Eco-Beautiful Weddings Summer 2010

Any of us in the bridal blogosphere knows that Katie Martin and her team from Eco-Beautiful Weddings doesn’t do anything halfway: Gutsy, glorious green and glam is the focus of her recent coup. There’s nothing saccharine sweet or tastefully forgettable about this issue, rather bold, beautiful bridal offerings rendered with a dash of insoucience. Parris Whittingham created an unforgettable industrial chic cover and fashion spread, and bridal  buddies Emily Anderson of Good with Style, Jennifer Stein of Destination I Do joined me in a bridesmaid article that takes on tradition.

Judge this book by its cover. The Summer Issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings will have you at “hello”. The cover image will stop you dead in your tracks. The issue includes EBW’s first sustainable beauty editorial, which features organic makeup powerhouse NVEY ECO and an interview with green beauty expert Paige Padgett.  Couples will fall in love with the Etsy Love Challenge produced by Elations Designs.  Who knew Ruffled Blog’s Amanda Nistor spoke Portuguese? The vintage loving blogger even has a free treat for couples inside the issue! Brides can get inspired by the new EBW Wedding in a Box and the exclusive The Cotton Bride collection. Some of the top bridal editors gave us the dish in our Bridesmaid Guide.  Brides and grooms can travel to Ottawa in the Green City Guide. The Summer Issue is truly filled with sustainable sizzle and style.

- Catanna Berger for Jenniferbehr.com

Le Gaga rockin' a Jennifer Behr headwear, Anti-Bride style

I’ve been a fan of Jennifer Behr, former accessories designer for Frederic Fekkai ever since she put her exquisite hair jewelry on the web. I have worn her handiwork to some of our Anti-Bride and Destination I Do events, such as Operation Aisle Style at the W Hotel. I am an unabashed fan girl, watching her steady rise, and have always been a huge advocate of veil alternatives: hair pieces,  jewelry, feathers and hats. Veils can be pretty and quaint, but lack the glam and drama quotient for me.

Jennifer offers a multitude of hair accoutrements in feathers, headbands, combs and tiaras. One particular style setter that can’t be ignored is Lady Gaga. When Jennifer sent me photos of her latest bit of handiwork, the Standing Lace Tiara, festooning The Gaga at the Rainforest Foundation Gala in NYC, I was smitten: it’s glam, with a shot of 40s, theatrical but not too much, modern, timeless and futuristic. It’s kind of Anti-Bride, Bladerunner, and bridal rock star, all rolled up into a stage-worthy, aisle style piece of headgear, what’s not to love?

So before you strap on that veil, let your fingers click their way to a fantasy world of feathers, leathers, and lace and channel the rock star that you are on W-day at Jennifer Behr.

Lady Gaga at the Rainforest Foundation Gala

Only May 13th, Lady Gaga performed with legendary musicians Elton John, Sting and Bruce Springsteen at the 21st Rainforest Foundation Gala at Carnegie Hall. The Rainforest Foundation helps “support indigenous peoples and traditional populations” of the rainforest as they fight to “conserve their land and defend their rights.”During her performance she dressed all in white and finished off her outfit with the Jennifer Behr Standing Lace Tiara. This piece will be available for purchase through our website, at www.jenniferbehr.com starting this weekend!

Available through http://www.jenniferbehr.com and select boutiques worldwide.”

Priti NYC is an eco-friendly non-toxic nail polish founded by Kim D’Amato in 2005 to change the world one manicure at a time. Their polishes are named after flowers and plants. They are fast drying, chip resistant, and have a high shine.

http://twitter.com/BGDMakeupArtist

Edgy street glam in Ella

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2010

Punk Rock Bride continues its mission of offering brides an alternative to the traditional wedding dress, offering five new designs in its newly released 2010 Collection. A few common themes tie this collection together, including the use of layering, corseting, and unexpected details.

Punk Rock Brides Alex dress

The mixing of fabrics and textures has been a part of PRB’s approach since the beginning, and this year is no exception. The new collection utilizes eight different fabrics – many of them unlikely choices for bridal, including silk brocade, silk wool, silk cotton, and a hand-knitted piece. Only one of the dresses is made of a single fabric; the rest combine two or more. When limited by color, these different textures are what keep things interesting.

