issue 10 Spring 2013
Eco-Friendly Love
issue 10 Spring 2013
Eco-Friendly Love
issue
in this ... features
At the Flea Market!
24
explore your local flea market for ideas and more
Why Go Green?
26
the benefits of an eco-friendly wedding
in every issue letter from the editor........................8 wedding day countdown.................10 Q & A.............................................12 the hotlist.......................................12 date night.......................................14 d.i.y. spotlight...............................116 professional spotlight....................118 seven things to love.......................134
more
contents...
17
Style & Beauty
eco-friendly gown options “green� beauty products
28 Stationery & Favors recycled new invitations useful eco-friendly favors
36 Forgotten Details the hanger - it makes a difference
39 Venue Spotlight barn on bridge - colledgeville, pa
51 Behind the Scenes
behind the lens -details that make the shoot
61 Wedding Inspiration eco-friendly love
71 Planning
“green� music eco-friendly tips
82 Destination & Honeymoon honeymoon staycations
85 Real Weddings & Engagements beth & derek - wed heidi & nathan - wed
editor’s note ISSUE 10 Eco-Friendly Love Dear Readers, With spring just days away and Earth Day right around the corner; we thought it would be a great idea to dedicate an issue to having an environmentally friendly wedding. Being eco-friendly is more than just a fad; it is something that we can do to help make the earth much nicer for future generations. There are many areas in a wedding that produce a large amount of waste, a minor change can make a world of difference. Even if you think your wedding doesn’t play into that eco-friendly vibe, there are certainly ways you can do your part as well. Whether it’s using recycled paper for your invitations or repurposing an item, everyone can help keep our environment beautiful.
xoxo, Jason and Heather
Editor-in-Chief Jason Kimble
Executive Editor/Creative Director Heather Kimble
Photography Contributors Jim Cottingham Carrie Gromis
Style Contributor
Would you like to be a style contributor? Email us!
Beauty Contributor
Would you like to be a beauty contributor? Email us!
Music Contributor Nick Doak
Wedding Planner Contributor Michelle Tortuya Kris Membrino
Honeymoon Contributor Carlie Finch
Advertising
advertise@itsaboutdetails.com
To Contribute
contributors@itsaboutdetails.com
Real Wedding & Engagement Submissions realweddings@itsaboutdetails.com
Job Inquiries
jobs@itsaboutdetails.com
Media, Press, & Events hkimble@itsaboutdetails.com
wedding day countdown
12 Months
4-3 Months
-Decide on your wedding budget and who’s contributing. -Appraise and insure your engagement ring. -Decide your wedding style and colors. -Choose your wedding date and time. -Interview and hire a wedding planner. -Start envisioning your wedding dress.
-Choose and order groomsmen attire. -Choose and order grooms attire. -Research and choose a rehearsal dinner site. -Choose and reserve all tables, chairs, and any other wedding rentals. -Make all your honeymoon reservations-airfare, hotel for your wedding night. -Put together hotel and city information for out- of-town guests.
9 Months -Choose your bridal party, ring bearer, flower girl, ceremony reader, etc. -Interview and hire a caterer. Begin planning your reception menu. -Finalize guest list. -Decide on your wedding officiant. -Look into any family customs or cultural traditions. -Research centerpieces, flowers, décor, etc. -Start your gift registry.
2-3 Months
-Purchase your accessories-jewelry, tiara, garter etc. -Purchase wedding bands. -Decide on your favors. -Purchase all your under the dress essentials and take them to your dress fittings. -Decide on special ceremony songs & readings. -Book wedding day transportation.
6-8 Months
6 Weeks
-Choose and order bridesmaids’ dresses. -Choose and order your wedding dress and veil. -Research and book vendors, eg. florist, baker, DJ, photographer etc. -Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. -Order and send out save-the-dates. -Research and buy wedding insurance. -Order your wedding invitations and wedding announcements.
-Send out wedding invitations -Order ceremony programs and decide on your wedding vows. -Submit your newspaper wedding announcement. -Research local marriage license requirements. -Schedule hair and makeup trial appointments. -Purchase entire bridal party, parent gifts etc. -Purchase and send out rehearsal dinner invitations.
