Registry

Today, Bride and Groom were sold on the idea of restful sleep being the best gift option there could be. They decided that in place of a traditional registry (because they have been living together some time and have acquired necessary home fixings) they would ask guests to help contribute to the purchase of a sleep number bed. Guests would simply need to go to their nearest Sleep Number store (Nearest location can be found at Sleepnumber.com)and buy a gift card, or contribute any amount directly to the remaining balance on bride and grooms lay away dream sleep number bed. This gives guests ability to donate an anonymous amount if they so choose.

Dance Lessons!

We had our first dance lesson with Melissa Dexter at Delaware House in Bayview. It was sooooo fun!!! She is helping Bride and Groom choreograph "Chan Chan" as done by Buena Vista Social Club. It promises to be a nice surprise for our guests. Anyone who hasn't been to Delaware House should check them out. They are an extremely comprehensive space: everything from yoga and dance to physical therapy and spa facilities. Check out their website! The space is beautiful and full of great people!

Progress: starting to close in

Slowly, but surely, it seems things are really coming together. It's very exciting. The Bride is making a lot of progress on her dress. We adapted and fused two older dresses, but all the work is being hand sewn (very time consuming, but rewarding). We are starting to receive the handmade RSVP post cards. It is a relief that they are making it through the USPS back to us. We have nailed down a very professional photographer to shoot our event out of the kindness of his heart and also to build his portfolio. A family member is willing to video tape the happenings of the day. We have found both a dessert lady and a gentleman to cater. Our dessert woman is in the process of starting her own bakery in Bayview and is very thrilled to work with us (awesome!) and to develop an array of desserts, both vegan and non, and of course, cheesecake! Our caterer has offered to come on sight and use the produce from the garden to develop a local, seasonal, vegan and non fare. Great thanks to some friends of the Bride who have offered their gifts of music to sing some songs for the ceremony. Also, an ipod, wedding playlist is in the works.

INVITATIONS

Paper was provided by the sister of the bride who had assorted stashed of paper samples from her time working with a paper company. In addition, a great lead on invitations was given by the sister-in-law to the bride. We got a steal on invites printed by a local college's printing department. Who knew? Also, for RSVP post cards, the bride re-used old cards by cutting off the picture half of the card and stamping on the back side. Everyone's invite will be a bit unique because everyone will have a different post card to RSVP with. The bride cut stamps out with a stamp kit to stamp the return address and simple text. Text included: Attendees: (for guests to write their names) and Yes/No check boxes. A few more resources saved.

Refigured Number of Guests

We realized that our guest list of 80-100 will need to be changed to accommodate 150-200 guests. Changes need to be made with regard to cake, buffalo, and seating arrangements.

Thinkin' of Food

Yesterday we all gathered at a restrauant to celebrate Mother's Day. We were served a platter of veggies displayed with salad greens and a unique coconut hummus. We decided to have our food served family style so we don't have set up an extra table for a buffet. It will also encourage interaction amongst the guests and add beauty to the tables if we create platters that are visually rich. We will serve a similar veggie tray with a signature hummus as well.

Mother of the Bride

OMG it is already 7 weeks from the big day and I am 40 pounds from feeling like a queen for the massive photo op soon to occur. I recently saw an old wedding gown in the window of a downtown second hand store and will check it out today. I decided to refashion a used garment into a new design that I found while cruising through pages of gowns from borrowed wedding magazines. The scraps of the remake will be used to create a dress for baby Oralia, Callie's little niece. We will post before and after pictures. As for the diet dilemma - action begins today. Weight 175 pounds; if I'm really good-I could possibly lose 20 pounds using Fat Flush, liver flush, and a bowel cleanse.

Truffles and Wedding Cake

We are working with our community chocolatier in creating a "vegan" truffle. The mainstay will be dark, dark chocolate and hopefully fair trade. Mom developed a mocha, cherry, cumin filling made with organic coconut milk which she requested that the chocolatier use as our signature truffle filling. We are awaiting a decision.

Finding a bakery to do an organic cake was a frustrating and impossible task until we found Ann from AnnMade Cakes. Ann is the new baker in town who loves taking pride in creating and baking. She is a perfect match for us since we are doing something entirely different than your average wedding cake. First we want to use all organic products. We also want to have a square design because we like the look and it typically serves more people than a round cake. Instead of having 3 tiers of the same thing, we are doing a different option for each tier. The bottom - larger tier will be an organic layer cake with a fruit puree filling. The second tier will be an organic cheesecake. A third tier will be a vegan cheesecake made with limes and avocados. The top tier will be a simple anniversary cake. This creative delight will be clothed in a white rolled fondant and decorated with organic ribbon and fresh flowers grown in the residential garden. Can't wait to sample and experience the visual result!!!

