A Great Green Giveaway

Pull up a bar stool and let me pour you a little sip of something cool while I tell you about the GREEN part of the shop.  You see, I was a teacher of wild, wide open sweet, innocent ten year olds for many years.  It was one of my responsibilities to teach them how to take care of the environment while all around us consumerism was winning the war.  The icing on the proverbial cake for me was when I spent months planning weddings and buying expensive gowns and dresses that were worn once when the whole wedding and its events were a done deal in just a matter of hours.  It's the kind of thing that leaves you scatching your head and wondering, "What just happened here?"  I was left with these gorgeous dresses that cost enough to be worn hundreds of times, not once!  Weren't they made to last forever, too?  It didn't fit my philosophy to store them away, and I encouraged both daughters to sell them if they could or think of other uses for them.  But wedding gowns weren't the only dresses that were going to waste. There were bridesmaids gowns, my dresses, shoes, jewelry.  So I started an eco-conscious business that allows me to encourage the reuse of these made to last dresses.  And I get to help newlyweds and brides-to-be save a ton of money, too.  It really is a win/win proposition. 

Speaking of win/win, I have a fantastic giveaway to celebrate our green practices!

Artecnica tranSglass® Jug

CSN stores, including http://www.allmodern.com/, is offering the followers of The Green Hanger Shop blog a chance to win this sleek and chic Artecnic tranSglass Jug, a $48.00 value.  I selected this piece for you, dear readers.  Read on about its origin...

 "Since its launch, the tranSglass Jug has become one of Artecnica’s best-selling items. The unique design of this jug makes it visually appealing and a great accent for the home! With its recycled origins and sleek, fluid design, tranSglass conveys a positive attitude towards the environment, affirmed as an Artecnica Design With Conscience project.
With the help of Aid to Artisans, a non-profit organization providing assistance to artisans worldwide, Artecnica collaborated with Guatemalan craftsmen to bring Emma Woffenden and Tord Boontje’s designs to the market. Combining old-world craftsmanship and sophisticated design, each tranSglass vessel is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece. tranSglass is included in the permanent collection of MoMA New York."

So let's get this giveaway going!  Here are your opportunities.

1. First, to enter, you must be a follower with a registered user name.  This allows me to find you if you win!  Please use the follow option in the upper left sidebar and comment that you added yourself or are already one. This is a required minimal entry.  Here are additional entry chances.
2. Follow me on twitter @greenhangershop and tweet "I entered the Great #Green Giveaway at http://www.thegreenhangershop.blogspot.com/" and leave me a comment telling me you did. That's 2 entries! One if you follow, and one if you tweet!
3. Write a mention of this giveaway in your blog with a link back to this blog. Again, come comment with a link so I know you did this.
4. Become a fan of The Green Hanger Shop on facebook.

So there's five chances for you to win the Artecnica jug!  Giveaway starts February 21st and ends February 28th.  Winner will be chosen at random. Remember, if I can't find a contact email or link for you, you can't win,and I will select a new winner.

Cheers!

~Judy

Going to the ...

The venue for weddings and receptions is a major decision.  It sets the tone for the rest of the decor and can even dictate the type of wedding gown that will be needed.  My daughters were both married in churches, so they wore formal bridal gowns and picked other attire and flowers that would be elegant in the sanctuaries.  One daughter chose a country club for her reception and they provided the catering on site.  Easy, breezy.  But not cheap.  The other daughter chose to use the church reception hall and had a coordinator to well, coordinate, the details of her dessert reception.  A little less expensive, but a little more hands on planning was required.  I loved both and thought they fit the couples' personalities very well. 
In the order of planning, I suggest first budget, then guest list, next set the date, and then set up the ceremony, reception and caterer arrangements.  Don't be shocked at how quickly dates get taken, especially the popular months, and be prepared to go to a second or third choice on your date.  If you are considering a planner, now is the time to secure one.  They can be a tremendous help in arranging these details and can often save you money through their network connections.

I thought it would be fun, and hopefully, helpful to think of other places besides country clubs and church halls where receptions could take place.  So here is a list to start, and I invite you to add to it. 

Save the Date

GIVEAWAY WINNER IS...

How does a couple set a wedding date, the one day that will be their own special day from 'this day forward'?  It starts with a thoughtful discussion with each other.  They must decide the best length of engagement and the time of year that will enable them to take the time to enjoy the festivities and hopefully, a honeymoon trip.  They will need to think about good times for families and out of town guests, as well.  By far, the most popular months are June and August, followed by July.

Some often overlooked factors are important to consider though, such as weather, seasonal preferences, and even budgets.  When my daughter and son-in-law set their date for a Charleston wedding, I was relieved to learn they had picked May.  May is perfect weather in Charleston and the gardens are alive with flowers.  Later in the summer, it becomes very hot and humid and hurricane threats abound in the warm Atlantic waters.  My other daughter, too, picked May for a hometown wedding and used magnolias at her reception, fresh from local trees.  I will never see another magnolia without remembering that wonderful day.  I have recently come to love fall weddings.  It is one of my favorite seasons, and except for the disruption it causes with football, it is a less demanding time on venues and vendors alike.  My husband and I picked December for our wedding.  We wanted to be married at Christmas.   We were married at my parents' home, and December is a great time to take advantage of holiday decorations that are already in place. 

With the date set and the venue secured, be sure to let the most important people know to save the date.   Couples are so creative with this now.  Kerri, of Bridal Gown Blog, just posted a great article outlining some resources for Save the Date cards.  This is probably one thing that you can DIY and save money, show your personal style, and spend some of that pent up energy getting SOMETHING accomplished for your wedding! 
Finally, I leave you with Erin and Jeff's Save the Date video that if you haven't seen, you must! 
                                         
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