3-4 Weeks -Purchase ceremony accessories. -Confirm honeymoon reservations. -Pick up marriage license and your wedding dress. -Meet with your officiant & musicians and/or DJ to go over details. -Create a wedding day schedule. -Have your bridal potraits and/or boudoir photog- raphy session. -Schedule wedding day hair and makeup appointments.
1-2 Weeks -Call guests who have not RSVP’d and make seating arrangements. -Confirm all details with your reception site. -Give guest count & confirm all details with your caterer and baker -Determine your receiving line. -Confirm all details with vendors etc. -Pack for your wedding night and honeymoon. -Put final payments and tips for vendors in marked envelopes.
Day Before -Designate someone to mail out your wedding announcements on the wedding day. -Pull together your wedding dress, all accessories, and emergency kit. -Designate someone to drop off items to ceremony and reception sites -Get manicure and pedicure. -Enjoy your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner! -Set your alarm!
Wedding Day -Tell your parents how much you love them and thank them. -Set aside time after your ceremony to have a private moment together. -Enjoy your Wedding Day!
Q&A Q- I want to have favors at my wedding, but I don’t like the idea of them ending up in the trash. Are there favor options that aren’t bad for the environment?
Eco-friendly Chic!
“Eco-Friendly fashion doesn’t mean “ugly” and “unstylish”. It just may take a little extra research, but it’s so worth it. Keep it fresh, colorful, and simple.”
-Heather Kimble
A- Absolutely! Here is just a short list of eco-friendly favor options: Plantable Artisan Edibles Made with Bamboo Made with Natural/Organic Cotton Donate to a charity in guests honor Mini Flower/Herb pots Homemade/Artisan Soy Candles Terrarium Reusable Shopping bags Organic Teas/coffees
Q- My budget is so small. We can’t afford to rent plates, but I don’t want to use disposables and have them end up in a landfill somewhere. Help! A- Mismatched vintage china is a great option. You can borrow sets from your grandmother, other family members, and friends or you can purchase various sets from local thrift stores and yard sales.
If you would like to have your questions answered, please send them to info@itsaboutdetails.com.
Executive Editor/Creative Director
1
Sleeveless Belted Dress Carrie Parry
2
Dim Sum-Milk Chocolate Italian Leather Cinch Bag Beth Springer
3
Sage Empress of Fire Ring Alex and Ani
4
Love Wrap and Heart Wrap Alex and Ani
5
Pia T-strap Buckle Wedge Cri De Coeur
the hotlist 2 1
3
5 4
date night
A
Picnic
Date
S
pring is here! What better way to take advantage of that than to have a picnic lunch date at a park in your area? This is a great way to enjoy the spring time and the environment. One of the best ways to relax and just “take it all in” is to sit back in the sun, and enjoy the world around you. Just don’t forget the sunscreen! Doing this is more than just relaxing; it is good for you as well. The sun increases vitamin D production and sunlight improves your mood through the releasing of endorphins in the brain. To add to the fun, when planning your menu, try choosing items that are organic and locally available. Visit a farmers market and find things like sandwich fixings, fresh baked bread, local grown meats and vegetable, etc. That way not only are you enjoying your environment, you are helping preserve it, eating healthy, and helping your local community. Depending on where you live, there are going to be many different items that are native to your area to plan your menu around. So, make your menu, grab your picnic basket, a blanket, and some sunscreen then go find a nice spot to hang out with your loved one.
style & beauty
Eco-Friendly Gown Options Vintage –
Purchasing a wedding gown from the previous decades, like the 1950s and 1960s.
Sustainable –
Gowns made with natural fabrics like organic/natural cotton, linen, bamboo, hemp, and wool.
Secondhand/Pre-owned –
Choosing from hundreds of pre-owned gowns from brides through websites like BravoBride.com and RecycledBride.com.
Reuse/Outside the Box –
Wear your mother’s, female relatives, or friend’s wedding gown. Choosing a white “non-wedding” gown, like a cocktail dress.
Donate – Purchasing a gown through a charity, like Brides Against Breast Cancer.
