Gorgeous Green Weddings in Wiltshire - at last!

We're absolutely delighted to announce that the long wait is over for Winkworth Farm's brand new green wedding venue. Set to throw open its doors at the beginning of August, Winkworth Farm is embarking on a new chapter in its life as a premier eco-friendly venue for weddings, offering the highest quality service that doesn’t cost the earth.

Set in over 220 acres of organic pastureland, Winkworth Farm strongly believes in supporting the local economy whilst using the latest green technology to reduce its Carbon footprint. The 12th century farmstead has been lovingly renovated by local builders and craftsmen to embrace its ancient past and introduce environmentally friendly modern technology.

No expense has been spared when considering the earth’s future and being green doesn’t mean sub standards here. Energy efficient heating and audio visual equipment has been deployed and even the hand dryers are green and locally sourced!

Not only are they good to the environment but they believe is being good to the community so for every wedding or event held a donation is made to Oxfam Unwrapped and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute.

Further details and a brochure can be downloaded from: www.winkworthfarm.com

Posted in Green Wedding Ethical Vendors , Events , Venues

Ethical pearls on sale!

Mai Pearls is throwing a sizzling summer sale for the next 72 hours so if you haven't already chosen the jewellery for your upcoming green wedding, take time out to search the pearl chest for fabulous bargains!

All the pearls used within the Mai Pearls collection are Chinese farmed freshwater pearls and each piece of jewellery is handmade by a small group of mainland Chinese women. Mai Pearls supports fair trade and local community initiatives. This means that they ensure their suppliers are paid fair wages for their work; working conditions are safe and of a good standard and no children are exploited.

Mai Pearls also gives 10% of it's profits to Operation Blessings, Chinese orphan care program.

For more information and to take advantage of this great summer offer go to www.maipearls.co.uk.

Posted in Green Wedding Ethical Vendors , Events , Jewellery

Fair trade jewellery on show

We're celebrating the very first international collective show of the best designers in the emerging ethical jewellery movement.

ESSENCE, hosted by CRED, is a space set aside to showcase a group of designers who share the vision that sustainable products do not have to sacrifice design or quality and are committed to sourcing all their materials and managing their business in a way that is socially, environmentally and culturally responsible.

ESSENCE is part of the Treasure exhibition, a centrepiece for London Jewellery Week, and is showcasing leading ethical jewelry designers including GreenUnion partners April Doubleday, Leblas and CRED's own stunning designer collections made from Oro Verde Fair Trade gold and platinum, recycled silver plus a range of jewellery from 6 emerging student designers from London Metropolitan University. All these dedicated and committed ethical jewellers offer stunning bridal collections and prices start from just £20.

SPECIAL OFFER!
Contact CRED by email or phone 01243 773588 to claim a 2 for 1 voucher for entrance to the show.

Posted in Green Wedding Conflict Free , Ethical Vendors , Events , Fair Trade , Jewellery

Generous jewellery offer for World Fair Trade Day

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day this Saturday 8th May by choosing some great fashion picks from CRED Jewellery.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to get a fair deal from one of our favourite fair trade jewellers. CRED Jewellery are offering an amazing 20% off on their Silver collections and 10% off on their Fair Trade Gold collections for this weekend only.

To take part in CRED's World Fair Trade Day Promotion just shop on line.

PLEASE NOTE: the full price will show on checkout but you will find the discount has been calculated and confirmed on your confirmation email. If you are unsure just phone 01243 773588 or email info@credjewellery.com to place your order.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Jewellery , Special Offers

Win a luxury honeymoon!

LIVING TV's really popular hit show ‘Four Weddings’ is back and they are looking for more brides-to-be to attend and score each other’s weddings.

They are particularly looking for a couple planning to throw a green wedding sometime between May and November 2010 who would like to feature in the third series due out early in 2011.

The idea is that each wedding will be scored, by the other couples, on the venue, the food, the overall experience and of course, the dress. The couple that score the highest will win the luxury honeymoon of their dreams!

We think this is a great opportunity for couples choosing the eco friendly option to get the message out that there is another way to get wed, instead of plumping for that old cookie cutter wedding. What's more, if your wedding scores the highest out of the four then you will win a luxury honeymoon.

