MOM'S DRESS: THE "IT" GREEN WEDDING ATTIRE

Wearing your mother's wedding gown is the ultimate green wedding statement--with good reason. Not only is is good for the environment, but it also sets the tone for a wedding celebration that honors family.

At Le Chatelet, we were delighted to celebrate Jessica and Richard's elopement, our first vintage wedding. I was pleasantly surprised to hear she would wear the wedding dress her mother, Susan, wore when she married Jessica's father, Jim, in 1969.

Jessica looked radiant donning this refined and tasteful ivory satin and lace dress, which she made fresh and modern wearing beaded thong sandals.

Jessica and Richard's wedding captured the essence of eloping. They shared a romantic ceremony they co-wrote, with beautiful readings, the inescapable tears, and lots of joy. Jim was visibly touched to see his "sunshine" wear his late wife's dress, which Susan had sewn herself. This beautiful union was followed by a casual reception, where the adults relaxed and toddlers got to explore exciting new surroundings in the country.

Not every bride is lucky enough to have a mother's wedding dress that is tasteful--and fits! On future posts, Lorraine Victoria, vintage fashion expert and owner of The Vintage Fitting Room, will tell us how to transform your mother's wedding dress into a custom made confection that honors your mother, and reflects the true you.

www.thevintagefittingroom.com

ELOPEMENTS AND GREEN WEDDINGS: A WORLD IN COMMON

You may wonder what elopements , the main subject of this blog, have to do with green weddings.  The answer is deceptively simple, because it is all about simplicity.  While not all green weddings are elopements, green weddings, by definition, are small and intimate.The eco-friendly wedding keeps the guest list down, not necessarily to save money or avoid drama, but to keep to a minimum the impact on the environment, gas consumption and emissions related to guest travel. The green wedding is not premised exclusively on the love between the bride and groom, but on their shared love for the planet that sustains them.

Having a green wedding makes sense, and elopers would be well served by incorporating eco-friendly practices into their celebrations.  Green weddings are often officiated in beautiful natural places that are perfectly suited for small groups.  The use of recycled and reusable materials in their invitations, celebration and favors make environmental and financial sense.  Serving locally-grown products sustain the local economy and make a healthy food choice.

On future posts I will share with you ideas that can be adapted to elopements and green weddings with ease and success. 

WHY ELOPE?

What would possess a couple to opt for eloping, rather than a conventional wedding? I can't remember how we made that decision, but my husband insists that it was my idea. Having taken that road, with no regrets, mind you, I can underscore the top reasons to skip the frou frou and go straight to the real thing:

Simplicity

Very often the true meaning of marriage gets lost in the trappings of wedding planning. The stress on a couple can be overwhelming and harmful to the relationship.  Can you think of a wedding reality show where the parties are completely relaxed and delighting in the wedding planning process? When you've found the love of your life and are ready to begin to live "happily ever after" right now, spending months planning an elaborate wedding that will be over in only a few (very short) hours begins to look less and less appealing. Eloping saves you the time, the headaches and the drama associated with modern wedding planning and allows you to focus on the beauty of your relationship and planning a future together.

Eloping is an investment in your future

Simply put, the money spent on a large wedding can be put to better use towards the dream home, the kids' college fund, the dream honeymoon--you pick! 

Intimate weddings can be more meaningful

Elopements and small weddings allow you share with the people who are most important to you and to truly celebrate your union. When you are surrounded by the people who love you and sincerely care about you, your wedding will be inevitably flawless,  and you will be able to relax and enjoy your day without having to worry about what people will think or say.

 

 

Today's elopement is not about the forbidden love and  secret relationships of old romantic novels.  It is a respectable option for modern couples who are willing to break free from the establishment and make choices that reflect their priorities and personal values. For us, to elope was the answer.

MY ELOPEMENT STORY

If planning a wedding is driving you crazy and the thought of eloping has crossed your mind--read on. If a small, intimate event is more your speed, but you feel pressured by others to have a full blown wedding, follow your heart and join the club.

I know these social pressures well. After my mother threatened never to speak to me again if I eloped (I made the mistake of telling her I thought running away to Quebec and returning a married woman was impossibly romantic), I had to endure a 150-guest wedding where I didn't know half of the guests well enough to wish to share my special day with them. 

Second time around, my fiance and I, overwhelmed by the daunting task of planning an elaborate event while juggling two demanding careers and building our dream home ourselves, opted for an intimate affair.  We ran off to our favorite bed and breakfast and exchanged vows before two of our closest friends as witnesses.  A judge I worked for and loved celebrated our ceremony, which we wrote ourselves to reflect our love and the nature of our relationship. 

As we get ready to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary, we have no regrets for having taken this path. There was no stress, no drama, and the memories of a beautiful ceremony by the warmth of a glowing fire live on.

Getting married is a very personal decision.  How to celebrate your union is something each couple should do based on your unique personal circumstances. Whatever your wedding style, I will share with you tips to keep you sane through your wedding planning and bring serenity and joy to the process.  If you are planning to elope or celebrate an intimate wedding, I will guide you through the challenges with style and ease. Stay tuned!