So many choices to make! ... starting with your "Save the Date" card, then invitations and envelopes, announcements, programs and place cards. In making your paper choices here are some things to look for:
1. recycled, handmade, or plantable papers processed chlorine-free and printed with vegetable- or soy-based inks
2. tree-free paper made out of hemp, banana stalks, bamboo, kenaf, or organic cotton
3. a printer who will use paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content
papers that aren't metallic or plastic-coated, characteristics that make them hard to recycle
4. opportunities to reduce paper use, like sending a postcard (instead of multi-enveloped notes) for your save-the-date, or using online invitations and a wedding blog to let people know about the bachelor/ette parties, rehearsal dinner, and gift registry

Here are a couple paper/invitation companies you might like to look at: Twisted Limb Paperworks and Green Field Paper Company. Also, be sure to ask at local stationary and party invitation shops for green options... hopefully by now they're offering some. It's always great to keep things local when you can. Thanks for taking steps to have a greener wedding!

Charlottesville is a great place to get married in a hot air balloon. I've had the privilege of performing two balloon weddings in my career and loved every minute of them both. The entire process is fun: from determining if the conditions are right, figuring out where the balloon should take off from and then unpacking them, filling them with warmed air to floating away into the sky... seeing Central Virginia from that vantage point is an absolutely spectacular experience.

Some couples choose to have their wedding with the balloon tethered but both of the couples that I've gone up with have chosen to enjoy a wonderful balloon ride and landing (another adventure!).

Holding a ceremony in a hot air balloon has a couple of unique challenges the biggest of which is simply the roar of the burner that keeps the balloon aloft requires that we pause every so often throughout so that everyone can hear what's being said.

Here in the Charlottesville area I've worked with Liana and Jim, both FAA licensed pilots, at the Blue Ridge Balloon Company. Give them a call at 434-589-6213 to discuss the possibilities for your wedding. It will be a wonderful adventure!

Visit the Earth Friendly Weddings Blog for great information and resources!

Jennifer, this blog's owner, lives in Atlanta, GA She has created a truly beautiful and incredibly useful resource for couples who want to have a wedding that takes the planet's well being into account.

Jennifer's blog focuses on green resources which she defines as, "... products that are recycled, reused, handmade, natural, organic, or fairly traded". I encourage you to take some time to read this blog... you'll discover wonderful ways to have a greener event!

I know that I wrote about the UVA Chapel just about a month ago but it's a place I find myself pretty regularly so thought I'd pop it in here again.

There were a couple of unique things about this experience in the Chapel. First, it was almost filled... the largest group I've done a wedding for in this particular location. A really wonderful group... so happy for Bryan and Nadine!

Secondly, and I hope that you can see it in these photos but the wedding was held at about 2 PM and the light in the Chapel on this particular day was absolutely spectacular, a bit other-worldly actually! At the end of the ceremony when Nadine and Bryan walked up the aisle together the light that poured down from the stained glass windows and through her veil was just one of the most beautiful wedding picture-perfect moments I've ever seen. I have to remember to ask Allegra for a copy of one of the photos so that I can post it here for you later.

If you would like more details on the Chapel and how to go about reserving it for your wedding please look back on my November 4, 2007 post and you'll find that info. Have a great day!