Plan Your Wedding Day By Keeping It Green

(Image Courtesy of Bridal Clarity)

Hey, ladies we are back! In the spirit of Earth Day this week, we at Yazzie & Co. thought thought it’d be appropriate to show you how to have that glamorous wedding while protecting our earth. You will not have to sacrifice your sensational style to be conscious about the environment. If you’re still not sure where to start, read on for a few fabulous tips on going green the bridal way!

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The first order on the list of planning your wedding is choosing eco-friendly invitations. As tempting as it is to have them printed out on the fanciest material, we suggest that you choose your paper with care. Instead of using cotton fiber, Catalogs.com suggests that you use hemp paper or recycled paper as an eco-friendly alternative. With specialized paper stores like Green Field Paper and Kate's Paperie offering either material, they’re easy to find and are guaranteed to give you the same elegant look as regular paper invitations. Should you decide to take it a step further by going paperless, you can always sent out your wedding invites via e-mail. You’ll be saving time and money while avoiding waste.

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Next on your list is organizing your bridal flower arrangements, which you can handily accomplish without spending a bundle on mass-produced flowers. Have fun with the wedding planning process by growing the beautiful blossoms of your choice in your own yard. Not only will you be saving money by purchasing seeds from your local florist or the Garden Center at your nearest Home Depot, but you’ll also be replenishing the earth with your lovely flowers. If you decide to gift your bridal party and guests, you can gift them green with eco-conscious presents. According to Catalogs.com, you can present your bridesmaids with fragrant homemade soaps while you give your groomsmen stylish hemp-made wallets. Your guests will certainly appreciate your all-natural take on the wedding favor when you present them with dazzling crystals or sweet-scented potpourri.

(Image Courtesy of About.com)

If you’re concerned about making the eco-conscious choice in your wedding dress, consider borrowing one from your loved one. You’ll not only be saving money, you’ll be carrying on tradition while being eco-conscious. However, if you prefer to purchase a new gown, Catalogs.com suggests that you select one that is made of a non-toxic material like hemp or organic cotton. What’s more, your dress will be more likely to resist mildew and mold – making it easier to preserve it and pass it down to the next beautiful bride. Your groom can buy his attire at a local vintage store, where he’ll find dapper classics from the 1930s and 1940s. And while it may be a difficult to snag your wedding rings at a discount, take heart in the fact that you can find an ethical jeweler to purchase them from. An ethical jeweler will not only work to prevent dangerous mining conditions for their workers, but will ensure that the amount of soil that is being used isn’t excessive to the point where our eco system isn’t endangered. You’ll definitely enjoy your big day a great deal more with the assurance that your sparkling diamond is produced responsibly.

(Image Courtesy of Here Comes The Guide)

Instead of collecting endless appliances and moneyed envelopes, you can request that your guests gift donate to eco charities such as Sustainable South Bronx, the Environmental Defense Fund, or Greenproofing under your name. Their money will definitely be spent on making the world a greener place. On your part, you can donate your post-bridal floral arrangements to a retirement home or a hospital. These flowers will enjoy a second life by bringing smiles to another audience. As for capturing those wedding day memories? We at Yazzie & Co. recommend that you skip spending money on developing your wonderful pictures and create a free online album instead. Not only will you skip out on using toxic chemicals, you and your loved ones can check your pics out at any time. After all, it’s easier to be greener on your wedding day!

Wishing You a Happy Earth Week,

The Yazzie Blogger

Go Green With An Excellent Eco Wedding

(Image Courtesy of Bridal Clarity)

Hey, ladies! Ever wanted to celebrate your big day without endangering the environment? With Earth Day being today, we at Yazzie & Co. thought it’d be appropriate to show you how to have that glamorous wedding while protecting our earth. You will not have to sacrifice your sensational style to be conscious about the environment. If you’re still not sure where to start, read on for a few fabulous tips on going green the bridal way!

(Image Courtesy of Organic Green and Natural)

Your wedding cuisine is also a great opportunity to apply that environmentally conscious spirit to your dishes. With a variety of deliciously organic, vegetarian, and vegan courses to choose from, you shouldn’t have a problem with satisfying your guests’ tastes. If you are hiring a chef to cater your wedding reception, do make sure that he or she specializes in making savory meals that include pesticide-free beef and free range chicken. What’s more, you can serve your guests with fresh organic wine, thus treating them to a libation that doesn’t include any chemicals or pesticides. As for your wedding cake, forgo artificial sweeteners for fresh fruit filling and maple sugar ingredients for a fresher taste that falls in line with your green wedding theme. The best part? It’s healthy fare that will be enjoyed by all.