To find out more visit www.livingtv.co.uk/fourweddings

And if you are interested in taking part visit www.livingtv.co.uk/shows/four-weddings/apply-for-season-three or please call 020 7157 3596 or email 4weddings@itv.com with your wedding date, phone number, wedding theme, a bit of info about you and your partner and anything else you think they should know.

Hurry they are casting now! Don't forget to tell them that you found out about the show from us here at GreenUnion.

Lots of luck!

Posted in Green Wedding Events , News , Special Offers

Celebrate Earth Day!

Get out of the office, home or workplace, walk in the sunshine, look around you and smell the fresh spring air. Look at the flowers, listen to the birds.

Make a pledge to do just one thing today that will make a difference ...

Enjoy!

Posted in Green Wedding Events , News , Seasonal Celebrations

Vintage wedding event

Don't miss this fabulously glamorous vintage wedding event with Luella's Boudoir to be held in Central London.

They are showcasing loads of lovely wedding suppliers like our favourite wedding cake maker Utterly Sexy Cafe. There's a wedding planner, a stylist and plenty of beauty experts on hand to offer advice for the big day. See the best of bridal accessories, jewellery, hats and shoes - a lot of which are designed and hand made right here in the UK by skilled designer makers.

What? Luella's Boudoir Vintage Wedding Event
Where? One Marylebone (opposite Great Portland Street tube station) in London W1
When? April 21st 2010 from 6 till 9 pm
How Much? £10 - but Luella's Boudoir are offering our readers 2 tickets for the price of 1.
Just tel. 020 7312 3708 or email weddingevents@natmags.co.uk and quote luellas 2 for 1
For more information visit their website luellasboudoir.co.uk

Posted in Green Wedding Events

Green wedding open day in Kent - 21st March 2010

Still haven't found your perfect wedding venue?

Well gorgeous green award winning wedding venue and idyllic destination, Pines Calyx in Kent is throwing open its doors on Sunday 21st March to show off how greening your wedding can be a good thing for you and for the environment. It could be just the place for your romantically eco-inspired wedding.

Go along and meet their wedding coordinator and preferred suppliers, take a walk and enjoy a glass of wine in the beautiful gardens surrounding the Pines Calyx which has a lake, sweeping lawns and stunning sea views.

What? Wedding Venue Open Day
When? Sunday 21st March 2010, 11am till 4pm
Where? Pines Calyx, St. Margaret's Bay, Kent, CT15 6DZ
How much? Free admission

For more information on the wedding venue and their open day please visit their website pinescalyx.co.uk or telephone them on 01304 851 737.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Venues

RSA Wedding Open House

The dedicated team at the RSA are delighted to be throwing open the doors of the House to showcase their fantastic facilities for Weddings and Civil Partnerships.

Located in the heart of London, the RSA House’s Georgian façade conceals many unexpected delights of contemporary and traditional architecture. Whether you seek the inspiring grandeur of the Great Room or the intimacy of a candlelit ceremony in the Vaults, the RSA really is the most ideal wedding venue in the heart of London if you are planning memorable wedding day.

You won't know just how fabulous this wedding venue is unless you go along and meet the team and their suppliers on Sunday 28th February 2010.

Find out more about one of London’s best kept secrets.

Contact weddings@rsa.org.uk, T: 020 7451 6815 or visit their website www.theRSA.org to find out more.

What? Open House
Where? RSA House, London WC2
When? Sunday 28th February 2010

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Venues

Forever Green Wedding Fair

If you're planning to wed in Nottinghamshire then you might find some great ideas at Forever Green's Wedding Fair at the end of February.

Romantically surrounded by 70 acres of woodland, the show is set to be a special one. You'll find live wedding music, wedding fashion shows, bucks fizz on arrival and fantastic goodie bag give aways.

Plus all the advice you could need from a top range of wedding exhibitors who can help you create the perfect wedding day.

What? Wedding Fair
When? Sunday 28th February 2010, 10 am to 4 pm
Where? Forever Green, Near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

For more information about Forever Green go to their website and for information on the wedding fair you can download their visitor brochure from their site.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , News

A Valentines Day Gift of Health

Give your Valentine a wonderful gift of health with a two day's Food and Health Course an Penrhos' Green Cuisine Cookery School. Get a head start on your new married life by learning all about the nourishing food that gives you Health & Vitality.

It's a practical course suitable for anyone wanting to learn how their choice of foods determines their health, well being and quality of life. Participants prepare their meals from whole, fresh, organically grown and seasonal food.

