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Sample Sale Season Takes Off!
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 Posted in Green Wedding News , Shoes & Accessories Fair trade gold? World Fair Trade Day 10 May
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 Posted in Green Wedding News Did you pay for your wedding day on a shoestring?We've just had a challenging request from The Press Association who're looking for anyone who's wed on an extremely tight budget. They're looking for women aged between 20 to 50 who celebrated their big day in style despite being restricted by a tight budget of £500 or less. If you managed this I think everyone in the world will want to know how! If this sounds like you and you'd like to share your story with a national newspaper or women's magazine, do get in touch with Tanya, giving her a brief idea of how you threw your stylish wedding on a budget. She'd also like your telephone number and a recent photo. Don't forget to mention GreenUnion. By the way, if you're chosen you will receive a fee for your time. Contact: Tanya Russell Want to know more about managing your wedding budget? Check out how to Get Started.
Posted in Green Wedding News , Press , Wedding Planning Real Food Festival
Raymond Blanc, Chef-Patron of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons says, "In choosing our food we make a statement as to which consumer were are, whether we are responsible or not, ethical or not. We are now engaged in a process of reconnecting our food with our culture - and ethics will now drive our choice. Whether we are parent, employer, farmer, chef, industrialist etc each of us individually and collectively will have the responsibility to make better choices to create a better food chain. The Real Food Festival will definitely take us one step closer to discovering new and innovative propositions to our produce conundrums." They promise incredible wines and drinks from small, unique producers, restaurants serving carefully sourced dishes and a comprehensive programme of entertaining and educational workshops where visitors will discover some of the best food and drink in the world… And not only can you meet the people that reared the pigs, planted the carrots, milked the cows and crushed the grapes, you can taste their produce, learn about it, then buy it to take home. So if you're wondering what seasonal food to serve your guests on your ethical wedding day, this is the place to start looking. The Real Food Festival - 24th to 27th April, Earl's Court 1, London Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , News International Downshifting Week
So check in to the Downshifting website and find out what it's all about, how to take part and get Top 10 Tips for success. You'll find that a lot of the information, when read and acted upon, in the context of planning your ethical wedding, will make a lot of sense. So if you think the whole idea of trying to 'green' your wedding is all too much, take a down shift in gear, a long walk in the park, have a cuddle with your loved one and remind yourselves why it is that you're getting married... Posted in Green Wedding News Enter our prize draw to win Organic Places to Stay...
Organic Places to Stay, by Linda Moss, lists hundreds of wonderful places which have their own restaurants or offer delicious home cooked meals to guests. A few are certified organic, and others may have a certified organic kitchen garden, orchard or vineyard. Quite a few of them grow their own produce, some use wild or natural foods, and most will aim to use fresh local produce rather than imported food. At these places you'll find information about the availability of organic food - for example whether you can buy the farm's own organic produce, have an organic vegetable box delivered, or find organic produce in the local area. Fresh produce, local specialities, slow food, home baking, homemade products such as jam, juice, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, pasta, pasta sauce, olive oil, wine - you'll find all these and more ...... The book is a 'must have' bible for anyone planning a green wedding and looking for places to stay in the UK on their eco friendly honeymoon. Our newsletter - GreenUnion Gossip, is packed, every month, full of news and ideas for great green weddings, so don't delay sign up to our e-newsletter now! Offer ends 30 April 2008. We will notify the lucky winner after this date. Posted in Green Wedding Gifts & Favours , News Awards all round!
