Does planning a wedding need to be a nightmare

Planning a wedding whether it be a natural wedding or otherwise can be stressful but once you get your priorities straight, it really needn't be that way. We need to stop confusing weddings with crafty business. Weddings have become a linear experience in many cultures, when in reality it's up to you how it happens.  If you want a simple wedding, don't succumb to the pressure of society like the example of this video (funny though it may be) and make sure you only include what is important to you rather than giving in to societal pressures.

Of course you want to be considerate about the beliefs of your family and friends but as the video blatantly shows, it can be a losing battle if you don't take things into your own hands.

For more natural wedding tips and vendors in your area, check out our Natural Weddings website.

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Pre-wedding glow - Top 10 beauty foods for clear healthy skin

It's easy to eat your way to healthy, glowing skin leading up to your natural wedding with our top 10 beauty foods. These foods contain specific nutrients that work at a cellular level to nourish your skin from the inside out so you can GLOW the natural way. Great makeup starts with clear healthy skin so turn your pantry into a beauty cabinet.

1. Almonds

Almonds are one of the best sources of wrinkle fighting antioxidants like glycoside and Vitamin E, which work together to neutralise free radicals and protect cells.  Vitamin E also helps maintain skin elasticity, promotes tissue repair and heals cracked lips, the perfect remedy if you’ve had too much sun!

2. Avocado

Avocados contain monounsaturated fatty acids to replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier to keep it soft and hydrated during the warmer, drier months. They also contain antioxidants carotenoids and Vitamin E to reduce damage from free radicals caused by the sun. Carotenoids are also known to improve your skin’s density, thickness and tone.

3. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids will help to keep skin plump, moisturised (coat the skin cells to lock in moisture) and supple whilst also reducing damaging inflammation and keeping hair and nails strong. Lignans in linseeds are also natural anti-inflammatories and help to heal and repair skin.

4. Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the highest sources of antioxidants in the world, which again help fight wrinkle formation and fine lines caused by too much sun. Many of the vitamins in blueberries, like Vitamin C strengthen blood vessels , improving the appearance of broken capillaries or spider veins.

  

5. Spinach

Not only Spinach, but other dark leafy greens such as kale and parsley are packed with Phytochemicals and folates to help hydrate skin and keep it healthy. It is also high in Vitamin A, which helps the skin effectively retain moisture. Plus they’re a rich source of iron, which is necessary for firm, plump skin that is magnetic. (radiates health)

6. Tomato

Tomatoes’ contain the potent antioxidant lycopene, its high fat solubility makes it a natural defence against UV rays. Its high Vitamin A content also adds shine to your hair, keeping it strong by protecting it from free radicals. Vitamin A also works to protect and brighten eyes whilst Vitamin K reduces the appearance of dark circles.

7. Lemon

Lemons are rich in Vitamin C, which allows for the formation of collagen for plump, smooth skin. Lemons are also excellent for breakouts and reducing the appearance of pigmentation and sun spots (when used both inside and out) Lemons are also an alkalizing food, which helps to balance the body’s PH and reduce redness, irritation and dryness.

  

8. Turmeric

Curcumin is the key active in turmeric that gives it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits for a brighter complexion and reduced redness and puffiness, especially under the eyes. Turmeric’s antibacterial properties help fight acne and other impurities and are also fantastic for evening skin tone and reducing pigmentation when eaten regularly or applied topically.

9. Green tea

Green tea is packed with polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that work to keep collagen in your skin strong, helping to maintain a tight and smooth complexion. Catechins in green tea also soothe digestion by maintaining healthy gut bacteria while reducing inflammation from the inside out. Drinking green tea throughout the day is also a great way to keep your skin hydrating and nourished from the inside out.

10. Yoghurt

Good gut health is essential. Probiotics in yoghurt help skin fight inflammation and wrinkles. and plays an important role in keeping the body’s good microbes in balance reducing blemishes and outbreaks. The calcium in milk helps regulate skin lipid content thus preventing dryness. Vitamin B helps protect cells from oxygen damage and supports cellular energy production.

