbs Favor ($4.50) by Favor Creative / Misha Headband Felt & Peacock ($52) by Lint and Lavender / Half Carat Pebble Ring ($3800) by Single B Beautiful

Eco-Wedding Rings?

Diamond mining is a very touchy topic. We all would love to have a beautiful diamond - but what about those that are concerned about the impact diamond mining has on the environment and the people that live in that area?

Going Green
   Since wearing jewelry is an important part of honoring the tradition of marriage in all cultures around the world, no one expects you to forgo the wedding rings. There are ways for each individual to lessen their impact. Check out Green Karat for information on using recycled gold.  Green Karat also has some unique rings available for purchase in their shop.
  Cultured Diamonds and gemstones are among the most ecologically friendly stones available. These stones are grown in a lab rather then mined from the earth. And they can also significantly less expensive.  You can build your own conflict-free diamond ring at Brilliant Earth or purchase ready-to-wear jewelry at Elizabeta Jewelry.

Vintage Rings
   Another really great alternative is to purchase a vintage/antique ring. Choosing an antique ring is like selecting a work of art. Estate rings date from the Victorian era through the 1950's. So rings from different eras will have different characteristics.   I found some beautiful rings available at Leigh Jay Nacht Inc and the Antique Jewelry Mall.

Shop Local
   Don't feel comfortable ordering your rings online? Why not shop local? There are several vintage & consignment shops near every major city. Shopping locally helps support the neighborhood businesses and allow you to try on the rings and check the quality out in person.

Happy Earth Week! Eco-friendly Wedding Sites

Happy Earth Week! This week I will be featuring different earth-friendly wedding ideas.  So to kick it off, I found 2 really great websites thats has a a list of green wedding items. First is Dream Green Weddings.  Inspired by their own wedding, Dream Green Weddings is dedicated to maintaining their own green business practices and using green suppliers  to help you with your wedding day. 

Among the many items that are available for purchase: Wedding Favors, Setting cards, gifts & beautiful invitations. Check out their site for current give-aways and eco-friendly ideas.

Second site (having a partnership with Dream Green Weddings to support this effort) is the Green Bride Guide.

This site offers organic flowers, peace silk wedding gowns, tree and seed favors and invitations. Are you planning a green wedding already? The Green Bride Guide also has pictures and stories from real weddings. Check it out to help with your wedding plans! (They have even begun to feature a directory to help you find vendors and accessories.)

Happy Earth Week Everyone!