The judges decision was immediate and unanimous, due to the fact that Conscious Elegance is a completely green enterprise. The company strives for 100% sustainability, from the fabrics to the recycled packaging materials. No factories or sweatshops here and CE makes a point of sourcing from other small businesses, especially those that allow mums to earn an income while staying at home with their children. We like that! Founder and designer, Lori Del Genis says, 'Conscious Elegance is all about making easy choices that have far-reaching effects. Being eco-conscious can also mean thinking outside of the corporate box. For example, we offer fabric choices for vegan brides who wish to support their values with a wedding dress that's every bit as gorgeous as they would see on the high street." Posted in Green Wedding Dresses & Gowns , News Creating a wedding that's true to you
"Wedding planning doesn't have to be stressful, it all depends on how you go about it." says Lesley Stratton-Hughes, of Getting Married Inside Out - GreenUnion's expert Life Coach. So why not step away from the commercial world of celebrity style weddings and find out how to apply a very personal approach that will make you feel good! Don't know where to start? Too much choice? Too many opinions and expectations? Is the whole thing just stressing you out? You'll love Lesley's workshop because it will help you to: Simplify - break down the wedding planning process into easy manageable steps Clarify - decide for yourself the elements you really want and discard what you don't need Personalise - explore ways to express yourself so you feel connected to your day Share - involve family and friends and all their talents and build a supportive, helpful team Rationalise - Keep a healthy perspective so you remain composed, confident and in control Posted in Green Wedding Health & Wellbeing , News Handmade weddings
They're going to write about loads of useful stuff on how to bring handmade elements to your wedding, whether it’s by sharing ideas for making things or by highlighting some great handmade and vintage items on the site. So check them out from time to time, you'll be inspired! Photo by julieincharge Posted in Green Wedding Inspiration , News Cornish green wedding fair
One of Cornwall’s most historic houses, Pencarrow in North Cornwall, will be the fairytale setting for a dazzling selection of bridal fashions and flowers this Sunday. For the first time in the county, there will be an area totally devoted to fabulous green and funky wedding ideas – Discover Cornish Weddings will be showcasing a hand-picked selection of carbon neutral suppliers, proving that originality and innovative ideas can sit happily with the glitz and glamour of that special day. Suppliers range from wedding dresses made out of pineapple fabrics, ethical jewellers, mini-tree favours and so on... So if you're in Cornwall this weekend, or even thinking of throwing a Cornish green wedding, then take the opportunity this Sunday to visit the exhibition and stroll around the spectacular grounds of Pencarrow. Sunday 9 March 10 am to 4.30 pm Posted in Green Wedding News Fair Trade vs. food miles
His question is whether producing tropical fruits, vegetables, or flowers locally to cut down on food miles could result in a greater volume of emissions because of the energy requirements to maintain artificial conditions, i.e. greenhouses in the Northern Hemisphere. He points out that sourcing locally and giving back to the local economy, which is something we really believe in here at GreenUnion HQ, is certainly important, but fair trade products have their own associated benefits, like supporting social and economic development projects - schools, clinics, clean water supply and proper sanitation. Moreover it empowers people in the third world and helps them become independent from the ubiquitous 'aid' cycle which is so destructive to sub-Saharan lives. Interestingly enough, Brooks argues that food transportation currently contributes relatively little to carbon dioxide emissions. He points out that if everyone in the United Kingdom switched one 100W light bulb to a low energy equivalent, CO² emissions would be reduced in one year by 4.7 times the amount saved by boycotting fresh fruit and vegetables from sub-Saharan Africa. Go ahead, buy your Fairtrade flowers and feel good! Read the whole article at icWales. Posted in Green Wedding News Observer Ethical Awards
With award season well underway and the Oscars being a huge success for Britain and British talent, we decided here at GreenUnion HQ that we want in on the act! As you may know, the average wedding in the UK can create 14.5 tonnes of CO2 and GreenUnion is working really hard along with our partners to create awareness to reduce and offset this without compromising on style. Easy peasy! And thanks a bundle. Posted in Green Wedding News Is chicken on the menu?
