Trend #3: Rustic Look
Duh. This clearly lends itself really well to a green wedding. But rustic does not always suggest a hoedown in a barn complete with whole hog BBQ (although sometimes that can be pretty awesome). Rustic can be brought indoors as well with subtle touches in the decor, lighting and ambiance. Doing this in an eco friendly way is quite simple: antiquing! Go out to the country on a weekend and check out yard and estate sales. Oftentimes you can pick up old barn board or the like from a farmer even a furniture refurbishment shop. Adding touches like old house numbers as your table numbers or mason jars for candle holders are easy ways to achieve a rustic look. Go hunting in antique stores or junk stores for things like old coffee cans or glass bottles you can use to create a table centerpiece with, or find something interesting for a photo booth backdrop like an old window frame or doors.
I admit it...I am a sweetaholic. Anything with sugar, give it to me now! So it is no surprise that I totally dig this wedding trend. Who doesn't love the idea of a candy buffet? A cupcake smorgasbord? A great big table full of chocolate! ( ok breath......)
Anyhoo, back to it....choosing items for a sweet table is definitely a lot of fun, and you can make choices that fit within an ethical mindset. Choose a local bakery to make your cupcakes and other desserts, ask if they source their ingredients locally and/or if they are organic? If you are going to do a candy buffet, use items that are all natural, like old school rock candy sticks and salt water taffy (side note: this would look adorable with a carnival theme). Check at your local farmers market for vendors who make natural treats, and ask how they are packaged; the less packaging the better. You may even be able to get specially created treats just for your wedding if you collaborate with the baker/candy maker.
As for arrangement, skip buying new apothecary jars and the like and go for items you or your friends already have. Does your baking savvy aunt have a collection of neat cake stands? How about that cool art deco dresser in the basement that can be used instead of a boring ol' table? Use those old china plates your grandma gave you to display an assortment of cookies and mini cakes!
