It was a true honor being an invited guest on the show!  Thanks again to Kim Moss of Black Bag Productions!!

Listen here.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blackbagproductions/2010/09/01/wedding-wednesdays-with-black-bag

It’s no surprise that Eco-friendly Belize attracts more than those interested in an environmentally friendly vacation.  With the growing trend of “Green Weddings” Belize is one of the world’s top green destination wedding locations.  Why Go Green? Small eco-friendly choices can decrease your wedding’s impact on the environment without sacrificing style or elegance.  Even with one or two green options you’ll be making a difference for the earth and increasing the joy of your day.

Welcome Baskets. For those of you thinking about gift baskets for your guests upon arrival consider beach bags!  One item that gets thrown out after the goodies are gone is the gift basket.  Do you really expect your guests to lug an empty basket back to the States with them?  Unfortunately off to the landfill they usually go.  Beach bags or gift bags are versatile, and can be easily packed into a suitcase.  Fill the bags with goodies like Belizean jams, jellies, spices, hot sauces, and rum cake.

Kay Scott Photography

Wedding Yoga. We hope you’re planning an “I DO Belize Wedding” and that our prompt detailed responses, suggestions, and bridal calls are keeping you from feeling stressed.  We want you to have fun planning your big day but let’s face it…combine wedding planning, bridal magazines, websites, dress shopping, invitations, and getting advice from friends and family all of the details before your wedding day can naturally feel totally overwhelming.   The physical yoga poses, breathing exercises, and meditations are the perfect way to self-navigate into excellent physical and emotional health, and a state of inner calm and relaxation.  Try just ten poses two to three times a week to notice a difference.  If you’re new to yoga pick up a yoga for beginners book or try a gentle yoga class.

Invitations and paper. It’s very exciting that so many print companies are finally starting to use post- consumer products to create beautiful invitations, programs, and personal stationary! Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. Use recycled paper wherever possible for wedding invitations; most companies can offer this option. Also consider treeless paper made from materials such as bamboo, hemp and kenaf.  Emily Anderson, author of “ecochic weddings” blog, has a few suggestions for eco-friendly invitations and printing.  http://bit.ly/7yI6J

Invitation by The Green Kangaroo

Here are some of our favorite Eco-friendly invitation companies that use recycled paper, invitations made from tree free Kozo papers, & papers made using wind energy that are carbon neutral, and FSC certified.

www.tgkdesigns.com

www.writestyleinvites.com

www.greenfieldpaper.com

www.oftheearth.org

Flowers. Use local native flowers!  Many traditional wedding flowers have to be imported to island destinations.  Transportation and care of these flowers requires extra resources.  If you’re lucky enough to marry here in Belize our native flowers are some of the most beautiful tropical flowers in the world!  Plus, you’ll be saving a lot of money using local verses imported flowers.

Conch Creative Photography

Jewelry.   North America contributes $16 billion a year into the jewelry market that could be infused into the green economy through the purchase of socially and environmentally responsible jewelry. Eco-conscious jewelers use recycled stones and metals, as well as ethically sourced diamonds, gems and metals to create breathtaking and unique items. Family heirlooms, vintage pieces, or handmade items are also sustainable, and often less expensive options to consider.

Transportation. Eliminate the vehicles.  Choose a reception venue that’s walkable from the ceremony.  In Belize there are plenty of breathtaking beach locations where you can hold both your ceremony and reception.

Favors. Yes!  Favors can be earth friendly too.   Often people come up with very cute favors which unfortunately guests don’t end up using. Chelsea Clinton gave reusable tote bags that they can use in place of paper or plastic for grocery shopping.  Imagine how cute would tropical personalized grocery totes be!

Chelsea Clinton’s pick for “simple and special favors”

Photo provided by Party Blue Prints

Eco-friendly flip flops make great wedding favors that guests can take home and wear again.  Look for flip flops made from natural materials like rubber, jute, or hemp.  Roxy makes a line of these flip flops starting at $9/pair.

Socially conscious donations in place of favors seem especially appropriate for the green bride. Pick a worthy association (something important to you), and notify the guests on pretty cards of handmade paper.  Consider places such as Nature Conservancy, Green Peace, Rainforest Network, Earth First, Farm Sanctuary, or even a Belize wildlife or reef preservation such as Green Reef or Belize Ecotourism Association.  Plantable seed content makes a cute and budget friendly addition! (which leads us to our next eco-favor.

Plantable eco-friendly place cards favors are a hit!  Beach theme seed place cards serve a decorative, a wedding favor and place card all in one!  These “Please be seeded” place cards perfect for a beach wedding and only run around $2.00 each!   Arranged seating not your style?  Reusable tins with plantable seeds and a saying is sure way to make a statement.  “Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower” -Anon.

Now what? Decided to make your Belize wedding an eco-friendly themed wedding day?  Contact I DO Belize Weddings today to learn more and start planning.