Priscilla Costa Brazil
“Green” Beauty Options
Beauty Tools from
Alima Pure
Hair Care from
Lavera
Body Care from
Ecco Bella Makeup from
Josie Maran
features
At the Flea Market
W
hen planning your eco-friendly wedding, inspiration can be found in places that some people would least expect. One place you can look for inspiration is at a flea market. Finding things to repurpose is easy at a flea market. There are usually a good number of people there selling all sorts of items that can be reused. Here are just a few examples of things that you can find at a flea market that can be used on your wedding day. • Vintage Jewelry. Estate or vintage jewelry is something that can usually be found at a flea market. If you are going with a period type wedding or just looking for “something old” this is definitely one way to get there. • Mix-and-match China. Fine China is another item that usually makes its way to the flea market pile. In some cases it is pieces instead of whole sets, but a serving for 8 is not completely uncommon. The idea here though is to pick up lots of different pieces and patterns to mix-and-match to add to a unique look for your décor. • Décor Items. There are a variety of items that you can use for your décor at your wedding day. Depending on theme/style, you can look at small furniture, vases, typewriters, and all sorts of other items. The sky really can be the limit! • Wedding dress. This one can be a tough, but it can happen. There are many people who do sell their wedding dresses. And there are plenty of seamstresses who would be willing to refit the dress or even redesign it to make the style a little more updated. Beyond the wedding dress, there is also a chance to find bridesmaid dresses or even a tux. The important part of the process is not to limit yourself. Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. Not only is reusing items like this eco-friendly, if you are a savvy negotiator, it can also make it a lot cheaper. Another important tip is to keep in mind that while some items may not look the part based on color or because they are aged, items can be cleaned, polished, and painted to make them work.
Why Go Green?
-the benefits of an eco-friendly wedding1. You’re supporting local artisans and businesses. 2. Reduces you weddings carbon footprint (The average wedding releases more Carbon Dioxide then the average person releases in a full year!). 3. Saves you money! – Small guest list, only one venue, and no car/limo rental needed. 4. Your creativity will shine! – By finding unique, reclaimed, and eco-friendly items, and using them in both traditional and untraditional ways. 5. Raises awareness of the importance of “going green” to your family and friends. 6. Demonstrates that “green” can equal chic! 7. You start your lives together freely expressing your beliefs with a commitment to what you think is important and right.
stationery & favors
Pinwheel Invitation Sets
-Made with 100% Recycled Paperfrom
EarthlyAffair.com
Useful Eco-Friendly Favors
Bamboo Ballpoint Pen “Be green... just write”
Mini Drawstring Bag 100% Organic Cotton
Multiuse Folding Tote Bag Made with Natural Cotton
Hand in Hand Bamboo Server Set
forgotten details
the
Hanger
A
detail that is often forgotten by brides, the hanger their gown will actually hang on. You gown will most likely be photographed while on the hanger at some point during your getting ready shots. It’s a small and inexpensive (possibly free!) detail that will make a beautiful difference. A great way to keep this forgotten detail eco-friendly is to borrow or purchase a vintage fabric hanger. Not only are they pretty, you can find them in all types of patterns and colors. Websites like Etsy are a great place to look. Also, check out your local thrift stores and antique stores.
venue spotlight
Barn on Bridge A great eco-friendly venue. www.barnonbridge.com 610-287-8771 385 Bridge Street Collegeville, PA 19426
B
eing eco-friendly means to reduce, re-use, and recycle to cut back on waste. This month’s venue is the ultimate in re-using. I’m talking about the Barn on Bridge located in Collegeville. It is a former farm property, complete with a carriage house, which has been fully restored to make it a beautiful place to have your wedding. The main space is a full size barn that has been restored to a multilevel hall with a full service bar, full service kitchen, a loft, cat-walks and more. It also features a carriage house that has been renovated for use as a bridal suite. We had a chance to tour the facility and sit down with Alyson Laurie from Barn on Bridge to find out more about the beautiful facility.
Q. What is the History of Barn on Bridge? A. Sadly, we know very little about the Barn’s history despite our extensive pursuit. All that we can find about the Barn suggests that it was once a dairy farm built in 1773 and owned by Peter Logan.
