Apr 15, 2011 | Other Events
Green Music Fest 2010
I have to give a little plug here for the two street fairs that I’m the Vendor Coordinator for this summer: Wicker Park Fest and Green Music Fest. Both are in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area of Chicago, and both should attract good crowds this year.
Both festivals have discounts for non-profit vendors, and Green Music has discounts for certified green vendors. Applications are being accepted right now. If you’re interested, don’t delay, as these are popular summer festivals. Green Music Fest is June 25 and 26, and Wicker Park is July 23 and 24.
I hope I’ll get to work with a lot of the creative, crafty types who populate this great city of ours. Get your application in, and I’ll be in touch.
Apr 5, 2011 | Eco-Friendly Events, Family Parties, Other Events, Parties and Special Events, vendors, wedding planning, Weddings
Rickshaw Rick, as he appears on his website.
Do you want something a little different for your next celebration? Try hiring a bicycle rickshaw to take you from place to place. Having a wedding at church and the reception down the road? You could have unusual and memorable transportation.
Rick Carter of Rickshaw Rick provides a service that is, I think, unique. He has several styles of bicycle rickshaw and a number of drivers, so he can accommodate large or small parties. There are covered cabs and open ones; colorful ones and wicker ones. And they are all powered exclusively by pedal power. Now, there’s an eco-friendly option to consider for your next party!
Mar 31, 2011 | Eco-Friendly Events, wedding planning, Weddings
I hate to bring up a difficult, uncomfortable subject when we’re talking about weddings, but I do think it is better to know all sides of an issue, especially if you are interested in eco-friendly events. I’m talking about the environmental and political problems associated with the commercial jewelry trade.
The issues around jewelry can be tricky.
Let me be very clear about one thing: I am not saying that you are a bad person if you wear and like commercial jewelry. I just want to make sure that you have enough information to make an informed choice. I won’t pass judgment on your choice if you are happy with it.
There are environmental issues with gold, as well as political ones. Diamonds and other precious stones, as far as I can tell, have fewer environmental problems, although there are political problems.
Gold mining and refining, according to one informed source, release large amounts of toxins into the environment, including cyanide, arsenic, and mercury. Gold also requires huge amounts of water and electricity to produce, according to the same source. Many who are concerned about the problems associated with gold mining and refining call it “dirty gold” because of its negative environmental impacts.
In addition, gold mining is believed to fuel conflict in places like the Congo and Colombia. While not all of these conflicts make it into the news daily, they are ongoing sources of human rights abuses, death, and destruction.
The diamond trade also fuels conflicts in Africa according to the UN and Amnesty International. While there has been some progress in restricting the trade of illegitimate diamonds that fund wars and abuse, it is still very difficult to ensure that a diamond comes from a conflict-free zone.
Fortunately, more and more jewelers are taking environmental and human rights considerations seriously. It is becoming easier than in the past to find jewelers that carry no-conflict diamonds and clean gold.
If you want gold jewelry, look for a jeweler that uses recycled or reclaimed gold. If they supervise the recycling process themselves, that is even better. As far as I am aware, there is no certification process for recycled gold, so if this is a concern of yours, ask as many questions of the jeweler as necessary to assure yourself that their gold really is recycled.
There are solutions to the problems of jewelry at hand. Photo by MWD Photography.
Another choice for gold jewelry without additional harm to the environment is to find vintage jewelry. Maybe there is even a piece in your family (or your soon-to-be in-laws’ family). For example, I wear my husband’s great-grandmother’s wedding ring and he wears his great-grandfather’s. The rings are a red gold, which isn’t fashionable these days, so it is a little different than anything you could buy in a store. If there isn’t anything in your family, antique and vintage stores often have jewelry sections, and you can find some very nice pieces there.
Vintage diamonds are also one answer to the problems of new diamonds. Some jewelers also import their diamonds from places like Canada where they believe the diamond trade is not involved in bloody conflicts. But do your homework and make sure you have found a trusted source if this is an issue for you.
There is probably no perfect answer to these troubling issues. The more people are aware of them, though, the closer we can come to solving some of these perplexing problems.
Mar 21, 2011 | wedding planning, Weddings
Just one example of what a good photographer can do. Photo by Carasco Photography.
I think there are probably about 5,000 wedding photographers in the Chicago area, so how do you go about narrowing that list down to the one you want to hire for your wedding or other special event?
My first recommendation would be to look at a photographer’s work if you are considering hiring that person. Don’t just look at the limited selection on their website. Ask to see all the photos from one event. That will give you a good sense of the photographer’s range and style. You might notice if they missed something you think is important. You can judge for yourself the ratio of great shots to adequate ones.
The second thing, as with any vendor, is to get references. Call people who have hired this person recently and ask if they were satisfied. Ask if they thought they got value for their money. Ask if there were any problems and how they were resolved.
Then, look at their prices and packages. Every photographer has a different set of packages and it can be difficult to compare them. But it is important to compare prices to be sure you are getting a good deal.