The course covers:
Organic growing - exploring our relationship with agriculture
The effect of food on the acid and alkaline balance in the body
The importance of whole-foods
The benefits of juicing
Sprouting and windowsill growing
How to incorporate the right fats in your diet
How natural wholefoods help restore weight balance & create radiance
Vibrant sprouting & the benefits to your health
and includes yoga one morning and a walk in the Radnor hills on the other morning.

Dishes you prepare are seasonal but may include:
Springclean juice
Vitality smoothie
Beetroot soup
Sprouted quinoa salad
Oatcakes and soda bread
Tagine of butternut squash, carrot and prunes
Puy lentils with yogurt and curry spices
Millet rissoles with spicy sauce
Cranberry and almond cake
Cashew nut cream

Two-day residential course costs £325.00 per person and includes:
Single accommodation in double en suite bedroom, tuition, talks, all meals and course notes.

For two people sharing a room on the Food and Health course, there is a discount of £40 per person.
A non-participating partner sharing a room during a Food and Health course pays £50 per night.
Penrhos will provide a continental breakfast for the non-participant in the room and they can join the course for supper.

And to celebrate Valentine's Penrhos' extra gift to you is a bottle of organic Champagne

For more details email Jean at jean@greencuisine.org or tel. 01544 230720

Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , Events

Christmas wreath making fun

Favourite florists Rebel Rebel will be joining in the festive frolics at Broadway Market in London with their own Christmas wreath-making workshops.

Everyone is welcome to try all sorts of different styles, from traditional pine and dried fruit numbers to feather boas and sweeties, like a winter version of this fluffy summer wreath.

Rebel Santa will be on hand with heaps of help and advice......

Broadway Market’s late night shopping evenings are on the next two Thursdays December 10th and 17th.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Flowers , Seasonal Celebrations

The ultimate vintage wedding dress

Who wouldn't want to wear a vintage wedding dress designed for Audrey Hepburn?

Lot 333, the ivory satin bridal gown designed for Audrey for her planned wedding to James Hanson in 1952 which never took place, is part of a collection of dresses worn by Audrey Hepburn, to be auctioned off in London on December 8 by Kerry Taylor Auctions.

Posted in Green Wedding Dresses & Gowns , Events , News

Wedding fair in Nantwich - 15 November 2009

The Crown Hotel in Nantwich is hosting a Wedding Fair on 15 November from 11am - 4pm.

Entrance to the Fayre is free of charge and there will also be refreshments served throughout the day.

If you're planning to throw your wedding in Cheshire soon, this is the place to come a find wedding ideas and accessories from some fantastic local suppliers.

For more information visit crownhotelnantwich.com, email info@crownhotelnantwich.com or Tel. 01270 625283

What? Bridal Fayre
Where? The Crown Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5AS
When? Sunday 15th November 2009 - 11am to 4pm

Posted in Green Wedding Events

Learn how to arrange your wedding flowers

Fantastic floral arranger Sarah Pepper has just published her winter flower arranging course list and she's offering some great ideas for those wanting to know how to arrange their own seasonal wedding flowers themselves.

Festive foliage door wreaths, garlands, 'green' Christmas decorations, table arrangements and Christmas gifting (recycling and making inexpensive gifts and decorations) are all on the list of fun days with Sarah. There's a choice of flower arranging courses both at her own studio and also at several National Trust Properties and venues around Devon.

And if you're planning ahead, Sarah offers a choice of other courses and demonstrations throughout the year:

Wedding Design Demonstrations - A whole day to see Sarah making stylish bridal bouquets, buttonholes, wedding table arrangements and more. Sarah's top tips will inspire you to 'have a go'.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Flowers , Hens & Stags

Get baking!

On the second day of National Baking Week it seems absolutely appropriate to encourage all you brides out there to contemplate making your own wedding cake, or at least asking a close friend or relative to have a go.

Images from BBC Good Food.

If you follow a good recipe and have a trial run, you'll find its really not all that difficult to make a delicious and gorgeously decorated cake to grace your wedding reception. The great thing about making your own is that you can choose to use only the best, if not organic, ingredients and you know exactly what's gone into it.