Invites .... Tent, Tables, and Chairs

The invites are quite a piece of work. We found a large pack of a printers recycled paper samples in the attic of a family duplex. In this pack we picked out the Velum and Card Stock. My sister is fluent in graphic design so we created a layout that utilized the large sheets without a scrap of waste. We had trouble finding a local printer who could do our printing with soy or veggie ink. However, we requested that she find someone within our county who could do the job and we would contract our work through our local printer. This way we were able to continue doing business in town while providing an opportunity for businesses to synergize to create solutions for eco requests. Needless to say, out printer was delighted with the idea and everyone was able to get a piece of the revenue pie and maintained a community business relationship. We created post cards by recycling used greeting cards. We cut them into uniform sizes and designed a hand carved rubber stamp for RSVP's. The whole project took some extra effort, but the end result was very rewarding.

We ordered our 30x30 tent, 10-60" round tables, and 100 white wooden chairs. This has been the most expensive ($997.45) part of our wedding preparation, but it is a great relief to have shelter in case of rain as well as having the job of delivery and set up taken care of for us.

Buffalo

Today we ordered a whole round of grass fed buffalo from a local buffalo farm; Lakeview Buffalo in Belgium, Wisconsin(262-285-3386). We will be serving 100-150 guests and this portion should yield 45-50 pounds of boneless meat. Since Callie is a vegan and Michael is Jewish, the slaughter of this animal is very important. We spoke with Al from the farm and he is allowing us to see our animal alive and be present for the slaughter. We want to respectfully participate in the circle of life that begins with the food we share with our guests. We are also located a local vendor to spit-cook our meat on site and offered to serve our guests thoughout the event.

Changes in Our Wedding Celebration

After some time and more thinking, we have decided to limit our celebration to one day and to have 150 guests sit to eat in a more formal fashion. We also have moved the wedding to the backyard garden of the brides family because it will be easier to have access to a kitchen since nothing will be catered. Foods will be prepared ahead by the family and served by friends of the bride and groom the day of the event. The cake will be ordered from a local baker who is willing to prepare an organic cheese cake and wedding cake. We also have a local chocolatier who is preparing truffles made with soy milk.

The Language of Flowers

A wedding is a highly intentional event. Even the choice of the flowers has an intentional message that we want to convey in the midst of communion and sharing with friends and family. Daffodil - chivalry and respect, Marigold - comforts the heart from pain and grief, Lavender - devotion, Snail Flower - blissful pleasure, Nicotiana - truth, Cosmos - dignity and elegance, forever thine, Zinnia - thinking of absent friends and Bells of Ireland - good wishes

Getting the Gardens Ready to Produce

Well, we are now just a couple months to the date. The snow has finally dissipated and the "green" is emerging. Four weeks ago, vegetables and unique flowers were begun in flats in the basement windows. The success of germination was about 80%. Seeds were purchased from on-line vendors i.e. Seeds of Change and Seed Savers as well as our local nurseries. The selection of flowers was chosen to accommodate the brides colors which are green, white and gold. We are growing peruvian daffodils, chartreuse zinnias, Bells of Ireland (in memory of brides grandmother), large white marigolds, nicotinana langsdorffii and snail flower. The bouquets will be offset with seashell cosmos and lavendar to provide a delicate hint of complimentary coloring. The nicotiana langsdorffii and snail flower didn't germinate on first attempt so we contacted Seed Savers and they immediately sent out replacements seeds and today we will begin the germination process once again in hopes of producing flowers in time for the wedding. Veggies are on the rise and have been integrated in the overall landscape of the garden in place of annuals. The menu will include offerings from the potager garden served in a gourmet fashion though simple.

Date for Wedding Event set

The date has been set for all to share in our union. Callie Rose Nelson and Michael Thurow will share the commitment of their marriage vows on Sunday July 19, 2009. This celebratory event will take place in the residential garden of the mother of the bride, Mary Bernadette, 128 E Kane Street, Port Washington, WI. In keeping with the "green and sustainable" theme, the venue will embrace the natural ambiance of a summer garden and the menu will be derived from produce grown in the potager garden. A special area of the property has been set aside for the cultivation of unique florals selected for this event.

