Her number one goal was to achieve a comfortable, relaxed and enjoyable environment for all her guests and wedding party members without compromising elegance and sophistication. Her plans were coming along beautifully except for two pint sized problems — her two ring bearers. Her adorable, high spirited nephews absolutely refused to wear suits.

As she described to me the traumatic events of the fitting appointment the day prior and the extreme workout she and her sister got trying to get the boys into the suits I was struck with an idea. Why not let them wear something they will love and will want to wear again and again after the wedding? A costume.

You can imagine the look on her face when I mentioned allowing her ring bearers to wear costumes to her elegant wedding. But she quickly warmed to the idea when I explained what I had in mind.

My idea was to let the boys dress up in security guard or police officer costumes and have RING SECURITY embroidered on the shirts — she loved it and so did the boys. A few days after the wedding she called to let me know what a huge hit it was. Though hers was an elegant wedding, the costumes added just the right hit of fun and whimsy. She described to me the excited reactions from her guests as the boys walked down the aisle. It became one of the highlights of the day. But best of all, getting the boys into their wedding gear was a breeze. Also, these fun costumes have been getting a lot of wear after the wedding.

Whether for way-finding or simple greetings and messages, vintage signs add that much needed personalized finishing touch to any event.

All to often under utilized and overlooked, wedding signs truly warm and welcome your guests.

Visit antique and thrift stores or garage sales and online auctions to find vintage picture frames and mirror frames that can be freshened up with a coat of paint. Get creative with how and where you use them:

• At the entrance to your ceremony and reception venues
• To mark designated areas such as Candy or Dessert Buffets
• Use large full length frames to create chalk boards that your guests can write fun messages on
• Place smaller frames with special messages on washroom counters next to hand towels and hand lotions or anywhere you want to surprise your guests with a special little note.

Get creative and have fun coming up with ways to use vintage frames. Remember, you can always use the frames in your home or office after your wedding.

Check out this fabulous dual use chalkboard mirror being offer by Etsy artisan Revived Vintage.

Linda’s unique designs made of vintage and antique flatware would make wonderful bridesmaid gifts. The spoon and sterling silver bead bracelet would look exquisite worn on your wedding day.

Bracelet: $26
Set of 5 rings: $63 for the set (Excellent bulk buy for bridesmaid gifts)

Q: Hello, firstly I want to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog. The ideas you give are not only practical but extremely beautiful. And your inspiration boards are pure eye candy, LOVE THEM! LOVE THEM! LOVE THEM!

Anyway, my question is how can I incorporate vintage heirloom jewelry into my very modern, clean lined and simple wedding. A few years ago I inherited some very ornate necklaces, earrings and brooches from my grandmother’s estate. I really would love to be able to wear at least one of the pieces but they are just too large and fussy and seem to overpower my simple clean lined dress.

Do you have any ideas on how I can incorporate one or two pieces into my wedding day without actually wearing them?

 A: Hi Gaylene,

This is a great question. We hear from many brides facing the same dilemma — They want to incorporate a treasured heirloom into their contemporary wedding scheme but are worried the piece will look too forced and out of place.

You want to make sure the beloved piece, especially a piece that belonged to a loved one who has passed on, receives a special place and purpose on your special day.

Two great ways to repurpose vintage jewelry is by using them as decoration on a wedding cake or in a bouquet.

(First photo)This photo from Consumed by Cake’s (flickr.com) shows how you can integrate a somewhat ornate vintage brooch into a very simple contemporary wedding cake. I think the look is simply stunning and visually interesting. 

(Second Photo)I love the bouquet in this photo by Mary Dougherty Photography. It appears the bouquet was designed around the brooch taking its queues from the colors in the piece itself.

(Third Photo)This pretty little bouquet was handmade by Etsy artisan Hair Bow Wonderworld.

Ecofficiency, GRN Events and Mon Amie presents…

“Eco Event for the Bride at Mon Amie Bridal Salon”

PURPOSE:
Create a fabulous annual event bringing brides and eco-friendly designers and vendors together to demonstrate how easy it can be to have a green wedding.

When:
Saturday, April, 24^th 2010
9:30am – 5pm

The difference:
This is no ordinary Bridal Expo.Your choices make a difference! When you choose to incorporate green elements in your event you increase the demand for sustainable goods and services, help raise awareness about important environmental issues and reduce your impact on the environment. 

The Events:
“Something Green” will kick off Saturday morning at 9:30 am with a runway fashion show featuring Adele Wechsler Organic gowns.