Although I love baking and make cakes quite a bit I had never made a celebration cake until earlier this year when I was 'volunteered' to make my mother-in-law's 80th birthday cake. You can imagine the terror and nightmares that ensued! But I enjoyed every moment of the making, testing and tasting once I had decided to make a one tier zingy lemon cake with polka dot decoration. And I was pretty pleased with the result!

BBC Good Food has a really good wedding cake recipe by Jane Hornby. There's the bottom layer of chocolate cake, the middle layer of zingy lemon cake and the top layer of light fruit cake with a special section on how to put the whole thing together and ice it. There is everything you need with size guides for guest numbers, quantities, timings, step by step pictures and video tutorials too. Its so well laid out that even a beginner could make a fabulous wedding cake from scratch.

You could decide to make all three cake flavours, choose just one flavour, make a three tier, two tier or one tier cake depending on the number of guests you are having at your wedding reception.

You can't go wrong, give it a go!

Posted in Green Wedding Cakes , Events

The Designer Wedding Show

Once again, this weekend, the Designer Wedding Show will be taking place in Battersea Park, and they're promising an even better show than previous years.

First timers will be showing their collections alongside established bridal designers in the bridal catwalk shows taking place four times a day. This is the place to catch up on hot trends (like this one inspired by Nature) and spot talented new wedding providers and services, showcasing products which are often created right here in the UK by skilled designers and makers.

Only the cream of the crop is chosen from the fields of fashion, catering, millinery, stationery, venues, etc., all carefully chosen for their stylish wedding services and we're proud to say that several of our own partners will be there leading the way. Come along and talk to Berry Scrumptious for wedding favours, Maunsel House for a fabulous country venue and The Alternative Wedding List for ideas on charity gift lists.

So whatever stage you've reached in your wedding planning journey, whether you're newly engaged and looking for ideas, or need a bit of inspiration, its always and exciting and inspiring event to attend.

What: The Designer Wedding Show
Where: Battersea Park (courtesy bus operates from Sloane Square tube station)
When: Friday 9 October to Sunday 11 October 2009 from 10 am to 5 pm
Contact: www.designerweddingshow.co.uk or call 0871 230 5579.

Image courtesy of Elisabeth B. Photos of Clé Maraini.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Inspiration

London wedding showcase

If you didn't find the ideal wedding venue on your travels round the wedding fairs, or at the National Wedding Show, this weekend and you fancy throwing an eco chic wedding right in the middle of London's West End, then here's a chance to view one of our favourite wedding venues of all time.

The RSA House in WC2 is having their very own Wedding Showcase right in the heart of the big city next weekend and its dedicated team are excited about opening the doors of this beautiful House to show off their facilities for Weddings and Civil Partnerships.

The House's Georgian facade conceals many unexpected delights of both contemporary as well as traditional architecture. Whether you seek the inspiring grandeur of the Great Room or the intimacy of a candlelit ceremony in the vaults it's the ideal wedding venue to make your day memorable.

PLUS! Everyone attending will be offered a FREE wedding cake designed by Fancy Nancy when they book their wedding at the RSA. Who could refuse!

So do go along and meet the team and their suppliers. Find out about one of London's best kept secrets.

What: RSA House Wedding Showcase
Where: RSA House, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
When: Sunday 11 October 2009, from 11 am to 3 pm - Refreshments will be served throughout the day.
Contact: weddings@rsa.org.uk Tel. 0207 7451 6815

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Venues

Forever Green reopens its doors

The newly refurbished Forever Green Eco Venue reopened its doors as a brand new green wedding venue back in June this year and, needless to say, it has been going from strength to strength ever since.

The venue's official launch party took place in September with a fantastic evening of entertainment which included stilt walkers, a hog roast, forest illuminations (see pictures above) and a charity auction. the venue was officially opened by Claire Young who featured on 2008 Apprentice.

If you're planning to get married in Nottinghamshire and would like to find out more about this exciting new wedding venue, Forever Green will be at the Newark Wedding Fayre, Kelham Hall this Sunday 4th October 2009.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Venues

Designer Flower Zone

Mairead Curtin of Rebel Rebel is on a mission to open our eyes to the bounty and sheer beauty of British seasonal flowers.

She says "If flowers (and more particularly British Flowers in season) are important to you, choose the date of your wedding accordingly. For example right now, for the last six weeks, we have had the most glorious English dahlias and hydrangeas. Brides hoping for peonies on the other hand, would be disappointed and should plan to marry in May." She suggests too that brides should try not to be too rigid with what they hope for because English flowers are at the mercy of the weather.

