Rev. Heather Kotok says: Carbon Neutral Weddings can be a wonderful way to bring the blessings of our Planet’s Vitality into your lives together. Being aware of all the energy that goes into planning your wedding, educating your friends and family to the impact and honoring the Earth by giving back all that it took to create your event, gives more to your friends and family's future on this beautiful planet than could ever go into words.
There are many options in having a Carbon Neutral Wedding. Reducing your carbon need is the first thing to look at. Going local with your suppliers is one way to reduce carbon output. Local suppliers are good to look into supporting because endorsing your local businesses supports your local economy and community.
Some products are better sought within the local region they naturally come from, as the amount of energy spent transporting is less then the energy used to generate in a climate that is not naturally conducive to production.
Having your wedding at a location that all ready is using green energy is helpful and fun, but not necessary. Simply asking locations if they use green energy motivates businesses to go green. As the trend from the consumer encourages businesses to be aware of their energy use, businesses will naturally begin to change.
Asking the location to provide eco friendly products from cleaning supplies to decorations will encourage the change to take place, hence, your contribution to the world will greatly multiply. Ask your wedding manager if they can recommend products they have researched that are both eco friendly and comparable in cost for your vendors to use for your event that will minimize your carbon footprint.
One way to off set the energy usage is to incorporate the carbon offsets into your wedding decorations. Planting trees is a useful way to offset carbon. Have guests write a blessing for the Bride and Groom on a small sheet of paper provided next to your guest book with a box in which to place the blessing. Have a tree planting ceremony at some point during the reception where the guest's blessings are planted along with the trees. Small trees could also be used as part of your centerpieces or aisle decorations.
There are companies who will plant trees to commemorate your special day as well. Donate to your local companies who are helping to formulate green energy for your community. Perhaps you may want to let your guests have to option to give to green energy production companies of your choice in place of your gifts if they wish.
A good way to communicate these ideas are through a wedding blog or website that keeps your guests informed of your wishes and the thoughts you have in wishing this for your wedding blessing. There are several free websites and blogs you may create on line to choose from.
Choosing to work with companies that support Organic, Fair Trade, Eco Friendly, Sustainable, and Green vendors will be more than helpful in helping you to have a Carbon Neutral Wedding.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Monday, July 21, 2008
Consider a Seasonal Bouquet
When planning for a large gathering such as a wedding, florists are often just as unsure about the price as you are until well into the process. Karen Perry, owner of The Master's Bouquet in Bakersfield, Calif., which services over 100 weddings and big events each year, says that she offers "ballpark figures" during the initial consultation meeting, but that many variables affecting cost often don't come into play until later.
For example, flower arrangements for a recent wedding originally estimated at $2,000 ended up costing a total of $5,000, Perry says, after the clients added centerpieces for the reception and asked for some additional upgrades.
Knowing what you want ahead of time helps, since last-minute changes can factor heavily in the billing for big orders. Prices can be kept in check more easily when clients communicate their budget up front and ask for an itemized copy of the bill from the start, says Walter Fedyshyn, vice president of the American Institute of Floral Designers.
Another tip for trimming costs: Opt for flowers that are in season, like astors or zinnias in the summer and carnations or lilies in the winter.
For example, flower arrangements for a recent wedding originally estimated at $2,000 ended up costing a total of $5,000, Perry says, after the clients added centerpieces for the reception and asked for some additional upgrades.
Knowing what you want ahead of time helps, since last-minute changes can factor heavily in the billing for big orders. Prices can be kept in check more easily when clients communicate their budget up front and ask for an itemized copy of the bill from the start, says Walter Fedyshyn, vice president of the American Institute of Floral Designers.
Another tip for trimming costs: Opt for flowers that are in season, like astors or zinnias in the summer and carnations or lilies in the winter.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Get me to the (Fill in the blank________) on Time!!
Did the last wedding you attended start on time - probably not! If you were sitting in the bright, hot summer sun, you were probably wishing you had worn your cool and comfortable sunflower sun-dress instead of the sleek black one that does such a great job of accentuating all your Positive attributes! How about the babies that were fussy or the elderly guests that were looking pretty wilted - they were probably as uncomfortable as you, or worse!
If you want to be remembered as a Bride that was considerate of all her guests, PLEASE, put yourself in their position. Would you want to be waiting 20 - 30 minutes (or more) with no idea about what is holding up the ceremony ~ sitting in the sun, rain, cold or heat tends to put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm, no matter how much they love and adore you!
Take some time to plan out the entire ceremony and share the details with everyone that needs to know. Even if you are working with a Wedding Coordinator, it is your responsibility to make certain the wedding party, your parents and in-laws know when to arrive at the chosen venue and to provide specific directions, to the ceremony site, once they have reached the location. Also, make certain your Officiant has been provided with detailed directions, too!