Information provided by Cindy Luken Founder luk beautifood and food scientist

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Ombre is the new black this wedding season!

Ombre is a french term meaning "shaded" where you mix similar colours graduating from light to dark or vice versa. 

Use varied tones of the same colour bridesmaid dress to include ombre in your natural wedding style. 

We love that you can naturally achieve ombre style using heirloom tomatoes graduating from orange, red and green or use dried flower heads in similar shades of yellows, reds and orange to create an ombre effect. 

Ice provides an ombre effect when boozie pink lemonade is served in Mason jars with daisy cut lids and the retro striped straws. 

This ombre flower curtain makes the perfect backdrop for a natural wedding ceremony!

Don't forget the cake! Consider a Vegan Wedding Cake to reduce your environmental impact!

For more natural wedding styling tips LIKE our Facebook Page   

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Wedding lanterns can help set the scene for your natural wedding.

Give your wedding reception a romantic look with natural paper wedding lanterns. 

The heart patterns shining through these paper lanterns (paper-bag luminaries illuminated by votive candles) provide a natural touch when you group your wedding lanterns in different sizes on the guest-book table or dinner tables for a beautiful, glowing display.  Set the beeswax candles in heavy round glass votive holders to help anchor the bags and prevent any accidents.

At Biome Eco Stores we have a lovely selection of wedding lanterns to help set a natural theme.

Choose from the following styles: 

Set the scene with these just married paper votive kits

Your guests will know they have arrived with these WELCOME paper votive kits

Square paper hurricane luminary - hearts in small or large

Add flowers to create a natural paper vase with these square paper hurricane luminary - set of 3

Japanese-style luminary candle bags in sets of 2 provide a rustic look

Don't forget to use Beeswax candles as they are carbon neutral!

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How to Instagram your wedding in sustainable style!

Gone are the days of wasteful disposable cameras being placed on each table at the reception for guests to take photos. The concept of inviting your guests to get involved might have been good, but the waste was so last millennium! Now days you can get everyone involved while saving precious resources using Instagram! It's a great way to share everyone's experience of your special day.

 

Create a specific hashtag # (that hasn't been used before) to view shots only from your day. Provide your guests with the 'tag' on a blackboard so they type your tag on their Instagram photos, your photos will be tagged specifically so that everyone can view photos from your special day with your unique tag.

If you are less inclined to pick a hashtag for your wedding day another option is to create a set profile that people can follow and also tag photos to. If you already have an Instagram profile, simply log out and create a new account with a title related to your wedding day. Provide guests with your unique tag to tag the photos they take.

Other ways to integrate Instagram into your wedding are a low budget photobooth option. Use an iPad to  let your guests take photos. The larger screen will make it easy to see and there is always the option for retaking photos that you don’t like. You can create a DIY background or simply rent a backdrop, rather than spending a lot of money on an actual photobooth. Using hashtags or uploading the photos directly to a wedding profile will give your guests something to search for or follow when the celebrations are over.

You can also run a slideshow of the Instagram photos  at your wedding reception with your hashtag by using the Evenstagram app.

Even though everyone has a camera in their pockets these days, I still believe in hiring a professional wedding photographer. They are professionals after all, and a good one should capture you in your best light and help you to remember the mood of your gorgeous green wedding.

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Checklist for Catering an Eco-Friendly Green Event

photo by Piknik Studios

Whether you are catering your eco-frienldy wedding or green event yourself or working with a venue and or caterer, you can make a more environmentally friendly event simply by reducing your 'food miles', which means the distance that the food has traveled from the paddock to the plate. The main reason for minimising food miles is that the transport of food significantly contributes to greenhouse gas production.

Here are some key things to consider when you plan to cater a green wedding or event: 

• Select locally grown produce to reduce your ‘food miles’.
• Use fresh, minimally processed and minimally packaged foods.
• Consider using sustainable protein sources such as beans, lentils, chickpeas and chicken in your menu.
• Locally sourced eggs, chicken and pork are more sustainable animal protein sources, select them over beef and lamb.
• Choose sustainable seafood. You can find a helpful guide at www.marineconservation.org.au
• use organic food and drinks where possible.
• use reusable, compostable or recyclable tableware.