Pretty Jenny dress is pure and sweet

The corseting elements, while subtle, give the new collection two welcome characteristics: structure and shape. While one of the dresses, Ella, employs a completely separate corset that rests on top of a draping A-line dress, two of the other dresses – Jenny and Alex – use a simple corseted backing to achieve a sculptural effect by targeting specific isolated areas of each dress.

Princess Grace is a punk rock goddess

Of all three PRB collections, the most time and attention to detail were given to the dresses of 2010. There was a conscious effort from Day One to focus on ways to add interest, value, and fashion-forward elements to each design. Some of these details include the addition of pleats, tucks, and insets, as well as unexpected components such as pockets, belts, and keyholes.

Overall, the 2010 Collection is an ambitious extension of the past two collections. The dresses maintain simple silhouettes, comfort, and a light airy quality, without sacrificing drama or style.

About

Punk Rock Bride was founded in 2006 by RISD grad, Stephanie Ward.  Since then the company has received coverage in Brides Magazine, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, and Real Simple, as well as numerous bridal blogs.  In 2009, it was voted the #2 “Best Of” bridal shop by Washington Post Express readers.   Headquartered in Washington, DC, the company’s creations are designed and manufactured in the U.S.

Punk Rock Bride
320 3rd Street, NE Rear
Washington, DC 20002
202.506.3126
info@punkrockbride.com

Beautiful and sustainable Earth Day bride and groom

Tomorrow is the big day for Virdina & Kevin’s wedding day on Earth Day!  You can be there too! Check back here to watch their wedding live with the wonderful help from Marry Me Live!

Washington, DC – On Earth Day, one DC couple will express their love for each other and our planet during their walk down the aisle. Virdina Milfort & Kevin Gibb, winners of the DC Green Wedding Consortium’s $50, 000 Green Wedding Giveaway, are set to marry at the Stephen Decatur House on April 22, 2010.  Following the ceremony, the newlyweds will celebrate with friends and family at an intimate reception, also hosted by the Stephen Decatur House.

Their big day will showcase eco couture elements from start to finish.  The green vendor team producing the event has worked tirelessly since the DC Couture Bridal Show in January, at which the consortium announced the winning couple. The following vendors participated in the Green Wedding Giveaway:

•   Elegance & Simplicity
•   Occasions Caterers
•   Stephen Decatur House
•   Polished Image & Style
•   Table Manners
•   Jim Burch
•   Disc Jockeys on Call
•   Ampa Events
•   Elegant Hair by Giselle
•   Jessica Pi Productions
•   Carola Myers
•   Cakes by Design
•   Andrea Jacobsen Photography
•   Ralph Alswang Photography

Katie Martin, of Elegance and Simplicity Wedding and Event Designers, Inc., will answer all press inquiries regarding the green wedding at greenconsortiums@gmail.com. Katie Martin is the director of the Washington DC Green Wedding Consortium.

About DC Green Wedding Consortium

The Washington DC Green Wedding Consortium (DCGWC) was founded by Katie L. Martin from the event design firm Elegance & Simplicity Wedding & Event Designers, Inc. The DCGWC has vendors  that are hand-picked for their consistent excellent service as well as their innovations and creativity in regards to eco-friendly weddings and the way they do business! An invitation and membership in the consortium is a privilege and coveted among the Washington, DC wedding professional community. As an engaged couple – this is the website you want to guide you to the best green vendors in the Washington, DC area. For more information go to: http://www.greenweddingconsortium.com.

Spring issue out today!

The Spring issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings has hit the blogosphere today and does not disappoint. Filled with fresh ideas in fashion by LeAnne Marshall, a Project Runway Winner, eco-money savvy tips by Dana La Rue and Hunter Stiebel of Brokeassbride.com, getting registered in style by third time eco-author, Emily Anderson of Goodwithstyle.com, the best bridal and fashion offerings that Sydney, Australia has to offer by Polka Dot Bride (who concurrently serves as our Aussie Bride bloggette) all under the tutelage of the intrepid taste maker Katie Martin, you’ll be thrilled with the offerings.

Also, a treat to see is the Eco-Beautiful stellar launch party in NYC which many of us attended: Emily Anderson of Goodwithstyle.com, Candice Lapin of Paratinovia.com, Stacy Yamaoka of Marrymelive.com, Dana La Rue and Hunter Stiebel of Brokeassbride.com, as well as Weddingpodcastnetwork.com, and photographically documented by the spectacular Parris Whittingham who will be featured in our Destination I Do September issue.

