More Registry Ramblings...

Maybe it is just because Earth Day is fast approaching, but I can't seem to stop finding new places to register for an eco-concious bride!!! (And, hey, check these places out, even if you are aren't getting married. A girl can never have a nest that is "too green.")

In Style this month had a whole Earth Day section with their version of the "2009 Green Awards" My favorite tip? Check out this site:

Green Depot! You can register here for table top items home accessories, or use it as a way to get those green items that you always wanted, but can't afford (composting supplies, light bulbs, shower heads, cleaning supplies...you name it!) And not that we are there quite yet...but the baby stuff on this site is to DIE for! (Note to self: "Keep in mind for My Greenlicious Baby Blog"...more to follow. ;-)

Due to my career working for a professional organizer, I get all sorts of "Industry Rags." And this month they are all about the green housewares! In Kitchenware News, (yup, it exists) they have a whole section this month about bridal registries...they mentioned three places in particular that caught my eye:




1. For the perfect "one stop shop" eco-friendly wedding registry try 3r Living Brooklyn (yeah...this is actually in my neighborhood. Jealous? You don't have to be. They have an online wedding registry that is just awesome. (psst...AWESOME!)





2. Macys: In addition to offering a charity registry, (Just like the one that I did with the I Do Foundation! How great is that? All of the benefits to your charity, and one stop shopping!! HELLO!!) Macy's now offers a lot of eco friendly products to fill up your nest! Check out Martha Stewart's EcoCook, and Lenox's "Re-New" Recycled Glass and Stemware lines...not to mention the bunches of options that you will get with organic bedding.

3. Target! I registered at Target. They are partnered with the I Do Foundation, and they have a TON of eco-friendly items...check it out!


A few other places where I found some eco-friendly bedding. (I love bedding...)

Rubie Green

My favorite...not that I pick favorites (by which I mean that I totally pick favorites) Plover Organics

But honestly, you can get some really nice, and super cute, organic bedding at The Pottery Barn!

So that's it...the latest and greatest. And, hey, in case I haven't said it enough...please feel free to let me know if I am missing anything here! I need all the help that I can get!

Registry Revelations

Ok,

So I said that I would do it, and I have! I registered with the I Do Foundation!
For those of you who don't remember, here's what the I Do Foundation has to say about themselves:
The I Do Foundation was created in 2002 by a group of nonprofit leaders dedicated to developing new avenues of support for charitable organizations. A public foundation based in Washington, D.C., the I Do Foundation works closely with some of the most effective and renowned nonprofit organizations in the country. Together with our corporate and nonprofit partners, the I Do Foundation links engaged couples with a host of charitable giving options at their wedding.

It is our vision that, in time, charitable giving will become an integral part of the culture of weddings and other life events. By incorporating a charitable focus into life celebrations, we help families establish a pattern of giving that will last a lifetime.

I dig it. But can it be that easy? I am a big believer that the only way to effect change on a large scale is to make it easy and idiot proof. So is this registry idiot proof? Pretty much. This is how it goes:

You have to register your wedding with them. (Just like you would with any of the wedding websites: The Wedding Channel, etc, etc.) Once you do that, you pick which of the partners you want to register with. They have a list, and for each partner they show you what % of each purchase will be donated to the charity of your choice. (ie. cooking.com is 10%, Target is 5% and so on...) Then you pick which ones you would like to register with, and you create your registries with each site. Lastly, you go back in, and pick which charity you want to donate to. (They have some to pick from, but you can pick your own. You can even set up a fund to put aside for future giving.) There are a few cons that I would share with you:

1. The list of Partners isn't super long. If you want to register at Macy's, Bloomingdales, or Tiffany's...they aren't on there. To be fair, you can register with them-and even have a link to it on their site. These gifts simply won't generate any money for donations. In cases like this, I would recommend making a list of what you want to register for, and trying to find them on the partnered sites. Then filling in the gaps on a site that isn't a partner. That way you do as much as you can. :-)

2. It can be tedious to do what I mentioned above. I managed to find what I was looking for by using only partnered sites; but it meant that I had to create 4 registries: signing up for each site, then creating the registry info for each site, then adding the items that I want from that site. If you are persnickety like me; you will then find the same thing for different prices, and have to keep going back to compare, and make sure that you have the cheaper one on your registry...my eyes were crossed...I can't lie!

3. Only online purchases generate donations. Some of your guests may want to go to the store...so this will mean that their gift will not generate a donation...even if it is from a partnered site. Kind of a bummer.

