Earth Girl Photo
Are you having an outdoor or nature inspired wedding? Do you love the rough and simple feel of all natural materials? Do you crave stylish earth-friendly options for your wedding? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this post is for you. I've gathered some of my favorite naturally chic flower girl options to share and inspire. Organic, natural and vintage materials blend together seamlessly to work with a variety of wedding styles.
Natural DressesThe availability in mainstream retail of truly eco-friendly dresses are few and far between. And although they do exist, high prices prevail and selection is minimal. Fortunately, web sites like Etsy offer lots of beautiful hand-made options created using a wide variety of eco-friendly and/or natural materials. The dresses below show several examples. On the left is a sweet little dress made with organic cotton, the dress on the right is raw silk. Both are delightful and can be dressed up or down, depending on the your wedding's formality. On the bottom is a great little bubble dress made from cotton that is perfect for an eco-chic wedding.
Organic Cotton Dress by Teeny Bunny , Raw Silk Dress by Rosa Bianca Design
Bubble Dress by Olive + Fern
The other option is to go with a dress that is made using vintage material or one that actually "gives back" when you buy it. The dress on the left is made of muslin and features charming vintage lace and vintage buttons details. The dress on the right - which I'm in love with! - is made with 100% organic bamboo and features natural shell buttons. The coolest part about this dress is that for every one of these dresses purchased, one is given away to a girl in need, teaching young girls about the joy of giving, while also giving back to girls who may need a little extra love in their lives. For more information about this amazing program visit Project Little Grey Dress.
Muslin Dress by Apple Sauce Designs, Organic Bamboo Dress by Whitten Grey
For Her Hair
Unlike dresses, there are tons of charming options for earth-friendly flower girl headbands, wreaths, hair clips, etc.made with reclaimed, vintage and recycled materials. A quick search on Etsy brings up endless choices. Some of my favorites for a nature inspired wedding are these delicate vine wreaths dotted with pearls and flowers.
Vine Wreaths by WhichGoose
This swirly hair band gets eco-style points, for being made of handmade felted yarn and for its lovely organic shape.
Yellow Felted Yard Headband by Be Something New
To Have and To Hold
One of the most symbolic pieces of a flower girl's ensemble is her basket full of petals. But baskets weren't always en vogue and you don't have to follow that tradition if you don't want to. Try something different with one of these fresh ideas...
Make a wish...this hand-made felt dandelion makes a darling wand...you could leave it plain or add ribbon and lace streamers.
Dandelion Wishing Wand by Cosa Bello
Eco-bouquets like these are not only easy on the earth, but also easy on your purse. And if you are a DIY kind of bride, these might be projects you could even take on yourself. (If not, they are all available for purchase them from the amazing vendors listed below.) Made from vintage book pages, repurposed sewing patterns and recycled plastic bags I think you'll agree that the results are amazing.
Winged Bouquet by Royal Buffet, Tissue Flowers by Montclair Made and Eco Daisies by Ffflowers
Putting a vintage spin on tradition...a rusty wire basket feels simple and elegant...fill it with tiny pinecones, seashells or flower petals. Line it with moss, tuck in a nest or add a few ribbons. Fill it with honeymoon photos or wedding keepsakes after the wedding.
Vintage Wire Basket from Sadie Olive
This hand-crafted birch bucket is at once charming, romantic and rustic. And I love the initials "carved" into the bark. Picture it filled with dried flowers or fall leaves...
Birch Bark Basket by NH Woods Creations
Kissing balls, pomanders, whatever you want to call them...I love them. There are endless possibilities for putting your own spin on these. Here are a few of my favorites made with vines, shells and twigs. I've also seen them done with hand-made flowers, corks, moss, seeds and just about any natural material you can think of.
Vine Pomander by Emily Wootton, Shell Ball via Flickr, Shell Balls via Flickr and Twig Pomander by Mackensley Designs.
This sweet posy of pussy willow is entirely charming...I love the softness and the romantic pink bow.
Pussy Willow Bouquet by Smitten Kitten
Other hand-held options include a bouquet of cotton or wheat...you can read more about the significance of wheat in my last post about flower girl history.
Cotton Ball Bouquet by Jupiter Images found via White and Wander, Wheat Sheaves by Country Living
And just in case there is rain in the forecast, a biodegradeable bamboo parasol...
Parasol by Brelli found via Beloved Green
That's it for today. I hope you found some new ways of looking at things or discovered a new idea to add to your wedding planning notebook. For more inspiration, be sure to check out this post about flower girl customs and traditions. If you have any more thoughts or ideas to add, feel free to leave a comment! Check back soon for Eco Flower Girls Part 2...you will not want to miss it. :)
XOXO
Cindi
These are all wonderful! I love the dress, the headdress and the flowers.
Posted by: Flowers Melbourne | April 18, 2012 at 03:32 PM