Q. What Services are offered? A. We are a “one-stop shop” for all of your catering needs. We will provide all of the food, highly-trained wait staff and mixologists, alcohol, wedding cakes, tables, linens, and any additional rentals you may need to execute the look you envision for your event. Our Event Coordinators are extremely talented and have been in the business for years, so they are a fantastic resource for advice and expertise for our engaged couples. For each event, we assign an Event Supervisor who acts as a day-of coordinator. These rigorously-trained staff members meet our couples two weeks prior to their wedding so that they can collaborate about the set-up and execution of their weddings. Their job is also to manage the flow and timing of the wedding with the kitchen and the couples’ vendors.
Q. How many people can Barn on Bridge accomodate? A. The Barn on Bridge can accommodate about 220 guests for a seated dinner with dancing. The Main Floor can seat about 100, and each of the two lofts can hold 60 guests.
Q. What is the Alcohol policy? A. One of the best features of this venue is that there is a liquor license! All of the alcohol is provided, so our clients do not have to purchase and transport the alcohol on their own. One less item to add to the to-do list!
Q. Can ceremonies be held at Barn on Bridge? A. Absolutely! In fact, we have three spaces where a ceremony can be held. One is the Upper Garden, which is hardscaped and bordered by beautiful flowers. The Upper Garden is tented, so there is no need for Plan-B and your family does not have to be subjected to whatever elements Mother Nature throws our way! The Lower Garden has a beautiful view that overlooks the grove, which is not tented. If this space is not utilized for a ceremony, it is a scenic space for an outdoor cocktail hour. For brides and grooms marrying in the chillier months, we set the ceremony along the stone wall on the dance floor.
Q. Is there a place for brides and grooms to get ready? A. Brides just LOVE the Carriage House Bridal Cottage! It consists of a large living room, a Bride’s Dressing Room, a Bridesmaids’ Dressing Room, and a kitchen. There is plenty of space for everyone to spread out and snap photos! (Photographers are delighted when brides choose this option over a cramped hotel room.) For our grooms and groomsmen, there is a large conference room in our Farm House for the boys to have a little pre-ceremony fun.
Q. Is there anything about Barn on Bridge our readers might be surprised to learn? A. Our Barn is actually a particular style of architecture. It is called a bank barn because each of its entrances lead to different “main” floors. The garden entrance takes you to the kitchen and restroom area, and the upper parking entrance opens to the main floor of the Barn.
Q. What is the most memorable/bizarre request a couple has had? A. We have a bride who works for the Philadelphia Zoo who is bringing zoo animals for guests for the cocktail hour! That was a new one for us.
Q. Has Barn on Bridge hosted any celebrity weddings? A. Not yet. However, one of our brides was just selected for TLC’s ‘Four Weddings’, filming in April!
Q. What makes Barn on Bridge Unique or Different? A. Believe it or not, it is the bathrooms. During the renovation process last Fall, we expanded both the ladies’ and men’s rooms and built the partitions from reclaimed barn wood. Not only do they look strikingly rustic, they are HUGE! Grooms joke that they are going to hang out in the bathroom all night because there is so much room. (It seems that boys are not used to the spacious bathrooms that ladies typically get to enjoy!)
Q. What makes Barn on Bridge a good choice for the eco-friendly/conscious couple? A. In addition to our recycling and composting efforts, Chef Mark is very knowledgeable and conscientious about buying locally whenever possible. Personally, Chef Mark raises his own chickens and grows an entirely organic garden at his home. For sustainable-minded couples, he can craft a menu that is completely local and organic.
Q. What else do you want our readers to know about Barn on Bridge? A. The Barn on Bridge has two levels—the lofts and the main floor—that are all open to one another to make one big room. This set-up creates a unique vibe for our events. Many couples choose to use the loft area for “VIP” seating for their friends, with their own bar and lounge furniture. Some use the loft to highlight a special dessert station. With so many different nooks, there is plenty of room for our brides and grooms to get creative with the Barn!
behind the scenes
all in the details Hair/Makeup: Dlux Makeup Models: Claire Mahoney and Tim Sansone Dress: Maude Couture Venue: Barn on Bridge Cupcakes: Dia Doce
wedding inspiration
Get the Look! Get inspiration from our eco-friendly stylized shoot for your wedding day! We found items at antique stores, flea markets, farmers markets, goodwill, our own home, our grandparents, local vendors, and local artisans.