Step 1. Planning the menu 

When organising your green wedding or event, it is important to consider what foods will be served and how they will be presented.

• Plan your menu around foods that you know are produced in the local area and are in season. Seasonal food guides are available locally from some fruit markets and online at www.ecofriendlyfood.org.au
• Be sure to include some vegetarian options as meat production is a significant contributor to global warming.
• If you do plan on serving red meat, reduce the portion sizes. You can substitute red kidney beans or lentils for red meat, and chickpeas for white meat.
• Buy only what you need for the event – It's best to let your caterer know exactly how many people you are expecting before the food is ordered to avoid excess waste.

You can find some great sustainable recipes here:  www.ecofriendlyfood.org.au/recipes

Step 2. Purchasing the food

Organic food and drinks have a lower ecological impact per kilogram compared with conventionally grown produce because less energy-intensive methods are used in their production.

• To reduce food miles:
– Shop for local foods and buy produce that's in season.
– Purchase bread from the local bakery.
– Try to select Australian-made products.
• Look for certified organic foods as much as possible.
• When Australian-made product is not available, purchase fair trade items, e.g. coffee, tea and chocolate.
• Buy products with minimal packaging, or packaging that can be recycled or reused.
• Buy one large container instead of many individually portioned ones.
• Use reusable shopping bags to reduce the number of plastic bags ending up in landfill.

Step 3. Preparing the food

• Conserve water by turning off taps when not in use.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a partially filled sink rather than under running water.
• Switch off any cooking equipment that isn't being used.
• Ensure that equipment is in good working order and that any new equipment purchased is energy efficient.

Step 4. Presenting the food

• Use jugs for drinks rather than single-serve bottles.
• Serve foods on reusable platters and plates.
• Avoid using disposable cutlery and tableware. If you need to, use products that can be recycled or are biodegradable like palm leaf plates or Green Bean eco-tableware.

Step 5. reduce, reuse, and recycle - some practical tips to managing your waste

Waste management is one of the key components of a Green Event. One of the major threats to the environment is the amount of waste produced. Australia is the second highest producer of waste per capita after the United States, sending 18 million tonnes to landfill per annum. When food is wasted, the energy and water used in producing the food is also wasted.

• Avoid over catering by confirming the number of event attendees and communicating this number to your caterer at least two weeks before the event.
• Plan to serve filtered or unfiltered tap water instead of purchasing bottled water.
• Donate food waste to compost, chicken feed or a worm farm, rather than landfill.
• Reduce packaging and try to use what has been or can be recycled.
• Reuse plastic or glass containers where possible.
• Print menus on 100% post consumer recycled paper or use a blackboard.

Step 6. Increase awareness by informing your guests that you are planning a green event

• Invite your guests in an environmentally friendly way and mention that you are planning a green event and what it means to you.
• Provide the MC with a script to explain to guests that the food choices being provided are sustainable and why you are passionate about helping to preserve the environment.

When you are interviewing caterers and or venue locations make sure they are aware of your expectations and ask if they are willing to follow the guidelines presented below to ensure your event is as friendly to the environment as possible.

Going green event checklist to go over with your caterer ✓

• Ensure you go over this catering guide with your caterer and venue coordinator.
• Send your invitations electronically or on recycled paper.
• Increase awareness by telling the guests that they are attending a green event.
• Ask the venue:
•  if  food waste and recycling bins will be provided
• to serve food on reusable platters and plates
• can they conserve water in the food preparation
• to provide separate recycling and food waste bins.
• is it possible for the food waste be donated to compost, chicken feed or a worm farm?
• to switch off unnecessary lights and power sources

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How to plan an eco friendly wedding

Often couples who plan an eco friendly wedding want to demonstrate to their family and friends, that they care about the environment and the impact that a large event like this creates and that this is the lifestyle they have chosen for themselves. But for any couple interested in planning a natural wedding, it's a good idea to start with a different frame of mind.

Most importantly - Don't Stress! Trying to make your wedding completely eco friendly may be overwhelming, but by choosing the important parts to “green up” can make all the difference. It’s not just about being the most eco friendly, it’s about working in the right direction to make a difference. In the end knowing that you have made an effort to protect the planet, is well worth it.

