Evoke the Spirit of Charity on This Holiday!

(Image Courtesy of UK Times Online)

Hello, everyone. While we at Yazzie & Co. usually dish on the best ways to be bridal beautiful, we’re going to shift gears this time around. Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti has shed light on the heartbreaking results of such devastation, reminding us just how connected we really are. Regardless of gender, race, or religion, we are one as a people that are capable of feeling both joy and pain. However, we are also able to rally together to help one another in need – something that we’d like to encourage you to do this Martin Luther King Day.

Not quite sure if and what you can do? Well, you should take heart in the overwhelming generosity that has been displayed over the past week. Though everyone had their own problems to contend with, they set them aside to donate whatever they could to assist the distraught people in Haiti. From five dollar donations through cellular phone texts to Yele Haiti to money contributions to Doctors Without Borders, many opened their hearts to those that needed it the most. We believe that Dr. King would want us to carry out his message of love and compassion through charity and hope that you find it in your heart to do so this Monday.

Of course, if you happen to be organizing your wedding registry at this time, this would be the perfect moment to encourage your loved ones to give back. Instead of requesting that toaster oven that you were eyeing, you can ask your guests to donate some money to reputable organizations such as the Red Cross. If money is truly tight, you can provide your perishables to a local food bank or volunteer your time at an outreach center. In any case, the spirit of giving will be what will ultimately bind us together.

Sincerely,

The Yazzie Blogger

Be At Ease in Planning Your Marvelous Military Wedding!

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Though we at Yazzie & Co. would usually kick off the holiday season by writing about holiday weddings, we wanted to switch gears this time around by honoring our troops. With so many of you all fighting for our country, we thought it right to discuss wedding planning – military style. After all, you brave men and women are in love with love as much as we civilians are, so why not share in that by learning how to pull off a magnificent military wedding? It’s not as daunting as you’d think, so stick around and let us show you how to pull it off with panache!

(Image Courtesy of MB Weddings)

Should you decide to go all out by getting married in a military chapel or military academy, you’d do well to book well in advance. EHow thinks that a year’s time will suffice in ensuring that you don’t get lost in the military marriage shuffle. Do make sure that you thoroughly investigate who you choose as your chaplain, for you don’t want to be stuck with someone who is unlicensed or unqualified to preside over a military wedding. According to EHow, decoration standards are very particular, so you also want to check with the staff to make sure that what you’ve chosen is in line with what they allow. If you’re not sure how to go about decorating your military venue, we suggest featuring the American flag. Not only does it pay homage to your military background, it also serves as a symbol of unity. Even better, you can take things a step further by featuring flowers that reflect the flag – like red and white roses and blue cornflowers. While military chapels don’t charge to rent for weddings, Tracy Guth from The Knot recommends that you donate to its fund out of courtesy. Think of it as giving back to the milieu that made you the person that will stand tall in front of your new spouse.

(Image Courtesy of the Old Glory Ranch)

Your next priority, soldiers, is to address your guests properly. Not quite as easy as seating your soon-to-be in-laws in the front row, one needs to follow proper military protocol when inviting your wedding guests. For instance, while using regular invitations are fine, you should include yours and/or your soon-to-be spouse’s rank and title on them. Also offer your military loved ones and colleagues the option of attending in full dress, EHow suggests. That way, they will be able to pay tribute to your military bond in uniform. You should also be aware of who you invite and where they will be seated, since this also directly reflects on military tradition. According to Gigi Rena Rogers of Favor Ideas, your commander and high-ranking officers should be seated beside your immediate family while your colleagues should be seated directly behind them. Once you work your seating arrangements out, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step – dressing the part.

(Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

If you’re a soon-to-be bride that’s currently serving, you aren’t bound to wear your uniform. However, you can if you choose to do so. Should you be a soon-to-be groom in the military, it is recommended that you dress in traditional military garb for your big day. Since Winter’s around the corner, EHow recommends that you wear a blue uniform with your medal(s) and pristine white gloves. You’ll be dapper enough in your gleaming shoes to do the Arch of Sabers walk with your new bride. The most defining moment of a military wedding ceremony, this consists of you and your new bride walking through an arch of sabers towards your new life together. Whether you’re using swords as a Naval or Coast Guard officer or sabers as an Army officer or a Marine, EHow strongly suggests that check to see that your chosen base location has them available. Also make sure that there are commissioned officers available to hold up those swords or sabers during that moment on your wedding day, for Tracy Guth mentions that they’re the only ones that are authorized to participate in this part of the ceremony. Once the walk has been walked, your former civilian spouse will now officially be a military spouse – another thing that you’ll be proud to hold your head up high about as a member of the military.

Thanking You from the Bottom of Our Hearts for Your Dedicated Service,

The Yazzie Blogger

Plan Your Wedding Day By Keeping It Green

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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!

(Image Courtesy of The Daily Green)

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.

(Image Courtesy of Tree Hugging Family)

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