Here’s what we used: • Potted plants • Local/Organic cut flowers • Reclaimed House Window • Reclaimed Window Shutters • Lots of Burlap! • Vintage China • Tiered Crystal • Local, All-Natural, Artisan Cupcakes (Dia Doce) • Antique Side Table • Antique Milk Bottles • Twine • Old Books • Vintage Lace • Vintage Napkin Rings • Antique Suitcase • Eco-Friendly Wedding Gown (Maude Couture) • Restored 18th Century Barn (Barn on Bridge) • Clothes Pins
planning
Music for a “Green” Wedding By Nick Doak
Y
ou were going “green” before it was cool, right? Of course! Well, how are you planning the music of your wedding ceremony while keeping true to your environmentally conscious self? Not to worry. Lessening your environment footprint on your special day is easy when it comes to planning the music for the ceremony. Just making a few simple adjustments and considerations to what musical ensemble best compliments your wedding style will allow you to achieve the “green” wedding of your dreams.
Things to consider… • No power – Go acoustic! Request that the musician(s) play without the use of amplifiers. • Size of the venue – Depending on the size and space of the venue, some instruments may have great difficulty projecting throughout the entire service area. Choosing louder instruments, like woodwinds and brass, will work best for larger wedding venues, as opposed to, softer instruments, like strings and harp, work best in more intimate settings. Remember to seek the advice from the musicians to see if their instruments will suit the given venue. • Still can’t hear? – Strategically placing the instrumentalists in the ceremony area may better the chances for all the guests to hear the music being played. Use a backdrop or shell to help project the music toward the guests. Also, increasing the number of musicians may help with volume. • Ensemble – Choose the right soloist, ensemble, or combination thereof that best fits your personality and wedding style. Here are some examples of different ensembles that function well in a wedding setting.
Traditional Wedding Music Ensembles String Ensemble – 2 Violins, viola, and cello Woodwind Ensemble – Flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon Brass Ensemble – 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba Guitar Ensemble – Typically 3 or more classical guitars
Different Instrument Combinations Piano/Harp/Guitar and flute Piano/Harp/Guitar and violin Piano/Harp/Guitar and oboe Piano/Harp/Guitar and singer
Unique Wedding Musicians Ukulele Bagpipe Acoustic guitarist and pop singer Bluegrass ensemble
Tips from our wedding planner contributors to make your wedding a little more
Eco-friendly
Tips from Kris Membrino, of Classis Events by Kris: 1. Choose your wedding dress fabric wisely.
Wedding dresses made from all natural fabrics are the most eco-friendly choices. There are several Eco-Couture designers including Adele Wechsler, Nicole Lenzen, Maude Couture, Priscilla Costa, and Morgan Boszilkov that create custom couture wedding gowns made from all natural silk and cotton. Another option for an eco-friendly wedding dress is to choose vintage or a pre-owned dress.
2. Use recycled paper for your invitations & stationery.
A large part of any wedding is the stationery. This usually means using a lot of paper for the invitations, programs, place cards, table numbers, menu cards and more. I consulted with my preferred vendor for stationery and invitations, Creative Melissa Designs, to learn more about the “green” options in this area. Recycled paper doesn’t mean that your wedding invitations are going to look faded or have a texture or look “crunchy”. Recycled paper is the new trend for wedding invitations, because it costs just about the same as regular paper stock and it has the same vibrant look and feel. Lately, she has been receiving a lot of requests from brides to use recycled paper stock for their wedding invitations. If you are printing invitations yourself, you can use companies like VistaPrint and Gotprint.net. Both offer high quality recycled stock. LCI Paper and Paper Source offer recycled envelopes and papers for your special day. Another option is to have your wedding stationery printed on plantable paper. Yep, you heard it right! Your guests can plant the invitation, favor tags, or thank you cards and wild flowers will grow. Botanical Paper Works offers seed paper for all of your wedding stationery needs.
3. Send out an electronic Save-The-Date.
Another item for your wedding that normally requires paper is your Save-the-Date. Why not eliminate the paper and send them out electronically to your guests. Companies like Evite allow you to create free custom designs and send them out to your guests through email. You can also talk with your invitation designer to see if they can develop an electronic design for you to upload and send to guests.