Those were the main concerns for me, but there is one MAJOR pro: Up to 10% of the cost of our gifts is going to be donated to Share Our Strength. Share Our Strength is a national organization that I have had the pleasure of working with on several events. The organization devotes all of it's efforts to ending child hunger in the United States. I have been touched not only by their message, but also by the people who are working within the organization everyday to truly find an end to child hunger. I cannot pretend for one second that my having to enter my name and address a few extra times is a reason to not go this route. In fact now that you know about this...if you are registering, frankly, I cannot find one reason for you to not do this...just do it.

Step 7-Eat Drink and Be Merry!

Showcase green gustatory pleasures (and spoil your guests) by basing your menu around local, organic, and seasonal foods. Don’t forget the organic wine, beer, and spirits, and the free-trade, shade-grown coffee and tea! Some tips:

~Ask the venue's preferred caterers and bakers if they can do your event organically.

Again, this is really about finding the right vendors for you. In Brooklyn, finding someone who ISN'T a part of the local/organic movement would be difficult, so I am lucky in that regard. My smaller parties in Binghampton and Boston respectively, might be a different story. "I will have to look into it, and get back to you." ~as said by Sarah Palin to Katie Couric.


~Find a local organic restaurant that does off-site catering.

Also-check out Tree Hugger's tips on how to have eco friendly cocktails and beverages! (This is from today! We are so on the the same page! Tree Hugger and I that is...)

~If your wedding won't be complete without a specific type of food, get married when it's in season.

As with flowers, keeping the food in season is good for the environment AND your pocketbook! (Check, and Check!)

~Find a caterer you trust to pick the best seasonal selections (since you may not be able to taste those exact items ahead of time).

Find a caterer you trust...thank you Captain Obvious.

~Consider vegitarian selections and seek out cruelty-free meats and wild, rather than farmed, fish.
A vegetarian option is a good idea anyway. It is less expensive, and more and more people are vegetarians these days. (Sometimes I opt for the veggie meal if I am unsure of the meat options. Let's face it-we are all more sketched out by an off-looking chicken wing, then we are by a wonky piece of asparagus. It is just the truth.)

~Making sure that the venue offers comprehensive recycling facilities, and ideally composting too.

This seems like a no brainer, but you never know...not everyone is on our page with this. See below for ideas on what to do if your venue doesn't recycle or compost.

~Have your cake decorated with organically grown flowers or other natural materials instead of plastic toppers.

Yeah-plastic topper? I am assuming that if you are interested in my blog, then you are not using a plastic cake topper with a bride and groom in cowboy hats, where the groom is pretending to run off the cake, and the bride is pulling him back on with a lasso. (By the way, I am pretty sure that I have actually seen that topper, somewhere...I will find it for you.) But in the event that you were thinking of doing this...stop it. Immediately.

~Rent real glassware, dishware, and linens instead of using disposables.

Renting is VERY common at weddings. (USING DISPOSABLES? What kind of wedding are we having here?) Renting is a great way to go. I used to work for a company called Broadway Party Rentals. If you are in NYC, check them out!

~Go for a chic eclectic look by mixing and matching thrift-store plates and dishes (and by donating them back when you are done).

This is a cool idea. I enjoy an eclectic array of old china on the table for fancy parties. (I use my Nana's old set-and her silver. I think that it is fun. :-) It would have to be a very particular style of wedding for this to work, but if it is your style, then go for it. I love this!

~Use biodegradable utensils and dishes made out of cornstarch, potatoes, wheat, or sugar cane--if your venue can compost them.

Hmmm...ok, if you are going for the disposables, then this is the way to do it, but I am still very anti disposables. (This is your wedding! Use a real fork, for the love of Pete!) If you are interested in finding this in general, check out Branch Home. They have lots of interesting eco-friendly products. (Including, the biodegradable fork. ;-)

~Make arrangements to donate leftover food to a local food bank or homeless shelter.

100%. I have mentioned this earlier, but in case you missed it: Recycling, composting, and donating anything that is unused at your event is super key if you want an eco friendly celebration. You can always investigate ways to do this on your own. (For starters, insist that your venue have separate containers for trash, and recyclables at you event.) And find a local shelter to donate food by going to my favorite website the http://www.idofoundation.org/about/August2003.html. They have bunch of places to try to set this stuff up on your "one-sies". If you don't want to do all the legwork, and really want to make sure that everything is re purposed to the fullest of it's potential, try The Special E. I haven't set anything up with them, but I am definitely investigating, and will let you know!