Special thanks to Katie Martin, publisher, editor-in-chief of Eco-Beautiful Weddings (and friend!) for popping bits of Antibride.com throughout the magazine: in the photo shoots (book spotting!), the ad (right page position, thank you!) and of course a little mention at the party. Katie is doing a fantastic job at keeping the Green Wedding Agenda top of mind, and in the news in the most relevant and stylish way possible.

Super cute retro Telegram Invite

If you’re a bride looking for a destination wedding invitation that is a little less sea-shell and sunset and a little more vintage jetset you might enjoy the Retro Telegram invitation suite by Bon Moment.

RSVP in vintage style at Bon Moment

We like the fact that it isn’t your typical turquoise and coral beach scene. It’s a retro travel theme that’s a little offbeat.  It features bold colors like Ruby, Onyx and Deep sea. The invitation itself is a unique take on a telegram with “STOP” after each period, just like the original delivery. Pair that with the romantic travel-poster-esque train RSVP, and you’ve got something really out of the ordinary.

The matching airplane Save the Date has been morphed into everything from a moving card to a vintage Hawaiian wedding invitation.  You can get save the date cards, wedding invitations, RSVPs, menu cards, programs and thank you cards within this theme.  All of the pieces are unique individually, and tell a really compelling story when used together.

This wedding invitation suite is created and produced by newcomer Bon Moment, through their etsy store.  Its printed on bright white card stock and comes in quantities of 25. Interestingly enough, this set is also available in Print-at-Home PDF template, catering to the DIY and eco-brides.

More about Bon Moment

For more about Bon Moment, peruse their

Etsy store:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/BonMoment

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BonMoment

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/bonmoment

They specialize in Wedding invitations, DIY Wedding Invitation Templates, Save the Dates, Wedding RSVPs, Menu Cards, Programs, and Thanks You Cards. Their tag line “Wedding Stationery for the Rest of Us” really rings true as you browse their wedding invitation suites. The off-the-wall wedding invitations like a Mexico-inspired Sugar Skull wedding invitation suite, as well as a cute and geeky Retro Robots in Love invitation suite really strays from the more traditional wedding concepts.  They really cater to the alternative and offbeat bride.  Currently they’re working on developing their own website and creating new designs to add to their store.

The dress with magic, healing powers available at Recycledbride.com

Antibride.com and Destination I Do Magazine give Tracy DiNunzio CEO, Recycledbride.com a big virtual hug and shout out for being an outstanding  wedding professional, humanitarian, and Bridetide Top 100 Sites to Watch in 2010. Keep up the great, green, work, Tracy – we heart you and everything you do!

When Maria and Evan got engaged, they never imagined the challenges they would face together before walking down the aisle. They were busy and happily planning their wedding when an unexpected tragedy turned their lives upside down. On April 19th, 2009, Evan went to the grocery store to pick up some cereal and dog food. On the way home, he was in a devastating car accident that split the couple’s Toyota Corolla in half and sent it crashing through a concrete wall. Evan was seriously injured; his neck broken at the C2 vertebrae, a fracture that often results in paralysis or death.

Evan, 8 months before the wedding.

“We didn’t know what would happen to Evan, if he’d ever recover or walk again. I look at the photos from our engagement session, and I’m really glad that we did them early on. If we’d waited, we wouldn’t have had any photos of us from before the accident.”

Evan spent months in the hospital. He wore a variety of immobilizing braces and a halo that was attached to his skull with pins. After multiple complications and a risky surgical procedure, doctors predicted that Evan would make a full recovery — though they couldn’t say how long it would take. The couple didn’t know whether they should cancel their November 21st wedding. Doctors told Evan that he’d be lucky if he could walk down the aisle, let alone dance, by then.

Maria and Evan decided to go ahead with their wedding as planned, and were thrilled when Evan progressed quickly through much of his recovery and was, in fact, able to joyfully walk down aisle. The day became not just a celebration of their love, but an expression of their gratitude to friends and family for seeing them through such a difficult time. All weddings are happy occasions, but Evan and Maria’s felt extra special to everyone who attended and knew how close they’d come to missing out on that day.

All was well, until the couple found out that the majority of Evan’s hospital stay hadn’t been covered by their insurance, and they were hit with staggering medical bills that would wipe out their savings and force them to start their married life deeply in debt. With Evan still out of work recovering, Maria began taking odd jobs while trying to secure a teaching position. With little money coming in and their medical debts looming large, Maria set about finding creative ways to raise money — including listing her gorgeous Maggie Sottero wedding dress for sale on RecycledBride.com.

