News
Bay Area (green) Event Venue
(photography above by Gia Canali)
One of the first decisions (and some would argue the most important decision) most couples make when planning their wedding, is deciding where it's going to happen. The venue... For the green couple, finding a venue that will represent their value systems and green choices is important. But, not all venues talk green and not all actually walk the green talk. This brings us to Wilbur Hot Springs. Yes, it's a local and sustainable event Venue. If you're a Bay Area local, you may already be familiar, and if not, it's definitely worth checking out, multiple times, I might add. 1. How is Wilbur a sustainable wedding/event venue? Wilbur is 100% off the grid, powered entirely by solar panels and propane. Renovations and improvements are performed using eco-conscious building materials and practices. The solar panel array was installed in the early 1990s. Up to that time, the Wilbur hotel had been lit with kerosene lamps. The transition to solar-powered lighting was completed in 1991. The refrigerators are all electric and are specifically designed to run on solar power. They are more efficient and use approximately one-third the power of consumer refrigerators The stoves in the kitchen, and the fireplaces, which heat the hotel in winter, are powered by propane. Wilbur uses compact fluorescent light bulbs and low-flow toilets. And the cleaning products we use are all eco-friendly. Wilbur’s hot springs flumes are non-impact. In other words, the water is simply diverted from the geothermal source, held temporarily in the flumes and then returned to the creek. No chemicals are added to the flumes,and as a result no chemicals are being added to the water table. The hotel and hot springs are located on approximately 240 acres. In 1999, the surrounding 1560 acres were purchased and designated as a nature preserve. In 2006, Wilbur began working with range ecologist Craig Thomsen from UC Davis to restore native plants to the area, and combat invasive species. Thomsen’s work continues currently, with Wilbur participating in raising grant money, and providing lodging in trade to guests who work with Craig.... To read more about Wilbur please go to: Green.Weddings.com In Green and Health, G&GGreen Planner for your Green Event
Check out a recent post I did for The Knot's Green.weddings.com blog. All about a green event planner I have recently worked with here in the Bay Area..
Planning Green




Going Vintage

Photo Courtesy of HeartStudios


Green Wedding Photography
An interview with a green photographer
A few weeks ago I posted an interview I did with a local sustainable photographer here in the Bay Area. Her name is Kira Stackhouse and her website is nuena.com. Here is an image from one of her weddings featured on her blog:
Organic or All Natural Beauty Products
It all soaks in...
A year or two ago I came across Skin Deep, a cosmetic database that lists hundreds of different beauty and body products and how potentially harmful they are. Of course most of us know that there are a lot of nasty chemicals in hairspray, nail polish, sunscreen and even lipstick. But taking a look at this database will make you realize that just about everything we put on our bodies is potentially harmful. [caption id="attachment_660" align="aligncenter" width="258" caption="Simply Organic Hairspray "]

The Green details of a Green Wedding
More green in a Summer Wedding
Over the summer I worked with Meredith and Ben on their outside wedding at a local community center. I just recently posted some great details of how they infused green and sustainable into their event on The Knot's Green Wedding Website. Take a look:Event and Floral design by Gorgeous and Green Events
Photography by Sean Donnelly Photography
In Green and Health, G&G
Green Wedding Registry from The Knot's Green website
A Re-Share of Some Green Registry Tips
I posted a blog on The Knot's green wedding website a few weeks ago about greening your wedding registry. I think that it's a great way to spread the message of a green couple and help folks change their spending habits. Take a look:
Look at this spacious fair trade hammock made of reclaimed cotton by a family owned workshop in El Salvador. The workers are paid above standard wages and receive benefits. Available onwww.globalexchangestore.org
This registry allows couples to register for charities, so guests can donate using their credit card or write a check to your favorite cause in place of a tangible gift. From The Global Fund for Women to Amazon Watch, they probably have a charity you support on their list.
To view the whole blog post go to The Knot's green wedding website where I am guest blogging: green.weddings.com
In Green and Health,
G&G