Concrete Vases

Put an urban twist on your eco party planning by transforming cinder blocks into chic, modern vases.
Photo: Loveolio

Reused Denim

Here is an unexpected way to get a second life out of a pair of old jeans: use the denim to decorate your party! Wrap dark pieces of denim around everything from glass bottles to empty coffee cans in order to create a one-of-a-kind table spread.
Photos: Style Unveiled

DIY Painted Vases

I don't know about you, but I find it terribly frustrating when I browse the gardening aisles of a store and find the price stickers adhered to simple flower pots and vases. Yikes! However, there's no need to spend big bucks in order to spruce up your favorite plants. The next time you're at your local hardware store, be sure to browse their selection of "mistake paint" (the small jars of "mistake" colors often cost anywhere from $1-$5) for quirky colors you can use to refinish and reinvent your old jars or pots.
Photos: Luna and Chloe Weddings & Joy's Hope 

Creative Ice Cream Cones

No need for paper plates here! Consider serving simple summer treats in kid-friendly (and adult-friendly, too) ice cream cones!
Photo: Bakers Royale

Message in a Bottle

Create a nautical theme with easy DIY message in a bottle place cards. Simply slip a note marked with each guests' name inside of a reused glass bottle and leave at every plate.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Exotic Plants

There is no need to create centerpieces that incorporate multiple flower varieties. Instead, offer your guests a striking conversation starter with a bold single stem. Consult your florist to inquire about unusual plants that are sprouting up in your area.
Photos: Green Wedding Shoes

Strawberry Rice Pudding

For me, rice pudding is such a satisfying dessert. It’s rich and sugary but also quite hearty, always leaving me with that warm content feeling that comes after a special meal. I really enjoy this recipe, which is inspired by the recipe found in Diana Shaw’s, Almost Vegetarian. While I enjoy the flavor of strawberries, any berries would be perfect for this easy, make ahead dessert.

Ingredients

1 cup low-fat or nonfat strawberry yogurt

2 ½ cups low-fat or nonfat milk

Zest of one lemon

2 tablespoons vanilla sugar

½ cup Arborio rice

2 cups sliced strawberries

Fresh mint (for garnish)

At least a week before preparing the dish, make the vanilla sugar. Fill a sugar bowl with about 1 cup of sugar and bury 1 or 2 vanilla beans in the sugar. Let sit for several days.

Warm the milk in a saucepan over low heat and steep the extra fine lemon zest in it for about 10-15 minutes. Keep the milk just below a simmer.

Dissolve the sugar in the milk. Remove milk from heat.

Add the rice to a heavy saucepan and pour in enough of the hot milk to just cover the rice. Stir over low heat until the milk is absorbed. Continue adding warm milk and stirring until you’ve used all the milk and the rice is plump and chewy.

Take the risotto off the heat and let it cool, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the yogurt and strawberries.

Refrigerate for at least three hours, covered, until the dessert is well chilled throughout. Before serving, garnish each serving with a sprinkle of vanilla sugar and fresh mint leaves.

Terracotta Cupcake Holders

Create a cupcake display by reusing wiped down terracotta pots. The small pots are just the right size to house these tasty treats and will look pretty for a garden party or other outdoor event.
Photo: Emmaline Bride

Sunflower Place Card

A simple sunflower clipping makes a bold statement when used as a natural summer place card.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Drink Covers

Keep all your summer drinks free from unwanted critters with these cute drink covers. Search through your kitchen cabinets for unused cupcake liners. Gently poke holes in the center of each liner, flip each liner upside down to cover each glass, slide a straw through the hole and enjoy!