If you remember these simple tips, you will have Guests that are thrilled to be sharing your day and will remember you as considerate and courteous - wishing more Brides were just like You!
If you want to be remembered as a Bride that was considerate of all her guests, PLEASE, put yourself in their position. Would you want to be waiting 20 - 30 minutes (or more) with no idea about what is holding up the ceremony ~ sitting in the sun, rain, cold or heat tends to put a damper on anyone’s enthusiasm, no matter how much they love and adore you!
Take some time to plan out the entire ceremony and share the details with everyone that needs to know. Even if you are working with a Wedding Coordinator, it is your responsibility to make certain the wedding party, your parents and in-laws know when to arrive at the chosen venue and to provide specific directions, to the ceremony site, once they have reached the location. Also, make certain your Officiant has been provided with detailed directions, too!
If you remember these simple tips, you will have Guests that are thrilled to be sharing your day and will remember you as considerate and courteous - wishing more Brides were just like You!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Your Marriage Ceremony
Above all else - whatever words you choose for your ceremony, I believe what is most important is that it is the expression of your love for, and commitment to, each other.
Following are some of the basic components of a Wedding Ceremony. When you reserve your ceremony with me, I will provide you with my Vow Builder which includes various elements of a ceremony which you may choose to use to "construct" your own ceremony. I also furnish numerous ceremonies which are complete from start to finish to give you an idea of the direction in which you may like your ceremony to flow...
Basic Parts of a Wedding Ceremony
* The Presenting of the Bride (Often by their Families)
* Words of Welcome
* Opening Words
* Prayer (Optional)
* Words on Love or Marriage
* Declaration
* Vows
* The Exchange of Rings
* Ring Blessing
* Thank You to Family and Friends
* Benediction
* Pronouncement of Marriage
* First Kiss
* Introduction of Mr. And Mrs. .....
Optional Inclusions
* Honoring Absent Family Members
* These Hands Ceremony
* Roses to Mothers
* Unity Candle (best suited for inside locations)
* Unity Sand Ceremony (better suited for outside venues)
* Readings, either Religious or Secular
* Children Ceremony - If either of you have children, this part of the ceremony acknowledges those children as part of your union - your family.
Following are some of the basic components of a Wedding Ceremony. When you reserve your ceremony with me, I will provide you with my Vow Builder which includes various elements of a ceremony which you may choose to use to "construct" your own ceremony. I also furnish numerous ceremonies which are complete from start to finish to give you an idea of the direction in which you may like your ceremony to flow...
Basic Parts of a Wedding Ceremony
* The Presenting of the Bride (Often by their Families)
* Words of Welcome
* Opening Words
* Prayer (Optional)
* Words on Love or Marriage
* Declaration
* Vows
* The Exchange of Rings
* Ring Blessing
* Thank You to Family and Friends
* Benediction
* Pronouncement of Marriage
* First Kiss
* Introduction of Mr. And Mrs. .....
Optional Inclusions
* Honoring Absent Family Members
* These Hands Ceremony
* Roses to Mothers
* Unity Candle (best suited for inside locations)
* Unity Sand Ceremony (better suited for outside venues)
* Readings, either Religious or Secular
* Children Ceremony - If either of you have children, this part of the ceremony acknowledges those children as part of your union - your family.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Special Observance Ceremonies
The unity candle is one of most well known side ceremonies in the wedding. It is usually done with 2 taper candles and 1 large candle. The tapers are lit before the ceremony, sometimes by the mothers of the bride and groom. During the ceremony the bride and groom take the tapers and light the middle candle signifying 2 people becoming one family unit. Sometimes other candles can be lit in honor of children in the family. A unity candle in an outdoor ceremony can sometimes be a challenge. We recommend a tea light in a votive holder to be lit and on the table in case the wind blows out the tapers. A blown out candle in no way reflects on the future of the marriage.
The sand ceremony can be an alternative to a unity candle for some couples. Containers are needed, one container to pour the sand into, and smaller containers that you pour the sand from. Plain or colored sand can be found at numerous craft stores (as well as online) or can be sand from beaches from prior vacation destinations. This ceremony can be created for just the couple or can include as many people as they desire. The bride and groom pour their two containers of sand into the vessel simultaneously. A small amount of sand can be left in each container to symbolize that although the couple is joined, each remain individuals. If desired, other family members can be asked to pour a container of sand into the vessel. There is a ceremony that is read while the sand is poured.
Hand fasting appears in most cultures in one form or the other, and in many major religions. Its meaning is essentially the same from culture to culture and religion to religion, in that it is symbolic of the couple's "oneness" and unity. The form we use is basically Celtic. We have the bride and groom place their hands on top of each other, and then four separate cords are loosely tied, each cord representing something different. We have also made a "sandwich" of hands when a couple has children they want to include in the ceremony as a symbol that everybody is now tied together as a family.
