Is Green The New White?

According to recent articles I have seen/read, brides are looking at the greener more environmentally friendly wedding options. This trend for going ‘green’ seems to be growing (pun not intended!)…. So we have put together some top tips to help you go ‘green’….

INVITATIONS –While perhaps the obvious is to use recycled paper, you could just sent an email to all your guests and they can either email or phone with replies. A little businesslike I must admit, I would personally be getting the coloured card and prix-stick out and making my own.

RECEPTION – The biggest cost here is travel/petrol! So make sure the place where your wedding takes place and reception venue are as close as possible; walking distance would theoretically be great, but if unlikely. Match friends together in a car rota so they don’t all drive separately, or hire a coach.

FLOWERS – Choose seasonal flowers – you can probably even grow your flowers for the big day, or even pick wild ones to create the perfect country wedding.

DRINK- Find a decent local producer; this way you are keeping it British and helping the local economy. We recommend Underwood Wines, a family run business based in Warwick.

FOOD – Again, think local. Reduce your wedding footprint by using caterers that source organic local products, or speak to your local farmer who may be able to cut a deal.

We also suggest wedding cheese cakes, which will not only offer a great alternative to the traditional cake, but it makes a great addition to your desert course. We can decorate the cheese cake with flowers and fruit keeping everything bio-degradable, plus we can source local cheese. Most cheese keeps for several weeks too, so any cheese left over can be stored and used up. In addition, as it is very popular to have a family party the next day, a bread and cheeseboard is a great way to feed your guests.

I have always been under the impression it is hard work to be ‘green’, but I actually think this is a myth and a ‘green wedding’ could cost significantly less!

Does Britain eat its way through recession?

Does economic depression lead us to comfort food and so we feel the need to hunt out the biscuit tin? And if we think biscuits, we usually think cheese too. 

Eating is a necessity of life and expenditure on food is one area of the economy that has not been badly affected; possibly because, when we have to economise and defer the big buys for better times, then we compensate with smaller treats.  

Cakes made of whole delicious cheeses are a real treat and a wonderful way to celebrate and I think no-one should need an excuse for a celebration – so bring on the cheese and let’s party!

Best of British -Yummy!

When we think of the Mediterranean we think of great weather, good food and wine (a vast selection of cheeses, I personally adore Brie De Meaux). Sadly, our weather in Briton is far too unpredictable and we struggle to match up in quality / variety of food and especially wine. But buying British is on the increase abroad; not I fear because of ex-pats missing their home comforts, but more to do with the fall in the value of the pound!

On the brighter side, the reputation of British cheese making is also growing at pace, with exports up 16.7 % to £281.5 million. At one of the best cheese markets is the United States, sales of Cheddar are up 20.1% to £8.9 million – WOW. The surprise winners across the Atlantic though, are regional cheeses such as Lancashire, Cheshire and Wensleydale, with exports up 10.8 %. This can’t all be due to the weak pound as the dollar is not doing too well either.

Wedding Day BIG Cuts

Brides are making cut backs, as the majority of people are reluctant to get into debt for their wedding (quite understandable – don’t you think?) The average wedding in 2008 cost more than £21,000, but since we have hit the ‘credit crunch’ brides and grooms are counting their pennies.

According to the latest report, to cut costs, brides are ordering dresses from China. The average wedding dress is around £1,000 and with added extras, such as shoes, veil and tiara it is enough to send you over board. This great new website Milly Bridal is offering designer wedding dress copies for as little as £100, plus £25 shipping. Another great way to save on cost is to have a very stylish whole cheese tiered wedding cake, at a fraction of the cost of the conventional fruit one! Absolute bargains, don’t you think?

Wedding Stories

Have you heard the strangest wedding news …..

 1. A Fiery Wedding ….

An amazing bride helps save a family from a burning house in Connecticut while wearing her wedding dress. The amazing bride had just left her wedding reception when she spotted smoke pouring out a house. She ran to the home and banged on the door to warn the occupants. Even though she got dirty, it was not a problem, she just wanted the family inside the house to be safe.

 2. Family Affair?

A mother’s and daughter’s bond was taken to a whole new level – by getting married on the same day, at the same venue in Stafford. The similarities don’t end there – both women have been married before and met their new husbands on internet dating websites. They will be going off to different locations for their honeymoons.

 3. Getting on a jet plane!

EasyJet have been denied permission to conduct wedding ceremonies in the air! EasyJet who claim to be disappointed by the news, stated that they only proposed the idea after numerous enquiries from customers….. Apparently Luton Borough Council rejected the firm’s proposal because the current law  states the equivalent of  ‘services are not allowed to take place in non-permanent structures’. Luton Council cunningly deciding to overlook the window of opportunity provided by those stationary hours before take-off.

 And finally Doctor Who Weddings..?

David Tennant’s Doctor Who swansong will apparently feature three weddings. The Sun Newspaper claims that the former Doctor’s companions, Rose Tyler, Martha Jones and Sarah Jane Smith will all be getting married…..

 Cheese anyone?