Here are a few eco friendly planning tips to help you get started:

Choosing A Venue

One of the first steps in wedding planning is choosing a venue. A truly sustainable ceremony might take place in a venue powered by solar panels and illuminated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, and wiped down afterwards with eco friendly cleaning products. When scouting out venues, ask how the facility handles food and drink, table settings and trash, to see if it’s done in an eco friendly way.

The best caterers for a sustainable wedding, minimise waste of resources and use locally sourced ingredients.

A list of questions to ask might be:

• Do they recycle paper, plastics, cans and glass if it can’t be done on-site. 
• Do they offer local and organic food choices. 
• Do they serve food on reusable dish ware that’s washed and reused after the event. 
• Can you provide utensils like palm leaf plates that are biodegradable in an approved commercial composting facility. 
• Do they provide condiments, beverages, sides and other items without individual packaging. 
• Do they donate left-over food scraps to an agency like OzHarvest , Second Bite , FareShare , Food Bank or other organisations that support the homeless by distributing surplus food. 

Virtual invites

Before any of this can happen, you have to alert your friends and family to your upcoming nuptials with an invitation. If you’re planning a sustainable wedding, that can mean breaking with tradition.

For traditional weddings, “the invitation is really what sets the tone for the event, often employing the upcoming wedding’s colours and motif. But more and more green-minded couples are dispensing with printed save-the-date notices and formal printed wedding invitations. One eco friendly alternative is the online invitation website Evite, which offers about 50 free wedding/engagement announcement designs that can be customised with the couple’s event information and sent out to their friends and family via email and Facebook. The guest list is updated in real time; you can opt to be notified when guests RSVP or comment, and can export your guest list to an Excel spreadsheet for easy access.

The Wedding Dress

These days, eco friendly wedding dresses are becoming more and more popular thanks to the popularity that is building on the importance of planning an eco friendly type of wedding. There are a number of wedding dress designers worldwide, who showcase a variety of wedding dresses to choose from whether you are tall and lean, voluptuous and short, petite and slim. Because of this, choices for environment friendly pieces have become aplenty, making it more competitive with non eco friendly dresses. An eco friendly fabric is charmeuse which combines hemp and silk to give a lovely sheen and wonderful drape. Hemp is grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers and wild peace silk are cocoons that are harvested only after the moths have emerged. You can find made to order dresses using this fabric at Threadhead Creations on Etsy.

The least expensive and best green option is considering a second hand gown or those dresses that are being passed from one generation to another. You may need to do a little cleaning or alterations, but a second hand gown is always the best way to stay sustainable on your wedding day. If you think these dresses are going to be cheap or tacky, think again. Websites like Preowned Wedding Dresses sell designer dresses like Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier (which retail at up to $15,000) for half price, and sometimes even less.

The Bridesmaid Dress

Bridesmaids may wear dresses they had already purchased for some other occasion or bought at vintage shops. These days there are no rules as to what to wear especially if you have the environment in mind while planning your green wedding.

The Grooms Attire

Both Groom and groomsmen are encouraged to rent rather than buy tuxedos unless the Groom is sure he will get a lot of further use out of it. If your groom has his own kind of style why not consider putting together a second hand ensemble from a thrift or vintage store.

Flowers

When you look at generations gone by, your grandmother would have chosen flowers that were handy. Give your florist a general style and colour scheme, and any flowers that you dislike, but generally allow them flexibility so they can use what's in season and readily available locally. Though local choices may be limited, it’s easy to be creative. Think out of the box and incorporate things like herbs, fruits and even vegetables, using whatever is fresh you can create an interesting and eco friendly arrangement. Being conscious of the season when planning the date can also create a positive impact. If your heart is set on a certain species choose to get married at the time of the year that particular flower will be in season. Just because strawberries are available year-round doesn't mean they taste great all year, the same goes for flowers. For something really different you could get crafty and make your bouquet out of fabric and buttons as shown on our blog.