4. Write out your table settings instead of using place cards.
Another way to save paper with your wedding and more it more “Eco-Friendly” is to write out your place cards instead of printing them on cards. By using recycled windows or large frames and chalkboard paint, you can create a unique and eco-friendly table seating charts for your guests to find their table.
5. Give out plantable favors to your guests.
I personally hate when I go to an event and the favor is something that I will never use again. Why not give your guests something that they can use? A perfect eco-friendly favor is a plant or flower that your guests can enjoy inside or plant outside in their garden. If not an actual plant, you can package seeds in small pouches to give out to guests to plant at home.
6. Book an eco-friendly venue.
If you and your fiancé are set on having a “green” wedding, look for venues for your ceremony and reception that follow guidelines for making their establishment more energy efficient. While visiting different venues, make sure to ask about their energy/water efficiency, recycling, and chemical use policies. Also, try to choose a location that is not too far for your guests to travel to.
7. Have your ceremony & reception in the same location.
If your ceremony does not have to be in a particular place, the option of having your ceremony and reception in the same location can save on transportation costs, gas, and air pollution. There are many venues that can host both your ceremony and reception. The different options can be reviewed on your site visits.
8. Serve locally grown food & don’t use disposables.
Working with your caterer on serving locally grown food or organic food at the wedding can make your event more eco-friendly. Another way to reduce your environmental impact is to use reusable dishes, utensils, and cups. If you need to use some type of disposable, make sure it is made from recycled material.
9. Use locally grown flowers or no flowers at all.
Flowers grown locally or in your own garden can be just as beautiful as ones shipped to a florist. If you are working with a florist, ask them to use seasonal flowers and locally grown only in your arrangements. If you want to put together your own arrangements, make sure to recruit your family and friends to plant your flowers of choice with plenty of time for growth. Another option is to use no flowers at all. A unique and trendy bouquet idea is to make one out of broaches. You can work on creating your own or purchase one through vendors on Etsy.
10. Use natural elements for décor.
Soy candles, wood, wild flowers and other items from nature can be beautiful décor for wedding centerpieces, cake toppers and ceremony accents. Whether you choose to have a beach wedding or rustic fall wedding, there are natural items in every season that can be perfect for your event.
Tips from Michelle Tortuya, of The Charming Little Event Company: The ideas you and your loved one have been dreaming about for your wedding day are truly special and unique to you both and if desired, can be turned ‘green’ easily. If the earth friendly options are getting a little high for your budget, consider picking just a few of the ways that are most important to you both.
1. Invite
Recycled paper is a great and easy option that is not hard to find. As an extra step, you can choose handmade paper, which has a lovely texture and can be created with natural embeds, reflecting more of what you love. For printing, pick calligraphy and natural dyes. To go absolutely paperless - choose sustainable resources like cotton and bamboo.
2. Eat
An all-organic menu is a great choice. There are many caterers who utilize locally grown food and since the food is coming from a shorter distance, less fuel is used to bring it over. Your baker can use locally harvested eggs and milk for the cake too. Don’t forget to choose in-season produce.
3. Gems
In a recycling fashion, the rings and gems can be beautiful and so special by using something handed down to you both from your families. Or, create custom rings by using the metals and gems in your already-available jewelry.
4. Dress
Although only wearing this staple gown for one day, it is often the most important aspect of a wedding for the bride. Recycling a wedding gown from your mother or grandmother, and altering if necessary, is one way to be eco-friendly, while displaying family history and your own style. Option two – scouting local thrift shops for vintage dresses is so much fun. Option three – find a designer that uses sustainable fabrics (organic cotton, silk, etc.).
5. Gifting
Most wedding favors end up being thrown out by guests soon after the wedding (if not left at the table!). Packaging can be a huge waste and hard on the environment. Edible favors are more welcomed by guests and usually do get taken home and eaten. Plus, you can use local, organic fare as the favor such as jars of honey, nuts, etc. If you want to skip favors, considering donating to a charity instead.