Step 5-What to wear? (Oh, and I am going to be on TV...read on.)

Of course this is a big one, and as I mentioned before...I have not always been a fan of the "wedding dress." (See Left) It is hard for me to get this type of image out of my head, for some reason...and the idea of this girl busting a move to Sir Mix-a-lot wearing this ridiculous dress is just hard for me to swallow. (Sorry girl if you are out there, and if you busted said move-good for you! I am sure that you looked awesome...ehem.) But let's be serious, I am planning to be a DANCING FOOL at my wedding; as in: "Can't Touch This, Summer Lovin', Margaritaville, I will Survive...BRING IT! And I do not not NOT want to look like the long lost twin sister of my wedding cake! And I also, don't want to be wasteful. Let's face it, this is a big expense, and a lot of waste for something that you only wear once. So what to do? There are actually quite a few things you can do:

~go vintage (and update your look as necessary with tailoring and modern shoes and accessories)

Wear your Mom's dress, or one of your aunt's dresses. Or look in cool vintage shops for a super cool, one of a kind number. (PS, this option is also going to be much less expensive, so you can really go nuts with your accessories!)

~pick clothes made from hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton or silk--or find a dressmaker who will make a one-of-a-kind item out of these sustainable fabric (men's suits and shirts come in organic cotton or wool too)

Ok, so the words "hemp and bamboo" sort of scare me here...not in other contexts so much, but here...eeeehhhhhh, I get a little nervous, but check this out:

Have you heard of Kleinfelds? It is like the premiere place in NYC to buy a wedding dress, and they just launched a new line of dresses that are eco-friendly!!! It is called The Cotton Bride by Chris Kole. And guess what? I am going to be trying these dresses on in an episode of Say Yes To The Dress on TLC. We are filming next week, and I promise an expose post with all of the shenanigans that ensue!

So I am hopeful that I will find an eco-friendly dress here, that is simple and elegant, and that isn't strapless. (Why is that such a big look these days? What is the deal with brides and shoulders? And where are my fellow "Chesty LaRues?" Can we please unite about this? Someone give me a strap for the love of PETE!) Oh, and...BTW, I am thinking to get a super simple short dress to shake my booty in at the ceremony...don't tell Jimmy. ;-)

In the event that I don't find one...I could:

~borrow an elegant gown from a stylish friend

~buy something you'll wear again and let your bridesmaids do the same.

I am hoping that this will happen with the maids...we are going for Anne Taylor Celebrations, and the dresses seem to be super wearable, and aren't SOOOO dressy that you couldn't wear them to another wedding. Or we could go with the Chamelion Dress. Never heard of it? Click Here. Also-I am thinking to wear my short dress to all three of my celebrations (Wedding, Wedding Brunch, and Post Wedding Luau) and then, I might dye it and wear it again...we shall see...

By the way, this is a great site to find ways to be charitable during this process...take a few minutes and browse, for sure. For Bridesmaids, I love this one foundation called The Glass Slipper Project, you can donate dresses, and they go to young women for their proms, sweet 16's and Quinceaneros. Sadly, they are only in Chicago. That said they have a page on their site for out of state donations (link above), and it lists other foundations that do this...there should be one near you.
~accessorize with a unique recycled purse and/or jewelry
~use vegetable dyes on your shoes (or go barefoot for a beach wedding)
~accentuate natural beauty with all-natural makeup
~donate the dress to charity after the event

I love this idea, PS. There are some great charities out there to help Brides, and other young women who need a dress for a formal event...some favorites:

Brides Againts Breast Cancer

The I Do Foundation-

You know, I am surprised, but they don't mention rentals here, or ebay (buying used)...I was looking into renting, and found this article from NY Weddings 2005. It has a few options, and from what I can see, they are all still around. Not from NYC? I am sure that there are places near you that do it..give it a google, and see what comes up. I

I already bought my shoes on ebay, and they are deeeelightful. (And they were only 20 bucks.) I wasn't going to show you, but I am too proud of my idea...guess what? They are my "Something Blue!" I can't stand it!!!

That's right...20 BUCKS!!!

And, hey, let's just say that you want to buy a lavish extravegant Cinderella dress, and don't want to give it away when you are done, and don't want to waste one second feeling guilty!! ...my girlfriends and I have all agreed that after my wedding, we are having a fabulous cocktail party where we all wear "the dress"for one evening...and feel gorgeous all over again. Heck, let's do it once a year! I am pretty sure that that counts as recycling. Pictures to follow.