Going Green by Going Local

            In the year 2012, brides everywhere have been going green in multiple different aspects of their wedding.  Eco-friendly weddings are the most trending theme this year and brides, planners and designers are coming up with creative ways to stay true to the environment on this special day.  One of the most important details that your guests will most appreciate, is what is being served for the reception meal.  When researching about these “green” themed weddings, we noticed that these bride’s were turning to sustainable and local sourcing to cater their meals.  Not only are they two ways that are great for the environment, but chef’s everywhere have been coming up with tasty and creative recipes that you and your guests are sure to be pleased with. 

Local and Sustainable Sourcing: What is it?

            By using local sourcing, you are going to caterers and businesses in your community and buying their supplies and services in order to serve your guests at your wedding.  Not only are you helping the environment, but you are also benefiting your community’s economy.  If the environment is very important to you, buying locally supports it because it protects the air and water, it minimizes energy consumption and it enriches the soil.  There are many benefits to using local sourcing when creating the meal that will be passed out to all of your guests.  Now on to the other type of sourcing: Sustainable Sourcing.  Sustainable food is mostly similar to local sourcing, but with a few differences and a few more benefits to your guests and the environment.  Sustainable sourcing means you are receiving food that is healthy and does not harm the environment at all because it is completely pesticide and chemical free and guarantees that hormones were not used during the growing process.  Local foods can be grown this way, but it is very rare to find a place close to home where chemicals were not used.         

The Positives to Using These Sources

            Obviously, helping the environment is the most important reason to use local and sustainable sourcing when catering your meal.  It helps all aspects of the environment including the air, water, soil and how the animals are being raised.  The economy has also been a struggle for most these last few years, so by reaching out to local businesses, you are helping not only their financial situation but the economy of your very own community.  Another positive to local sourcing is that you are staying local.  You will not need to travel far for a tasting or pay shipping and storage costs because it will be available to you very easily.  Not only does this save you time, but it also saves you gas and the environment from gas pollution in the air.  One important selfish but smart reason for using either of these sources is that it can save you a lot of money.  It is less expensive than most foods and you will not have to worry about shipping or storage fees because everything is grown near you and will be nice and fresh by the date of your wedding day.  With so many positives to choose from, how can you not choose a way that not only can benefit you and your guests but the important environment and community around you?

With Many Positives Comes a Few Negatives to Consider

            Even though the positives outweigh the negatives, there are a few things for you to consider and research before making a final decision.  Depending on where you live and where your wedding will take place, it could take some effort to find the right food source that can give you exactly what you are wishing for.  Research is key when it comes to finding your perfect source that also shares the same knowledge and respect for the environment as you do.  One last negative could be creating menu options that make sure that you and your guests will be satisfied.  If you are working with a caterer, this might make things a little easier, especially if this caterer specializes in eco-friendly meals.

Local and Sustainable Menu Options That Could Surprise You      

            With today’s creative chefs, there are many different choices you can have when it comes to menu options and using local and/or sustainable sourcing.  Your cake for instance can actually be created with these sourcing options.  If you are thinking about a country theme for example, pies might be the perfect choice for you.  By using a local market or farm, you can either purchase or make these pies yourself for the perfect dessert for this theme.  Other environmentally friendly options could be a fruit cake, carrot cake or even cupcakes.  Wine is another surprise delicacy that can also help reduce a negative impact on the environment.  Now for the main course, we recommend choosing chicken, fish and even vegetarian dishes to serve to your guests.             

           

By choosing these healthy and eco-friendly options, you are not only serving your guests something they will appreciate but it will be a fresh and creative option they most likely have never seen before. Americans are starting to change the way they eat and live, so why not correlate this to what you serve your guests on your wedding day.  

BBFN, 

Olivia

Day Dream: Top 2012 Destination Wedding Locations

 Intimacy, romance, and breathtaking scenery in an exotic place, are all reasons that destination weddings are on the rise when it comes to wedding locations in 2012.  More than ever, brides are not sticking with the conventional way of getting married and choose to fly their immediate family and friends to their dream location for a wedding that no one will forget.  There are many wonderful reasons as to why a destination wedding would be a perfect location, including that it provides you and your guests a wonderful excuse to get away from all the stresses of life and come together for an important moment in a magnificent place.  Whether it is putting your toes in the sand, saying “I do” under an important monument, or celebrating your special day in a vineyard surrounded by enchanting countryside, one of these Top Eight 2012 trending destination wedding locations will be perfect for you. 

Paris, France

The city of romance has been the most popular wedding destination for many years and for many charming reasons.  The way of life in Paris inspires pure romance and peaceful tranquility.  The incredible locations including the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre could be the perfect locations for your wedding ceremony with many different hotels and venues to choose from for your reception.  The combination of the tremendous sites, the impeccable service and the delicious food, all make Paris, France a luxurious wedding location for any bride.

Mexico

Whether it is the upbeat culture or the white sandy beaches, Mexico is a very popular spot for wedding locations in past years and especially in 2012.  There are many resort cities to choose from, including Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.  The warm weather, the bluest oceans, the welcoming and upbeat civilians and the sandy beaches, all make Mexico a dream come true. 

