OOT Bags: Economy and Ecology

We had a large group of people joining us from out of town. Our guests, friends, and family, came from anywhere in between (and including) New York to Hawaii. We wanted to welcome them, thank them for coming, and provide them with a few goodies as well as some pertinent information. We wanted to do all of this, not spend a lot of money, and to be more than something else to be thrown away (since there is no recycling in Panama City - reducing our waste was key). So while these paper gift bags were affordable at Michael's (about $0.75 each), they weren't a good option since they would just be thrown away.Another very popular idea is to splurge a bit and get canvas bags and then DIY decorate them for the wedding. This is a beautiful example from Mrs. Cupcake of weddingbee.
But as we've seen before, my DIY craftiness level only goes so far... and screen printing or gocco is not included. (Stamping is probably at the far reaches of my crafty level in this regard.) Also, canvas bags aren't particularly cheap unless you are buying ten gazillion of them. So, we needed a new option. A reusable, perferably recycled and recyclable, bag of a decent size for about $1. If only such things were in stores! Oh wait, they are! Right now they are in almost EVERY store!
As much as I love Publix, and am thrilled at their green efforts, it still didn't seem quite "us". And while reusable, they are made from new materials. Somewhere along the line it finally dawned on us that we are a part of a co-op with great stewardship principals and their bags are made form recycled materials, are reusable and recyclable, AND they have are a plastic based so they work as great beach bags too!! WOOHOO for REI!
At $1 a piece - we were sold! So before leaving LA, I went to REI and snatched up a bunch of these guys and packed them with me to Florida. In Florida we filled them with treats from Hawaii and Pennsylvania, some bottles of water, touristy maps and info, and a welcome letter with detailed information and directions to the welcome party. What I didn't count on (but was thrilled to see), was running into my guests at the hotel, heading to or from the beach or pool or shopping - all carrying the REI bags! Everyone said they loved them and that they make great beach bags. Hooray for the bags being a hit!

Next up - why 100 degree fevers suck the week before the wedding!

Let's Eat Cake!

In case anyone out there in Bridal Blog Land has been living under a rock, Melissa DiStefano of MasterPiece Weddings is heading up a HUGE effort for a St. Jude's fundraiser called Let's Eat Cake! She is truly an amazing woman with a heart of gold. (And on top of that, she has two fantastic blogs I stalk regularly (click on links above).)

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What is Let's Eat Cake?

I am so glad you asked!

Let's Eat Cake! is a Wedding Cake Competition. Pastry Chef's and Bakers will gather with their faux cakes that will be judged by World Renowned Pastry Chef's and Celebrities alike on their artistic abilities, details, intricate work and overall beauty. (and of course taste!)

Then we'll invite in the general public to taste all of the cakes (basically a Wedding Cake Schmogisborg) and they'll judge the cakes on taste as well.

We'll crown a winner in the following categories:

• People Choice Award for Taste
• Amateur 1st Place in Design
• Professional Chef 1st Place in Design
• Professional Chef 1st Place in Taste

I am so excited to be planning this event!! I feel blessed to be guided to St. Jude's Children's Hospital to help the kids.

{image from brides.com}

Posted by Melissa DiStefano
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And then there was today's post... which made me cry.

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Who We Are Helping!

The other day I was on my way home, and when I got into the car there was this commercial on the radio that brought tears to my eyes about children being the future - as I sat there sobbing, the tag line came up that said "Helping St. Jude's..." curing childhood diseases.

I knew I was doing the right thing, right then and there.

This is a picture of my of my favorite brides, Michelle's nephew who was treated at St. Jude's. Her cousin Ben Barcklay was diagnosed with brain cancer at 8 years old. This meant surgery, chemo, blood and bone marrow transfusions and radiation.

He and his mom lived at St Judes (and the Target House) for 2 years. St Judes paid for everything and even flew Ben's dad and sister from California to visit every month.


He was on Oprah and the Today show and was featured in Redbook, so if you feel the need for a good cry, look him up.

It should be pointed out that St Judes isn't just for families without insurance. My cousins have insurance... it just wont pay the bills that rack up over 2 years of treatment AND travel AND living there while getting treatment.

Curing with Cake,

Yeah. That's my cousin. I left a comment saying thank you for all her amazing effort and she posted his story. I cannot say enough about how wonderful an even this is, and even more about the people running it.