Photo: Martha Stewart

Terracotta Serving Platters

Hosting a garden party? Before purchasing new serving pieces to suit your theme, scour through your potting shed for a variety of terracotta pottery. Wipe each piece of terracotta with a dry towel and cover with a pretty dishcloth or creative natural element (as pictured below).
Photo: Martha Stewart

Summer Hostess Gift

The next time you are invited to a casual backyard BBQ, consider offering your hostess this creative gift. Create a summer car wash gift basket filled with green products, such as eco-friendly sponges, organic cotton washcloths and phosphate-free liquid soap.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Eco Vase Filler

A scoop of richly colored coffee beans is all you need to creatively fill any vase. An arrangement of pretty pastel-hued flowers will really pop when contrasted with the deep brown beans.
Photo: The Knot

Modern Herbs

Rustic herbs look modern on a tabletop when dressed in sleek metal containers.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Custom Bottle Stoppers

Create custom bottle stoppers with pretty found knobs. Simply adhere the knobs to corks for instant vintage glamour!
Photo: Martha Stewart

Whimsical Paper Mobile

Create a whimsical atmosphere overtop any table with this feminine paper mobile, crafted from vintage dictionary pages.
Photos: Etsy

Bridal Swap

Ever wonder how best to get rid of old wedding items, or where to buy them at the most affordable prices, and to stay as green as possible in the process?  Well, look no further!

Past brides and brides-to-be are participating in bridal swaps, where brides exchange wedding items of all kinds, such as centerpiece vases, ring pillows, candle holders, garters, jewelery, and so much more.  Even bridesmaid dresses, wedding dresses and veils are offered up!

Past brides aren’t missing the chance to get rid of old wedding items tucked away in their closets and make some money in the process.  Brides-to-be are also in attendance, leaving with wedding treasures they thought they’d never find.  

So who participates in the bridal swap event? 

Past brides who are in need (or want) of a little extra cash can rent tables and give away their most prized possessions (for a good, green cause!) and receive something in return.  Future, eco-conscious brides are also participants of this event; these green brides are looking for an environmentally friendly way to celebrate their partners, and what better way to stay green and look golden on your wedding day than attending a bridal swap?  Wedding vendors are also aplenty at this event, making their services known to brides who still need to put some finishing touches on their dream weddings.

Bridal swaps are eco-friendly wedding saviours because all kinds of items are exchanged rather than made new, avoiding the environmentally damaging effects of creating a most beautiful and perfect wedding.  So, if you’re feeling guilty about your wedding waste, decide to have a ‘green’ wedding and attend a bridal swap!

Green wedding vendors can also offer their services to brides who are still putting finishing touches on their dream weddings.  

The swap continues…

What’s neat about the bridal swap put on by Vancouver’s Dream Group Productions, is that besides having their own tables on which to sell their wedding items, past brides are able to list them on sites like www.smartbrideboutique.com, not only for the duration of the time leading up to the event, but for as long after the event as it takes for the items to sell.

For brides-to-be, items sold at the event are reasonably priced, so brides don’t have to worry about spending ‘more’ for what only seems like ‘less’.  Items are expected to be sold at half of their original retail prices.  

Some green bride ideas

Usually, it can be hard to find ways to go green on your wedding.  But by holding a green bridal swap, you not only help reduce waste for your own wedding, you’re also encouraging others to do it at the same time, in a fun and creative way.  Let’s be honest – do you really need those fancy new centerpieces? Go with “something used” and save your cash for honey moon shopping!

As writers of this article, Shoo-Foo Eco Linens is proud to be able to help brides ‘go green’ in another way: by offering an online green wedding registry where future couples can enjoy high quality bamboo towels and bedding for years to come! 

Archive Love: Farm Fresh Favors

Help support local agriculture by offering your guests seasonal produce, such as beautifully colored heirloom tomatoes, as favors. For a farm stand feel, arrange the produce in large baskets so that guests can take their time sorting through them. You can also supply guests with eco-friendly burlap bags, which they can use to carry home their produce, and then use again after your party.

Photos: Brides

DIY Favor: Vanilla Extract

We love this fun favor idea for a culinary themed affair: homemade vanilla extract. Check out the easy DIY steps here.

Photos: Ruffled 

Archive Love: Recycled Cityscape

Hosting an affair in your favorite big city? Create your own modern eco cityscape on every table. Reused aluminum cans are the perfect vessels for the project. Begin by washing cans with warm, soapy water and allow them to fully air dry. For a skyscraper-feel, create a pattern of organized holes on all sides of each can. A non-petroleum-based votive will complete your urban-eco theme.

Photo: The Knot