We have. Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , News Good karma wishes
Follow their journey - check out the fab website and view videos, photos and blogs of their adventures on the road to India. and don't just sit and stare, dig deep in your pockets this Christmas to make a difference in this particular corner. We did... Posted in Green Wedding News Spend a moment in the rainforest this ChristmasRainforests are in big trouble and their destruction is causing a quarter of the world's annual carbon emissions - more than the entire global emissions for planes, trains, automobiles and ships. As part of their on-going efforts to protect the rainforests of the world, Rainforest Concern has produced a short film that we'd really like you to see. All the time and money that went into this film was donated for free by a number of Rainforest Concern's partners. Every one of you can make a difference this Christmas so please take a moment to hear the message and, just as important, it would be a HUGE help if you could pass this on to everyone in your address book. They have a target of 5,000 downloads which they can achieve with your assistance...... In the time it takes you to watch this clip, 120 acres - that's 49 football pitches, of rainforest will be erased forever with the wealth of life that depends on that forest for its survival. Don't let the rainforests fall silent... Posted in Green Wedding News Fashion Made Fair
Along with all the great bargains to be had from some of our favourites like Tam & Rob and Enamore, there's free drinks on Thursday and Friday evening courtesy of our partners Vintage Roots, DJs playing good tunes throughout the event and an opportunity for one lucky person to win an eco outfit worth over £200. The Fashion Made Fair Christmas sample and stock sale runs from Thursday 13th to Sunday 15th December (Studio 95, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1). Posted in Green Wedding News Worldfair 2007
Posted in Green Wedding News Low carbon weddings
Indonesia has been heavily criticised for its high rate of deforestation and district officials say the programme is aimed at combating global warming. Be thankful that you still have a choice of how to green your own wedding here in the West! Read the full story at the BBC. Posted in Green Wedding News It's our birthday!It's our first birthday this week and we just can't help ourselves. We're going to send some wishes into the sky and pat ourselves on the back...
It looks FANTASTIC!!!! Wendy I just came across your website and I love it! I would like to tell you how much I like your website. Stephanie It is really nice to see that you have got so many people together who do environmentally friendly things to make the wedding green. I found our wedding venue using your site, we will use this site again, to find more suppliers. Vineeta Hi Green Union-ers! I just wanted to send a quick note to say congratulations on your great website - it's very cute and easy to use! Kristin Your site is fabulous! It is so stylishly done - it's so vital that people get beyond the crunchy image of eco concerns! Miranda Posted in Green Wedding News Eco Design Christmas FairIn London this weekend, wondering what to do and haven't started on your Christmas shopping yet? Here's a chance to browse a whole fair dedicated to ethically produced, green gifts. Don't just think hemp trousers and joss sticks. Admittedly there is a predictable selection of the usual fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate, but there will also be a huge selection of handmade goods which will make fabulous, individual, guilt-free gifts. Organic, recycled, non-toxic, fair trade, handmade, carbon-neutral, low-energy, food, fashion, accessories and lots, lots more. Location: Posted in Green Wedding Gifts & Favours , News 2007 Be the Change Conference - The Sky's the Limit
In an age of looming climate chaos and chronic social injustice, it's time to set a new course. Join with some of the best thinkers and doers on the planet for 3 days discussing and designing the changes we all want to see in the world. Speakers include George Monbiot, Vandana Shiva, Bianca Jagger, Jonathon Porritt and the renowned Chinese environmentalist Professor C.S. Kiang (who will be on Radio 4's Start the Week next Monday at 9am). The UK premiere of the powerful new documentary Dalai Lama Renaissance, narrated by Harrison Ford will be screened at the conference. 2007 Be The Change conference The Sky's The Limit, - dedicated to Anita Roddick - will be at London's Central Hall, Westminster, next week from 15-17 November 2007. Posted in Green Wedding News Eco friendly events
Its actually quite easy, and this site proves it, to find an eco friendly dress maker, florist or cake maker, but when it comes to some of the other essential services we have to source for the average wedding or event, things get a lot trickier. Take generators, for instance. Now you wouldn't normally want to hear about this boring part of a planner's work load, but when you're organising an event in the middle of a field or on the top of a mountain and you don't have a generator, you don't have light or sound. And generators are all diesel powered, increasing the event's overall carbon footprint massively. Now all that is changing thanks to the efforts of some industrious engineers in Suffolk at Midas Productions. The generators are so new that they can't give me any images and they don't have a website yet, but trust me they are the business, running on Biodiesel EN14214 and super silenced, and I'm counting the days till they roll these out across the world. Go Midas! Posted in Green Wedding News Vintage inspiration