]]> http://idobelizeweddings.com/blog/uncategorized/green-eco-friendly-wedding-tips/feed/ http://idobelizeweddings.com/blog/uncategorized/2010-emmys-we-want-to-hear-your-reviews/ http://idobelizeweddings.com/blog/uncategorized/2010-emmys-we-want-to-hear-your-reviews/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:25:15 +0000 I DO Belize Weddings http://idobelizeweddings.com/blog/?p=1546 The NBC 2010 Emmys just started and YES!  I DO Belize Weddings is watching!  We want to hear from you here tomorrow your reviews.  Let us know your favorites, and least favorites, and why! 

Please leave your comments!

Photography by Masable.com

For those who couldn’t watch,  here’s a recap coursety of yahoo

http://awards.tv.yahoo.com/photos/139-2010-emmys-red-carpet

We’ve been noticing a trend in weddings.  Many couples are preferring wedding cupcakes over traditional cakes.  Trends that take the (Cup)Cake.   Go beyond the plain chocolate or vanilla — you’re marrying on a tropical island so perhaps the more exotic your wedding cupcakes, the better!  Think Key Lime with Graham Cracker topping, Coconut Creme, Orange Sunrise, Vanilla-Rum, Margarita spiked with Tequila, Ginger with candied ginger on top, or Pina Colada!  Cupcakes allow you to get creative.  Consider colored cupcakes incorporating your wedding color scheme.

Wedding cupcakes are remarkably versatile and you can customize them to fit your needs perfectly.  Some choose to top their wedding cupcake stand with a small ‘cutting cake’ so that the couple can be photographed doing the traditional cake cutting ceremony.  Other couples use two cupcakes and peel the wrapper off one cupcake together and then feed each other a bite from the same cupcake– that is something unique and romantic that you can’t do with a wedding cake!

Hand painted white chocolate seashells.  Sand is brown sugar and crushed graham crackers with gold disco dust added  -Kelly Lloyd

“Wedding Cupcakes are in vogue at the moment, as are coloured cakes.”  Martha Stewart officially declared wedding cupcakes a popular and suitable choice for today’s brides.

Did you know Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher (of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators) opted for wedding cupcakes instead of a wedding cake?  “We’re kind of doing cupcakes,” the country star tells CMT Radio Live’s  Cody Alan. “I consider myself a very traditional person. More than anything, we’re going to get married, that’s the important part. And we want everyone to have a good time, so we’re doing some things like that, that are a little bit different.”

Congratulations Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher!

Not set on wedding cake?   Consider wedding cupcakes for a fresh and hip dessert option!  Everyone loves cupcakes.

Dawn Boddy

Amy Knox

Jennifer Gillespie of Calligraphy by Jennifer specializes in modern, traditional, and exquisite hand lettering for all occasions.  Jennifer offers over 35 beautiful styles of hand lettering for your envelope addressing, invitations, table card lettering,  or custom design work.  Make your first impression with elegant and classy invitations and envelopes that will absolutely wow your guests!

We’re especially impressed with her custom hand stamps! Create a custom stamp that you can use for the  wedding and lasts a lifetime.  Calligraphy by Jennifer even allows you to create your own design layout.

Check out http://www.calligraphybyjennifer.net for more details on these special hand stamps and more fabulous products for your wedding.

The morning after…

The Trash the Dress experience is a very special way for a bride to express herself and revel in the emotions that have led up to the big event.  Trash the Dress is not about destroying something beautiful but about creating fantastic imagery allowing the bride (and groom) to live in the moment, feeling like superstars with their own personal photographer encouraging them to liberate themselves and truly expose their inner beauty and even their wild side.

Imagine the possibilities!

It is entirely up to the bride to decide how far she wants to go – some just want to enjoy the excitement of the occasion and are thrilled to utterly destroy their wedding clothes, while many have been able to return home, with their dress, dry clean it and wear it again.  Some  bring a second dress.

.

“Keli,

Thank you so very much for everything!!! It was so much fun! I feel like everyone is family from there! We couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect. It was a truly special and memorable day and because of your hard work, we were able to have a relaxing, enjoyable time. We are truly thankful to have had you as our wedding coordinator. You rock!”

“Insight from the bride ~ my daughter will never wear this dress, styles change and her’s is far from mine. I now have some amazing shots that most women will never have and it was an amazing experience to do this photo shoot with just my husband and no one else around. a great memory for the two of us.
CONCH CREATIVE IS AMAZING! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR CAPTURING OUR SPECIAL MEMORIES THE WAY YOU DID! LOVE YOU!!!”  Sandra Matthews

Special thanks to our fantastic photographer, Conch Creative Photography, and many thanks to our cheerful and vivacious couple Sandra and Corky.    What a blast!  We are honored to be part of your special day in Belize.

I DO Belize Weddings

Promote Your Page Too

We would like to focus our attention on some colored wedding dresses that we’re sure you’re going to feel tempted to read about.  Dresses are always an exciting topic.

Becky and Dwayne, our bride and groom, offer some seriously refreshing wedding ideas for today’s bride.  It’s not often that bridal blogs see colored wedding dresses, especially bright red!   Colored wedding dresses create a really interesting and cheerful visual effect on the beach.  The trend of colored wedding dresses is certainly on the rise, especially for destination weddings.  We’ve been lucky to see Belize bride’s in champagne, latte, spring green, ocean blue, and red!