(Image Courtesy of Here Comes The Guide)

Instead of collecting endless appliances and moneyed envelopes, you can request that your guests gift donate to eco charities such as Sustainable South Bronx, the Environmental Defense Fund, or Greenproofing under your name. Their money will definitely be spent on making the world a greener place. On your part, you can donate your post-bridal floral arrangements to a retirement home or a hospital. These flowers will enjoy a second life by bringing smiles to another audience. As for capturing those wedding day memories? We at Yazzie & Co. recommend that you skip spending money on developing your wonderful pictures and create a free online album instead. Not only will you skip out on using toxic chemicals, you and your loved ones can check your pics out at any time. After all, it’s easier to be greener on your wedding day! Stay tuned, for tomorrow wrap up on tips on how to go green on your wedding day!

Until then - Wishing You a Happy Earth Day,

The Yazzie Blogger

Get Your Boogie On With a Wonderful Wedding Band

(Image Courtesy of Katrina at the LI Weddings message forum)

Hello, ladies! With your guest list set and your wedding venue reserved, you’ve made way for one of the most enjoyable aspects of the wedding planning process - choosing your entertainment. While hosting a wonderful wedding weighs heavily on your mind, it’s also important to make sure that you’re able to enjoy one of the best days of your life. This is why we at Yazzie & Co. have come up with a great way for you to bring on the fun – by hiring a wedding band to play. Not only will your wedding day be blessed with fantastic music, the band will guarantee that your guests will have a good time. If you’re unsure on how to make the best choice in a wedding band, scroll on for some terrific tips for keeping your big day in tune.

(The Avenue Band’s Image Courtesy of Jerry Bruno)

If you’re thinking of hiring a band to play at your wedding, you definitely have much to consider when shopping around. First and foremost, do make sure that this is something that you can afford to fit in your bridal budget. According to About.com , a wedding band runs anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 a night – depending on the size of the band and their resourcefulness. Thus, if you’re willing, but wary, about spending that amount, you should definitely pay close attention to their payment and cancellation policies. You’ll surely save yourself the trouble by doing so. Another thing to consider is the whether a band is versatile enough to play the music that you’ve chosen as your musical theme. Their ability to accommodate the mood of your big day while specializing in many musical genres is something that will greatly affect how it all plays out. Do also keep in mind that while a live band definitely outpaces a DJ in their ability to move the crowd, they will also need to break a few times to collect themselves and enjoy your delicious wedding cuisine. Thus, it will also be a great idea to keep a CD or two on hand for those occasions.

(Image Courtesy of Katrina at the LI Weddings message forum)

Should you decide that a live band is the way that you’d like to go for your wedding day entertainment, make sure that you choose one that can cater to your style of music while providing a great time to your guests. With your choice of bands that play everything from Golden Standards to Jazz and Funk, you’re bound to find one that is just right for you. More importantly, you want to make sure that your band is flexible enough to learn songs that aren’t standards in their repertoire, for their willingness to work with you is a definite plus as far as getting the job done. You will be able to get a feel for what a band is about by meeting its leader to make sure that he or she understands what you’d need from them to make your wedding day go smoothly. In addition, you want to make sure that the band that you choose has a great camaraderie with one another and has performed for quite a while. That way, if unavoidable circumstances – such as sickness or termination - happen to befall a member of the band, they’d be able to cover the last-minute absence. You should also look into liability insurance, just in case.

(Image Courtesy of the Perfect Music For Weddings)

Last, but not least, be sure to choose a band that fits the size of your bridal venue. The rule of thumb, according to Stitely.com, is that a six to eight piece band will work for a wedding of 100 guests or less while an eight to ten piece wedding band can accommodate approximately 100-200 guests. However, if your wedding is going to consist of 200-300 guests, then a nine to fourteen piece band will do. An even larger guest list that consists of 300-plus people will definitely call for a ten to seventeen piece band. No matter what size of band that you opt to go with, do make sure that they possess adequate instruments and a reliable sound system. The last thing that you need is terrible sound quality on one of the most magical days of your life. After all, ladies, we at Yazzie & Co. firmly believe that a wonderful wedding band makes all the difference.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

Enjoy Your Enchanting Easter Wedding with Elegance

(Image Courtesy of Associated Content)

What’s up, ladies. Easter is around the corner and we at Yazzie & Co. thought it right to dedicate this blog to the idea of having a wedding on the day of resurrection. Not only does this holiday provide you with the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Spring weather, but you’ll have a lovely time with creating a lasting memory for all. What’s more, your wedding will be a great chance to keep with the holiday tradition of new beginnings while incorporating the ideas of love, family, and a brand new day.