Many events have occurred in our lives since the last post. We have a new addition..a beautiful "green"-beanie baby" Oralia Frances. YES!!! the wedding is still on. We are trying to manage the delicate balance of involving all friends and family while keeping our costs and impact on the environment down. We have been giving permission by the city park to reserve the city park where Callie and Michael spent many hours getting acquainted as the spot for a "midnight" ceremony. We are being challenged with the logistics of food prep, clean-up, dishes, "rain out" options, chairs/seating, music/entertainment etc. while staying within a budget and our beliefs about slow food, health and sustainability.

When Thinking About Gift Giving With Eco-Consciousness

Living in today's materialism seems to be the norm. It takes "intention" to shift the tide when living with materials and giving of ourselves. I think these are some great guidelines taken from Tree Huggers.
1. Be sure your material gift will get used
It may be the thought that counts, but a gift that the receiver does not use is simply wasted: not a very nice thought. Give material possessions only if you know the recipient well enough to pick out something they were on the cusp of getting for themselves, or which they really need and will certainly enjoy using.
2. Give a consumable gift
Your friend will love your consumable gift twice: once while enjoying the organic teas, fair trade coffee, fresh flowers, fresh or dried fruits and nuts, or other consumable gift; and again when they appreciate that your gift leaves them with no guilty conscience about a gift left unused in the corner of their closet.
3. Share a piece of yourself
Avoid material consumption altogether. Instead, offer your services to baby-sit while your friend enjoys a cozy date with their partner, give a gift certificate for a relaxing massage, or a winter’s-worth of driveway shoveling (in which case you just save that massage for yourself).
4. Make a gift of a green service
If your time is prioritized elsewhere, you can buy a green service. Consider a gift of carbon offsets for a commuting colleague or a Zipcar membership for a friend who more frequently must turn to taxis to supplement their public transport lifestyle.
5. Make a gift of any service
You will still reduce material consumption by giving a service of any kind. Especially heart-warming are humanitarian services, such as making a gift of a micro-loan (for example via Kiva).
6. Give a gift where it is needed on behalf of someone better off
Make a child smile when they get a card describing the child in another part of the world whose life will be improved by the gift of a llama or a sheep on their behalf (for example via World Gifts or Heifer.
7. Creative gifts show you care
The baby sweater you knit yourself is more likely to become a family heirloom, extending the life cycle of the materials in your gift.
8. Buy a local gift
A gift made or grown locally can tell a story or share a unique product you have discovered on your own stomping grounds. Your locally-sourced gift will save the environment from the emissions involved in shipping.
9. Buy high-quality goods
Sometimes a little extra care or money invested will result in finding a high quality gift that will do justice to the materials consumed in the manufacturing by a long lifespan. Try flea markets or vintage and second-hand shops for quality goods you can afford: then make the gift “new” with a personal touch like a special paint job, or some ribbon around the edges. Your friend will enjoy your perfect high-quality gift much longer!
10. Think about your packaging
Use packaging that will not go to waste. Your packaging may be part of the gift itself, such as wrapping the gift in a scarf or enclosing it in a box that can be reused for collecting life’s odds and ends. Reusable wrapping, such as a gift bag, will pass on the fun. For family and close friends, consider the Sunday funnies instead of commercial gift wrap.

ELEMENTS of MESSIANIC/CHRISTIAN WEDDING CEREMONY

The Kallah (bride) and Chatan (groom) traditionally fast for 24 hours before the wedding and restrain themselves from seeing each other for 1 week prior to the ceremony. Michaels father will be officating. We have designated an area of the garden that has a pergola that will function as the Chuppah which symbolizes the home - open on all sides as to invite community and a covering that symbolizes the covering of God's love and grace. Both the bride and groom will be escoted to under the Chuppah by their father and mother. The mothers will break a plate symbolizing the broken relationship between the home of the original family. The breaking of the glass by the groom is to signify that just as broken glass is never able to be completely repaired, neither is a broken marriage. This is to instill accountability for the committment vows. These vows are in the form of a Drashala - or charge of challenge committments to each other and God. The reading and signing of the Ketubah (marriage contract) is done before the ceremony. Callie would like the Ketubah to be designed by her sister Rachelle who is an artist. The ceremony will end with an announcement and blowing of the Shofar (Ram's horn). Of course there are many other elements to consider, but this is a sneek preview into the event slated for June 28, 2008.

