Summer Solstice Sonoma - Say It 3 Times Fast

How about this palette! It has become a favorite palette here at Loop Event Arts. This wedding was on summer solstice last year at Cornerstone in Sonoma. The bride was interested in being as green as possible. The best way to do that was to choose locally grown and mostly unsprayed flowers. The florals were a yummy combo of dahlias, hydrangea, calendula, roses, honeysuckle, mint, love in the mist, viburnum, and star of bethlehem. I love how the pale aqua tablecloths create a feeling that is cool, crisp, and fresh. It was quite a hot day, and the visual coolness was a welcome sight.

Going Going Green - 5 Ways to Go Green

Yes, it's a buzz word...GREEN. Yes, it's fashionable. But really it's a lot more than that. It's really just common sense to think of ways we can all go a little (or a lot) easier on the planet. It has to happen. The planet sustains us, so we need to sustain it. Easy peasy.

Here are 5 ways I think you can make a difference is having your wedding be even a wee bit green -

1 - Find a planner who is interested in ways that you can green your wedding. That way some of the responsibility of doing all that research is off your shoulders. There are planners that are focused on green events, shop around.

Here is a planner I know is 100% devoted to sustainable events. 

2 - Use a florist that really knows flowers and knows what is grown locally. I am lucky to have great relationships with the local flower growers here in the Bay Area, so I not only know where they are with their cutting cycles, but also, what is sprayed and what isn't. It's difficult to find organic flowers, but local and unsprayed are a big big step in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask questions. It is completely acceptable to ask in what ways a company is green. Here are some flowers from events we, Loop Event Arts did using local, mostly unsprayed flowers.

3 - Use a caterer that is known for sustainable cuisine. This vendor is easier to find as the trends toward organic, local, and sustainable food has been around a while, and organic foods are widely available. Living Room Events is a Bay Area caterer devoted to organic and sustainable practices.

 

4 - Re-use as much as possible. Rentals add up, but it also means that you are using a product that will be used many times, instead of another item being produced, packaged, and shipped. As an alternative to rentals, we've had a lot of weddings in the last years where the bride has collected containers for the centerpieces. Here is one at the Olema Inn, where the bride not only collected various fun decor for the tables, but also used a sweet keepsake of vases her Grandmother had hand-painted many years ago. Flowers by Loop.

5 - Instead of favors give a gift in everyone's honor to a charitable organization. Spread the love.