Of course, we can't all be super people like that, but every little bit helps, and Let's Eat Cake still has a wish list.

Wish List!

• Financial Contributions
• Advertising for Event
• Celebrity Endorsement
• Celebrity Judge
• Decor
• Marketing for Event
• Pastry Chefs to Compete
• Printed T-Shirts
• Prizes for Winners
• Volunteers

Most of us here in Bridal Blog Land are planning our weddings including things like FAVORS! And those who aren't planning their weddings (and just read this cause its funny?) will have the Holidays approaching faster than you think. If you've picked gifts or favors that are really specific to the recipient, great. But for the cousin that you are thinking maybe new socks or another sweater? Or the guests that you are maybe going to give a flimsy gift that they will soon forget or throw away? Why not give them a card that says that in leiu of a cheap favor/gift they will throw away (adding to our eco nightmare) you invested in an amazing event benefits families in ways you PRAY never to have to know personally!? Thats my new favor plan.

Go and check out Let's Eat Cake!

Guest-tastic Segways!

As I mentioned before I spent a weekend recently at the Marriott Grand in Fairhope, AL. While we were there with my parents, we did a segway tour. And before you think that I am wandering into Non-Wedding Related territory... don't worry, I will segway into how this deals with the wedding. (hehhehe. Ok. You know I had to toss that in there.)

This is how the day began....

And this was how the afternoon ended....

Good day huh? ;)

And for anyone who things that Segways are only for the young and agile... think again!
Below are my parents and Adam and I.

We toured all around Fairhope and saw old school houses and museums etc.

And, as you can see from this terrible photo of me, they aren't for paved surfaces only.

And you can multi-task! =) I thought this was too funny not to take a picture of.

So the point of this is that we decided it was a really fun thing for everyone. Simple, easy, fun, and different. Bay Point Marriott, our all in one wedding venue, is not a small place. Golf carts runamuck since it can be a bit far to walk, and with gas prices as they are, too short to drive.... so... we want to offer Segway tours to our guests!!! We are just looking into it so I don't know if it'll be a reality or not, but whatcha think? Completely nerdy and pointless? Or fun and unique?

Would like to avoid seeming like this. =)

Just Cause

I am one of those people who doesn't strike anyone as hippie green and giving... but I really do like to help and be eco conscious when at all possible. We recycle and have changed out most of our light bulbs to be more efficient, but we also use the dryer. We use the reusable grocery bags, but don't always buy organic. Sometimes it more than we can afford in time or money to go the really green route. We are also donors. I am a regular blood donor, and a volunteer for the Red Cross, and we both give a good chunk of our change to helpful causes.

So what if you could help and its free? What about if you could help while playing a game that helps improve your vocabulary? (And I think we probably ALL need that.) I have two answers for you (And every image is a link back to the source so please - click away!!):
www.freerice.com
How to play

• Click on the answer that best defines the word.
• If you get it right, you get a harder word. If wrong, you get an easier word.
• For each word you get right, we donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program. (No, 20 grains isn't alot, but it sure adds up quick!)
  

WARNING: This game may make you smarter. It may improve your speaking, writing, thinking, grades, job performance..

No kidding. To anyone who has the time to be reading this and kicking around on the internet, open up a new tab, enhance your vocab, and feed some hungry kids.

The other one I get an email reminder for daily. I follow the link, click the button on the screen and voila! I have just helped feed someone, support breast cancer research, get medicine to a child, help someone learn to read, save some of the rainforest, and feed and rescue animals.

These work on the principle of sponsors (like most websites, blogs included), so it doesn't cost you a thing.

Wait - Did anyone else see #3? SHOP to give?! Rock on! And its actually a fantastic shop with so many unique things. I am probably getting my wedding decor and my bridesmaids gifts from there..... aww hell.... I think some of them read this.....oh well!

From BEAUTIFUL scarves and pashminas to funky jewelery, (and some classic beauties too - check out their pearls!). They also have a huge range of home and garden supplies and decor: from tea to garden tools, and rugs to solar paneled house numbers... its all there. Every dollar spent ends up with a large donation to whichever site you went through to get there (Rainforest, Animal Rescue, etc). Oh yeah, plus there are fun cloths, scrubs, pet toys, and awesome purses! Oh - and one last major note - REASONABLE PRICES! :) Go forth and shop!




Anyone else find a new way to donate and plan on incorporating into their wedding?