Go Green with These Eco Friendly Gowns

Alisa Benay gowns are more than just beautiful dresses. They uses eco friendly manufacturing processes when making their dresses to lessen their carbon footprint. “I want my bride to know that the day her dreams come true is also the day she makes the world a better place.  I want her to feel that not only is she the most beautiful woman in the world at the moment, but she has created a more beautiful world through the choices she made in her wedding day purchases,” says Alisa Benay.

Finding perfect music for your wedding is probably taking as much time as deciding on the right flowers. With literally thousands of songs you could choose from, how could you be expected to find “the one” that says it all for each part of the ceremony? There are the traditional processional songs such as “Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) from Lohengrin” and “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel, two of the world’s most played wedding songs.  For the recessional song, which is commonly less traditional and meant to reflect the personality of the bride and groom, you could play anything from “Wedding March from A Midsummer’s Night Dream” by Felix Mendelssohn to the “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.

After the recessional, the first dance is your moment to declare the bond between you.  Searching through song after song trying to find the perfect lyrics can be maddening. There are sites to help you whittle down your decision such as “Wedding Music 101” which has a diverse listing of choices. But what do you do when you still cannot find the right one? You could consider writing your own song. Your words set to a new theme being played for the first time during your first dance. This may seem an intimidating task for most of us; thankfully there are professionals with the talent to help. One such group is the folks at “Love Song Entertainment”. They can write an original custom love song that will convey your love to one another that is truly your own.

Music has always been at the heart of celebrations, but deciding on the perfect song that says it all can be a daunting task. Tradition may be the best path to follow for the ceremony, but afterwards it is time to celebrate with your words. Start your life together expressing your love with a unique song that is all your own!

Calling All Brides: Share Your Wedding Day with I Do for Brides.

I Do for Brides is looking for Georgia, Tennessee and D.C.-area brides to share their engagement and wedding photos to be featured in I Do For Brides’ Featured Weddings section of our website.

Did you break from wedding traditions and put your own touch on your wedding? Tell us about it!

We’re also looking for wedding projects you made for our Bridal DIY section.

Please submit engagement and wedding photos, wedding projects and details about how you did your wedding day your way to the editorial team of IDoforBrides.com.

Happy Wedding Planning!

Cream and beige perforated leather bags are a trend this spring. However, this style has not taken over. Textured and multi-textured patterns have also caught on and are growing in popularity.  One of our favorite designers, Spartina 449,  has a line of handbags to fit any time of day.  Whether it is morning tea or an elegant evening, the multiple styles can be carried to match practically any outfit. Keeping with the cream and beige color trend, Spartina’s “Outer Banks Collection” will certainly let them know your admiration for their role in your wedding.

Handbags have been given as bridesmaid gifts for many years, but until recently, had not grown in popularity. Practicality, uniqueness and the ability of each bag to have a personal touch, handbags are a perfect bridesmaid gift.

1. Relax.
Relax your arms. Let the weight of the bouquet bring your arms down so that the bouquet is at your bellybutton and your arms are resting on your hip bones. This will make you look longer and more relaxed than choking the bouquet up by your neck. Don’t strangle your flowers.

2. Show your bouquet.
Make sure the most decorative part of the bouquet is facing forward – even if your bouquet consists of all of the same flower. Ask your florist (or a member of your party) for tips if you can’t find the most decorative part. (Remember, you’re looking down at the bouquet.)

3. Be graceful.
Hold the bouquet gracefully. You’re a beautiful bride, not a nervous Nelly. Relax your grip and keep from interlocking your fingers. The bouquet is part of your wedding-day outfit, not a clutch to get your down the aisle. Stand straight, put your shoulders back, take a deep breath, relax your grip on the bouquet and keep your eye on the groom. Remember: You’re carrying flowers, not a weapon.

4. Have fun after the ceremony.
The hard part’s over. The planning is done. You walked down the aisle and pledged your love to the man of your dreams. Now it’s time for post-ceremony pictures. Have fun! hold the flowers to your side. Hold them in one hand. Let your husband hold the flowers. Listen to your photographer’s suggestions. Whatever you do, enjoy the moment. And have fun. The fun pictures are the ones you’ll love the best.

Do you have a wedding cost-cutting tip to help other brides? Share the love: Leave us a comment!

1. Think off season. Most weddings are scheduled between May and October, meaning you are competing with more brides for venues and wedding services. Schedule your wedding day during the “off season,” and you’ll probably find better deals (and get the venue, photographer and cake you want).

