March 20, 2009

Because she's worth it

Did you forget it's mother's day this Sunday? Have you been snowed under with all that wedding planning, so focused on sounding your Mum out about all the things on your to-do list. Things like your wedding budget, meetings with your green wedding florist, finding the perfectly ethical wedding dress and eco friendly caterer. You've been wondering how to find the ideal wedding venue - countryside, coast, historical house or chic city. Maybe you're still not sure what eco wedding stationery to choose and want Mum to help you decide.

Perhaps you're only just starting out and you and your fiance are looking for a perfectly ethical engagement ring and wedding jewellery - planning to find them this weekend.

Well spare a little time for your Mum, she's worth it. If you didn't get round to ordering her a mother's day gift, then a little bunch of seasonal flowers will speak a million words. Get out tomorrow morning, take a walk around the garden and pick a few blooms or buy a little bunch at your local florist or farmers market, your Mum will be charmed!

And if you're just a little curious and want to know more about the ethics of buying a bouquet on Mother's day, there's an great article on the subject by Amy Stewart over at the Guardian.

Happy sunny spring weekend!

Image courtesy of Snapdragon Garden

Posted in Green Wedding Flowers , Inspiration

March 18, 2009

A venue decorator with a difference!

When Emma from Pebble in the Pond contacted me about joining GreenUnion I had to ask her why her wedding stylist and decoration service considered itself 'planet friendly'. Her response was very convincing:

'we love supporting local artists and those lucky enough to be blessed with green fingers. We much prefer to use natural or organic products to those shipped in from afar. We’re busy collecting beautiful crockery, linens and glass from bygone eras and it goes without saying, we make sure that anything that can be is recycled and replanted.'

Wherever possible they:

* support local suppliers and use local products
* use recycled/reclaimed/renewable materials
* choose organic or fairtrade products
* use eco-friendly laundering services
* contribute 5% of all profits to environmental charities (charity to change on a periodic basis)

On top of that they do all the boring stuff too:

* offset all our petrol miles
* print on recycled materials, and where possible use vegetable or soya inks
* use Co-operative business banking

Although all that sounds very worthy, they're not willing to compromise on elegance, style or inspiration when setting the scene for your perfect day.

So if you're throwing a green wedding in the Manchester area and you're looking for some inspiring wedding decorations or just prefer to have a venue decorator come and do it all for you then contact Pebble in the Pond for a chat.

By the way they also supply gorgeous green wedding favours too and will be launching their gift service soon. In the meantime contact info@pebble-in-the-pond.co.uk or call Emma on 07538 176829 for more information on their gifts and wedding favours.

Posted in Green Wedding Decorations & Details , Gifts & Favours , Inspiration

March 16, 2009

Stuck for a Mother's Day Gift?

Mother's Day is this Sunday 22nd March and there's still time to get a gift for your mum or mother-in-law to show how much you appreciate them.

Find plenty of gorgeous gifts in our Eco Chic Boutique.

Don't forget how important your Mum and Mum-in-Law are on the run up to your gorgeous green wedding. Support, friendship, experience, maturity - all great assets to tap into when planning the big day.

If you're still thinking of that little gift, don't delay any longer, to get your gift there by the weekend you need to order soon!

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Gifts & Favours , Inspiration

March 10, 2009

Fabulous new wedding venue!

We think you'll love this fabulous new wedding venue - Clavelshay Barn in Somerset.

Nestling in its own private valley, Clavelshay is set in a beautiful, peaceful and tranquil rural setting. The traditional stone barn which was built around 1700, was simply and sympathetically converted by the owners using natural materials and the oak flooring in the restaurant, cedar staircase and window sills are all made with wood from the farm. The spectacular elm roof beams are original and still have wooden pegs in the joints!

A perfect background for those ever special wedding photographs.

Somerset grows and produces some of the best food in the country and the Clavelshay kitchen is totally committed to selecting the very best local growers and suppliers for the food it serves, including the farm's own home-reared beef. Bread is baked daily and even the water on the table is from the farm's own spring.

Although the Barn only seats 50 wedding guests, there is ample space outside for a marquee or tent that can accommodate up to 100 guests.

You might think it a drawback that Clavelshay doesn't have a civil wedding license but this shouldn't be a problem if you are happy to get wed in the local registry office and then hold your reception at the Barn. Make a day of it and bus your guests from the ceremony to the reception in an old charabang!

Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , Venues

March 04, 2009

Your votes count for Pai

Pai Camellia & Rose Cleanser (featured in our Boutique) has been shortlisted for a UK Beauty Award. We're certainly not surprised - it's the best!

The winner is chosen by public vote which isn't always great for a small brand up against the biggest names in the beauty industry.

So...please, please, please vote for them, this beautiful little company with a big heart needs all the support they can get. It only takes two secs. And get all your colleagues, friends and family voting too!

If you're not sure what Pai Camellia & Rose Cleanser is like why not try it - you can buy it in our Boutique.

Posted in Green Wedding Beauty, Hair & Makeup , Press

March 03, 2009

Eco-luxe wedding gowns that won't cost the earth

GreenUnion's offering brides a new and exclusive range of ready-to-wear eco-luxe designer wedding dresses that boast ethical credentials as long as your arm.

Tammam White is a unique bridal collection of eco-luxe designer wedding gowns created and hand crafted in House of Tammam's fair trade atelier in India. The wedding dresses are made with exclusively developed luxury eco fabrics including organic-certified wild peace silk, sustainable bamboo satin, and 100% organic fair trade cotton satin jacquard and linings.

Created with the bride's budget in mind the five piece range includes a hand embellished fishtail gown, a layered gown with detachable skirt, a simple cotton satin dress with silk sash, a full length coat dress and a satin cape. Prices range from £300 to £1100.

Click here to find out more and pre-order now for end March delivery.

Posted in Green Wedding Dresses & Gowns , Shop

March 02, 2009

Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show

Ethical Weddings and GreenFinder invite you to their first ever Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show on Sunday 8 March.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Show is a chance for you to meet ethical and green wedding and home suppliers who will tempt you into stylish sustainability with everything from organic cup cakes to a bicycle made for seven.

The lovely Jen Marsden, author of the Green Guide for Weddings will also be on hand to share her top tips for a gorgeous, glam and green wedding.

And if that wasn't enough, we have 2 for 1 tickets for all GreenUnion readers making it just £4 each.

To take advantage of this offer, quote ‘greenunion’ when booking online at www.ecochicweddingandhomeshow.com or by phone on 0121 454 1860

Posted in Green Wedding Events