Budget Wedding Tips from Nancy Jaeger

"It’s no secret that purse strings are getting tighter. With all eyes on the struggling economy, people everywhere are feeling the pinch and watching their wallets. For brides-to-be, planning for the biggest day of their life, their budgets have to stretch even further than ever before.

Bridal stylist and founder of USABrideWeddings.com, Nancy Jaeger, shares her tips on fashion finds for brides on a budget. No bride should have to sacrifice her dream look on her wedding day!

Great Gowns for less…
Many people think that they have to break the bank when purchasing a wedding gown. How about buying a bridesmaid dress and using it as your gown instead. They can be just as lovely and come in white and ivory—for a fraction of the cost! Add a brooch or a sash, or even creatively placed barrettes to create your own designer gown for less! An added tip – if you've fallen in love with a silk gown but can't afford a silk price, ask if the manufacturer could create that same dress in a different, more affordable fabric.

Rhinestones are forever….
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend…. but the cost makes them the enemy these days! There is a wide variety of high-quality jewelry available--earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more--made with much less-expensive but great quality stones, such as Cubic Zirconia, Austrian Crystals and Freshwater Pearls. These types of materials will give you the same kind of sparkle as diamonds! Also very trendy right now is to pair a bare neckline with large chandelier earrings and a bold bracelet to really make a statement.

Headpiece without the headache….
Many brides love the traditional look of a tiara—and even though there are many affordable options, there are also many gorgeous hair pins and combs available, hand crafted with Swarovski crystals and natural Keshi pearls that will add a special sparkle to bridal style at a lower price!

Another option is to go for the super trendy feathers and flowers headpieces. These are worn instead of the traditional tiara/veil combo and are really beautiful, unique, and best of all, affordable!

Va-va VOOM veils…..
You don’t need a long veil to make an elegant statement! Cathedral veils, that drape the bride to the full length of her train, can be very pricey. A shorter veil, such as an elbow or fingertip length, embellished with lace trim or crystal detailing will be just as eye-catching at a lower cost. Also super hot right now are birdcage veils which work well with a variety of bridal styles – classic, vintage, glam and more – and are much more affordable and less cumbersome than a longer veil. "

Check Out What Others Have To Say About The Everything Green Wedding Book

OneWed.com has a great little blurb about The Everything Green Wedding Book and you can read an interview with me there as well. Check out How to have a Great Green Wedding.

EthicalWeddings.com included it in their green wedding planning guide roundup

And HowYourEco.com has given the book it's own page

RecycleBank's Top 10 Ways to Green Your Valentine's Day

Tips courtesy of RecycleBank

Valentine’s Day is all about flowers, chocolates and cards, but how can you spoil the special someone in your life and be eco-conscious at the same time? RecycleBank has come up with 10 tips for greening your Valentine’s Day that will help set the mood while saving the planet!

Here are RecycleBank’s 10 romantic ways to “green” your Valentine’s Day:

1. Set your morning in motion by sharing a pot of fairly traded and organically grown coffee. After all, you will want to keep the night young.

2. Since Valentine’s Day lands on Saturday, skip the power shower and enjoy a soak for two… and save water that way.

3. Get enlightened this year with his and hers, or hers and hers, or his and his (well you get the point) CFL’s. While saving tons of energy, they last up to 8 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

4. A rose is a rose is a rose…but is it fairly traded—and how far did it travel to get to your door? There is an abundance of organic, veriflora certified and fairly traded floral options, all perfect gifts.

5. Sweets for your sweetie? Organic and fairly traded cocoa options are sure to send that extra message of sincerity.

6. On this holiday, over one billion cards are sent worldwide. Translation: Save the Trees! Create your own card from recycled goods in your home. After all, it’s not the card, but the sentiment that counts.

7. Enjoy the outdoors. Make a snow-person together. Walk on the beach. Take a hike. Picnic in front of a gorgeous sunset. Or just lie on your backs and count the stars. It’s totally carbon free, healthy and romantic.

8. Make a candlelit homemade dinner for two. There is nothing greener than going local, so stop at your local farmers’ market and buy fresh and organic goodies.

9. Forget red or white; go for a bottle of “green” wine. There’s organic wine for whatever kind of mood you’re in… from Shiraz to chardonnay.

10. To end the night, choose organic cotton, bamboo and linen sheets, towels, duvets and comforters.

RecycleBank is a rewards program that motivates people to recycle by quickly and easily measuring the amount of material each home recycles and then converting that activity into RecycleBank Points that can be used at hundreds of local and national rewards partners.

The Bride's Maid

Looking for a wedding officiant in Michigan? Check out The Bride's Maid. Not only is Rev. Lee Ann Clausen an ordained interfaith minister she is a wedding planner, DJ and event coordinator.

Here are some of the services she performs:

Wedding Minister/Officiant- Plan your wedding outdoors, on the beaches of beautiful West Michigan, in your reception hall, in a backyard, on a boat, wherever you want, she can be there to marry you on your special day! Allow Rev Clausen to perform a ceremony of your choice, whether it be a religious, non religious ceremony, or interfaith or commitment ceremonies, traditional or non traditional ceremony.

Party Planning- From Sweet 16 to Engagement parties, Baby Showers to Wedding Showers, you name it they plan it! Anywhere in West Michigan.

Planning of Ceremony- Receive help planning your music, vows, sand/unity ceremonies, and more. As an officiant she coordinates many types of ceremonies such as interfaith, religious and non religious, commitment, traditional and non traditional.

Planning of Reception- Let The Bride's Maid plan the fine details of favors, colors, centerpieces, etc. No officiant needed to take on this task, so toss out the wedding officiant and bring on the wedding coordinator!

Maitre D' of Ceremony- The Bride's Maid will coordinate with photographer, videographer, bridal party, guests, and much more. Keeping everyone on schedule and in order, to make for a smooth day for the Bride and Groom to enjoy their special day!

Maitre D' of Reception- Rev Lee Ann Clausen will coordinate with the hall for dinner times, coordinate with DJ/Band for Grace, Toast, Cake Cutting, Bouquet/Garter Toss, specialty Dances, etc. Of course she will take off her wedding minister hat and put on her Maitre D hat.

Located in Fremont, MI you can contact her at (231) 924-0005 or (231) 343-9838 or on the web http://www.revclausen.com/contact.html

Doing it Green with Earth Erotics

Looking for Naughty Green Valentine's Goodies?

Look no further than Earth Erotics. They carry a sexy sustainable collection of adult toys, organic lotions, lubes and love oils, as well as eco-friendly bedding.

Create a sexy green ambiance this Valentine's Day with Earth Erotics. They carry products from Good Clean Love, O MY, Earthly Body and the new line of products from Intimate Organics.

Drop by the online store and see what this erotically green company has to offer. Believe me you are going to love it.