(Image Courtesy of Silk Flowers 365)

If you’ve decided to have an Easter wedding, well, you’ll be happy to know that it isn’t as impossible a concept as it seems to be on paper. With just a bit of imagination and a lot of heart, your wedding will surely be a special affair. You can kick off your Easter wedding planning by putting together a celebration with a spiritual Spring theme. Your invitations should include religious elements and Springtime flavor such as a combination of crosses and flowers. Pastel colors can also be incorporated in your wedding day look through your bridal headdress, while they’ll work well with the groom’s floral boutonniere selection. Associated Content suggest that the bridal décor that you and your fiancé choose should incorporate pastel colors such as magenta and sky blue, while the best choice of venue would be a church. After all, it provides plenty personality for Easter.

(Image Courtesy of Ariel Skelley of Corbis)

Your Easter bridal reception should include the same spiritual subtlety as your bridal reception. In order to achieve that, we think each table in your chosen venue should include a centerpiece of floating candles with flower petals on the bottom of each votive to accentuate the beauty of the occasion. According to Associated Content, our bridal menu should evoke the spirit of Easter as well with roast ham or glazed lamb as your main dish, while your wedding cake should be made out of delicious buttercream to suggest that Spring feel. Kissing bunnies and pastel-colored frosting will definitely seal the deal for a winning Easter wedding cake. While your adult guests will enjoy personalized Easter bridal favors that include Jordan almonds or chocolate eggs, staging an Easter egg hunt for your youthful guests will definitely guarantee for all to have a great time.

(Image Courtesy of Black Voices Blogs)

In turn, we at Yazzie & Co. believe that you’ll be getting the best of both worlds. After all, Easter is a family affair while weddings are the best examples of love and happiness. By having your Easter wedding, you’ll be able to boast it as a bridal event that can be just as fun and full of color as a summer wedding. However, you must remember the most important aspect of this glorious occasion: making sure that it is the happiest day of both of your lives.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger

Put Your Best Face Forward on Your Big Day

(Image Courtesy of Ephraim Ben-Shimon of Corbis)

Hey, ladies. Your wedding day is one of the biggest milestones of your life. That’s why it’s integral that you look your best. While your natural glow of love while certainly shine through, an extra boost to your beauty certainly never hurts. That’s why we at Yazzie & Co.will dish on the best way to look your loveliest with magnificent makeup. After all, you want to make sure that every inch of you are dazzling on camera!

(Image Courtesy of the African American Wedding Hairstyles & Hairdos)

When plotting out your bridal look, the first thing that you need is an image in mind. Whether it’s a beauty icon that you’d like to replicate or your personal style that you’d like to enhance, a little research will go a long way with your wedding style. eHow recommends that you seek inspiration from wedding magazines and websites. If anything, it’ll work out for you whether you decide to do your makeup yourself or have it professionally done.

(Image Courtesy of the African American Wedding Hairstyles & Hairdos)

After you figure out what bridal look you’d like to go for, do ensure that it is sufficient for the time of day that you’re having your wedding. In addition to how you’ll look on camera, you’ll also have to bear in mind just how you’ll look in an indoor or outdoor venue. Once you have your wedding plans set in stone, you’ll be able to go forward in putting your best foot forward.

(Image Courtesy of the African American Wedding Hairstyles & Hairdos)

Finally, you want to make sure that you choose the best kind of makeup for your special day. Keeping the lighting of your venue in mind, you need to carefully shop for your makeup. According to eHow your best bet is to choose lightweight foundation for subtle coverage against the heat while using waterproof mascara to avoid raccoon eyes while crying your happy tears. When working on your face, make sure that the delicate shade of lipcolor that you choose matches the blush coloring in your cheeks. In addition, using bronzer will enhance your features while multi-shaded eyeshadow helps your eyes pop, guaranteeing that you’ll be a radiant bride.

(Image Courtesy of The Knot)

Whether you like to bring out the glam or sweep your groom away with a classic look, we at Yazzie & Co. want you to look your very best on your wedding day. After all, you deserve to be the belle of your bridal ball and what better than to do that than to shine brightly in flawlessly fabulous makeup.

Until Next Time,

The Yazzie Blogger