CHALLENGE GUIDELINES . . .
color palette: red, orange and brown
theme: bridal shower or wedding

I can't believe it, but it's already time for the October Wedding Vendor Challenges {if you are interested in signing up for challenges starting again in January, please let me know, I'd love to have you}. To kick things off this month - I have a lovely eco-vintage shoot from eco-stylist Michelle Savin. In this bridal shower inspired shoot Michelle decided to go vintage and use the natural colors from apples and pears. Invite Site provided paper free invitations that a bride can actually create herself. 

The location brought this fall bridal shower to the sea, at McKenna's on the Bay in Long Beach, CA. Michelle used a beautiful birch centerpiece by Nisie's Enchanted Florist. Natural wicker, autumn orange glassware, and natural palm wax candles from the Goodlight Natural Candles gave the table an autumn glow. The orange glassware illuminated with good ol’ fashioned sweet tea to accompany. 

The rich pomegranate red juice was presented in an antique milk jar, which Michelle found at a local vintage shop, along with much of the wood pieces. Michelle used many varieties of apples and pears to achieve color in her presentation. For dessert she presented minature wedding cakes, a cake trifle, and candied apples from Creatively Caramel.  In this vendor challenge, Michelle proves that not everything has to be brand new for your bridal event and color can be achieved from natural sources.  

Vendor Credits:
Eco Stylist: Michelle Savin
Bridal Shower Invitations: Invite Site
Venue: McKenna's on the Bay
Event planner: Debbie Haggar and Christine Davies of McKenna's on the Bay
Birch flower arrangement: Nisie's Enchanted Florist
Candied Apples: Janine at Creatively Caramel
Minature cakes and trifle: Michelle Dozal
Palm Wax Candles: Goodlight Candle Company
Vintage finds: Orange Avenue Estate Salvage and Garden
Photography: property of Michelle Savin

So excited to share today's wedding {well mock-wedding} with you. It's by Michelle Savin, an organic mom turned eco stylist.  Michelle is known as the organic conscious mom, but shares her love for natural weddings in this piece - as well as her tips and tricks to help you easily include eco-wedding ideas into your special day. I will now turn this post over to Michelle as she explains her ideas behind this absolutely stunning shoot . . .

I created an eco wedding at a home in Naples, California. A wedding at home not only saves money, but it also reduces the carbon footprint. The backdrop of the Naples Canals was the perfect setting for her big eco wedding day.

Abigail De Jesus from Completely Gail created adorable recycled invitations and place cards that set the tone for the eco event.

I styled the wedding with burlap tablecloths, bamboo place settings, sustainable bamboo seating, reclaimed wood, succulent centerpieces, driftwood, and Beeswax votives. I used different shades of burlap to create the perfect setting. 

The cake was simple and was presented on a recycled cake board on a reclaimed wood table. Rossmoor Pastries was used because they are a green company that delivers their cakes using natural gas vehicles.

Nisie's Enchanted Florist in Los Alamitos, CA definitely enchanted the eco wedding. The succulent bridal bouquets and boutonnières were breathtaking. Not only were they strikingly beautiful but also their beauty could live on. They were planted after the shoot.

The Bride Gladys up-cycled a dress and borrowed what she needed. As the night wore on the beeswax votives from Bluecorn naturals glowed in Mason jars. LED lights ran lanterns strung above the dance floor. It was an event where nothing went to waste. Pierce Larick from New Revolution Photography captured the glow and joy in it all.

Vendors:
Eco Wedding Stylist: Michelle Savin
Photographer Pierce Larick of New Revolution Photography 
Eco Wedding Invitations and Paper: Completely Gail
Flowers and centerpieces: Nisie's Enchanted Florist
"Green" Wood Chairs: Classic Party Rentals
Bees Wax candles: Bluecorn Naturals
Wedding Cake: Rossmoor Pastries
Venue: a wedding at a home in Naples, California
Models: Gladys and Gerardo