After the fashion show models will circulate throughout the salon and Eco Event wearing eco-friendly wedding gowns made of organic fabrics and natural trims by Adele Wechsler Organic gowns and Pure by Justin Alexander.

Brides will be invited to visit a special section of the salon set up as a mini bridal show and have the opportunity to meet and buy directly from Green Designers and Exhibitors.

Vendors:
Aveda – Samples and Messages
Barefoot Wine – Champagne
Luscious Desserts – Desserts
Persiano – Rentals/Lighting
Wildflower – Linens
Floral Sense – Florist
Seven4One – Venues
Moore & Cruz – Photography
Wiley Valentine – Invites
Del Lago Trio – Entertainment
GRN Events – Planner
Ecofficiency.org – Non-Profit

Every attendee has the chance to win a sweetheart give-away

For more information regarding the Something Green Eco Event or to book your appointment to try on eco-friendly wedding gowns, please call 714.546.5700.

Mon Amie Bridal Salon is located at 355 Bristol Street in Costa Mesa .

Okomido brings life to recycled precious metals and gemstones through their interpretation of nature’s masterpieces. These distinctive stackable twig rings are a brilliant example of their exquisite artisan pieces handcrafted using 18K rose gold, sterling silver and chocolate shakudo.

What is shakudo you ask? Shakudo is a Japanese metal coloring method of mixing a low gold content alloy with copper that achieves the beautiful chocolate colored metal featured in many of their designs.

Okomido’s commitment to the environment includes “no new mining” practices, instead, metals and gemstones are reinterpreted from vintage jewelry.

Buck the diamond trend and go with what you love. Choose a ring that embodies everything unique about you and your special day. Select a ring with a stone you love or one with your favorite color; perhaps your birthstone or a stone that represents the month you will be getting married. Just think of it as the birthstone of your new life together – now how romantic is that?

Whatever you select just remember to ensure the stones and metals are ethically sourced, recycled or vintage.

Here are a few samples of gorgeous non-traditional engagement rings.

From left to right: Estate Aquamarine & 18K White Gold ring from Fay Cullen; Handcrafted Pale Green Sapphire & Recycled 18K White Gold ring from SuLusso Sustainable Jewelry ; Sapphire & Platinum ring from Brilliant Earth; Malawi sapphire & 14K yellow gold ring from SuLusso Sustainable Jewelry; Vintage Tourmaline & Gold from Fay Cullen; Emerald & Recycled 18K White Gold ring from Greenoro; Amethyst & Sterling Silver ring from Turtle Love Committee; Garnet & Sterling Silver ring from Turtle Love Committee; Alexandrite & Recycled 18K White Gold ring by Green Karat

Following my post I received numerous email messages from readers inquiring about ideas for recycled, reusable signs. Well, here are a few ideas I came up with- unique signs that can be incorporated into either your home décor or garden after the wedding. 

When trying to come up with unique sign ideas for your wedding, consider your hobbies — things you and your future hubby enjoy together. If you enjoy outdoor activities such as canoeing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or surfing perhaps consider using vintage oars, skis, snow shoes or snow / surf boards as signs.

If you have a shabby chic wedding theme, look for beautiful vintage distressed white picture frames. A search of local antique and secondhand stores or garage sales should render some fabulous finds. If you can’t find white frames paint them yourself with eco friendly milk paint. Don’t worry if you can’t find matching frames, using mismatched frames painted in the same color adds to the shabby chic charm.

Look for old garden chairs, gates or sections of picket fencing. With a fresh coat of paint, tired and weathered wood products quickly spring back to life. These items would look absolutely stunning in your garden after the wedding day.

Other items to consider are:
Vintage cupboard doors
 Small vintage doors
 Antique window frames
 Old plank flooring
Child’s chalkboard easel
Corkboard with notes tacked on
Vibrantly painted garden chair topped with pillows embroidered with bride & grooms names
Tie line between two trees or fence posts;  using laundry pegs hang crisp white sheets or pillow shams embroidered with bride & grooms names
Hand pennant flags with signs attached

Do you have some more great signage ideas or pictures to share with us? We’d love to see them. Post your ideas under comments or send them to info[at]myecochicwedding.com.

The new Purely Collection by Alfred Angelo is pure perfection.

Their 2010 catalogue showcases fun, flirty and fabulous wear-again bridesmaid dresses in luscious eco-friendly fabrics.

Loving the adorable Silk Dupioni Plaid dresses. Who knew plaid could be so pretty. These dazzling designs have inspired me to create a “Pretty in Plaid” wedding inspiration board. Watch for it over the next couple of days.