A couple of our favourite partners will be there and Samantha Freeman of Idyllic Days will be showcasing her vintage chinaware to die for. If you're thinking of throwing an English country garden party, fete or afternoon tea style wedding day (a great concept for a green wedding), then go and check out her gorgeous mix and match vintage tableware and accessories. As well as hiring you the china, she can also help you style your whole day with cotton bunting and flowers too. The height of recycling chic. Posted in Green Wedding Inspiration , News Blog action day
Today's the day - blog action day. At Greenunion we're supporting Survival International today. Survival is the only international organisation supporting tribal peoples worldwide. It works for tribal peoples' rights in three complementary ways: education, advocacy and campaigns. They also offer tribal people themselves a platform to address the world and work closely with local indigenous organisations, focusing on tribal peoples who have the most to lose, usually those most recently in contact with the outside world. Other charities we support on a regular basis are Oxfam and Rainforest Concern. You can also find countless charities to support via the Alternative Wedding List, the Green Gift List and Wedding List Giving. Check them out, you're sure to find a charity that you'd like to reach out to. Homophobic venues face loosing their licence
Originally venue owners and managers could apply for and be granted a license to hold Marriages or Civil Partnerships or both. By permitting venue management to choose not to hold Civil Partnerships, it meant many could openly discriminate while hiding behind their approved licence. Gino said "The new guidance adopts my recommendation that an approved venue must not discriminate simply based on sexual orientation. If a venue is granted a licence and is found to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples they will have their license revoked. This should now close the loophole that any homophobic owners and managers were using to wriggle out of the legislation." A spokesman for LACORS said "The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 require providers of goods, facilities and services to ensure that they are not treating their customers unfairly on the grounds of sexual orientation. If the holder of an approval is deemed by the Local Authority to discriminate on the grounds of the sexuality of the couple the Council reserves the right to revoke this approval." This groundbreaking ruling means that homophobic suppliers should now be exposed, and if reported, will have their licence revoked making their venues unavailable to all couples, gay or straight. Here at GreenUnion we wholeheartedly welcome this ruling, ethical businesses do not discriminate. Posted in Green Wedding Civil Partnerships , News BBC Yorkshire & Lincolnshire call for green weddings
The Cornish green wedding of a few weeks back has created quite a stir and the BBC's Inside Out for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire is searching for a couple planning to throw an eco chic wedding. There's a lot of interest in Yorkshire for all things green, in fact Yorkshire Brides is writing a feature on eco honeymoons next month, so Laura at Inside Out is searching for a couple who would be willing to divulge their green wedding plans for their marriage and follow their journey through to their ethical wedding day. If you're getting married in Yorkshire or Lincolnshire and feel strongly about treading lightly on this planet here's your chance to show others how one of the most important days of you life can reflect your ethos. Contact Rosie at GreenUnion for more information. October is Breast Cancer Awareness MonthIf you'd like to do something towards Breast Cancer Awareness Month then check out these sites for ideas. The Brides Against Breast Cancer Project is a neat organisation is touring the US bringing top designer wedding dresses to the public at discounted prices with the proceeds going to the Making Memories Foundation. In Australia check out the National Breast Cancer Foundation for ideas on how to raise funds this month. Visit Breast Cancer Care to see what's happening in the UK or suggest your own fund raising day - eco chic brides could throw a hen party. Could be fun... If you're already married donate your wedding dress to the cause. Spread the word - help save lives. RSA wedding showcase - 7th October