6. Blooms
Oh the beauty of flowers. It seems that if anything would be eco-friendly, it would be the flowers, right? Nope! Some flowers can be full of pesticides and chemicals and could have been shipped from far, far away. Choose extra soy candles, potted plants and vases, for the ceremony and reception, which can all be reused. Keep away from out-of-season flowers too and choose the seasonal blooms available, near you. Your florist will be able to suggest alternatives and other choices depending on your exact budget and style. Here’s to an earth friendly and beautiful wedding day!
destination & honeymoon
Take a
STAYcation
T
o many couples, one of the most exciting things outside of the wedding day is the honeymoon. Honeymoons are a great way to get away and enjoy the first week, or so, as a married couple. Many couples take trips to new and exotic locations, or travel to a tropical paradise. There is an alternative that is becoming a rising trend. It’s known as a “staycation.” A Staycation is the idea of taking a vacation but keeping it local. It’s the idea that sometimes the most fun places to go are in our own backyards. Most people don’t ever take the time to realize all of the great attractions that can be found locally. Take a look at local parks, museums, breweries, theme parks, and more to find great things to do near you. These types of trips are usually easier on the wallet and are a lot better on the environment. Most people don’t realize that flying in a plain emits about 3 times more pollution than riding in a car. So taking a trip that is a few hundred miles away and replacing it with a drive that is less than 10 miles is definitely a great way to lower one’s carbon footprint.
Here are some tips to having a great “staycation.” • Start by planning your trip day-by-day. Sit down as a couple and figure out the types of places you want to go and schedule out your excursions up front. • Take a look online and find out what attractions are in your area. Look for things like museums, local breweries, parks, plays, theme parks, or even local sports teams. You can also plan out such things as hikes, bike rides, or canoe trips. Doing your research is a great way to make sure you get the most out of your trip. • If you live near a city, consider taking regional rail into the city to spend the day taking in all the sights and sounds. Be a tourist! Most cities offer a variety of historical locations, museums, and restaurants to check out. By taking the train, you are avoiding all the traffic, the hassles of finding parking, and being environmentally friendly! • If you want to make it a sleepover trip, you can search for hotels that are “green” or energy star rated. This means that they use alternative energy sources to make less of a negative impact on the environment. If you can’t find one that’s green, make sure you reuse your towels and sheets if you are staying more than one night. • Instead of going anywhere, there are also things you can do at your own home. Make yourself a “home-spa” or host your very own film festival. Don’t be scared to be creative and find fun things to do. At the end of the day the most important part of your honeymoon is relaxing and spending time with your new spouse enjoying the bliss of being married. Whether you go away or stay local is just a bonus.
real weddings & engagements
Beth & Derek April 15th, 2012 made u look photography
See their beautiful video here!
Heidi & Nathan July 14th, 2012 made u look photography
See their beautiful video here!
d.i.y spotlight
Burlap Flower Bouquet
La Belle Bride
www.labellebride.com Burlap Scissors Floral stems Ribbon Glue gun Pearl pins (optional)
Directions 1 Cut a strip of burlap about 2 inches thick and a foot long (depending how big you’d like your flowers) 2 Take your stem and glue the tip of it onto the very end of your strip 3 Begin to roll your stem into the burlap, gluing along the way 4 Continue rolling your stem about 4-5 times. This creates the center “bud” of you flower 5 Now it’s time to start your petals! Take the fabric strip that is dangling from your “bud” and make a fold away from you, holding the bottom of the folding piece close to the stem 6 Overlapping your first “petal” slightly, create another backwards fold or petal. Again, holding the bottom of the fold near the stem 7 Glue your first two petals in place. Try to put the glue closer to the base of your flower 8 Continue steps 5-7 until you’ve completed an entire row of petals all the way around 9 Poke your glue gun in here and there to secure the flower 10 With your remaining fabric you’ll now secure the base of your flower and the top of your stem by winding the fabric around, gluing when appropriate. 11 Voilà! Your little burlap flower! 12 Now personally I like these flowers just on their own, but if you’d like to add a little color to your bud you can add a small piece of ribbon and a pearl pin in the center. If you’re making a bouquet like in the first photo, assemble a few burlap flowers, trim the ends and wrap with ribbon. It’s THAT easy.
