Balance your carbon footprint - plant a tree!

I am now including the planting of a tree in a couple's name to the Flutter elopement package. I think trees are a perfect symbol of growth, hope and love - the foundation of any marriage of the heart. The couple will receive a certificate with their names detailing where the tree was planted.

Not only are trees a beautiful gift to honor the celebration of a marriage, but there are countless benefits to reforestation. Trees filter carbon dioxide which help reduce the buildup of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Trees are a necessity for the restoration of natural ecosystems which help recharge ground water and sustain stream flow, provide habitat for wildlife, and of course, give us beautiful places to enjoy recreational activities.

The American Forest website has a handy little carbon-footprint calculator here. According to mine, I need to plant 42 trees this year to balance my carbon footprint - and I'm an avid recycler! There are plenty of other resources to plant trees in the United States including the National Arbor Day Foundation or Treesinstead.com. For $15, the American Forest will also "plant a tree in remembrance" which I think is a really poignant way to honor the memory of a loved one.

Romantic elopement

The blogging world is giving elopements a lot of love these days which happily supports my theory that eloping is a viable wedding alternative and an emerging market. This exquisite elopement by Jill Thomas beautifully captures the romantic essence of celebrating your vows quietly with those you love.

With a simple celebration the small details have so much more impact - wildflowers adorning the bride's hair, autumn leaves entwined in the bouquet, a vivid, draped dress set against the quiet backdrop of a forest on a misty day... completely enchanting!

A good reason to elope

"Fewer couples tying the knot"
September 29, 2010

Hitwise Intelligence - Heather Dougherty - North America:

New data from the US Census Bureau cites that the percentage of young adults (ages 25 to 34) who have never married has been on a steady rise over the past decade, from 35% in 2000 to 44% in 2008. The same number increased again in 2009 to 46%, passing up the percentage of married young adults at 45% for the first time. While there may be a lot of various factors leading to this shift, one possible driver is the poor economy coupled with the high cost of weddings. We also see this same trend around age within our data at Hitwise, where the share of visits to the Weddings category from visitors between the ages of 25 to 34 declined to 21% for the 4 weeks ending September 25, 2010 from 26% on year ago. Interestingly, the age group that increased the most during the same time frame was 18-24, rather than from visitors over 35 that may be marrying later.

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This would be the perfect time to book a romantic winter elopement!

www.flutterevents.com

Intimate wedding idea

Here is a lovely idea for the back of a wedding program. It's a thoughtful touch that can really enhance the charm of in an intimate wedding and makes a fun keepsake for guests.

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How would yours read in pictures?

The day we met:

Our first date:

The first I love you:

Our first trip:

She said "yes":

Elopement gowns by Saja

These filmy, ethereal dresses by Saja are what I imagine Flutter's brides would wear... each one is simple, elegant and flattering for any body-type.

Does anyone know where you can find them in California?!

Elopements

I was so happy to discover two different blog posts on elopements this week. Elopements are something very dear to my heart. I have created a business based on elopements because I passionately believe in them. As much as having the big day with a hundred of your friends and family is exciting, fun, spectacular and sometimes just plain necessary, I think there is a sweetness and magic to sharing the epic moment that you commit to each other privately. An elopement allows a couple to celebrate their love without distraction. The hopeless romantic within me likes the idea of "running away together". I imagine spontaneously whisking off into the night like a couple of crazy teenagers - with nothing but a suitcase, a tie and a white dress. It is so meaningful and intimate. And so very attainable. It's embodies everything love should be - simple, pure and genuine.

This adorable couple held a civil ceremony in Boston and had a photographer follow them around for the day. The elopement was featured on Forget-Me-Not weddings and you can check out more photos and details here.

This couple featured on 100 Layer Cake gathered a few of their closest friends and family members for a mountainside ceremony near the Kern River in the California Sierras. The resourceful bride crafted her own dress and bouquet. More details here.