Little things that matter

I try to be very conscientious of our environment. Re-purpose, recycle, re-use, rei-nvent, I find myself purchasing things that I can multi-use. This is a trend that we hold to strongly in the Northwest. As we've been on a GREEN WEDDING kick lately, there are a number of things you can do that are clever and environmentally friendly for your wedding.

I love the idea of  http://www.weddings.myevent.com/1/accept_donations.htm On this site, you can set up your own wedding website, keep everyone informed and guests can give monetary wedding gifts. You can then donate a portion of your gifts to your favorite charity. Another great idea is to take canned food donations at your wedding for your local food bank. There are many ways to utilize your wedding as a way to give back.

I ran across a great idea for wedding favors on your tables. Instead of having cut flowers, try potting fresh herbs in little terracotta post for each of your guests and putting their name on a plastic pick (you can find bio-degradable plastic picks for gardening, so eco-friendly.)

                                         
Your guests will have a plantable favor to take home. You can also have little note cards on the table with the symbolism of each herb. Here are a few that are easy to come by.

Rosemary :  rememberance, fidelity, love, loyalty
Marjoram: joy happiness
Chamomile: energy in adversity, patience, long life, wisdom
Lavender: housewifely virtue, acknowledgement
Parsley: useful knowledge, feast, joy, victory
Thyme: activity, bravery, courage, strength
Sage: wisdom, long life, esteem immortality, esteem
Ivy: patience, fidelity, undying love, eternal life
Pansy: happy thoughts, meditation

You can also use a caterer that uses local products. Ask them if they use farmer markets and if they use organic products.

Offer your guests a non-alcoholic alternative such as an 'herbal cooler,' from a company in Eugene, http://www.herbaljunctionelixirs.com/junset.htm, these coolers are a naturally effervescent herbal beverage rich in enzymes and B vitamins.Give your guests an energy boost for all that dancing! A smoothie bar might also be a good alternative too.

Take a eco-honeymoon. You can find sustainable resorts locally, such as Sunriver Resort in Bend. Oregon is one of the most environmentally friendly states working hard to protect our natural resources. Discover what is in your own back yard!. My husband and I spent several weekends in Central Oregon rock hounding for thunder eggs, we went to the lava tunnels, the obsidian flow, hiking and fishing the Deschutes River and many reservoirs. The enjoyment we got out of being together and discovering the diversity in our state is a memory that stays with me and my husband. We are always looking for new things to discover in the Northwest.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle - I always make sure to have a recycling station set up for any event I am hosting. Make sure everything is labeled clearly!

Have fun incorporating some green ideas into your wedding. You will then be starting your new life creating a better healthier world for your future.

I cant' leave my dog to go to a wedding!

Our pets are such an important part of our lives. We spoil them terribly just like our children. What to do with our pets is often a delima when traveling. Planning ahead is important. If you are having out of town guests that travel with their pets, help them make travel plans by researching pet friendly options in your area.

When looking for lodging, ask about pet friendly policies. Find out if there is a weight or size limit, additional cost or deposits. Where the nearest dog park is located. The Northwest has may hotels that cater to pet owners, even offering doggy spas and nutritional snacks.

You will also want to find some doggy daycare options. I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and the brides mom had a hard time between helping her daughter and checking on her beloved pup that was patiently waiting out in the car. It is best to make reservations ahead of time with the facility and find out what records are required. Most facilites will require current shot records, and kennel cough vaccinations. Getting any forms filled out before traveling will make preparations much easier for your guests.

It may seem like extra work, but in the long run it will be worth it for your pet loving guests and the pets will be happier too.

Here are a few links to check out.

Daycare

http://www.bendpetresort.net/

http://www.noahsarf.com/about_pet_day_care.php

http://www.mthoodpetresort.com/

www.countrysidepetspa.com

Pet Friendly Hotels

http://www.vintageplaza.com/

http://www.jupiterhotel.com/

www.oxfordhotelbend.com/

Who to INVITE?

As I have not received an invite to the Royal Wedding yet, I must be a "B" lister. I have some quick hints at developing your list.

I have been helping my niece with her wedding and that can be quite the task at times. One of the lengthy discussions we have had is 'who to invite?' We have a very large family that easily puts the guest list at 100, that's without adding in any family friends or the Grooms list. My niece could not see why all these people should be invited. She envisions are smaller, more intimate event. So we/she started laying the ground rules.

First we created an "A" list. These are the people closest to the Bride and Groom, next comes the "B" list, the people we will invite after RSVP's come back and we still have space. Now don't be offended by the idea of two lists. Part if the decision process is relationship to the Bride and Groom and of course the dreaded budget. So, its a matter of practicality. The "A" list invites went out about 8 weeks before the date. The average attendance is about 85%.  The "B" list invites are going out about 3 weeks before the date.

Some guidelines to live by:

1. No ex-boyfriends or girlfriends
2. No long lost family/friends
3. No heavy drinkers that get out of hand
4. No people you are on the "outs" with

Just remember, IT'S YOUR WEDDING! Have fun planning.

Brides Choice Awards

Premier Bride is so pleased to announce our first annual Brides Choice Awards. We want to honor  professionals in the wedding industry that made you feel like Cinderella. Word of mouth can go along way and this is one way to give your fav's a big thumbs up for all their hard work.

This is like the Academy Awards for Wedding Professionals. Become a part of the academy panel .
Just click on the link below and cast your vote;

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fspreadsheets.google.com%2Fviewform%3Fformkey%3DdHpkekhHSVNEaHFJUHpKZVhodGw5WVE6MQ&h=ff7f6

2011 Summer Color Trends

Planning a wedding is so much fun now. Brides are breaking all the rules that have been set in place by years of tradition. At my cousins wedding the groom and groomsmen walked in to the theme of Star Wars. How cute is that. They wanted to have fun not only at the reception, but during the ceremony too!

The mixing and matching of colors has become very cool. Color combinations you never thought would work together are creating festive backgrounds and center pieces. Here are some of the hottest combos for Summer 2011!

Hot Pink and Navy
Diamond Blue and Coral
Purple, Teal Blue, Emerald Green, and Gold
Peapod Green, Blue, and Mocha Brown
Black and Apple Red
Gold, Mauve, and Blush Pink
Lavender and Sky Blue and Mocha Brown
Red and Blush Pink
Sky Blue, Light Coral Orange, and Light Yellow
Warm Gray and any Pink or Coral or Blue or Purple
Rustic Brown and Pink
Lavender and Silver

Be bold, daring and most of all have fun picking your colors.

xoxoxo

P.
www.pboregon.com

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