“At first I didn’t want to part with my dress,” Maria says. “But then I realized that it’s just a thing, and that I was already holding onto the best part of that whole day – Evan! Now I’m glad that someone else will get to enjoy my beautiful wedding dress, and I hope it brings them the same joy that it gave us.”

Maria’s gorgeous Maggie Sottero Vienna wedding dress retails for $1500 plus tax, but she’s selling it for just $1,000. It’s a size 6, in like-new condition, and is a beautiful, figure-flattering design that would make any bride look absolutely stunning. Recycled Bride is going to take care of first-class shipping for the dress, so the buyer will incur no additional costs and is guaranteed to receive the dress quickly and in great condition. Maria plans to use all of the proceeds from the sale to pay Evan’s medical bills.

Despite the challenges they’ve faced, Maria and Evan are as happy as two newlyweds could be. They even feel grateful in some ways for all that this experience has taught them. Maria says, “We joke a lot that after this ordeal, the rest of our marriage is going to be a cinch!”

Now they’re just eager to pay off their debt and move forward. “Evan is back to work, but with only one income and trying to save for some kind of future, it will be hard to make things work and recover financially. It’s been a tough 2009. To sell this dress really would be the greatest blessing to start 2010.”

See Maria’s Maggie Sottero wedding dress

About Recycled Bride

Recycled Bride was created by Tracy DiNunzio to give eco-savvy brides (along with their friends and families) a place to reduce wedding waste and maximize their wedding budgets.

Who uses Recycled Bride?

•    Everybody who’s ever been involved in a wedding, or plans to be.
•    Newlyweds, former brides and bridesmaids sell their once-worn dresses, shoes, accessories and more.
•    Brides who are planning a wedding — along with their bridesmaids, grooms and MOBs — shop Recycled Bride for huge discounts on luxury and designer wedding items.
•    Wedding guests go to Recycled Bride for recycled formal attire, and to search the Registry Redux section for great deals on wedding gifts.

Get barreled, get zen, get your priorities straight in West Oz.

Lonely Planet has chosen Southwest Western Australia as one of the world’s Top 10 Regions for next year in LONELY PLANET’S BEST IN TRAVEL 2010, published this week. Western Australia is home to the only region in Australia to make this year’s list.

BEST IN TRAVEL 2010 is Lonely Planet’s fifth annual collection of the best places to go and the best things to do around the world for the year ahead.

As one of the Top 10 Regions to visit in 2010, Southwest Western Australia “offers variety in spades,” Lonely Planet’s book says. “Well-heeled Perth weekenders make the three-hour trek from the big city to the gourmet paradise of Margaret River; families hit the Busselton beaches; walkers make for the tracks and trails that join Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.”

“While word is out about the southwest,” the book says, “distance still dissuades many Aussie east-coasters – take the opportunity to make it here before they do.”  However, Lonely Planet does acknowledge that “old-timers mutter darkly about ongoing development. Many locals have been priced out of the housing market and fear for a sustainable future for the region.”

Other regions to make Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Regions 2010 list are Alsace, Bali, Fernando de Noronha, Goa, Koh Kong Conservation Corridor, Lake Baikal, Oaxaca, Southern Africa and The Lake District.

Travelers can experience the best of Southwest Western Australia with the following packages, valid from November 2, 2009 through February 28, 2010:

Bayview Geographe Resort
3 Night Packages at 50% off from $110 per night, per couple.
Exciting beach resort and gateway to Western Australia’s Margaret River Wine Region.
T: (08) 97554166
reservations@bayviewresort.com.au

Forte Cape View Apartments
Hot deal: 2 bedroom, 2 nights from $165 per night.
Located in Western Australia’s Margaret River wine region on the shores of Geographe Bay.
T: (08) 9755 4388
bookings@capeviewapartments.com.au

The Beach House at Bayside
Stay awhile: Stay 5 Nights, Pay 4 from $238 per night, per couple featuring gourmet breakfast & afternoon tea.
Award winning, 5 star, hosted accommodation by the sea.
T: (08) 9844 8844
stay@thebeachouseatbayside.com.au

Karri Valley Resort
Kids Stay Play and Eat Free, from $201 per night, per couple.
On the edge of the lake in the heart of the forest 22 km’s from Pemberton.
T: (08) 9776 2020
info@karrivalleyresort.com.au