Transportation

Carbon dioxide levels are now at 400 parts per million so consider using low-carbon transportation when the big day arrives by searching for a green alternative to your standard limo company or you could hire a Nissan Leaf or Toyota Prius to make a real eco statement. Inspire guests to leave their cars at home and hop on a bus or train instead of taking a taxi. If you simply can't arrange sustainable transport you can offset your emissions - Easy Being Green offer an all-in-one wedding carbon neutral package.

The Decor

There's no doubt that ensuring your guests are dazzled by your choice of decor, is a huge part of creating the atmosphere for your reception. Get creative, there are so many simple things you can do, even if you don't have a lot of time, rather than depleting the earth’s resources by purchasing your decor, many couples choose to rent them instead, from places such as lovestruckweddings.com.au

The Gift Registry

What on Earth do you wish for? To avoid the waste of unwanted or unnecessary gifts register for gifts that wont hurt the environment. Biome Eco Stores is a Home Body Lifestyle store that has the Planet in mind.

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Green wedding tips from Green magazine

Australian native flowers bouquet from http://blushingblooms.com.au/blog/2011/02/wedding-flowers-native-appeal/

 Thank you to Green Magazine for naming www.naturalweddings.com.au among the websites they love in the July issue feature article "Nice Day for a Green Wedding".   Below are excerpts from the article with excellent tips for planning your own walk down the green-tinged aisle.

Green Magazine found that when Prince William married Kate Middleton, the nuptials generated a whopping 6,765 tonnes of carbon dioxide. That’s 12 times the annual emissions of Buckingham Palace and more than 300 times the carbon footprint of the average wedding. Follow these tips to ensure the biggest day of your life has minimal impact on the planet...

Venue

The venue will account for 50 – 60 per cent of the total cost of your wedding, and has the potential to generate significant carbon emissions. If you’re planning a civil marriage, consider having the ceremony, photo shoot and reception at one location to save your guests’ transport miles, and their sanity.
If you’re getting married in a church, choose reception and photography venues located nearby. Even better, look for locations that are central to as many guests as possible.
For the reception, choose caterers that use locally grown, in-season, organic food and locally produced beverages where possible, and buy sustainable seafood. Or, go cruelty-free with a vego menu. “Vegetarian and vegan food take fewer resources to produce so, if you weight your menu to more vegetarian and vegan options your wedding footprint will be lower,” says Gillian Milne, director of Grassroots Productions.

Transport

How many overseas or interstate travellers are on your guest list? Transport miles are one of the biggest contributors to wedding emissions. For example, a return trip for two from London to Sydney generates about 11.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Then there’s the guests’ accommodation to consider.
If you can’t bear your grandparents or old workmates missing your special day, ask them to offset their transport emissions in lieu of a wedding gift. And for those who only need to travel across land, suggest they come by train or bus instead of plane.
Transport on the day of the wedding is also a significant emitter, but a little planning will help to reduce the environmental load. “Choose a venue with accommodation for guests onsite or nearby,” says Milne. “If there is a lack of accommodation near your venue, you can reduce individual car journeys by providing a bus service or organising carpools. If possible, track the mileage in an online survey when guests RSVP so you can offset their travel.”

Gown

Although you only wear your wedding gown once, it will live for generations in your photos. But your dress needn’t leave a lifelong eco-footprint. Your best bet is to buy a pre-worn gown from one of the many second-hand boutiques. Most are fitted out like top couture salons, so you’ll feel just as pampered in the change rooms. Alternatively, check out online shopping sites, but search locally to avoid shipping that $120 bargain from overseas. Or your mum might like to lend you her dress in the spirit of ‘something old’ and ‘something borrowed’.
If you’re set on a new gown, look for a dressmaker who will use eco-friendly fabrics, even if you need to take charge of the sourcing. Milne recommends natural biodegradable fabrics such as silk, or blends made from renewable sources such as bamboo.
After the wedding, it’s important to clean and preserve your gown. When dry cleaning your dress after the wedding, avoid the harsh chemicals normally used, such as perchloroethylene. Try www.wornonlyonce.com.au, www.savvybrides.com.au, www.idogowns.com.au and www.lovemetwice.com.au to find or sell your dream dress.
G Tip: Ask your bridesmaids to choose their own dresses in similar colours that suit their individual body shape so they'll be more likely to wear their dresses again.