The RSA is holding a wedding showcase next Sunday 7th October between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm when the team will be on hand to guide you around the house and answer any questions you might have. There'll be complementary refreshments on the day and there's a prize draw for one lucky couple to win an intimate lunch for two in the Vaults Restaurant. So if you're planning an eco chic wedding in the city, get along to the RSA next Sunday 7th October 2007 to see what how green your celebration could be in Central London. Now here's a story to warm the heart
They say its a simpler way of doing it and keeps sight of the real meaning of marriage, which is love and the promise of your new future as husband and wife. Invitations were sent online, any printing they've had done is by a local printer with vegetable dyes on recycled paper. Their rings are made locally of wood from a salvaged tree, the food has all be sourced within the area, the toast will be in Cornish sparkling wine, their outfits have been sourced from charity shops and adapted to their own styles by a talented seamstress, the guests are encouraged to car share and the reception is only a five minute walk from the church. Lexi's Mum has made some intriguing flowers out of saved plastic bags and collected spring blossom has been dried for the confetti. They have even decided to give their guests low energy light bulbs as wedding favours! And best of all, the whole celebration will come in way below the average cost of getting married in the UK which is now estimated to be around £18,000. Read the whole story by Louise Walter over on the BBC website. Posted in Green Wedding Natural Nuptials , News Green wedding photography offerWedding photographer, Beth Beljon is looking for an environmentally conscious couple planning to throw and eco-friendly wedding. “We are looking for the most creative, authentic, green and organic wedding. It's simply beautiful to see more couples not only making a commitment of love to each but to the earth." says Beth who wants an opportunity to record such a happy occasion.
Beth will waive her shooting fee and donate six hours of photography time to the couple chosen from anywhere in the US or elsewhere (she has a secret hankering to shoot an English eco wedding!) She stipulates that eco chic couples should be environmentally mindful in all aspects and details of their wedding including invitations, attire, location, flowers and food - no problems for all you GreenUnion regulars. Beth Beljon is an established and published photographer who has covered weddings around the globe for nearly a decade. She provides stunning photography for modern and mindful couples and her photo journalistic style is elegant and graceful, capturing each event in a visually organic documentary. The deadline for entries is 15 December 2007. The couple chosen will be announced through her website on 1 January 2008. Contact Beth at beth@bethbeljon.com for more information. Posted in Green Wedding News , Photographers Brand new ethical jeweller launchesWe've teamed up with brand new ethical jeweller Ingle & Rhode and we give them our wholehearted support as they launch their range of beautiful, design-led eco jewellery, with its socially and environmentally responsible sourcing and production policies.
The launch of Ingle & Rhode is another step in the right direction for an industry fraught with exploitation and controversy and we welcome their efforts to reduce the three main problems facing the jewellery industry: human exploitation, conflict diamonds, and environmental damage. Through painstaking research, Ingle & Rhode have put together a supply chain that guarantees clients can trace the provenance of all metals and gemstones used. Civil rights
Same-sex couples are banned from marrying in 49 of the 50 US states and only the state of Massachusetts allows gay marriages. Since we're for all things ethical we applaud his ruling and look forward to more US States following suit and joining with the UK to support civil partnerships. Read the full article on the BBC World News
Posted in Green Wedding Civil Partnerships , News Organic Fortnight 1 - 16 SeptemberIf you're planning a green wedding and wondering where to start looking, Organic Fortnight starts this weekend and runs from 1 - 16 September. Organised by the Soil Association which is the UK's largest organic certification body, Organic Fortnight is a celebration of all things organic by individuals, businesses and communities across Britain. Events are planned across the UK, so there's bound to be one near you. The fortnight kicks off this weekend, 1 & 2 September, with the Organic Food Festival at Bristol Harbourside. And its not only food and drink on show here - there's music and entertainment, and a relaxation zone with skincare, massage and therapy, and CREATE where you can learn all about how to make your home more eco friendly. There's also a showcase of the top names in eco chic and organic fashion with a twice daily fashion show. If you live too far north to contemplate Bristol then there's another Organic Food Festival in Glasgow on 13 & 14 October. Find out what's going on in your area over the next fortnight, and seek out some wonderful suppliers and producers for your eco chic wedding by going to the Soil Association website. Posted in Green Wedding News |
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