Now brides hoping to learn more about British flowers, and florists who support British flower growers year round, can meet a whole bunch of them at The National Wedding Show Designer Flower Zone where 12 London florists who use the flower market regularly are all together under the New Covent Garden Flower Market ‘umbrella’.

The majority of florists in the UK never leave their shops and just use Dutch lorries which deliver to them, but that is not the place to get British flowers. British flower growers deliver to the New Covent Garden Flower Market at Vauxhall on Mondays and Thursdays so they're the days to get the freshest English flowers. English foliage comes in to the foliage specialists daily and, at Rebel Rebel, they like to stock as many English flowers and foliage as they possibly can. Some things, like the English Dahlias, are far lovelier than the ones which come from further afield.

Mairead has sent us this inspiring photo and says "I guess the olive tin is the ultimate sustainable wedding flower container. Start hoarding tins, jars and bottles as soon as you know you’re getting married. You can involve all your family and friends in the hunt for good containers – it’s an excuse for them to throw out the gherkins which have been mouldering away in their kitchen cupboard since 1984..."

What: Designer Flower Zone at The National Wedding Show
Where: Earls Court, London
When: Friday 2 October, 12 noon till 7 pm; Saturday 3 October, 10am till 6 pm; Sunday 4 October, 10 am till 4 pm

You can find more committed florists who grow and source British flowers in our Wedding Directory.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Flowers

This weekend! Organic Food Festival at Bristol

Get down to Bristol Harbourside for Europe’s largest showcase of all things organic.

As part of Organic Fortnight and now in its ninth successful year, the Soil Association’s Organic Food Festival, in association with Yeo Valley, will be showcasing delicious organic food and drink with shopping, cookery demos and taste workshops for kids - alongside gorgeous skincare, fabulous fashion, organic textiles, home design, and advice on organic gardening.

You’ll find hundreds of organic products, an organic bar, cooking with Raymond Blanc, Barny Haughton and other top chefs, and a lively street food bazaar. It’s a great day out for the whole family, not least because it’s £5 per ticket .

When? Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September
Where? Bristol Harbourside
How Much? £5 per ticket and free for under 16s

For more information see the website:
www.theorganicfoodfestival.co.uk

Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , Events

Somerset Wedding Event

If you're planning to get wed in Somerset over the coming months, you might like to go to the Wedding Celebration Event being thrown by wedding stylists What Katy Did. They promise to bring together the very best of West Somerset's wedding services including wedding dresses, florists, phtography, venues, event styling, statioery, cakes, hairdressing, lingerie, jewellery, local ice cream (mmmmmmm!), local wine, wedding and vintage cars, a piper, a harpist and function band The Man from Funkle.

Apart from the obvious pleasure of seeing what Somerset has to offer, the best thing about the whole event is that £4 of each entry fee will be donated to Help for Heroes, topical and just.

Where: Binham Grange, Old Cleeve, Near Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6HX. Tel. 01984 640056
When: Sunday 20 September
How much? £5.00 entry ticket on the day only and include wine tasting, canapés and raffle.

Posted in Green Wedding Events

Devon Open Studios

Throughout the next 2 weeks the very best fine artists and skilled craftsmen across the county of Devon will be throwing open their studio doors to the public. The range of work on show is fantastic encompassing painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, jewellery, collage, works in glass, metal, wood and paper, furniture making, installations and a variety of work utilising new media. Unlike traditional galleries there is no commission on sales and all the money goes directly to the artists themselves.

One of our favourite makers is participating. David Ames makes furniture for you to sit on, eat off, work at, sleep in and dream about. What a brilliant idea for a wedding gift! Go see him in his workshop and commission a unique piece of furniture to mark your green union.

He works with the natural beauty of the timber, an intrinsic part of the design, crafting the wood using a mix of traditional and modern techniques to produce pieces with an organic energy and contemporary feel.

Devon Open Studios is the flagship project of Devon Artist Network and largest event of its kind in the county. It is one of the highlights of Devon's cultural calendar and runs over 16 days each September attracting many thousands of visitors from across the South West and beyond.

The 2009 event runs until September 20 with over 240 artists showing work in 111 venues.