Finally, get to know your potential photographer. You will be spending a lot of time with this person on your special day. You should feel comfortable around your photographer.
Trust your instincts. If you feel strongly that you have found the right person and if they can work within your budget, you have probably found your photographer. If you have any doubts, keep looking until you are sure.
Mar 11, 2011 | wedding planning, Weddings
One kind of first dance. Photo by Magical Moments Photography.
If you are getting married this summer, you might be starting to think about your First Dance. It’s an important wedding tradition for a lot of people and sometimes it takes some planning.
Of course, it’s not important to some people, at all, and I’m not saying you have to do it. If you’re not dancers and you don’t want to dance, I say skip it.
But for those who are going to dance together at their wedding reception, here are some thoughts. The first dance is usually a bit of a performance. You don’t have to announce it to the guests, but if you do, then everyone will be watching. Be prepared for the extra pressure and be sure you are both comfortable with the music and the moves you choose.
A different kind of dance, but they are having just as much fun. Photo by hannahelaine photography (hannahelaine.com).
I’ve seen all kinds of first dances, everything from a simple slow dance to an elaborately choreographed tango. (The tango was done so well that the guests insisted on an encore!) There’s nothing you can do that is “wrong.” But if you want to make sure it is interesting for your guests–and easier for you–choose a song that is three or four minutes long. It might be a mistake to have a ten minute first dance, especially if you are not an accomplished dancer.
Despite what I said before about performance pressure, try to remember that the important thing is that the dance is for the two of you. It’s the first time in your married life that you’ll dance together and it ought to be a special moment. So, if you lose the rhythm or forget a step, don’t sweat it. Enjoy the dance. It’s the first of many.
Feb 28, 2011 | Budget Planning, Eco-Friendly Events, wedding planning, Weddings
Is it a real cake or is it foam? Only the bride knows!
Yes, you can rent a wedding cake. Why would you want to rent a wedding cake? It’s one way you can save money on your wedding without looking cheap. Here’s how it works.
You rent a cake from one of the cake rental companies (see below for some ideas). The “cake” itself is foam but is covered with fondant or frosting in your choice of designs. Many of these cakes include a compartment for a piece of real cake so the bride and groom can cut a piece together. The guests are then served pieces from a sheet cake that has been kept in the kitchen.
The advantages of renting a centerpiece fake cake are mostly financial. Sheet cake is much less expensive than a tiered wedding cake, and cake rental costs a couple of hundred dollars, including shipping, depending on what company you use and whether you use one of their designs or one of your own.
But if you’re having an outdoor wedding or a wedding in a hot location, you might also want to consider renting a cake. The foam cakes do not slip in the heat and can stand up to the hottest weather and still look beautiful. I have personally coordinated two weddings where either the cake collapsed in the heat or it almost did. A foam cake might be a very inexpensive insurance policy if you are concerned about keeping a tiered cake standing on a hot day.
Some of the cake companies even claim that a fake cake is more eco-friendly than a real one. They claim that since their cakes do not need baking or refrigeration, they save energy. I would have to counter that by saying that they use additional energy beyond what is used in the cake that is actually eaten, and they also use energy in shipping. They say that the foam for the cakes is re-used or recycled, but most kinds of foam are not actually recyclable. But even if this idea is not particularly green, it could still save you money if you’re on a budget. And if you want it to be as green as possible, find a vendor as close to you as possible so the shipping distance is short.
I have found two companies that rent wedding cakes. This is not an endorsement of either, as I have not worked with them. Please use your best judgment and check their references. Rent the Cake of Your Dreams is in East Aurora, New York. Cake Rental is in Grandville, Michigan. I’m sure there are more people providing this service, as well. A little research will turn them up and then you can have a beautfiul wedding cake without breaking the bank.
Feb 16, 2011 | Eco-Friendly Events, Parties and Special Events, wedding planning, Weddings
The Chicago Green Wedding Alliance (of which I am a member) has announced its first planner’s workshop. The team is busy lining up speakers to help wedding planners learn more about how to green their clients’ weddings. It will be nice to have some company as a Green wedding planner!
The event is planned for Sunday, February 27, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the West Loop Studio, 17 N. Elizabeth St., #3. Enjoy brunch, beverages, and be inspired by the expert panel on the art and sophistication of planning green. Tickets are $75. Click on the image to below buy tickets for the event.
Feb 7, 2011 | Weddings
On Monday, January 31, the governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, signed into law a bill that allows couples to enter into civil unions. What does this mean for you?
A blessing at the end of the marriage ceremony. Photo courtesy of Artisan Events.
The new law allows all couples (same sex and different sex) to enter into a legally recognized union in the state of Illinois. According to Lambda Legal, the new law gives to couples who choose civil unions all the same rights and responsibilities that married couples have under Illinois law. Being a state law, it can not, of course, confer the rights that are withheld from same sex couples by the federal government. Some of the rights and responsibilities conferred by the new law include:
- The duty to support your spouse financially;
- The same rights of adoption as married couples;
- Automatic right of hospital visitation;
- The right to inherit in the absence of a will;
- The right to file joint state income tax returns;
- The right not to testify against a partner; and
- The necessity to seek a legal divorce if the relationship ends.
