Friday, January 9, 2009
People Magazine!
Be sure to check out People Magazine this week! Gina and Joe's wedding made it into this weeks issue and of course that means my pictures did too! :) Thanks again to Gina and Joe for sharing this special day with me!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Impact Tip - An eco-movement and you
This is likely be my only "soapbox" post as I tend not to use my professional blog to unload a lot of personal opinions but I was at the gym and it occurred to me while watching the news, that there is a lot going on right now about what it is to be eco-friendly, green, tree hugger, whatever they call it. One thing I see happening is that with the beginning of anything mainstream, comes a lot of propaganda. Propaganda in my experience tends to encourage you to follow along despite your potential lack of knowing why, or it makes you head in the opposite direction simply to not be following or be mainstream. Although the environmental movement itself is long in the making, the popularization of all things green is relatively new. You will hear lots of people saying things like, "if you care...", "if you are eco-friendly you will do...", "how could you drive that...", "I can't believe she does...". This is what this post is about, our choices...OUR choices.
I feel it is imperative that this trend stays in its intended purpose of becoming aware of our choices, have a generous spirit and attitude of giving and sharing, and being more involved in our community. This means that if you have never thought about it before, start thinking and seeing around you how your choices impact your community and world. But it does not mean, feel guilty, become vegan, you're bad if you don't plan a green wedding, or that there is some sort of "right" way to be. I think that attitude tends to isolate more than bring together and caring about our environment is more than caring about trees or fuzzy creatures that we all adore. It's about remembering that we are all connected so our choices affect our families, our community, our world, and most importantly our future generations who are counting on us to leave them some of the beauty and connectedness that is our complex ecosystems. It is not that it is just a responsibility as it is a privilege, a gift, an opportunity.
Environmentalists have been waiting for a day when being "green" would become a focus of mainstream life, but as with all trends, they attract the good and the bad. If we are aware of our choices and don't just follow along, we are less likely to get caught in the greenwashing that comes along with green trends. Continue to question what people tell you is green, ask why! What makes you different and how have your new practices made any impact. Don't just settle for a green label.
On the other plus side, being eco-responsible is really only good for your health and pocketbook too. In a time where everyone is talking about the economy, we can help the economy by buying local, reducing our energy usage which puts more money in our pocket and thus out into the economy, creates jobs by focusing on new energy methods, supports local farmers who will in turn put back into our own economy. Walk more to save gas and burn calories. Eat whole foods and as locally as possible. There are limitless choices you can make that benefit you physically, financially, and socially responsibly by making the environmentally friendly choice.
But in the end, it is still your choice. Don't let anyone take it away from you or guilt or pressure you into a choice that will make you unhappy. Every choice comes with an action that will hurt one and benefit another. The important thing to remember is that you have at least become more aware that you do have choices and some will fit right in, some will require a stretch, and some just aren't possible with your life so don't feel bad about not doing them. I want solar panels, but I just can't afford that right now, so I just try to turn my lights off and heat down at night and that is all I can do for now.
As for Vrai, we are continuing to find new products that will reduce our impact on the environment because we do care and find it to be an amazing opportunity to be able to give back. We are so thankful for our couples who are partnering with us in this mission by choosing us. We are going to be offering 3 new albums that are eco-friendly books, 2 of which are the first green albums in the industry. We are switching to recycled paper CD sleeves instead of plastic and continuing to work with printers offering eco-friendly options and local printers for many of our needs.
Stay tuned to the blog for our newest additions to Vrai! I hope you find them as exciting as we do.
So for 2009, as you plan out your goals, take a step to becoming more aware, even if that step is the first step of awareness. If you are already thinking about your impact, think about a small step you can take incrementally (whether it is weekly, monthly, annually) to increase your positive impact on your community and your world.
That's all for now :)
I feel it is imperative that this trend stays in its intended purpose of becoming aware of our choices, have a generous spirit and attitude of giving and sharing, and being more involved in our community. This means that if you have never thought about it before, start thinking and seeing around you how your choices impact your community and world. But it does not mean, feel guilty, become vegan, you're bad if you don't plan a green wedding, or that there is some sort of "right" way to be. I think that attitude tends to isolate more than bring together and caring about our environment is more than caring about trees or fuzzy creatures that we all adore. It's about remembering that we are all connected so our choices affect our families, our community, our world, and most importantly our future generations who are counting on us to leave them some of the beauty and connectedness that is our complex ecosystems. It is not that it is just a responsibility as it is a privilege, a gift, an opportunity.
Environmentalists have been waiting for a day when being "green" would become a focus of mainstream life, but as with all trends, they attract the good and the bad. If we are aware of our choices and don't just follow along, we are less likely to get caught in the greenwashing that comes along with green trends. Continue to question what people tell you is green, ask why! What makes you different and how have your new practices made any impact. Don't just settle for a green label.
On the other plus side, being eco-responsible is really only good for your health and pocketbook too. In a time where everyone is talking about the economy, we can help the economy by buying local, reducing our energy usage which puts more money in our pocket and thus out into the economy, creates jobs by focusing on new energy methods, supports local farmers who will in turn put back into our own economy. Walk more to save gas and burn calories. Eat whole foods and as locally as possible. There are limitless choices you can make that benefit you physically, financially, and socially responsibly by making the environmentally friendly choice.