Posted in Green Wedding Events

The Great Big Green Wedding Fayre

5-6 September 2009

Special Offer! GreenUnion Visitors get in for a discounted price of £8.00 for two (full price £12.00 for 2).

For more details, directions and to book your discounted ticket, check out the fair's dedicated website biggreenwedding.co.uk, contact Jemma@biggreenwedding.co.uk or tel: 0782460682 to claim your discount just quote GreenUnion when booking.

The Great Big Green Wedding Fayre is taking place at the Crosby Hall Educational Centre in picturesque Little Crosby and will make full use of the centre’s beautiful grounds, hall and outbuildings for the whole weekend.

Jemma Herbert and Amanda Barr of eco chic stationery company GreenLeaf Press, organisers of the fair say “We want to create, in effect, a sample wedding celebration to showcase the very best green wedding suppliers in a creative, multi sensory way.”

They are encouraging visitors to say ‘I Do Green’ and choose from a stunning selection of alternative eco bridal wear, vintage accessories, fairly traded jewellery, seasonal blooms, locally sourced and organic food and drink, natural beauty products, eco conscious stationery, green gift lists and eco honeymoons.

There's plenty to entertain too with a catwalk bridal show courtesy of Oxfam Bridal, live musicians, workshops on key green topics, complimentary vintage tea and organic cakes, and a chance to win a weekend at Titanic Spa the UK's first Eco Spa.

The event takes place at Crosby Hall Educational Centre in Little Crosby, near Liverpool
Saturday 5th September 11-5 pm
Sunday 6th September 11-4 pm

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Special Offers

Save the honeybees

If you want to have locally grown seasonal flowers at your green wedding, you will be relying on our honeybees to pollinate and perpetuate the plants. But our honeybees are in great danger and there's a huge concern that they may not be around much longer to do this.

So we’re supporting the Soil Association’s campaign to save the honeybees and The Prince’s Rainforest Project, please lend your support. Click below to take part.

This story originates from MyGreenLyfstyle Magazine.

Posted in Green Wedding Events

Stock up on soy wax candles

If you're wondering wondering about stocking up on soy wax candles for your candlit wedding in the winter and want to know more about them and see them in the flesh then get along to the Eco Design Summer Fairs in London. Our partners Hapi Bean Soy Candles will be there.

Jo at Hapi Bean can show you how they burn and tell you all about how gorgeous her candles are. Unlike many soy wax candles where the soy beans are NOT sourced from deforested Rain Forest land. Hapi Beans candle wax is made from soybeans that are sourced from US farmers with long established farmlands free from pesticides, herbicides and they are GM free.

Hapi Bean's 100% unscented soy wax tealights and candles are hand made in the UK, they burn amazingly cleanly, leaving no soot residue. They offer traditional tealights and glass tealights, with more styles on the way.

Hapi Bean also creates gorgeous vintage china and glass candles exclusively for our own Eco Chic Boutique and will soon be offering a refill service.

Click here to buy vintage tea cup candles.

Posted in Green Wedding Decorations & Details , Events

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

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

Fairly traded

Launched yesterday down at the South Bank in London with a huge street party, Fair Trade Fortnight's well under way and you can find out what's going on in your area, join the great debate, tour the UK with fair trade farmers and workers, share your story, win funding for your own project or take part in the biggest banana auction in the world!

And we'll be bringing you some more ideas, tips, services and products over the next two weeks which are all in the spirit of fair trade.

Posted in Green Wedding Events

Its Not Easy Being Green

Don't miss Its Not Easy Being Green tonight on BBC2 where Toby Sawday meets a young bride at a wedding fair and sets about trying to green-up her wedding and her honeymoon.

We worked hard with the BBC to give them information and advice during the planning of the feature, and our partner Wedding Tree Favours is featured on the programme, so we're excited to see how it panned out.

Could be fun and you may get a few tips too!
Happy viewing - BBC2 8pm tonight.

You can find more stories of real green weddings here.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Natural Nuptials

Oxfam Bridal Competition

Oxfam Bridal Store in Shirley, Southampton let us know about their exciting competition to celebrate 'Donate your Dress Month'.

Be in with a chance to win a gorgeously romantic break at Lyndhurst Park Hotel (or one of the other 17 hotels in the Forestdale Hotel Group) in the New Forest and take your preloved wedding dress along to the store before 5th March.