Quest Margaret River
A complimentary bottle of premium Margaret River Wine, from $210 per night, per couple.
Luxury studio and apartment style accommodation in the heart of Margaret River
T: (08) 97572033
relax@questmargaretriver.com.au

Seashells Resort Yallingup
Stay 5 nights – only pay for 4! from $208 per night, per couple.
Located in Margaret River wine region and set in beautiful gardens.
T: (08) 9750 1500
yallingup@seashells.com.au

Drawing on the knowledge and passion of Lonely Planet’s staff, authors, and community, BEST IN TRAVEL 2010 showcases a year’s worth of inspiration to take travelers out of the ordinary and into some unforgettable experiences. Other highlights include:

• The Top 10 Countries to visit in 2010: El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Portugal, Suriname and the USA.

• 2010’s Top 10 Cities: Abu Dhabi, Charleston, Cork, Cuenca, Istanbul, Kyoto, Lecce, Sarajevo, Singapore, and Vancouver.

• “Top Travel Lists” of the best experiences for the year ahead, from wildlife-watching in South Africa to catching a space flight launched from the Mojave Desert.  Interested in rubbing shoulders with thousands of locals running a marathon?  Explore the options in the “Magical Marathons” list.  Or it might be something more pragmatic – such as an eye operation in India, which features on the “Medical Adventures” list.

• 2010 Travel Planner, with over 30 adventures mapped out month-by-month – from January’s Lowcountry Oyster Festival in Charleston, USA to New Year’s Eve in Paramaribo, Suriname.

About Western Australia
Western Australia, the largest state in Australia located in the western half of the country, is divided into five distinct regions: Australia’s North West, Australia’s Coral Coast, The Golden Outback, Experience Perth, and Australia’s South West. Unspoiled, unpretentious, and full of adventure, the travel experiences in Western Australia are as diverse and spectacular as the landscape itself. The North West region is a vast wilderness area home to spectacular natural attractions including the Bungle Bungle Range in World Heritage Listed Purnululu National Park, the world-famous white sands and turquoise water at Broome’s Cable Beach, and the million acre El Questro Wilderness Park. Travelers to the Coral Coast can dive with the world’s largest fish – the whale shark, snorkel with manta rays, and see wild dolphins at play. Western Australia’s Golden Outback, the Gold Rush country of the 1890’s, offers the ideal blend of history and heritage. Travelers can explore mines and museums, pan for gold, or visit one of Kalgoorlie’s historic pubs. In spring, travelers to The Golden Outback can see brilliantly colored wildflowers in full bloom. Western Australia’s capital city, Perth, and the surrounding region is a microcosm of the whole state boasting vineyards, fantastic restaurants, a lively and original music and arts scene, and stylish accommodation. Perth is also home to Kings Park, the world’s largest inner city park. Featuring beautiful beaches, tall tree forests, and award winning wineries, the South West is also home to the Margaret River region, which produces almost 20% of Australia’s premium wine. With over 220 wine producers in the region, travelers can explore more than 100 cellar doors which are open to the public.  For more information on Western Australia, please visit
www.westernaustralia.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE AT 323.871.1151

Away from the numbers, that's where I want to be....

Many couples are opting to do their destination weddings closer to home. Some do it because it’s not as costly for guests. Others do it because they have a special place in mind that has sentimental meaning for them. Whatever the reason, it’s good for our economy and there are so many amazing places in the US to tie the knot.

The featured couple for this week, Chris and Aisha Advincula, decided to say their destination I do’s in a very remote location, only accessible by private boat or ferry. Cumberland Island, Georgia is not only secluded, it’s the place where the late JFK Jr. and Caroline Bissette Kennedy were married.

Not an umbrella drink in sight, imagine that....

Wild horses roam the island (and have for over 100 years) and there are still ruins from the Carnegie family property (which the family still owns). According to Kristie Love, the couple’s professional photographer, “there are beautiful beaches with unique brightly colored purple flowery vines growing alongside the untouched dunes. The couple are equally as beautiful which made for some awesome photos.”
Chris and his family is originally from the Philippines and Aisha is from England, which made it a little difficult for Aisha’s family to attend. The couple decided to have an intimate ceremony with some traditional Philippine rituals incorporated.
Cumberland Island is well preserved as a National Park, and although you can actually camp within the park, there are also luxury history properties such as Greyfield Inn on the island.