2. Be strict with your head count. Omit children, co-workers and casual acquaintances, and your guest numbers will shrink. Also, a smaller wedding party equals smaller amount of your budget going to flowers, boutonnieres, gifts and transportation.

3. Have your wedding earlier in the day. Your food and beverage costs will be lower with a morning brunch than an evening dinner.

4. Wear a non-bridal gown.Your wedding gown doesn’t have to come from a bridal salon. Look at bridesmaid dresses, check out the formal wear at department stores. You may even find the wedding dress of your dreams at a vintage clothing store.

5. Ask a friend or family member to officiate. Consider having someone you know officiate your wedding. Laypeople can be ordained online to officiate weddings, and most of the states will recognize them. Check with your county clerk to see if there are restrictions in your area.

6. Skip the wedding program. Sure, wedding programs are nice, but they’re not necessary. Skip the program and you’ll cut down on your printing costs.

7. Buy in-season, local flowers. Work with your florist to select beautiful, cost effective flowers.

8. Go for the big buds.Larger flowers take up more room in bouquets and centerpieces, so you’ll use less.

9. Use the theme to your advantage. Apply the theme to your food and beverages and you can avoid an outrageous tab –– and the guests will never notice. For example, at an Italian-themed wedding, serve only red and white wine and perhaps an Italian beer such as Peroni at the bar.

10. Be a Friday or Sunday Bride. As you research your wedding and reception venues, note price differences between Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will always be more expensive.

11. Pick bridal shoes you’ll wear again. You can add a dash of color to your wedding wardrobe, and be able to enjoy the shoes again after the wedding instead of putting the shoes away in a box.

12. Use your iPod. More music-savvy couples are providing their own music at wedding receptions through their well-stocked iPods.

13. Borrow jewelry. Your mother’s earrings or your grandmother’s necklace may be the perfect touch to your wedding gown. Grooms can borrow, too.

14. Limit cocktail choices. Carefully choose your cocktail menu — offer select beers, wines and a signature cocktail –– and watch your bar tab shrink.

15. BYOB. If the venue will allow it, bring your own alcohol (you, not your guests).

16. Just desserts. Skip the wedding cake (and the cake-cutting fee) and offer a dessert bar. Have the ceremonial slice-and-feed-each-other moment, then invite your guests to come up and have dessert. This works with cupcakes, too.

17. Eschew the limo. Hire a town car, ask a member of the party to drive you, take a cab, walk. Limo companies often charge newly weds more than other customers.

18. Ask for help. You never what hidden talents your family and friends have that will work to your wedding-day advantage.

19. Look for a pre-owned gown. Shop online for gently used, or never worn, designer dresses.

20. Give something made by you. Make your own party favors.

21. Have a one-stop wedding. Host the wedding and the reception in the same spot. You’ll cut down on transportation costs, vendor travel time and space rental.

22. Use bigger tables. Larger tables at the reception mean fewer centerpieces and linens.

23. Register your honeymoon. Instead of registering for kitchenware and China, ask guest to contribute to your honeymoon. Sites such as honeyfund.com allow you to create an online account and guests to contribute.

24. Skip the champagne toast. Not everyone drinks the bubbly and you’re paying for it. Do, however, consider having it available at the bar in case someone does want a glass.

25. Get the most out of your flowers. Use ceremony flowers on the cake table. Have vases at your table and the wedding-party table so that the bouquets make instant center pieces.

26. It’s all in the family. Consider serving your meal family style.

27. Use double-duty centerpieces. Use bud vases or potted plants as your center pieces, then have the guests take them home as favors.

28. Go green. Use more greenery than blooms in your flowers. And if you’re getting married in a church, just remember the that it doesn’t need to adorned from door to altar with flowers.

29. Loose the invitation liner. Skip the liner on your invitation and, if you can, keep all of the info on one card. This will save on paper and postage costs.

30. Celebrate in ambiance. Look for locations that require minimal decorations.

31. Get the quote in writing –– and signed. If you are planning far in advance, ask for fixed prices, get it in writing and get it signed.

32. Post it. Use postcards as reply cards in your wedding invitations instead of cards that require envelopes. You’ll save on postage.