Oxfam Bridal's a great way to give something back. Your dress gets a second life and gives someone else a chance to buy something stylish and economical. And it helps less fortunate people to overcome poverty and suffering through the Oxfam programme worldwide.

You can find the Oxfam Bridal Store in at:

76/78 Shirley Hgh Street,
Southampton,
SO15 3NE

'Donate your Dress' month runs until the 5th March 2009.
The lucky winner of the romantic break will be announced on the 8th March 2009 at the Lyndhurst Park Hotel Wedding Fayre.

Posted in Green Wedding Dresses & Gowns , Events

Keep Valentine's Day British

For romantics who want to celebrate an all British V-Day, buy direct from a British flower grower for an in-season bunch of delicate flowers from the fields.

A sweet and simple posy of Devon violets straight from the nursery evokes days gone by while a fabulously fragrant bunch of Scented Narcissi heralds the spring.

Or seek out something more creative, home grown and hand made.

Go to Catkin Flowers for seasonal bouquets with sentimental messages of love, Snapdragon Garden has beautiful pots of paperwhite narcissi decorated with a dogwood heart and Sweet Loving Flowers will make a heart of red cornus, eucalyptus and skimmia for you to send to your true love.

Make haste though and don't forget that with V-Day on Saturday you may have to pay more for delivery on the day and last orders are 11th February.

For more information on florists supplying seasonal British flowers this Valentine's Day go to our green wedding directory.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Flowers

Don't Tell the Bride

Are you dreaming of the perfect day?
Is ‘the green wedding’ your favourite topic of conversation?
Do you have hundreds of ideas but not hundreds of pounds?
Do you think your man can pull off the ultimate wedding of your dreams?
If so then Don't Tell the Bride is looking for a unique couple and has £12k to make your big day.
EMAIL: weddings@renegadepictures.co.uk
Or call: 020 7479 4210

DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 2009

Posted in Green Wedding Events , News , Press

East London Design Show

The East London Design Show is not to be missed as a shopping stop in your December calendar. Lets face it why bother with stressful Oxford Street when you can get cleaver/handmade/interesting gifts right from the makers...

5th December from 12noon till 8pm
6th & 7th December from 10am till 6pm
Shoreditch Town Hall - Liverpool Street or Old Street tube stations (10 minutes walk from either).
Buses: Routes 5, 22A, 35, 47, 48, 55, 67, 78, 149, 242 and 245 stop nearby.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Gifts & Favours

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all our American friends.
When I saw this image at create my event I thought it just sums it all up in a nutshell. Find lots of inspiration (and credits to the individual images) in this mood board, for your own Thanksgiving party or wedding.

Posted in Green Wedding Decorations & Details , Events , Inspiration

National Tree Week - Trees Offer

Celebrate your wedding and Tree2mydoor's 5th Birthday, save money and give native trees to your wedding guests with this excellent HALF PRICE TREES OFFER!

During National Tree Week the online tree gifts company is offering customers a massive 50% discount for all native tree gift orders placed on Wednesday the 26th of November through to Sunday the 30th of November. Saving you over £12 per native tree!

Tree2mydoor's native tree gifts include one native tree with tree care guide and one greetings card that you can personalise at time of order. The trees are individually boxed in unique packaging and can be mailed to your chosen recipient so they make perfect wedding gifts, or order enough for wedding favours and send your guests home with a little green gift of their own.

This generous offer is only valid for 5 days during National Tree Week 2008 so visit www.tree2mydoor.com/national-tree-week.asp to claim your tree now!

To claim the discount, simply use the following promotion code when placing an order online: 5thgift

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Gifts & Favours

Apple days

And following on our theme of gorgeous glowing autumn colours, textures and produce, it's that time of the year again...

APPLE DAY celebrating the heritage of English apples, is on 21 October this year and there are heaps of events all over the country this weekend or next, celebrating the quintessential qualities and diversity of the appplicious English apple. You can find out more at Common Ground or just do your own thing. Full of rich symbolism, the apple is a wonderful way of carrying a theme through your wedding day if you're marrying in the autumn. Delicious to eat cooked and raw, beautiful to look at and a jewel when used in decorations, place settings or as wedding favours, use apples to your heart's content.

