Eco chic centerpieces and décor for any occasion!

If you are interested in creating stunning eco chic décor for your sustainable wedding or event but are concerned about the amount of green that going green might cost then you are not alone. Many people believe that sustainable elements take a lot of time and a lot of money to pull together in order to create a professional, polished look for their big event. Below, you will find some simple, cost effective ideas for DIY yourself projects that require nothing more than a little bit of imagination and a little bit of time to create beautiful, elegant designs for your centerpieces and place settings.

For an ultra simple, ultra chic look, try tall, medium or small sized cylinder vases with wheat grass coming out of the top. Many health food stores either sell wheat grass or can point you to an organic wholesaler that sells wheat grass. Wheat grass generally comes in trays and can be cut to fit whatever vase or container you wish to display it in.



Another simple DIY centerpiece idea is to purchase or rent large hurricane vases, place river rocks at the bottom, and add either a soy candle in the middle, or fill the vase with water and place a floating candle or floating flower at the top. These ideas work well for cylinder or square shaped vases as well. If purchasing the vases, you can let guests take the centerpieces home, resell the items or save for reuse at a later time.



Green tip for candles: Most candles are made of paraffin. Paraffin is a petroleum by product and contains several toxins. Usually wicks contain some type of lead product and the fragrances are synthetic which many people are allergic to. Soy based candles with essential oils, burn completely clean, and don’t leave any soot! http://www.findsoycandles.com/

Using a wreath or garland of flowers to surround vases or candles is a simple way to add natural beauty to your table décor. For fresh local wreaths try Northwest Wreath Company (503-657-9872) or use Silk Flower Garlands Add Crystal Sprays or Mirrored Garlands to flower arrangements for extra sparkle (http://www.save-on-crafts.com/cr6.html)



To add an extra touch of elegance and color , try potted plants. Plants can be placed at entrances to doorways, at the end of every other aisle during your wedding ceremony or as centerpieces for dining tables, bridal table, guest book table or other main focal points. Potted plants are usually inexpensive and can be purchased online, from your local nursery or even from a local hardware or grocery store. An extra bonus is that these plants can double as gifts! http://www.plantamemory.com/wedding-centerpieces.html

For bridal table centerpieces (or in addition to main bridal table centerpieces) have bridesmaids place their bouquets on the table, facing out towards guests. This will add color to the table without having to pay for extra flowers.


Green tip for flowers: Try to find a florist that uses in season flowers and does not use pesticides. If you are not sure what the season is for the type of plant or flower you want to use at your wedding you can reference the link below:
http://www.tokenz.com/flowers-by-season.html

Money saving tip for flowers: Make sure you do some research and know the names and general description of the types of flowers you want for your event before speaking with florists. If you refer to the flower of your choice as a “yellow one” you are likely to end up with the most expensive yellow flower the florist has.

Linens- If you are having a garden or ranch style wedding or event, try skipping table linens altogether. Not using linens if you don’t need them reduces the energy needed to have them washed and dried. If your wedding or event is in an indoor setting and you do need linens, try neutral colors (green, ivory, brown). This will add to the natural feel of your wedding and will not distract from other colorful elements (flowers, lighting, balloons, etc…) If getting married at a hotel, you can use the linens the hotel provides and only use a couple specialty linens (in silk or satin) for the bridal table or other spots in the room where a lot of attention will be focused.

As an alternative to a guest book, you may want to try a matted frame for your guests to sign. This eliminates paper waste and adds a fun, festive touch. This will also serve as a keepsake that you can hang on a wall as a daily reminder of your special day! Large matted frames are available from craft stores and specialty framing shops and can be cut to size or made to order.



Depending on the season and your theme, use lemons, limes, or apples as centerpieces or accents. Their natural beauty add vibrant color and dimension to any setting!




And most importantly, no matter what décor elements you choose, just remember to relax and have fun! Your décor should be a reflection of your unique personality and personal preferences. 