The rose ceremony is used to thank or honor guests or family members. A rose or other flower is handed to the honored person in the gathering. Usually the reason for the rose presentation is written into the ceremony. In one ceremony, the roses were given to the co-workers in honor of a co-worker who had just passed away. Many times it is used to thank Mothers, Parents and/or grandparents for being there for the couple throughout their lives.
The wine unity ceremony. Three glasses, one empty, one with white wine and one with red wine are placed on a table. At the same time, the bride pours the white wine, while the groom pours the red wine into the empty glass. They then sip from the glass.
The sand ceremony can be an alternative to a unity candle for some couples. Containers are needed, one container to pour the sand into, and smaller containers that you pour the sand from. Plain or colored sand can be found at numerous craft stores (as well as online) or can be sand from beaches from prior vacation destinations. This ceremony can be created for just the couple or can include as many people as they desire. The bride and groom pour their two containers of sand into the vessel simultaneously. A small amount of sand can be left in each container to symbolize that although the couple is joined, each remain individuals. If desired, other family members can be asked to pour a container of sand into the vessel. There is a ceremony that is read while the sand is poured.
Hand fasting appears in most cultures in one form or the other, and in many major religions. Its meaning is essentially the same from culture to culture and religion to religion, in that it is symbolic of the couple's "oneness" and unity. The form we use is basically Celtic. We have the bride and groom place their hands on top of each other, and then four separate cords are loosely tied, each cord representing something different. We have also made a "sandwich" of hands when a couple has children they want to include in the ceremony as a symbol that everybody is now tied together as a family.
The rose ceremony is used to thank or honor guests or family members. A rose or other flower is handed to the honored person in the gathering. Usually the reason for the rose presentation is written into the ceremony. In one ceremony, the roses were given to the co-workers in honor of a co-worker who had just passed away. Many times it is used to thank Mothers, Parents and/or grandparents for being there for the couple throughout their lives.
The wine unity ceremony. Three glasses, one empty, one with white wine and one with red wine are placed on a table. At the same time, the bride pours the white wine, while the groom pours the red wine into the empty glass. They then sip from the glass.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Creating a Successful Marriage
The number one predictor of marriage difficulty is the chronic avoidance of conflict. What's sad is the reason that we avoid conflict is because we believe it (conflict) causes divorce. It's like the cartoon where the couple explains to the marriage counselor, "We never talk anymore. We figured out that's when we do all our fighting."
In the beginning, we avoid conflict because we are in love and we believe that
"staying in love" is about agreeing, about NOT fighting. We're afraid that if we disagree - or fight - we'll run our marriage off into the ditch.
Successful couples are those who know how to discuss their differences in ways that actually strengthen their relationship and improves intimacy. Successful couples know how to contain their disagreements – how to keep them from spilling over and contaminating the rest of their relationship.
While it's true that we don't get married to handle conflict, if a couple doesn't
know how – or learn how – to fight or disagree successfully, they won't be able to do all the other things they got married to do. Put another way, it's hard to take her out to the ball game if you're not speaking. Couples are often so determined to avoid disagreements that they shut down – quit speaking.
Couples need to know the research and understand that every happy, successful couple has approximately ten areas of "incompatibility" or disagreement that they will never resolve. Instead, they learn how to manage the disagreements and live life "around" them – to love in spite of their areas of difference.
The good news is that the skills or behaviors – behaviors for handling disagreement and conflict, for integrating change, and for expressing love, intimacy, support and appreciation – can all be learned. Couples can unlearn the behaviors that destroy love – and replace them with behaviors that keep love alive.
Successful couples also model the skills for their children which will slow the divorce rate in future generations. "Don't tell us how to have a good marriage, show us."
In the beginning, we avoid conflict because we are in love and we believe that
"staying in love" is about agreeing, about NOT fighting. We're afraid that if we disagree - or fight - we'll run our marriage off into the ditch.
Successful couples are those who know how to discuss their differences in ways that actually strengthen their relationship and improves intimacy. Successful couples know how to contain their disagreements – how to keep them from spilling over and contaminating the rest of their relationship.
While it's true that we don't get married to handle conflict, if a couple doesn't
know how – or learn how – to fight or disagree successfully, they won't be able to do all the other things they got married to do. Put another way, it's hard to take her out to the ball game if you're not speaking. Couples are often so determined to avoid disagreements that they shut down – quit speaking.
Couples need to know the research and understand that every happy, successful couple has approximately ten areas of "incompatibility" or disagreement that they will never resolve. Instead, they learn how to manage the disagreements and live life "around" them – to love in spite of their areas of difference.
