May 27, 2008

Sarah & Paul

We're all thinking hugely positive thoughts for Sarah and Paul's wedding this Saturday and watching the weather anxiously because even though nothing will dampen their love, or the day itself, a little bit of sunshine will warm everyone's cockles.

Sarah, a homeopath and course co-ordinator and her partner Paul, an orthodontist live on the beautiful North Devon coast with their three sons Ben, Toby and Harry. They’ve chosen to have a truly local and eco friendly wedding by conducting a spiritual woodland wedding ceremony at Coombe Farm near Tiverton, where they will be joined by family and friends for a mini festival celebration of camping, local food, flowers and music.

Sarah says: “We wanted to have a green wedding because that’s generally the way we live our lives anyway. We like to avoid excess, we’re not big consumers and we want to minimise our impact on the environment. The wedding industry is so full of wastage. It’s not good for the world and it’s not good for us. We’re not being evangelical about it but we have three children and we are aware of our impact on their future.

Our wedding is just one small thing, but think of the impact and the number of people we could influence by setting an example.” And instead of having a wedding gift list, their guests are being encouraged to offset the carbon miles they have generated to attend the wedding by paying for trees to be planted by the Woodland Trust.

Keeping the local theme, Sarah's engagement ring was made specially for her by April Doubleday, a British Designer/Maker of contemporary, fair trade and ethical jewellery who also lives on, and gets her inspiration from, the North Devon Coast. The image above shows examples of April's fabulous new collection of Ethical Wedding Rings.

Posted in Green Wedding Jewellery , Natural Nuptials

May 26, 2008

A Very Green Union

Next weekend GreenUnion's eco chic couple Sarah and Paul are joyously tying the knot. They’ve chosen Coombe Farm near Tiverton as their wedding venue, where they will have a spiritual woodland ceremony joined by family and friends. Coombe is an organic farm and woodland and the beautifully renovated 17th Century thatched Cider and Threshing Barn, with its fields and woods, offers a very special place to throw a green wedding.

The image, courtesy of Coombe Farm Woodlands is of the newly thatched barn which is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies - as close as you can get to having your wedding ceremony in the great outdoors...

We'll be posting Sarah and Paul's story here on the blog over the coming week, but here's a list of some of the people who are playing a huge part in their celebratons.

Venue - Coombe Farm Woodlands
Jewellery designer - April Doubleday
Tents, lighting & music - Over the Moon Tents & Events
Dress - Wendy Kauffman - email her at wkauffman@hotmail.com

Posted in Green Wedding Inspiration , Venues

May 14, 2008

Sample Sale Season Takes Off!

Not only has the wedding season taken off but so has the sample sale season. The very best of the bunch coming up is Fashion Made Fair.

Ethical, sustainable, fair trade and eco brands, showcasing their current collections, samples and past seasons stock direct to the public at special event prices of up to 80% off retail prices! The best pioneering ethical brands the UK has to offer will be there including our partners Enamore, a creative fashion label producing beautiful clothing, lingerie and accessories from organic and sustainable fabrics. Their collections are currently produced in the UK from the finest organic hemp, soya, cotton, silk and hand selected vintage fabrics. Enamore makes a delightful range of ethical wedding lingerie for all those eco chic brides planning to throw a green wedding. No excuse you can be green right down to your knickers on your wedding day!

This flagship event will also have an organic café and bar, complementary therapies, talks and workshops, films and childrens area with arts and crafts and face painting – so is much more than just a clothing sale!

Starts tomorrow:

Fashion Made Fair
15th - 18th May 2008
Boilerhouse,
The Old Truman Brewery,
152 Brick Lane,
London, E1 6RU

Posted in Green Wedding News , Shoes & Accessories

May 09, 2008

Wedding breakfast inspiration

Are you spending the weekend planning for your ethical wedding this time next year?

Here's a little seasonal foodie inspiration for your eco friendly wedding menu:

'Tis the season for asparagus, globe artichokes, broad beans, spinach, beetroot, radishes, broccoli, peas, horseradish, runner beans, fennel, Cornish earlies, spring onions, lettuce, stawberries and cream, gooseberries, cherries, rhubarb, elderflowers, spring lamb, wood pigeon, line-caught sea bass, lobster, halibut, john dory, herring, plaice, lemon sole, crab, line-caught mackerel, pollack and sardines.

If you're not sure how to find someone to source and dish up a delicious seasonal feast then look no further than our directory of Caterers, Food and Drink.

Tuck in and enjoy a feast of locally grown seasonal British food!

Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , Inspiration

May 06, 2008

Fair trade gold? World Fair Trade Day 10 May

Saturday 10 May 2008

The Sussex Fair Trade Network, Cred Jewellery and Ethical Weddings are teaming up to put on an all-day event for World Fair Trade Day 2008 to include stalls, speakers and debate!

When: Saturday 10 May

Midday - 2pm: fair trade stalls and information stands

2 - 3pm: Speaker event raising awareness of the social and environmental issues surrounding gold and diamonds (going beyond conflict or blood diamonds) and the route towards fair trade accreditation that Greg Valerio of Cred Jewellery has been spearheading. Greg will be talking about his experiences to date and what future he sees for fair trade gold and diamonds; he is likely to be joined by another key speaker from the fair trade world. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

3 - 4.45pm: Ethical business networking session

Where: The Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton

http://www.sftn.org.uk

Posted in Green Wedding News