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The May is almost out...

And we're heading for the summer solstice, with June just around the corner and the wedding season in full swing.

This year we're planning our own solstice celebrations by bringing you a new and exciting eco chic service, so we're working round the clock here at GreenUnion HQ, to be ready on time. We're keeping you in suspense for a few more weeks until we're ready to launch, but you can be sure that you'll be among the first hear all about it!

If you know someone who would like to hear about what's going on at GreenUnion, they have a chance of getting their hands on a copy of the brand new Green Guide for Weddings due to be published mid June, we have five to give away. All they need do is subscribe to our newsletter mailing list, it's that easy. Lucky recipients will be notified after the close of the draw at the end of May.

City chic for eco-savvy brides

Throwing a green wedding doesn't necessarily mean traipsing out to the country. On the contrary, eco savvy brides who opt for city chic will find there are many advantages to getting married in the capital. To prove this, the new York Times is writing all about it in a few week's time and we're very excited to have helped them with their story.

There's a growing list of venues, many set in wonderful buildings steeped in heritage and tradition like The RSA who proudly rank 8/10 on our green gauge. In fact they are so serious about it that they are offering couples a special Footprint package which includes all the essentials you need to have a wonderfully eco chic wedding day!

In the big cities you'll be spoilt for choice when looking for cake makers, dress makers, shoe makers and suits to hire. Check out the Farmers' Markets for English grown flowers and regional foods.

Transport headaches are cut to a minimum with abundant public transport on the doorstep, while something a little more exotic like a rickshaw or hybrid taxi is easy to come by. And when it's time to go on honeymoon, you'll be spoilt for choice with the whole of the British Isles, Europe and beyond only a train ride away.

Inspiration

Next weekend GreenUnion's eco chic couple Sarah and Paul are joyously tying the knot. They’ve chosen Coombe Farm near Tiverton as their 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.

We'll be posting Sarah and Paul's story on the blog over the coming weeks, 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

Seasonal Celebrations

The Earth's yearly jaunt around the sun's been celebrated across the globe for thousands of years. Solstice or Litha means a standing still of the sun, and Midsummer's the longest day of the year when the north pole is at its closest to the sun.

The Celts celebrate with bonfires, Christians feast for John the Baptist and it's the festival if Li, the Chinese goddess of light. Pagans tell of how the Goddess, who took over the earth from the Horned God at the beginning of Spring, is now at the height of her power and fertility and the Summer Solstice marks their marriage. Their union is the force that creates the harvest's bounty.

If you're not going to Glastonbury or the Sunrise Celebration then maybe you're throwing an eco friendly wedding or planning your very own eco-chic celebration for 2008. A glut of glorious daylight and sunshine means the Earth, with a little help from our dedicated farmers and growers, offers up a bountiful supply of local food and flowers at this time of the year. The trees are in full leaf to keep us cool and the breezes are balmy, a perfect time for outdoor celebrations and laid back honeymoons.

English roses, foxgloves, meadow flowers, peonies, phlox and sweet peas are all at their most gorgeous, so make the most of scented flowers from local growers and farmers markets. Billowing hedgerows can be your inspiration.

Personally speaking...

If you opt to host an outdoor event in midsummer, don't forget that gardens and bugs go hand in hand. So ring the party with natural citronella candles, arm your guests with natural insect repellent and keep something handy to soothe the bites, like this Organic Propolis Ointment from Spiezia.

And always expect the worst, so provide some shelter from the chill and rain.

Until next time...