William Crump, American Mother, Adams Pearmain, Tom Putt, Lucombe’s, Pine Major, Woolbrook Russet, Upton Pyne, Plum Vite, Hoarry Morning and Slack ma Girdle are just a few of the wonderful names of apples - use them for your table names.

Go pick a few apples or support your local farmer's market and wander home to make this delicious apple cake:

Cream together 125gms butter and 125gms soft brown sugar and mix in 2 eggs beaten.
Sift 200gms self raising flour into a separate bowl.
Peel and core 500gms cooking apples and cut into quarters (or eighths if very big).
Fold the flour into the butter/sugar/egg mixture and then spoon the thickish batter into a 22cm round cake tin.
Push apples deeply into the batter and pack them in as tightly as possible.
Mix up a tbsp brown sugar and a tsp cinnamon and scatter all over the top of the mixture.
Bake at 180C for 40-45 min.

Eat warm with lashings of clotted cream! Mmmmmmmmmm...

Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , Decorations & Details , Events

Lovely Green Wedding Event

If you're up in Yorkshire next weekend make time to go along to the Lovely Green Wedding Event at Norristhorpe. There'll be heaps of fun and frolics, and of course a celebration of green and local wedding ideas.

Be warned! If you’re used to the usual wedding fair conveyor belt, go prepared for something refreshingly different. There's an action packed timetable. From hay rides, pints of Black Sheep beer, an eco-couture showcase, organic make-overs and a range of Yorkshire’s finest green wedding innovators, the day is all about proving your wedding can be green but with bags of style. Forget the Jesus sandals and lentils, they’re talking full on sophisticated fun and glamour!

When: Sunday 19 October from 1 pm 'till 4 pm
Where: Low Farm, Lodge Lane, Norristhorpe, Yorkshire, WF15 7LE
How: For directions see website.
How much? Tickets are £10 each or £15 for two which includes an organic fair trade afternoon tea served on vintage china. The day will be a non-profit making event with all the proceeds going to Radio Aire’s Cash for Kids Charity.

To make a ticket reservation please contact Olivia Brabbs on 07779345819 or Claire Ellis on 07778 653501 or e-mail hello@lovelygreenweddings.co.uk

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Inspiration , Wedding Planning

Eco Chic Boutique is launched!

We're so excited to announce the launch of GreenUnion's eco friendly online shop. Absolutely no compromise on gorgeousness! If you're tired of the hum drum and fed up with the mass produced, our new online shop is a saviour for anyone who prefers a personally styled gift to mark a unique celebration.

We want to provide and promote gorgeous and ethically made products with high value in terms of skill, content, design and beauty. From bespoke event stationary to hand made holiday tipis, the products we have carefully sourced are eco friendly, organic, hand made, fairly traded and British. World products also feature where they are sourced with a clear conscience.

The range includes lingerie and dresses by Enamore, exclusive wedding stationery by Seed, bespoke maps by illustrator Marta Munoz, gorgeous hand made jewellery by Maura Nicholson, exclusive handmade candles by Hapi Bean and much, much more...

Come and see for yourself! GreenUnion Eco Chic Boutique

Posted in Green Wedding Events

Looking for unique wedding gifts?

If you're looking for a unique wedding gift and thinking about commissioning a wonderfully skilled local British based craftsman or artist for a bespoke piece of artwork that will last a lifetime, here's a great opportunity to search creative studios for that special item.

Devon Open Studios is a huge project being held over the course of two weeks across 9 trails throughout Devon. The initiative started on 6th September and runs until 21 September, so get out there enjoy the countryside and meet some artists, designers and craftsmen.

Take this beautiful bed for instance, made by David Ames in North Devon, what a fabulous idea for a lifetime of cuddles!

Posted in Green Wedding Events

Organic Fortnight

We're a bit late reporting about the annual Organic Fortnight organised by the Soil Association. It started Saturday with the Food Festival in Bristol, but you can see who was there if you go to the website.

There's still plenty of time to get involved. For starters there's a fantastic joining offer for September - the first 200 to join the Soil Association this month will receive a stylish 'love your planet, choose organic' fair trade, organic bag.

There are heaps of things going on all over the country, for instance there's food tasting in Norwich, organic beauty brunches at Neal's Yard Remedies stores nationwide, gardening courses in Berkshire, chocolate tastings in Sussex, a beer festival in Essex, farmers markets everywhere and so on...
See the full list here.

Posted in Green Wedding Events