33. Ask for a discount. When purchasing craft supplies, vases or candle holders in bulk, ask the manager if you can get a discount. It may not always work, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

34. Go custom. Consider having your dress custom made by an experienced, local seamstress.

Image: Sharron Goodyear / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. Upper Canada Keep your hands, elbows and legs well smooth and nourished with this pressed-olive-and-avocado lotion from Upper Canada Soap & Candle Makers. Free of parabens, mineral oil and synthetic dyes, this fast-absorbing lotion is a treat to tired hands after an evening of addressing invitations or an afternoon of putting together favors. www.UpperCanadaSoap.com

2. Michael Kors for Estee Lauder Get ready for your close up with Estee Lauder’s California-inspired collection, Michael Kors Very Hollywood Collection. Featuring lip, cheek and nail colors in pinks, blushes and golds, and dramatic eye shadows, this collection brings the Hollywood glam to your rehearsal dinner or wedding day. www.EsteeLauder.com

3. MAC From the thousands of product options to the Viva Glam campaign, there are so many things to love about Mac Cosmetics. Schedule a makeup session at one of their many counters to get a sense of how you want your wedding-day make up to look. www.MacCosmetics.com

4. Revolution Organics What’s not to love about a line of lip glosses and versatile beauty balm (that can be used on lips, eyes and cheeks) that’s 100 percent natural and contains 85 percent of organic ingredients? We’re smitten! www.RevolutionOrganics.com

5. Stuck-Up You’re not stuck up, but on your wedding day, you certainly want your hair to be. This mega-hold hairspray provides superior hold and volume, and you can still run a brush through your hair without wrecking the do. www.WhiteSandsProducts.com

6. Footzy Rolls Dance the wedding night away in the comfort of beautiful ballet flats. These rollable, foldable flats fit neatly in your wedding-day bag, and are stylish enough to complement any wedding dress. www.FootzyRolls.com

7. Urban Decay Smoke Out Smoky-eyed brides (and bridesmaids) will want to have this handy Smoke Out eye kit from Urban Decay in their wedding-day bags. Kits are available in brown/neutral, black/grey and deep green and include eye pencils, mascara and smoky-eye instructions. www.UrbanDecay.com

1. Smart Box Treat your maid-of-honor or your parents to a customizable getaway. Choose a theme – such as outdoor adventure, spa treatments, getaways or a gourmet retreat – and then let the recipient determine the details.
$49 – $369, www.SmartBox.com

2. RuMe Bags From a destination-wedding gift bag to a wedding-day emergency kit container, the versatile, easy-to-fold-up Rume Bags makes a stylish addition to your gift giving. Rume Bags are available in a variety of sizes, colors and modern patterns.
Prices vary, www.RumeBags.com

3. Nelle & Lizzy Charm Bracelet Give your bridesmaids a charming keepsake from your wedding day: A custom-stamped silver charm bracelet with the names of the wedding party from Nelle & Lizzy.
$35 and up, www.NelleAndLizzy.com

4. Urban Decay Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss Give each of your besties what they want: Scantily clad men and gorgeous lip color. Turn the lid of the lip gloss and – Oops! Mr.-Well-Dressed loses his outerwear! And true to form, Urban Decay’s slick, cushiony lip gloss colors accent all skin tones.
$19, www.UrbanDecay.com

5. Glowology Pamper your bridal party with the gift of smooth, glowing skin. Crafted from skin-nourishing ingredients such as clover honey, milk protein and lavender, the Glowology line from Noodle & Boo is perfect for even your most sensitive-skinned bridal party member.
$12 – $45, www.GlowologySkincare.com

6. Liz Ballet Flats Let your bridal party the dance the night away in comfort in the stylish, customizable Liz Ballet Flat. Available in silver, bronze and black, the leather ballet flat comes with interchangeable snap-on flowers in a variety of colors.
$64, www.SwitchFlops.com

7. Foot Petals Have a wobble-free wedding party with Foot Petals in their shoes. Designed to fit even the strappiest shoes, Foot Petals will your bridal standing pretty. And don’t forget to get a set for yourself!
$44.95, www.FootPetals.com

8. Spiegelau Wine Glasses Toast your wedding party with a bottle of bubbly and a pair of Champagne flutes from Spiegelau, the sister company of Reidel Cystral. Treat your maid-of-honor or best man to the 24-piece Spiegelau starter set, which contains six of each glass: Bordeaux, White, Pinot Noir and Champagne. Cheers!
$29.90 – $219, www.Spiegelau.com