Too beautiful to be true, Tulum, located on the eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula, is one of Mexico's most treasured national preserves and a nesting ground for turtles. It's also the location and inspiration behind Malisa and Todd's intimate seaside wedding. "I had a vision of white sand beaches, which are very hard to find in today's environment of the mega resort,” Malisa says. “I stuck with my vision, though, and it led us to Tulum, where sea turtles nest and hotels are solar-powered in order to avoid light pollution and keep the turtles happy.”
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 | Salvaged Table SettingsOn May 9, 2009, Stephenie and Mark claimed each other as husband and wife, but they also reclaimed pieces of barn wood to use as a stylish accent for their eco-friendly reception -- coincidence? I think not! A majority of the reclaimed barn wood was used as a home board for the table numbers, which were previously owned house numbers Stephenie and Mark found at salvage shops (image 1). more >> |
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 | understated eleganceLocated in a national park off the coast of San Francisco, the Headland Center for the Arts lent a sense of abandoned grandeur to Brandon and Monica’s eco-conscious wedding. The walls have the chic, vintage appeal of an antique vanity or armoire (image 1), while the ceiling features intricate woodcarvings and hints of gold (image 2). A peek out of any window reveals a breath-taking view of beaches and coves. “The historical significance of the place is fascinating, and the fact that it now supports local artists also means a lot to us,” says Monica. more >> |
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 | Favored ReadingOne of our favorite aspects of Kari and Byron’s nature-inspired wedding is the personal approach they took to commemorating the day for family and friends, most of whom had traveled to be there. In lieu of one-size-fits-all favors, Kari, a clinical psychologist, and Byron, a market researcher, presented their guests with a painstakingly chosen used or vintage travel book. “We spent a lot of time picking out a special book for each couple and it was honestly one of the most fun tasks on our long to-do list,” says Kari. more >> |
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 | Vintage DelightJohnny and Olivia shared their unique wedding from across the Atlantic in Yorkshire, England! Johnny, a drummer for the band Vib-Gyor, and Olivia, a wedding photographer, wanted their day to be a true reflection of their love of friends, family and the environment—with an eclectic feel. “For me, it’s about having the confidence to put your own stamp on the day, not being afraid to step off what I fondly call the wedding conveyor belt,” says Olivia. more >> |
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 | how sweet it isEveryone enjoys breakfast for dinner on occasion. So why not dessert for brunch? A morning-after sweets soiree is the perfect way to say goodbye to departing guests AND reduce your event’s eco impact, as desserts make up the bulk of post-nuptial food waste. Just pack up leftovers from the night before (supplemented with new additions, if necessary) and set them out buffet-style for guests to munch on as they reminisce about the fun they had the night before (and gossip about anyone who might have enjoyed himself a little too much on the dance floor). more >> |
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 | go giftlessRegistering for wedding swag can feel a bit like making the ultimate holiday wish list—the options are endless, price is someone else’s concern and the arrival of all those shiny packages brings out the gift-happy kid inside any bride or groom. Then comes the hard part: finding space for everything (not to mention reconciling the carbon footprint created by the manufacture and shipping of all that stuff). Apartment-dwellers quickly run out of room and end up stashing gifts at a parent's house or in a rented storage unit. And making space to display every candlestick, frame and vase, lest the well-intentioned gifter drop in unannounced, can overwhelm homeowners.more >> |
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 | focus on foodGo Green Landfills are the single largest source of man-made methane, one of the leading causes of global warming. Divert waste from landfills by creating centerpieces that double as party fare. Tiered trays of appetizers, exotic breads, locally sourced seafood or miniature pies are more than delicious snacks; they’re also eye-candy and make great conversation starters to get guests mingling. Plan a make-the-centerpieces date and invite your wedding party or a few family members over to help cook. Then, print the recipes on recycled paper or old postcards to give guests as wedding favors. more >> |
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 | do yourself a favorGo Green To give or not to give. That is the question when it comes to wedding favors. On one hand, you want to leave your guests with a momento to mark the occasion (and show your appreciation). On the other, favors can be expensive and wasteful. more >> |
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 | stamp of approvalIf you could eat three pieces of cake for the calorie count of one, or take three trips to an exotic destination for the carbon footprint of a single flight, wouldn’t you do it? So why pay to print your return address on each envelope in your wedding paper trio (save the dates, invitations and thank you notes) when you can buy an eco-friendly, custom-made rubber stamp—made with 80-100% recycled materials and packaging—for about $12.more >> |