Hawaii

You do not have to travel very far or out of the country to find your perfect destination wedding location.  Hawaii is unique because it is close enough where your friends and family do not mind traveling to and it looks and feels like an island in the tropical Caribbean.  This paradise group of islands is not only beautiful, it is relatively inexpensive and there is a lot for you and your guests to enjoy.  The remarkable culture provides a fun atmosphere that you will appreciate on your wedding day. 

Jamaica

Jamaica has long been a very popular vacation spot and is now becoming one of the best wedding destinations around the world.  From the exquisite Atlantis Hotel, the white sandy beaches, to the beautiful jungles and waterfalls, there are stunning locations to choose from for your big day.  The colorful culture, the fabulous scenery and the extraordinary people will all combine to make your day one to remember.

St. John-Virgin Islands

Would you like your photos to look exactly like a postcard?  The Virgin Island’s clear Caribbean waters, the warm weather, the beaches and the tall palm trees, will all make this dream a reality.  Not only is this location unforgettable, it is within the United States borders so you and your guests will not have to stress about getting your passports.  This location is so beautiful you will not want to leave. 

Turks and Caicos

Within the last few years, Turks and Caicos has really become a popular travel spot, and we can see why.  This incredible chain of islands in the Caribbean gives miles and miles of white sandy beaches and clear blue water that creates a luxurious background to a wedding ceremony and reception.  This island is known for its calm atmosphere and would be a perfect spot for a romantic and relaxed wedding. 

Napa Valley

Why leave the United States when Napa Valley has the most romantic and chic feel for any fall bride.  The beautiful colored leaves, the rustic oak, the sweet smelling vineyards and the breathtaking countryside all combine to make one dream setting.  We would recommend having a rustic, vintage or country theme if you choose to wed here.  The colors of these themes, candlelight and the never-ending view will all combine to create a romantic atmosphere that most have never experienced before.    

Tabernash, Colorado

Wasn’t expecting this location were you?  This past year, Tabernash, Colorado has become one of the top locations for couples who want to be married in a gorgeous mountain and wilderness setting.  Not only is this destination unique for it’s view, but it is also unique because it is one of the top eco-friendly locations in the world.  Tabernash is located one hour west of Denver and includes a relaxing spa and a series of luxurious cabins where you and your guests could stay.  The grand mountains, the sweeping meadows and the rustic atmosphere are a great alternative for a memorable destination wedding.

What could be more romantic than saying “I do” on a beach where the waves are crashing and a beautiful sunset is the background?  Or sitting under candlelight in a miraculous vineyard, sipping wine and having that beautiful never-ending view of Napa Valley?  A destination wedding is a combination of a wedding and a honeymoon and you could share this experience with your close family members and friends.  Before setting your location, be sure to find out about their marriage laws and if they have any wedding packages that could make your wedding less expensive and less stressful.  Besides sharing this beautiful location with your loved ones, another incredible perk to having your wedding at your dream location is that you will not have to worry very much on decorating and transforming your venue, the location is absolutely perfect on its own. 


Aloha!   
BBFN,
Oliva

How to Plan a Green Event Without Breaking Your Budget

The four “Rs” of being eco friendly: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, & Recycle. Other eco friendly terminology used these days: Organic, Fair Trade, Post Consumer Waste, Green certification, Green Seal, and the list goes on and on.

We are a conscious society, we care, and we empathize.

When planning a wedding some bridal couple are passionate about creating a 100% Green Wedding. The cost of planning earth friendly weddings can be up to 25% higher in cost. Not to say that the cause doesn’t deserve the passion and commitment, but sometimes this can also be a deterrent for a bridal couple looking to stay within a budget.

If every wedding commits to making their day, at a minimum, 10% greener, imagine the impact it would have. There are over 1,000 weddings being planned in Chicago right now. Every great change is the result of many small steps.

At Oliveaire we are definitely passionate having a team of creative planners and designers. Each of us here makes an effort, in our professional and personal life, to practice the “R” mantra.

With Earth Day approaching soon, we want to arm brides with tools to find those ways to make their wedding more green. In such spirit, we are hosting a “Bridal Bliss” event at Logan Square Kitchen on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010. Zina Murray, the proprietor of LSK is a great resource for Eco Friendly Weddings, and Cleetus Friedman at City Provisions will also be speaking about local farms and sustainable foods. He will also bring hors d’oeuvres for our guests to sample, YUMMY. The event is complimentary, but space is limited, so if you are interested in learning how to make your event a little bit more eco friendly RSVP by visiting http://oliveaire.com/#/contact/contact-us.


If you are looking to make a small earth friendly contribution to your wedding, here are some of our suggestions:

Check out these plantable invitations (How cool is that?!)
Looking for Fair Trade business? (It is organic and delicious)
Looking for earth friendly wedding favors? How about planting a tree in honor of your wedding bliss?

There are lot more tips and tricks to make a difference without breaking your budget. Join us at the Bridal Bliss event to see how we can take some small steps in making your big day an earth friendly wedding day.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia