{Organic Wednesday} Salt Dough Favors

Salt dough recipe below

click for a salt dough ornaments diy

glitter salt dough

Salt Dough Recipe
Ingredients

1 cup salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup luke warm water 

Directions

1. In a large bowl mix salt and flour.

2. Gradually stir in water. Mix well until it forms a doughy consistency.

3. With your hands form a ball with your dough and kneed it for at least 5 minutes. The longer you kneed your dough the smoother it will be.

Store your salt dough in a air tight container and you will be able to use it for days.

You can use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and stamps to imprint into the clay once they have been rolled out. Experiment with pressure to find the perfect amount you need. Paint your creations with acrylic paints and seal with varnish or polyurethane spray.

You can let your salt dough creations air dry, however salt dough can also be dried in the oven. Bake at 200 F until your creation is dry. The amount of time needed to bake your creations depends on size and thickness; thin flat ornaments may only take 45-60 minutes, thicker creations can take 2-3 hours or more. You can increase your oven temperature to 350 F, your dough will dry faster but it may also brown, which won't matter if you are painting your entire creation (you can also cover your dough in the oven before it turns brown).

There are a few options to color your salt dough: 1. Add powdered tempera paint to your flour, 2. add food coloring or paint to the water before you mix it with the salt/flour, or 3. add natural coloring like instant coffee, cocoa, or curry powder. source

MARLEY & LOCKYER

http://www.etsy.com/shop/marleyandlockyer

These white clay tags are made out of white clay, not salt dough.

{Bright Idea Thursday} Ceremony Programs

Remember our boho beach shoot with Makebelieven? Well I just read a great blog post about her that you can read here. Krissy of Makebelieven is the etsy who made the headband that Nicole wore. One question and answer that I really enjoyed from the interview was: 

What would you like to see at more weddings?

Krissy: "I would love to see more programs that give additional background on the couple…how they met, favorite foods/songs, etc". 

Such a great suggestion - I love that idea!! Here are some more wedding ceremony program ideas for you plus Eco-friendly wedding advice too.

Humorous ceremony program handmade by the bride and MOB

Tiered ceremony programs handmade by the bride and family friend

Programs that are fans! created by 1420 DeZigns

Make sure the programs are secured really well on the fan! These are great because they are also functional!

fan programs

Bridal Party Programs

HOW CAN I MAKE MY CEREMONY MORE ECO-FRIENDLY?

THE FLOWERS

If you use the flowers that decorate your wedding ceremony space as your centerpieces at the reception, you’re getting more use out of the blooms and won’t be throwing them away right after “I do.” It’s also more eco-friendly to choose flowers that are in season, and even better if they’re locally grown. That way less fuel is used to ship them to you. 

THE PAPER

Print your ceremony programs on recycled paper, or make them as short as possible. If you’re having them professionally printed, ask about soy-based inks, which are less harmful to the environment. If you had planned on getting fans for your guests, save paper and make programs that double as fans instead.

THE LOCATION

If you have your wedding ceremony and reception in the same place, no one has to drive from one place to the other, which saves gas. You can also try to have the ceremony and reception within walking distance of each other.

THE FAVORS

Most places do not let you use rice since it's not good for the birdies, but bird seed is a great alternative. Also consider biodegradable paper confetti or bubbles or ribbon wands!

{Vendor Spotlight} Chocolat by Adam Turoni

I lurve chocolate!! Yep, if I could eat chocolate everyday 24-7 I would, so when a local chocolatier contacted me about tasting his gourmet handmade luxury chocolate, I said YES of course. Adam has a long history with chocolate and many years in perfecting his skill. He says that, "with lessons learned from the kitchens of my grandmother to Chez Panisse to Chef Greweling I am spinning chocolates that taste like the magic of memories". You will remember his chocolate too!!! You can find his chocolates at all Wright Square cafe and Paula Deen's store or place an order with him for your event.

I was impressed with Adam's beautiful presentation of chocolates seen below, his gorgeous office space which is located on Desoto Row one of the few certified “green” buildings in Savannah, but more so by how delicious the chocolates were! Adam supports local businesses such as Savannah Bee Company, PERC, Brighter Day, and local spice and tea shops. He only uses premium chocolate chips to start with in order to make his delicacies. All of his chocolates tasted amazing, but my favorites were:

• Raspberry Mouse ganache, always a favorite combination but WOW he is good!
• Peanut Butter Cup, he makes the peanut butter from scratch and you can tell since it's so fresh and smooth.
• Sourwood Sea Salt Honey Caramels are soooo good and my husbands favorite (I let him sample my leftovers!)
• Cafe Americano has a nice robust infusion of local PERC coffee which is right across the street from Adam, perfect for an after dinner dessert with fresh brewed coffee!
• Blood Orange and Grand Marnier Truffle is very BOLD and sophisticated.
• Chocolate Covered Candied Orange Peel is also potent and a nice compliment to the orange truffle.

I loved this wall in his office that he painted and created a fun frame display!

Here is a close up of his signature Almond Bark Lion Medallion

Chocolat by Adam Turoni
2423 Desoto Ave, Savannah, GA
(570) 510-1820
chocolatat@ymail.com
http://www.chocolatat.com
facebook

{Pin it Friday} Popcorn Stand

Source: thenaturalweddingcompany.co.uk via Layla on Pinterest
I love this idea of creating a popcorn station for guests to make their own favor bags or munch on at your event. Locally Savannah has a great new shop that sells popcorn kernels, as well as, popped popcorn for you to taste and take with you for a little snack. See their shop here:  https://www.salttable.com/shop/category/popcorn/ 

{Bright Idea Thursday} Sunday Wedding

Update to this post! OMG!!! Someone actually did a brunch-picnic style wedding with donuts and coffee like I did a post about!!! So cool!!! Here are their details and more on Green Wedding Shoes.

sunrise wedding

Having a brunch wedding reception or a lunch reception is a great way to cut reception costs.

There are many advantages to having your reception earlier in the day. One of the biggest is cost. A brunch reception is generally less expensive than dinner. Also, if the wedding venue is a popular one, you might have a better chance finding an opening earlier in the day.

If you are having a buffet brunch reception or luncheon, chances are your guests aren’t going to drink as much as they would at an evening reception. If you choose to serve alcohol, wine and champagne are all that is necessary, although some couples still choose to have an open bar with mixed drinks available. Also having a coffee station with help guests sober up so they can drive home! Although, having your reception run too late on a Sunday night may lead to people leaving too early or not coming because they have to drive home and work the next day.

Choosing to have a wedding on an ‘off day’, can also be a great pick for brides who don’t have a lot of time to plan. You’re much more likely to get the vendors you want (and possibly a special rate) for a Friday or Sunday wedding, as opposed to the traditional Saturday. This is great if you’re a bride with your heart set on getting married soon, but can't find who and what you want for your wedding. You're more likely to get your first choice on a Friday or a Sunday.

Or maybe there is an emotional significance behind a certain date you want for your wedding and want that date no matter what day of the week it falls on. 

Sunday Option 1: start at 3 reception is from 4-9

Sunday Option 2: 1pm cocktails at 1:30 and the reception runs until 6:30pm

Things to consider: if you want a church wedding then Sunday isn't a good day to have a wedding. You would have to work around the churches service schedule, but may be able to do one after their service if they allow it.

Jewish weddings generally have to be on Sundays (the Sabbath is Saturday), so there's not much choice.

Food ideas: Omelet Station, blueberry muffins, scones, donuts, bagels, biscuits, etc
Drink Ideas: Mimosa Bar, Champagne Cocktail, French breakfast or English Tea Time, or a Coffee station

THE ST-GERMAIN COCKTAIL
2 PARTS Brut Champagne or Dry Sparkling Wine
1½ PARTS St-Germain
2 PARTS Sparkling Water or Club Soda
Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Add Champagne first, then St-Germain, then Club Soda. Stir completely. Garnish with a lemon twist, making sure to squeeze essential oils into the glass. St-Germain is heavier than wine, thus it will settle to the bottom so mix thoroughly. 

 French breakfast or English Tea Time

  Breakfast Wedding with Omelet Bar 

  Delicious Donuts 

 Coffee and Doughnut Selections

 Tea Time Treats

 

 Beautiful Tablescape

Signature Drinks and Drink Stirrers

Classic Champagne Cocktail 

Flower Idea for an English Tea Wedding

If you are having a coffee or tea themed wedding, then a perfect wedding favor for your guests is a personalized little bag filled with unique coffee blends or tea. Or you could consider putting these burlap or cotton bags in a welcome basket for your guests who are arriving from out of town. 

"Love is Brewing" with these burlap bags! Filled with aromatic coffee beans, these rustic burlap bags make ideal and unique wedding favors for any season!

Or try this wedding vendor for a soft bag that is made of eco-friendly unbleached cotton, evoking a simple, rustic charm. You can pick a design and font in the color(s) of your choice and personalize with your names and event date.

This Etsy artist can also make you a beautiful personalized bag at their shop. Check out Julie Sandusky's Idea chic companies online here.

Are you feeling crafty and care to make it yourself?  

Intimate Weddings has a great step-by-step DIY on creating coffee bags here. 

Keep Calm and Marry On

As a thank you for signing with Simply Savannah Events all my full service brides will get this adorable tote that is screen printed with my own original design (please do not copy or steal!). The Soda Shop in Savannah has the screen for this and if any of my clients want to put in an order for t-shirts in ANY color with this screen print let me know and I can contact them to create the order. Other great ideas that The Soda Shop can make are personalized drink Coasters, Pins, letter press Invitations, I-phone cases, Bottles, Hats, Shot Glasses, Mouse Pads, Key Chains, and more! Here is a instagram picture of my totes:

Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion. Seeing only limited distribution, it was little known. This saying has gained a lot of popularity and I enjoy the original slogan, as well as the variations, Keep Calm and Eat A Cupcake, Keep Calm and Summer On, and for my brides- Keep Calm and Marry On! 

Original Poster

 source

etsy poster

 lovely little details

 lovely little details

 source

source

{Organic Wednesday} Biodegradable Wedding Confetti

To continue on with more Eco-friendly wedding favors I have added another great website filled with green wedding ideas. If you have missed my previous posts on wedding favors be sure to read these too!! 

Eco-freindly-favors

Savannah-bee-company

Robins-chocolate

bamboo-beach-favors

Give your guests biodegradable tissue-paper confetti and streamers for your grand exit and be Green. The perky popper wrapper, which gives guests instructions for use, shows a cartoon bride and groom holding hands, surrounded by festive confetti and streamers, with the words “Wedding Poppers” overhead.

Measurements: 4 ¼” h x 1 ½” in diameter

Sold as a set of 12 poppers. 

More ideas for Eco-friendly wedding favors: www.blissweddingsmarket.com

{Organic Wednesday} Eco-freindly Favors

 

Natural Color Cotton Canvas Tote Bags. They are great for crafts, hobbies, screen printing or just for carrying. These tote bags come in a full selection of colors for only $1.49 Each. I already purchased mine! cheaptotes.com

 

Maybe buy a tote that already has an Eco-friendly message and can be reused for a grocery bag. These totes are all-natural cotton and printed with a "go green" Eco-conscious message: "Reuse, conserve, recycle, sustain." Each bag measures 14.5"L x 16"W. www.beau-coup.com

Try to screen print something onto the bag that pertains to the area where your wedding will be. You can also buy the printable paper from office supply stores that can be ironed on. Going for a nautical look? Go here for a free printable anchor: marthastewartweddings.com

*Keep the monogram of your initials or your names and wedding date to a little tag since most guests may not want to use their bag again if it's not their style or has initials that are not theirs.

 source

Great ideas for Eco-friendly welcome bags! Keeping it local with goodies from the area, make sure you click on my Vendors Page for some LowCountry ideas. Fill your bags with healthy snacks, organic local tea, local maps, BPA-free water bottle, medicine kit including Advil, Tylenol, sunscreen (if in a beachy area), an itinerary of events, including any shuttle departure times (if applicable), mints or gum, and Pepto-Bismol all in a Burlap pouch.

source

For your ceremony: consider using eco-friendly wedding confetti that is water soluble and biodegradable so you can have a festive, lively send-off without causing permanent damage to the earth. Simply rinse off for worry free clean up. Perfect for weddings, graduations and New Year's Eve celebrations. Go to their website to see more Eco-friendly options! www.beau-coup.com

For your reception: if you choose to give favors, please consider Eco-friendly options, local treats, or something homemade. There are so many companies that make cheap favors that end up creating more waste- either your guests don't take them, your guests throw them away, or they are meaningless products that are a strain on your budget that could have been something more thoughtful.

source

I love plant-able favors!! Check out these two detachable lovebirds embedded with real wild flower seeds. On the reverse side of the card, your guests will receive planting instructions to ensure the growth of their gift. 

I hope you enjoyed these ideas and I'll have more to come in the future!! : )