Don't forget to enter to win a Customized Painted Canvas of your Wedding Cake {valued at $500} . As Tracy of Smash Cake Canvas says, "Have your cake and paint it too!". You can now preserve your wedding cake as a 3-dimensional piece art for your new home as newlyweds or to celebrate an anniversary. I think of it as an everlasting edible :) Contest ends this Monday June 30th, 2014 at 11:59pm EST.

"Love is grand, just like the earth we live on! So let's not take either for granted. Instead, let's do all that we can on a daily basis to preserve our precious gifts in life!" — Leslie

So happy to have Leslie of WeddingGiftsCompany.com joining us today with great ideas to help you plan an eco-friendly and stylish wedding.

As a bride, one of the most celebrated moments in life is giving your hand in marriage to your soul mate and to your best friend. And in doing so, as a bride, why not reflect the things that matter most to you on your special day. After all, your wedding day is a day that reflects your individuality! So make sure to enhance the day with the things that matter most to you.

Eco-friendly weddings have become a growing trend amongst brides. And for a good reason. And because the wedding industry is taking note of this growing awareness, manufacturers are producing ideas and products that contend to those who ware environmentally conscious.

It's easy to incorporate the eco-friendly theme into every aspect of your wedding. Here are just a few ideas:

eco-friendly wedding venues : country wedding, destination wedding, botanical wedding, mountain wedding

Venues: When choosing a venue, you may want to celebrate the beauty of nature by having the wedding outdoors. You may consider a country wedding on a farm, a destination wedding on a tropical beach, a botanical wedding in a beautiful garden, or a mountain wedding in a picturesque valley.

eco-friendly wedding stationery: vintage plantable wildflower invitations, tree of love plantable wedding invitation, seed paper thank you card, floral wreath seasons invitation

Stationery: One of the biggest trends right now in the stationery industry is invitations that are created with plant-able paper that grows. That's right. Guests will be able to recycle the invitation by planting the card which is made out of garden seeds. With a little bit of sunshine and a few drops of rain, they will be able to see a beautiful garden grow. This plant-able paper, which is made out of seeds, can also be used for the thank you cards, table cards, wedding favors and more.

potted succulent wedding favors

Favors & Gifts: Shopping for eco-friendly favors is easy with so many manufacturers aware of the growing trend. And if you are a DIY bride, the ideas are endless. Just think green. You may go to a local nursery and purchase mini terra cotta pots. Simply fill them with soil, plants and lots of love. You may use wooden sticks to personalize the favors and write a special message of thanks. Gifts and favors that are made out of bamboo are also a great idea for eco-friendly weddings, as bamboo is a renewable resource.

paper bag menu

Menus: Food is an essential part to every wedding reception. Once the venue is chosen, it's time to configure the menu. Depending on the venue of the reception, you will either use the chef on premise, or outsource the food to a local catering company. Either way, you want to make sure to sit down with the chef and discuss your eco-friendly theme. You will find that it is easy to create menu items that are organic, colorful and full of flavor. Consider seasonal ingredients that are locally-grown without pesticides.

So as you can see, with an eco-friendly wedding, you are able to celebrate your love and celebrate the earth at the same time. After all, what could be more beautiful than saying 'I DO' in an atmosphere that embraces your love for the things that matter most in life.

the above article is courtesy of Leslie, owner and passionate blogger of www.WeddingGiftsCompany.com

Happy Tuesday and SURPRISE . . . it's giveaway day. Today marks the start of a surprise giveaway from White Tulip Boutique. One lucky reader of Brenda's Wedding Blog will win a show stopper of a jewelry set. The set includes a statement necklace with matching earrings that are both made of rhinestones and pearls {valued at $84}. This necklace is a 17" in length including clasp and the earrings are 1" in length {stud design}.

​Enter to Win a Rhinestone and Pearl Necklace & Earring Set from White Tulip Boutique

To enter the contest, please leave a comment letting me know your favorite White Tulip Boutique accessory and if you are a bride, please share your wedding date with us. The contest runs thru Monday June 17th, with a winner being selected on Tuesday June 18th. Please be sure to leave your email address on the comment form so I can email you if you're the lucky winner {it will not be published}. PS: don't forget to share this giveaway with all your friends.

Contest prize: a rhinestone & pearl necklace + earring set from White Tulip Boutique
Contest Deadline: Monday June 17th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST
Contest Entry: Leave a comment with your favorite accessory from the White Tulip Boutique Shop on etsy PS: don't forget to include your wedding date if you're a bride

Would you like FIVE additional entries into the giveaway?
{please submit a new comment for each entry

For Entry Number 2: Like White Tulip Boutique on Facebook and then come back here to leave a 2nd comment letting me know you are now following White Tulip Boutique on Facebook

For Entry Number 3: Simply pin the above image to pinterest and then come back to leave me a 3rd comment with the link to your pin {an easy to use "pin it" button is on the bottom right of the image}

For Entry Number 4: Simply tweet the following . . . "I just entered to win a rhinestone + pearl necklace + earring set on @weddingsites blog. Enter Here http://ht.ly/lG84Z" and then come back to leave me a 4th comment with the link to your tweet and your twitter id.

For Entry Number 5: Follow Best Wedding Sites on Twitter and then come back here to leave a 5th comment letting me know you're now following @weddingsites on Twitter

For Entry Number 6: Like Best Wedding Sites on Facebook and then come back here to leave a 6th comment letting me know you've now liked Best Wedding Sites on Facebook

Choosing the right wedding theme, or wedding scheme that best compliments your wedding day can be difficult. The Wedding Outlet offers wedding accessories that work perfectly for many wedding themes and color schemes. Having a summer wedding? Check out these popular summertime favorites. These colorful accessories will make your wedding decor pop! Don't have a specific wedding theme? Then be inspired by color and shop colored wedding accessories.

The Wedding Outlet is always busy adding new wedding accessories from all of the top wedding designers, so be sure to stop by and check out our large selection of New Arrivals. You'll find wedding favors, gifts, and accessories in the hottest colors and styles for 2013 weddings. Keep a look out for the latest trends in ceremony accessories and reception decors, bride essentials. unique favors plus customized gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Whether it's an engagement party, rehearsal dinner or even a bridal shower or wedding - everyone loves to gather around for a yummy BBQ.

this post contains affiliate links

When it comes to summer wedding events {and even fall weddings}, what better way to celebrate than with a backyard barbeque? Here's a few of my favorite BBQ invitations I've spied on etsy. Some will arrive to you ready for mailing - others are available as a printable for you to DIY at home.

View fullsize

This I Do BBQ Wedding Invitation is rustic and classic for an I DO BBQ - whether it's the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or the wedding itself. It's from Simply Smitten Designs and features wonderful typography.

This I Do BBQ Engagement Party Invitation features a wonderful design with red gingham by Sunshine Printables. It's the perfect choice for rustic country weddings, BBQ themed couple bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. 

This BBQ Invitation is perfect for weddings and engagement parties - it's from Calliespondence and features flat printing for wedding showers, engagement parties or just plain bbq invitations. Love the kraft paper stock and the red, blue and natural color palette.

This blue gingham wedding invitation on kraft paper is from Sweet Magnolia Design and features a scalloped edge with satin ribbon. Love the rooster silhouette on top.

I'm now ready for some corn on the cob, macaroni salad and burgers. You?