See the video here!
Our Review Take your time and don’t rush! The end result is worth it. You’ll have a unique, ECO-FRIENDLY, and everlasting bridal bouquet!
professional spotlight
Fashion Designer
Priscilla Costa Brazil Owner: Priscilla Costa E-Mail: contact@priscillacosta.com Website: priscillacosta.com Phone: (215) 938-1009
We have had the pleasure of meeting and working with Priscilla. She is a wonderful and talented individual. Her gowns are simple exquisite. Not only did we jump at the chance to interview and feature Priscilla, but she also shared a gorgeous stylized shoot that showcases her gowns.
Stylized Shoot Credits
Photography: Krista Leigh Hurst Photography Event Design and Styling: Belovely Events Creative Direction: Heather Winkel Concept: Krista Leigh Hurst and Heather Winkel Bride and Groom Models: Sharon Hall and Jacob Sliter Guest Models: Jennifer Tyler, Katie Boal and Amanda Evans Invitations: Quite Like It Design Bride and Bridesmaids Dresses: Priscilla Costa Brazil Headpiece: LeeLeeBridal Jewelry: Lonely Coyote Hair: Liz Maldonado Makeup: Patricia Solis
Q. Tell us about yourself. Personality, likes, dislikes: As a true Brazilian, I am very friendly, simple, and fun. I am passionate about my career and family, and I love my expresso coffee too! I like everything that is simple and natural, and I don’t like anything that is fake (that goes for people too!). My personal style is quite unique, I don’t have a uniform style ... I am always mixing different styles together into my own. My style is aways customized with my feelings and experiences at a given moment.
Q. How long have you been a fashion designer? I’ve been working in fashion since 2006, but I discovered my passion for designing in 2009
Q. What made you choose this profession? It just happened. I went to school for Economics in Brazil, then I started Nursing School when I moved to US in 2003, and until that time I wasn’t sure about what I really wanted to do, and I thought there was something wrong with me! Until I accepted a part-time job at my mother’s tailor shop and discovered myself and my passion.
Q. Why did you start your own business? As a immigrant I faced many challenges in the US, like language, cultural, and specially the fact that I didn’t have a formal education in fashion, however I decided that none of those would stop me. I knew I had to create my own opportunities. So, I started my own business.
Q. What do you love most about being a fashion designer? The people, in my case we can call them “brides,” they are amazing, each one of them brings a different story, idea, personality, taste, and I feel very lucky that they get to share their true selves with me.
Q. What makes your business Eco-friendly/Eco-conscious? Everything is made in our atelier one by one. Our methods of production, we use only natural fabrics like silks, cottons , linens, and we do prefer to source locally whenever possible . We developed a zero waist technique, which all the scraps of fabric are reused to make our embellishments, specifically our “fuxico”. Each seamstress is involved in all aspect of the construction of the dresses, which brings pride to their work. We are very happy to be called sustainable, and we are always looking for more ways to improve our sustainable methods.
Q. What services do you offer brides and grooms? At the atelier we offer custom made dresses. They are developed from scratch and made-to-order dresses from our own collection that can be customized too, We also offer accessories, redesign of vintage pieces, tailoring of existing dresses, dressing service which is coming to the wedding, pressing, and dressing the bride and bridal party on the day of the wedding .
Q. What style best describes your work? Unique handcrafted dresses that are tailored, designed, and imagined for one person, and one person only.
Q. What are some of your favorite wedding memories? Oh boy! There are so many ... I have so many interesting stories, but one that touched me the most was a 2nd time bride who was remarrying her ex-husband after 30 years of divorce. I designed her wedding dress, the wedding was in Disney World, and the bridal party was their grandchildren. I had the opportunity to meet the whole family, and they were so happy that I could feel the good energy they brought in at each fitting we had.
Q. What advice do you have for brides and grooms? Be yourselves! Celebrate your uniqueness and go after everything that will make you happy. Be more conscious about your own community, whenever possible choose locally and give preference to local businesses.
Q. What else to know our readers to know about Daughter of Design? We love what we do, and that’s what inspires us, we do put love into each piece we create. Appointments, tea, coffee, and treats are free! We would love to hear your story and make your dream dress come true!
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