One thing I find interesting is that, even though this law calls them “civil unions,” if you want to formalize your relationship under the law, it is possible to do so in a religious institution and with the assistance of clergy. The only thing the law does not require is that all religious institutions participate. Your church may still discriminate against you.
Other than that, though, starting on June 1 of this year, if you want an Illinois civil union, all you have to do is go to your county clerk’s office with the proper ID, pay the fee, fill out the form, and get a license. There is a one day waiting period (as there is for a marriage license), and it expires in 60 days. In that time, you have to have some kind of ceremony and have the officiant file the paperwork.
The other thing this law does is to recognize automatically civil unions and same sex marriages performed elsewhere. If you got married in Iowa or Canada, or if you had a Vermont civil union in the 90s (or anything else), on June 1, your relationship will be automatically recognized in Illinois as a civil union.
I worked with a wonderful gay couple one time who got married at a synagogue on the North Shore. The rabbi ended the ceremony by saying, “And now, under the future laws of the state of Illinois, I pronounce you married to each other.” That was about 5 years ago, and at the time I thought it would be decades before that future law came into being. The state of Illinois still does not actually permit same sex marriage, but we are a lot closer now than I ever would have thought possible.
Jan 30, 2011 | Lace wedding accessories
Did you think I forgot about my lace wedding accessories? Not at all! But it takes a long time to make tatted lace, and I have been busy building up inventory before putting them up for sale. (Look for me on Etsy very soon!) Here’s another sneak preview.
Handmade ring-bearer's pillow with tatted lace medallion and edging.
Remember the garter I posted about? This is a coordinating ring-bearer’s pillow. The ribbons are for tying the rings onto the pillow. They can also be removed easily, so you can even use this as a decorative cushion in your home after you are married. Here’s another shot:
Another view of the ring-bearer's pillow with handmade, tatted lace.
I even expect to be able to do these in custom colors to match any wedding decor. If you want more information, be sure to drop me an e-mail.
Jan 3, 2011 | Budget Planning, Day-of Coordinating, wedding planning, Weddings
Let me sweat the details so you don't have to. Courtesy of sprungphoto.com.
Happy New Year! I’ve run this one before, but I updated it a little and I hope it is still helpful!
If you have plans to get married this year, you are probably thinking–right about now–about hiring a wedding planner or a day-of wedding coordinator. If you’re getting married this year and are not thinking about any such thing, may I recommend that you do so before the best planners get booked up for the summer and fall seasons?
It’s not too difficult to hire a day-of coordinator. You will actually come up with more choices if you do an internet search for “wedding planner,” rather than “day-of wedding coordinator.” Any wedding planner worth her pay is also a day-of coordinator.
Once you have found a handful of prospects, it’s time to interview them. You can start with an e-mail, of course, but I don’t recommend that you hire anyone until you have met them in person. Sometimes this is impractical, of course, especially if you live in a different city from the one you are planning to marry in. In that case, be sure to have a detailed telephone conversation before signing a contract. Some of the things you may want to consider are: the planner’s experience and expertise; the planner’s personality and how it fits with yours; the kinds of ideas she or he can bring to the table; the fee charged and what you will get for what you pay.
Don’t necessarily think that the lowest price is the best deal. As with any vendor, you get what you pay for. Sometimes the person with the lowest price is the best one for the job, but other times someone with a very low price may not offer as many important services as someone who charges a little more. Get enough information on the services included in the fee so that you can tell the difference. Find out what the price range is by asking several coordinators. You don’t have to hire the most expensive one, but you will probably find one in the middle of the price range who has all the characteristics you want.
Before you hire, get references. Don’t just get names and phone numbers or e-mail addresses. Call those people or e-mail them and ask them questions about their experience with the coordinator. Ask them if they would recommend the person. Ask them if they think they got value for their money. Ask if there were any unresolved problems.
Finally, don’t pay anything until you have a signed contract with the coordinator. (This is actually good advice for hiring any vendor.) The coordinator will probably send you a contract, but don’t assume that this is a “take it or leave it” proposition. All contracts are negotiable. If there is a clause you think needs to be in the contract, ask to have it added. If you don’t like something, ask if it can be removed. You may have to give something in return, but it is always worth a try. Don’t be intimidated by legalese. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask to have it clarified. And only sign the contract once you are sure you understand everything and agree with it. It takes some work, but it is always worth while to have a good contract in place. It protects both parties.
And once you have hired a wedding coordinator, keep them informed of your decisions. If they ask for information, get it to them as soon as possible. They are looking out for your best interests and need to know what you want and what you are doing so they can take care of all the details while you are busy getting married and enjoying yourself.
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