THE DRESS, DAY ONE MENU and STATIONARY

Callie and I had our weekly meeting to work on her redesigned gown for Day 1 of the celebration. There was more deconstruction and need for more fabric. A great amount of energy was given to locate a wholesale fabric vendor in the US to purchase peacesilk, milk fabric, soy fabric, seacell, hemp satin, stretch bamboo, and various other vegetable fabric products. However, access to these items is prohibitive. Either the supplier websites couldn't be accessed, samples were costly and time consuming to receive, and the cost of the fabrics were prohibitive. Linda Loudermilk is an amazing designer who uses only eco-friendly fabrics, but the generic designer..... is held at bay. These products seem to be available only to those who have connections. We finally decided to go to the local second hand store and find previously loved gowns, drapery sheers, and fabric pieces to move forward with the morphodesign process. Fortunately, we found a gown of the same vintage, color, and textures as well as a piece of fabric to add as an accent. Once again we pulled out the seam rippers and our problem solving skills to progress with our textile architecture.

We are still trying to locate a baker who will make and "organic" cheesecake that tastes wonderful and willing to be creative with design elements. We sampled a local baker to save on travel CO2 emissions, but after sampling the cakes, we decided the vendor wouldn't work for us. We have located another baker in a small town nearby. This business is willing to have us purchase the "organic" products needed to prepare our cheesecake. We still need to sample the cakes and make design requests.

It was time to talk about the menu for day one so we can decide on food catering etc. The Messianic/Christian wedding will take place at sunset. Our guests will arrive at 7:30 for organic/fair trade wine, appetizers and fruit while mingling under a canapy in the front gardens. At 8:15 the guests will be directed into the back yard covered under a large tent and seating for the 8:35 PM ceremony. At the end of the ceremony the bride and groom will go to a quiet room to spend their first moments alone as a couple. During this time the guests will be seated for a light sit-down meal of a specially designed salad with greens, creamy soup, and grain bread formed in the shape of a Challah so that knives (non-violent) will not be necessary. The highlight of the evening will be the dessert table with an amazing cheesecake with a side of fresh fruit, a variety of handmade chocolate truffles, and fairtrade coffee/tea.

We have found a wonderful site that has affordable bannana, mango, and coffee papers (ecopaper.com). We even found a site that sells stationary made of elephant dung (probably won't use). Callie also discussed setting up a website that allows our guests to access which will provide directions to the ceremony, RSVP, suggestions for renting "green cars", use of train etc. and bridal registry/donation to ethical/conscious organizations in order to cut maintain eco-ethics. Our home residence is currently using alternative energy sources through the local WE Energies in keeping with our eco-conscious attitudes.

Focusing on the Bride

Callie's dress redesign is going to require adding an additional 10 yards of fabric. We have a couple options to remain within our eco-friendly ideology. We can either go to the second hand store and recycle another dress or find "green" fabric suppliers. I have located a supplier in Oregon who will send us a sample of ethically processed silk. I hope to get the info soon so we can make our decision. We are also looking for peace silk shoes. I have added a couple websites to the blog that give us some options for vegetarian shoes. We can also, go to a garage sale or second hand store for shoes as well.

THE DRESS, VEIL, AND INVITATION LIST

Another day in the dressmaker shoppe. Callie and I met to work on her wedding dress for Day 1 of this 2 day event. This gown is especially important because it is an heirloom dress from her future mom-in-law (Sharon). We are preserving the elegant design elements while integrating the unique characteristics Callie desires to present to her groom (Michael) on their special day. It looks as though the bride will carry a bouquet of fuschia and gardenia. The intent of the design is to emulate the grace and flounce of these botanicals in the structure and flow of the gown. As of today, the gown is completely deconstructed and in several pieces. Next week we hope to begin the reconstruction process. We also deconstructed the veil and hope to recreate by adding a Spanish comb and fresh flowers on the wedding day.

We also discussed the guest list in hopes of keeping it within Callie and Michaels goal of having an intimate and elegant event involving the individuals immediately committed and vested in their marital vows/promises. All family and friends will be gathered on Day 2 to extend their congratulations to the couple at the home/garden of the grooms parents (Jim and Sharon Thurow). This will be a full day of music, food, games and fun.