But in the end, it is still your choice. Don't let anyone take it away from you or guilt or pressure you into a choice that will make you unhappy. Every choice comes with an action that will hurt one and benefit another. The important thing to remember is that you have at least become more aware that you do have choices and some will fit right in, some will require a stretch, and some just aren't possible with your life so don't feel bad about not doing them. I want solar panels, but I just can't afford that right now, so I just try to turn my lights off and heat down at night and that is all I can do for now.
As for Vrai, we are continuing to find new products that will reduce our impact on the environment because we do care and find it to be an amazing opportunity to be able to give back. We are so thankful for our couples who are partnering with us in this mission by choosing us. We are going to be offering 3 new albums that are eco-friendly books, 2 of which are the first green albums in the industry. We are switching to recycled paper CD sleeves instead of plastic and continuing to work with printers offering eco-friendly options and local printers for many of our needs.
Stay tuned to the blog for our newest additions to Vrai! I hope you find them as exciting as we do.
So for 2009, as you plan out your goals, take a step to becoming more aware, even if that step is the first step of awareness. If you are already thinking about your impact, think about a small step you can take incrementally (whether it is weekly, monthly, annually) to increase your positive impact on your community and your world.
That's all for now :)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year with Gina and Joe
Happy New Year!! This week I am posting about my last wedding of 2008 instead of my usual impact tip. This is an extra special post because it was my last wedding of 2008 and my first post of 2009. I won't have another wedding for awhile so I am posting some extra pictures :)
I rang in 2009 with a very special couple. American Idol finalist, Gina Glockson and Joe Ruzicka were married yesterday at the Naper Settlement and their reception was at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.
They had a very special start to their engagement. When Gina was on tour with the idols, Joe surprised her on stage with a proposal! I love this shot of the dress in the reflection of this photo that captures that special moment.
Gina had these Converse shoes made for her special day. 
Gina with her other American Idol bridesmaid's, Jordin Sparks and Haley Scarnato 
Jordin Sparks, a bridesmaid, gave a live performance and sang their first dance song 
Joe's band, Then Again, performed throughout the night. This song he dedicated to his new bride. 
I rang in 2009 with a very special couple. American Idol finalist, Gina Glockson and Joe Ruzicka were married yesterday at the Naper Settlement and their reception was at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.
They had a very special start to their engagement. When Gina was on tour with the idols, Joe surprised her on stage with a proposal! I love this shot of the dress in the reflection of this photo that captures that special moment.
Gina had these Converse shoes made for her special day. Gina with her other American Idol bridesmaid's, Jordin Sparks and Haley Scarnato Jordin Sparks, a bridesmaid, gave a live performance and sang their first dance song Joe's band, Then Again, performed throughout the night. This song he dedicated to his new bride.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Molly Shoots Greg & Kristen's E-Session
This Sunday I meet with Kristen and Greg at the special location where Greg proposed to Kristen. I loved this beautiful tree and glowing lights around Kristen & Greg. I also loved the store window sign, as if to say, "Happy Holiday's, we're in love!" Despite the cold Christmas is Kristen's favorite season, and just to think that next year they will have a Married Little Christmas as husband & wife!!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Charlotte and David
Earlier this week, Charlotte and David got married with an intimate ceremony at Bond Chapel on University of Chicago's campus where Charlotte spent part of her childhood. It was a very snowy day, perfect for a winter wedding. It was so fun to get to know them over their brief engagement and spend this time with them. They had a private dinner at NoMI Restaurant at the Park Hyatt, it was beautiful!
Charlotte also took some tips from the blog and requested that her florist only use locally grown flowers and the used email for their invitations which worked well for their small wedding. Thank you Charlotte for doing your part!
Charlotte also took some tips from the blog and requested that her florist only use locally grown flowers and the used email for their invitations which worked well for their small wedding. Thank you Charlotte for doing your part!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Impact Tip - You made the difference!
For our last impact tip of the year, I wanted to show how our new 2008 Vrai brides helped to make a difference in the world. Together we raised $3000 for Environmental Defense, Greg Christian Organic School Project, The Nature Conservancy-Illinois Chapter, and Heifer International.
We didn't have that many openings for this year since we just started the program. I think next year we can triple this amount! I am so proud to work with people who value their impact on the community and want to take those extra steps with me to make a difference. These are great projects that stretch across borders, across political barriers, across cultures, to the basic element of life. All life is important and as you start your new life, what a better way to make a commitment to someone you love, then to share that blessing with other human and non-human lives around the world.
Thank you for sharing this mission with us and encouraging us to blend passions and art to bring you truly unique coverage on your wedding day!
We didn't have that many openings for this year since we just started the program. I think next year we can triple this amount! I am so proud to work with people who value their impact on the community and want to take those extra steps with me to make a difference. These are great projects that stretch across borders, across political barriers, across cultures, to the basic element of life. All life is important and as you start your new life, what a better way to make a commitment to someone you love, then to share that blessing with other human and non-human lives around the world.
Thank you for sharing this mission with us and encouraging us to blend passions and art to bring you truly unique coverage on your wedding day!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Last minute Christmas Tip!
Last night I celebrated Christmas with my mom and siblings and she really surprised me. She is a busy woman and is famous for her use of gift bags vs wrapping. This time she took the extra time to think how she can make better use of her wrapping. She was able to get most of my gifts into reusable grocery bags from Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. I was really impressed so I just had to share. If you are going to spend money to wrap up your gifts, consider this as your option! They look cute under the tree too! :) Thanks mom!!
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