The good news is that the skills or behaviors – behaviors for handling disagreement and conflict, for integrating change, and for expressing love, intimacy, support and appreciation – can all be learned. Couples can unlearn the behaviors that destroy love – and replace them with behaviors that keep love alive.
Successful couples also model the skills for their children which will slow the divorce rate in future generations. "Don't tell us how to have a good marriage, show us."
Saturday, August 25, 2007
If Rice is not an Option on your Wedding Day...
What better day to try something different than on your wedding day? Remember it’s Your Day ~ Your Way !!! One small change that you can customize is the ‘rice throwing’. Granted not many people really throw rice anymore, but the sentiment of wishing the happy couple good luck is still there. So lets look some of the options available:
Rice – It’s the most traditional choice. We're cautioned not to throw rice at the bride and groom, because the grain will prove harmful to the birds who swoop down to eat it. Uncooked, milled rice is no more harmful to birds than rice in the field, says Mary JoCheesman of the U S Rice Federation. The birds are safe, but the guests could be injured if they were to slip and fall. If that’s not an issue, at your location, and the tradition of rice feels best to you then go for it! They even sell it in a cooked format that is then shaped into wedding bells, doves, etc...
Birdseed – Always nice to feed a few birds on your wedding day, but trying to get all that birdseed out of your hair is a nightmare and some facilities may feel the same way about birdseed as they do about rice!
Bubbles – Fun and whimsical. They can be purchased in small favor sized bottles and even customized with the wedding information. Check your local Dollar Store for the best prices!!
Butterflies – Beautiful thought to send butterflies free to fly around you, but you have to make sure the boxes you receive contain live butterflies and that you have enough to even be seen. Be certain to deal with a reputable vendor, only release on a day above 60 degrees and in the middle of the afternoon so they have time to find something to eat before they must find a place to roost for the night.
Doves - Similar to butterflies. Choose a reputable vendor and practice with them (before the ceremony) so you know the correct way to hold and release them.
Bells or other noisemakers – Perfect for venues which don’t allow anything to be thrown, but be sure to let the little ones know they’re just to ring and not to throw!
Confetti – Can be bought in a variety of colors and glittering effects. However, it’s notoriously difficult to clean up even with vacuuming. For this reason most locations probably won’t allow it. On the plus side it can come in a variety of shapes and be great for a theme wedding even just spread out on the reception tables.
Sparklers – Fantastic effect for an evening wedding. Get the larger ones so that the sparkle will last longer. They also make them with a wood center (rather than metal) so they are safer for youngsters.
Flower petals or Lavender – Very romantic and beautiful to see a shower of petals/buds. They are easier to clean up then confetti and without the hassle of birdseed getting in your hair.
Rice – It’s the most traditional choice. We're cautioned not to throw rice at the bride and groom, because the grain will prove harmful to the birds who swoop down to eat it. Uncooked, milled rice is no more harmful to birds than rice in the field, says Mary JoCheesman of the U S Rice Federation. The birds are safe, but the guests could be injured if they were to slip and fall. If that’s not an issue, at your location, and the tradition of rice feels best to you then go for it! They even sell it in a cooked format that is then shaped into wedding bells, doves, etc...
Birdseed – Always nice to feed a few birds on your wedding day, but trying to get all that birdseed out of your hair is a nightmare and some facilities may feel the same way about birdseed as they do about rice!
Bubbles – Fun and whimsical. They can be purchased in small favor sized bottles and even customized with the wedding information. Check your local Dollar Store for the best prices!!
Butterflies – Beautiful thought to send butterflies free to fly around you, but you have to make sure the boxes you receive contain live butterflies and that you have enough to even be seen. Be certain to deal with a reputable vendor, only release on a day above 60 degrees and in the middle of the afternoon so they have time to find something to eat before they must find a place to roost for the night.
Doves - Similar to butterflies. Choose a reputable vendor and practice with them (before the ceremony) so you know the correct way to hold and release them.
Bells or other noisemakers – Perfect for venues which don’t allow anything to be thrown, but be sure to let the little ones know they’re just to ring and not to throw!
Confetti – Can be bought in a variety of colors and glittering effects. However, it’s notoriously difficult to clean up even with vacuuming. For this reason most locations probably won’t allow it. On the plus side it can come in a variety of shapes and be great for a theme wedding even just spread out on the reception tables.
Sparklers – Fantastic effect for an evening wedding. Get the larger ones so that the sparkle will last longer. They also make them with a wood center (rather than metal) so they are safer for youngsters.
Flower petals or Lavender – Very romantic and beautiful to see a shower of petals/buds. They are easier to clean up then confetti and without the hassle of birdseed getting in your hair.
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