Pick an Easy Location

When you’re looking for that perfect setting, keep convenience, and global warming pollution, in mind. Choose a spot that your guests can get to without a Jetstream, and encourage them to leave their limos behind. Help arrange for your guests to carpool to the event, and let them know their public transportation options. 

E-vite Your Guests

Emailing invitations saves paper (and money), especially if you have a long guest list. If a printed invitation is an absolute must for your event, use post-consumer recycled paper — easily available in stores and online — and give a phone number for RSVPs instead of reply cards.For more information on buying paper products, see http://www.nrdc.org/cities/living/paper/default.asp.

Serve Local Food (and Feed the Locals)

Look for a restaurant or caterer that uses fresh, local or organic foods. If you’re planning on serving seafood, make sure it’s sustainably caught or farmed and low in mercury. (See our guide to mercury in fish and sustainable seafood recipes for ideas.) Make arrangements with a local food bank to pick up any leftovers at the end of the day. 

Use Reusable or Biodegradable Tableware

Stick to cloth napkins and real tableware to reduce the amount of resources your event consumes and the amount of garbage you’ll need to dispose of at the end of night. Many caterers can provide everything you need for serving, eating and drinking. For a gathering at home, use your own dishes, and borrow more from your friends if you need to.If you have to go for the take-and-toss variety, look for post-consumer recycled content paper napkins and biodegradable plates, cups and utensils made from corn starch or agricultural waste. They’ll degrade in just a couple of months in a commercial composter.

Decorate Naturally

Try using “living” décor such as moss, stones and succulent plants, or organic flowers instead of traditional pesticide-laden bouquets. Send your decorations home with your guests at the end of the night, or reuse them for another event. (Get more green design tips.) 

Dazzle With Energy-Efficient Lighting

A daytime event — held outdoors or in a place with plenty of windows — lets you save big on energy costs and global warming pollution from conventional lighting. For additional lighting, use compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use only about one-third of the energy that regular light bulbs do. Look for energy efficient bulbs and fixtures marked with the Energy Star label. 

Make Recycling Easy

Don’t rummage through trash bins the next day looking for stuff that shouldn’t have been thrown away. Make recycling easy by setting out clearly labeled recycling bins for items such as bottles, paper and cans. Check http://www.earth911.org/master.asp to find recycling guidelines for your location. 

Offset Your Output

At the end of the day (or evening), your event is still going to produce some global warming pollution. You can help ease the burden by purchasing a renewable energy credit from a green energy company such as Native Energy or the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. Each credit represents an investment in 100 percent clean, renewable energy that will offset the global warming pollution produced by your event.You can find more green living tips, including information on green weddings and other special occasions, in our free monthly newsletter, This Green Life. Subscribe now.

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(Look below this flyer for a special contest!)

As a little added bonus, leave a comment here with your name, email address, and your favorite wedding color combo and you could win TWO FREE TICKETS to the show, provided by us here at Bliss! I’ll announce the winner on February 17th!

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These photos from Abby Rose Photography are just lovely!

Pretty in Pink from Kristen Taylor Photography

Simply stunning and luxe from Jessica Johnston Photography

So much color from Kristen Taylor Photography

Simple and clean from Kristen Taylor Photography

Beautiful bouquet photo taken by Lemus Photography

Love Joanna's bouquet! Photo by Kara Purtell

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We will be away from the office from December 21, 2009 to January 3rd, 2010. There are a few more wonderful posts scheduled through the next 2 weeks that I think you will really like. Please enjoy your holidays and bring in the New Year with a smile. Wishing you lots of luck, love and holiday Bliss this season and always.

XOXO, Amanda

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First of all, if you are in the market for a rockin wedding dress, you have to visit my all time favorite dress shop. Gina’s in Milford just celebrated their 4th anniversay and it is no wonder why they have to many happy clients (many of them have been Bliss clients, too!). The service is amazing, the people genuinely care, and you can not beat the selection.

One of the greatest things you can do for your out-of-town wedding guests is leave a lovely welcome bag in their hotel room. I came across these Envirosax and just had to share. The prints are adorable and will fit into almost any color scheme. Pack these full of special treats from your home state, or items that you and your honey really love. The perfect way to at a little pop to your big day!

If you are anything like me, the perfect shoe will make or break your outfit. I will change my clothes to match the pair of shoes I want to wear and there have been multiple occasions where I have purchased an entire ensemble based on the perfect pumps. Nina shoes has this amazing DYO (Design Your Own) shoe area on their website and it is a must see!

I am in LOVE with this fun photobooth design posted on the Kiss The Groom blog (created by Sasha Souza – Who is a pure genius, by the way!)

And last, but not least, a quick little guide about Bridesmaids created by Dessy.

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I will be doing a better write up once we receive the photos from the amazing Lemus Photography! (I even make a little appearance at the very end.)

Deanna and Cass’ Preview from Lee Higginbottom on Vimeo.

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Source

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Erin & Grant by Mod 4 Photography

Mod 4 Photography

Dawn & Rocky by Kristen Taylor Photography

Kristen Taylor Photography

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Modern Photoglyphs

Jessica Johnston Photography

K Holly Photography

Ben Harrison Photography

The Shooting Gallery

Nicole Ladonne Photography

Amy Carroll Photography

JK Photography

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