Photographs by Conch Creative Photography

Here’s a look back at a few of our colored wedding dress brides.

Photography:  Kay Scott

Photography:  Belicolor Photography

Photography:  Belicolor Photography

Photography:  Belicolor Photography

Photography:  Kay Scott

Traditional brides:  try adding just a hint of color.   Our stunning Valentine’s Day bride added red for the perfect look.

Candice and Robert re-tied the knot in San Pedro, Belize at the beautiful Coco Beach Resort.  We were thrilled to be part of this beautiful couples special five year island anniversary celebration.

Candice and Robert held a private beach BBQ reception on the beach and celebrated with 8 of their family members

Photography: Kay Scott Photography

Visit One Wed’s Savvy Scoop Bridal Blog, one of our favorites, for “Eco-Fabulous” Wedding Favors and more unique wedding ideas!

Summer wedding guests deserve something special to commemorate your celebration. These eco-friendly favors are vibrant, sunny, and as good for your guests as they are for the Earth.

1. Take a cue from recent bride Chelsea Clinton, and give your guest reusable tote bags that they can use in place of paper or plastic. Chelsea’s wedding favors included an orange tote from a local shop filled with products from a neighboring Farmer’s Market, and a bottle of wine from the nearby Clinton vineyard. For your favors, try this stylish green tote made of natural cotton, either on its own or filled with locally-made goodies.

2. Bloembox Tiny Tins Plantable Seed Favors are favors so pretty they double as decor. Each tin is topped with a colorful silk bloom corresponding to the type of plantable seeds within. Both beautiful and practical, these environmentally friendly favors are each wrapped with a wonderful message for your big day: “Happiness held is a seed. Happiness shared is the flower.”

3. Charity Wedding Favors that benefit an organization like The Rainforest Alliance or The Sierra Club let you and your guests celebrate helping the environment. To let everyone know about the donation you’ve made in their honor, choose a place card, tent card, or postcard to leave on each plate.

4. These adorable mini flower pots make an inspiring wedding favor for your special day. They don’t come with flowers, so you can DIY it and plant your own, or fill the pots with seeds, chocolates, almonds, or leave them as-is. These favors also double as escort cards, saving you an extra expense.

5. Chocolate truffle boxes from Sweet Earth Chocolates contain the perfect post-wedding treat: delicious truffles that are 100% organic and fair trade. They come in a gold or silver truffle box that can be customized with your names, wedding date, and a one line message to your guests!

Will you incorporate an eco-chic element into your wedding guest favors? If so, what will be your green favor of choice?

Photo: Bloembox Tiny Tins Plantable Seed Favors

Photo: “Favor for a Cure” pink ribbon favor boxes

Photo: Miniature Flower Pots

Photo: Chocolate truffle boxes from Sweet Earth Chocolates

Not sure if a destination or location wedding is right for you?  Then, consider the…

Top Ten Reasons to Plan a Destination Wedding

By Jennifer Baumann

You and the one you love are dreaming of an enchanted getaway, to do nothing less than tie the knot. Why should anyone want to go away, you say? Check out these reasons for taking a sandy route to the altar with a destination wedding.

1.   Nearly stress-free planning!

Getting married is quite a big step, so we don’t ever want to say any wedding is completely and totally stress free. But, not having to worry about the seating chart, or who’s going to be the best man could take a lot of worry out of your Big Day.

2.   Slim to none chance of inter-family fights

Especially if you invite them along. It’s vacation time for everyone!

3.   It’s usually cheaper

There are all-inclusive packages that feature both your wedding and the honeymoon for $4,000 or $5,000, which is darn cheap compared to the average of $20,000 + for a traditional wedding and sit-down dinner reception.

4.   Control!

An amazing relief if you’ve ever been part of a traditional wedding with two families involved. All the factors are completely and totally within your hands.

5.   Second wedding heaven

Especially if you’ve already been there, done that with a big wedding, second weddings are perfect for the relaxing getaway to a beautiful locale. Don’t forget to ask about activities for the kids!

6.   Your honeymoon begins immediately after the ceremony

Now, that’s not bad.

7.   Pack light

You can choose your wedding clothes once you arrive in your exotic location! Think snowsuits, island gowns, saris, and of course, shorts.

8.   Parental bliss

If they’re coming, you will get to hear them say over and over, “we’ve been wanting to take a vacation!”

9. Use your imagination

You can eat before the ceremony, or after. You could have a cake, or not. You could jump in the ocean, or stay on the sand. Endless opportunities.

10. Fun for those who attend

Think of what you’re doing for them! A cruise, a ski vacation, or a weekend on the beach - who wouldn’t enjoy themselves?

Jennifer Baumann is editor of Wedding Gazette, the resource for real-world wedding planning that’s packed with info on how to plan your budget, how to avoid killing certain family members, exhaustive theme ideas, plus tons of resources on finding favors, necessary accessories, gifts for your groomsmen, and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bauman