Inlu.com is the brainchild of two Burlington-based moms who are tired of “too much stuff”. The earth-friendly site promotes streamlined giving with the motto “less stuff, more love” and collects gift monies from your guests in lieu of excessive gifts (get it?… Inlu!) for your wedding, birthday or special event to put toward your favorite charitable cause or to purchase a group gift you really need…like a house or a honeymoon!…or you can invite them to do both! Forget the bar-code gun at the big box stores and get something good. Check out their site here for more info and view sample Inlu invitations!
Posts Tagged ‘Eco-chic’
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2010April is Greener Wedding Awareness Month
Friday, April 30th, 2010April has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t keep Greener Wedding Awareness Month in mind the rest of the year. With a huge oil spill off the Louisiana coast this week I think there is no denying that we have room for improvement in the earth-friendly department!
There are Earth “days” and it’s nice that this month has been a time for folks to start walking the greener walk, but keeping these principles in mind in all aspects of our lives from weddings to grocery shopping to water consumption to pesticides and power useage is what being earth-friendly is truly about. Eco-chic weddings are IN…don’t ya know?!
Tomorrow, May 1st, is Green Up Vermont Day! Although it snowed about a foot earlier this week there is hardly a trace of it now (unless you’re in the mountains!) and it should be a nice weekend for greening-up VT!
It’s easy being green.
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010“…But green’s the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like a mountain
Or important like a river
Or tall like a tree…
I am green, and it’ll do fine
It’s beautiful, and I think it’s what I want to be.” -Kermit the Frog, It’s Not Easy Being Green
Different shades of green weddings are painted by different levels of eco-aware couples. While some may feel certain efforts to reduce and re-use can be put on hold for a wedding day, others may want to make an extra effort to minimize waste and reflect the importance of environmental awareness in their own lives. For truly eco-chic couples it’s a chance to make a statement about what is important to you while investing in a sustainable future on the day you start a new future together. Continuing with our “green” theme of the week here are a few simple steps you can take to make an eco-statement:
Tell your guests how much you care about your impact on the environment.
Use only local foods (like the localvores do!) and Vermont based vendors.
Don’t select a site that requires you to bring in absolutely everything you will need.
Provide a way for guests to identify their glasses and have your bartender & waitstaff ask if they would like to re-use their glass.
Pick a mid-late summer weekend when local plants are in bloom and evenings are likely to be cooler to reduce energy usage.
Plan an afternoon wedding with a reception ending around sunset to minimize the amount of electrical lighting you’ll need.
Ask your guests to carpool or provide transportation for them.
Be flexible with your flower choices. Local organic flower availability varies in the summer months and it can be difficult to predict exactly when certain flowers will be in bloom. Rainy springs/summers can delay blooming dates and those lily-of-the-valley or zinnia just may be a week or so behind. Prioritize a few favorite flowers and be flexible with the rest!
Eco-chic Vermont Weddings
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010No matter what shade of green suits you every couple could use a few good eco-friendly wedding tips. When planning your Vermont wedding I think you should try to not only reduce your negative impact on the environment, but also maximize the positive aspects of holding your wedding here by focusing on local foods and savoring the seasonal opportunities Vermont has to offer, as well as taking advantage of the many talented and capable wedding vendors throughout the state. The spectrum of green weddings ranges from fashion-forward eco-couture events with an intentionally small guest list and seasonal localvore ingredients to casual, tented affairs with DIY details and a vegan meal option, but you’ll find many shades of green in between.
Here are 10 easy ways you can reduce the environmental impact of your wedding whether your style is earthy or eco-chic:
Try to work with the season when selecting colors, flowers and décor by incorporating local, seasonal blooms to reduce or eliminate pesticide use/presence and allow for a more natural overall feeling.
Support Vermont farms and industries by incorporating local meats, cheeses, chocolates, wine, beer, maple syrup, coffees & teas, sodas and apple cider into your menu.
Hold the ceremony and reception at same location to reduce gas consumption & pollution.
Select lodging near the wedding location to minimize travel.
Use recycled paper printed with soy based ink for wedding stationery…Oh, and don’t forget cocktail napkins…or look for plantable paper for invitations, favor tags and thank you notes!
Rent items for the big day such as centerpiece containers, china, glassware and silverware.
Plan a sit down meal instead of a buffet to reduce food waste, extra plates, etc.
Use soy, beeswax or palm wax candles with cotton wicks.
Make a donation to your favorite charity as a favor for attending your wedding or in lieu of registering for gifts.
Go “greenhouse neutral” by offsetting carbon emissions for your wedding day at carbonneutral.com.
Try at least one of these tips for your Vermont wedding to make an environmental effort. Use 5-7 of these tips and your dedication to the green movement starts to pick up momentum. Incorporate 8-10 tips into your planning and your eco-chic efforts will be duly noted–on 100% recycled paper, of course!
Green, nature-inspired wedding flowers
Monday, February 15th, 2010Whether you are planning an environmentally friendly green wedding or are moved by nature-inspired designs there are many shades of green you can consider for your wedding. I tend to be drawn toward designs that feel natural and, even though my spellcheck doesn’t recognize it as a word, Vermonty. Consider doing at least one eco-friendly element for your wedding–if not more! This inspiration board includes green & nature-inspired designs and place card displays.
