{Eco-Chic Weddings} by Emily Anderson

{eco-friendly} wedding dress: eco-couture + nicolerenee

Even when you buy your wedding dress from a bridal store, it still needs to be sewn to your measurements. This is why it takes soooo long to get your dress. So why not cut out the middle man and have your dress made by someone in your area. You'll be supporting a local designer, the local economy, an artform, and you will be sure the workers are treated fairly and paid a living wage.Personally, I think this is a very luxurious way to have your dress created for you. And not necessarily any more expensive. You might even be able to use recycled fabric (from an old gown), or eco-fabric like hemp silk. If you happen to be in London, you might pop into a lovely shop named nicolrenee. Their designs are delicious. If you're not making a trip across the pond, find inspiration in what they do on thier site, and seek out your own talented dressmaker here in the states...I promise, they do exist!

    
       

martha stewart and flor: an eco-chic love affair

Just another example of how eco-style is moving into the mainstream, no longer hanging on the fringes with only so-so options. FLOR, the eco-friendly, uber modern approach to floor coverings, has teamed up with, who else? Martha Stewart, of course. Perfect for that brand new apartment, or if you're really lucky, that new  house youre about to set-up with your newlywed.

planning your green wedding: ask an expert

A wedding planner can be your best ally in creating a wedding to your unique specifications. This is even more true when you wish to infuse eco-chic elements into the celebration. I always say that you get what you pay for, and hiring a wedding planner can actually pay for itself.  Working with an expert, such as Always a Bridesmaid, is the best possible way to cut through the clutter and land on the things you believe in, and will love. The right wedding planner will help you take looks like these, and give them an eco-chic spin...

     

eco-friendly jewelry: vintage designs by kari beth

It's so good to support artists, and jeweler Kari Beth makes it easy with her delicate and pretty designs. They would add a dainty touch to a simple silk gown, or would be a very nice bridesmaid gift they can wear down the aisle. Either way, each of her pieces incorporate vintage elements, so you would have your something old, and something pretty, too.

   

bride's {eco-chic} bag: freddy & ma

Wedding dress. Check. Ring. Check. Groom. Check. Cute clutch to carry on your wedding day? No problem, freddy & ma has you covered. A favorite of the stars walking the red carpet, freddy & ma lets you design your bag from a variety of custom designed prints. Or, you can give them your own fabric, say a hemp silk dupioni, or maybe part of your wedding dress fabric...no reason to carry a bag that doesn't look smashing on your day, and that you can keep to reuse as a married lady too.
    

And, Freddy and Ma is a very sustainable company; they manufacture everything locally, there's virtually no waste in their production, and they support the small crafter and artist. Plus, they're really nice.

bridesmaid gifts: alena hennessy

Alena Hennessy's fresh designs are produced in an  ethical fashion. Her bags are created from state of the art looms in the southeast region of the U.S., and her prints, pillows and other items are so pretty, I think they'd make a perfect thank you gift for your lovely bridesmaids.

organic wedding: le pain quotidien

Alain Coumont was ahead of his time when he started his organic bakery and cafe in 1990.
Le Pain Quotidien came to be when Coumont, a renowned chef in Brussels, had trouble finding good bread. Now you can find his communal tables all over the world. Beside providing inspiration to serve organic and fair trade ingredients, there are a variety of items that would make lovely wedding favors. For a smaller celebration, you can carry-out some of their delicious treats, including: artisan bread, cakes, pastries, jams, Belgian chocolates and imported Mediterranean delicacies (olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, olives)...yum...

   

bride's jewels: we dream in color

I have always loved flea market finds, especially vintage glass beads. A few weeks ago I did a drive by at the Amsterdam market at 76th street in NYC. I was, as usual, on the hunt for vintage glass beads, which I use to make mala necklaces.  As I exited the outdoor market to reconnect with my patiently waiting husband, I passed a table full of...chandelier prisms. Inspiration! What a great idea for a fancy necklace for the stylish bride. Then, I found We Dream In Color. Brilliant!

                 

martha stewart weddings: darcy miller

It's here...even more ways to get your daily dose of wedding beauty from Darcy Miller,
Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Weddings. Her new blog, aptly titled The Bride's Guide,
has just launched. Now inspiration is just a click away...

pretty bridesmaids in a row: the frock shop

I've gathered these pretty dresses from the Frock Shop to show how four non-matchy matchy dresses can look perfectly lovely when they are complimentary colors. I just wanted to prove that you need not have your bridesmaids wear the same exact dress to create a pretty picture. Be a revolutionary, and let them wear a dress a they like, and probably will wear again...