I’m always impressed when celebrities use their status to make the world a better place. That’s why I’m happy to share with you the details of the beautiful (and green) wedding of Nikki Cascone – New York City restaurateur and contestant on the Bravo network reality show Top Chef. Nikki married her longtime boyfriend and business partner, Brad Grossman June 27th at Gracewood Mansion on New York’s Long Island.
After bearing witness to the wastefulness that elaborate weddings often create, the couple decided they wanted something different. Nikki’s bridal style is unique (check out her nontraditional choice for a wedding dress, above) and her thoughtfulness is evident in all the little details that made her celebration both eco-friendly and chic. Read more below to learn how Nikki brought her green wedding to life and inspired others to do the same.
Invitations: Nikki and Brad chose to forgo traditional paper invitations and send out a stylish electronic version – saving both trees and money. Consider this environmentally friendly option for your wedding or rehearsal dinner. Websites like Pingg and Paperless Post offer sophisticated and stylish options for electronic invitations.
Bridal Party: Nikki and Brad chose to reduce the size of their bridesmaids and groomsmen to eliminate excess spending and waste. For a truly effective way to conserve resources, you can consider reducing not only your wedding party, but your guest list as well. While this is often a challenge, remember that smaller, intimate weddings can often provide the bride and groom with more quality time to spend with close friends and family.
Flowers: Brad and Nikki chose floral arrangements created using local resources. Check out organic and seasonal options in your hometown by contacting local florists. If you have the time and the inclination, visit local farmers markets and recruit friends to help design and assemble DIY bouquets and centerpieces.
Food: Being a chef by trade, it was so important to Nikki that the food for her wedding be all the more special. With the help of her brother-in-law, who runs a local catering business, Nikki created a menu using organic produce from local farms. Organic wines and vodka were served as well as creative non-alcoholic drinks using fresh ingredients.
Favors: Eco-friendly wedding favors are always appreciated – and Nikki and Brad loved the idea of sustainable gifts. They incorporated seeded paper (guests can take the paper home to plant flowers) and small potted herb plants as a favors. Want to treat your guests to eco-friendly favors? Visit BeauCoup.com for a stylish assortment of green wedding favors.
The Dress: Nikki’s dress was a one-of-a-kind original created by her friend (and Project Runway star) Christian Siriano. The non-traditional design was made using organic materials. Following the wedding, Nikki will be auctioning off the dress and donating the profits to charity. She hopes the lucky girl who purchases her dress will, in turn, recycle or reuse it. Buying a pre-owned wedding dress is just another way brides can “reduce and reuse.”
Finally, check out Nikki’s awesome green wedding inspiration board (below, courtesy of thebride&bloom). Cheers to Nikki and Brad for practicing what they preach and planning a beautiful, eco-chic celebration of their love. Congratulations!
photo courtesy the bride&bloom
Photo credits (from top, left – right): Photo by Robert Sukrachand via greenweddingshoes.com; photo of Toms Shoes by Ryan Gladstone Photography; photo of herb pots by Miki Duisterhof via intimateweddings.com; photo of Gracewood from bride; photo of purple bouquet via weddingchicks.com by Boutwell Studio; flowers by Chestnut & Vine; photo of box with grass by Christine Gallagher; photo of wedding signs from misscookie via weddingbee.com; photo of tableware by Wendell Webber; photo of name card found on Etsy’s A Remark You Made; photo of bark conversation starters from green-wedding.net; photo of chair with flowers found on imgfav.com via stumbleupon; photo of boxed flowers found on prontohome.com