Flowers

Out-of-season flowers grown in hothouses create a significant eco-footprint. And they are often transported from interstate or overseas, generating a truckload of ‘flower miles’. Milne says the most sustainable option is to choose flowers and foliage that are in season and grown locally with minimal pesticides. Use native flowers as centrepieces to reduce carbon emissions from imported flowers. Another alternative is to use potted plants around the reception and ceremony venues, which can later be planted by yourself or guests.

Stationery

From invitations and place cards to ceremony booklets and thankyou cards, wedding stationery tells the story of your nuptials.  Two of the most common certification logos to look out for with papers are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).  If you are willing to avoid using paper stationery altogether, consider designing your own wedding website. Even people without graphic design skills can master the basics of creating a site on WordPress or Blogger. Set up a personalised wedding email address to direct guests to your website and collect RSVPs. For a total of about $25, it’s a lot cheaper than customised stationery.

Gifts

A great ethical option is to nominate a charity or two that you would like to have your guests donate to in leiu of a gift. Websites such as Karma Currency (www.karmacurrency.com.au) make the whole thing easy for you.

Rings

Establishing that a gem is conflict-free can be difficult, and mining has a huge carbon footprint. Look for something old to lessen the load. A family diamond or vintage ring is a meaningful alternative. And don’t worry, it will sparkle just as brightly as a new stone.
If buying new, chose stores that are socially or environmentally aware, such as Utopian Creations (www.utopiancreations.com.au).

Bomboniere

Traditionally, sugared almonds were given to guests as a symbol of health, wealth, fertility, happiness and longevity.  “Gifts that will actually be used, or can be easily recycled or composted, make the best bomboniere,” says Milne. “Gifts that guests can eat, such as preserves, or plant in their garden are fabulous.” Try a small potted easy-to-grow herb for each guest, or homemade jams, chocolates or cookies.  Biome Eco Stores suggests a reusable item such a reusable coffee cup Keep Cup so that your guests are reminded of your union every time they reuse!

Photography

Resist the glitz and glam of proof books and choose a photographer who will provide you with digital copies of all your images, from which you can select your favourites. Avoid paper and chemicals and share all your photos easily and efficiently via email, or photo-sharing sites such as Flickr or even Facebook. Print only those images you plan to frame, send to relatives or include in an album.

Honeymoon

With so many relaxing destinations and picturesque beaches in Australia, how far do you really need to travel? “Honeymoon locally, offset your flights if necessary and choose accredited eco-tourism options,” suggests Milne. Try one of the many great eco resorts around Australia. Furthermore, consider how you’re getting to your destination. If there’s an option to travel by land rather than flying, it will significantly lower your impact.

Cake

In the age of four-tiered masterpieces, Marie Antoniette has a lot to answer for. How much cake will your guests actually eat? Aim for one small piece per guest plus a small portion for you to save for your first anniversary or the birth of your first child. And if tradition isn’t your thing, don’t worry about saving a portion for yourself. Alternatively, do cupcakes that then double up as your bomboniere.

Top tip

It is very important to consider the life cycle of the products you choose,” says Gillian Milne, director of Grassroots Productions. “What are they made of and how were they made? Are they useful? Can they be reused or recycled; will they biodegrade or go straight in the bin? Apply this thinking as you plan and you will reduce the eco-footprint of your wedding naturally.

Resources
www.grassrootsproductions.com.au
Professional events management with personal bespoke wedding planning services.
www.theorganiccupcake.com
Organic cupcakes with options to satisfy everyone’s sweet-tooth.
www.australseedlings.com.au
Organic seedlings that’ll grow into useful gifts for your guests.
Natural Weddings Australian green wedding directory
Ideas and advice, including a green gift registry & mineral makeup tips.
www.organicpassioncatering.com
Organic vegan and vegie cuisine, using the best natural ingredients.

In the article "Nice Day for a Green Wedding" you will also find a case study of a real life couple!

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