Destination Wedding Tips

When you imagine your wedding day, where do you picture yourself? Are you on a tropical island with the sand between your toes, are you at a cozy lodge in the mountains or are you somewhere closer to home? Options for your wedding local can be endless if you expand your venue search outside of your hometown,

These days, destination weddings have become an increasingly popular choice for couples. Destination weddings can often be more cost effective and intimate than weddings at home. This is due in part to their smaller guest lists. Not only does this allow you to spend more one on one time with your guests, but it allows you create a more unique and personal experience for you and your guests to enjoy.

Here are some tips to help you get started planning your destination wedding:

1)      Check With Close Family And Friends: Make sure that those most important to you will be able to come. If a close family member won’t be able to make the journey you may want to reconsider having a destination wedding.

2)      Plan Ahead: Destination weddings require a lot of planning. You’ll want to have the venue, room blocks and major vendors booked before you invite your guests. At least one planning trip to check out the venue and meet local vendors is also a good idea. A certified wedding planner with destination wedding experience can be you best ally when securing vendors and working with your venue.

3)      Give Guests Plenty Of Notice: Guests will need time to make travel arrangements like flights, rental cars and hotel rooms. It is courteous to give them at least six months notice. If you are planning on getting married out of the country this is especially important because your guest will need to have all of their travel documents like passports and visas up to date.

4)      Know The Facts About Getting Married At Your Destination:  The embassy or tourist information bureau of the country in which you wish to get married is a great source for this information. Each country has different requirements; some require blood test and a myriad of other documents in order to get married there. Be knowledgeable and have all of your documents in order before you arrive for your wedding.

5)      Have A Back-Up Plan: Make sure you plan for that unexpected hurricane or natural disaster which can affect travel for you and your guests. Travel or wedding insurance is a great idea for destination weddings. It can cover everything from a postponed event due to weather, damaged property, and even lost luggage.

The world is filled with exotic destinations, but the perfect location for your destination wedding may be closer than you think. If you live in Houston, there are beautiful resorts and boutique hotels in the Texas Hill Country and gorgeous historic properties in New Orleans that are just a few hours drive away but will give you and your guests the same feeling of escape and relaxation as a tropical resort. 

Bon Voyage!

Megan Hardy
Wedding Planner
Green Lily Weddings

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Chic Fall Color Inspiration

 

 

Are you considering a fall wedding, but worry that your wedding decor will be limited to pumpkins, fall leaves and earthy colors? Well, have no fear! Fall is the perfect time to play with color. Bridging the bright, sunny colors of summer and the darker tones of winter, there is a huge spectrum of colors that will make your fall wedding pop.

Pantone’s Fashion Color Report for fall 2010 is a great tool for finding the perfect palette for you wedding. It showcases this season’s hottest colors for fall, chosen by fashion and design experts. I love the combination of Oyster Grey and Endive with touches of Golden Glow for pop and pairing Chocolate Truffle with Living Coral is just plain fabulous.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with color! It is an easy way to showcase your personality and make your wedding unique. Be sure to check out The Knot’s Weddings Color Guide for even more color inspiration. 

 

 

Megan Hardy

Wedding Panner

Green Lily Weddings

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Sprinkle a Little Love....

Sprinkle a Little Love on Your Wedding Day with Sprinkles Cupcakes - A special treat for your guests.....

Looking to offer your guests something different and delicious? Why not consider a trendy cupcake tower which doubles as  conversation peice and makes your guests anticpate the dessert ? 

Cupcakes offer flexibility in flavor choice (why settle on just one?), ease in serving, and diverse presentation options. For brides who want a traditional wedding cake but are excited about cupcakes, they can send guests home with a sweet souvenir from their wedding celebration. At Sprinkles, they offer Favor Boxes which package individual cupcakes as a parting gift. For an added surprise, place a thank you note inside the boxes!    

 Recently, the Sprinkles staff has told us that they received many requests for custom decorations on cupcakes. We place couples’ monograms or even photos on sugar decorations which adorn the cupcakes. This really adds an extra touch!

Red velvet has long been a popular wedding flavor at Sprinkles. However, coconut and vanilla come in a close second. For couples looking for a chocolate cupcake but desire white frosting for aesthetics, our black & white cupcake is a popular choice.

For more information on Sprinkles visit :Sprinkles Highland Village, Houston or call: 713.871.9929.


Happy Tasting !

Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Weddings

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No More Diva Dilemas with Clean Heels: High Heel Stoppers !

No More Diva Dilemas with Clean Heels: Announcing High Heel Stoppers !

When I received this email, with an introduction to this product, I thought-"WOW" ! This is really a showstopper. What creative genius thought of something such as protecting a girls most important posession- her shoes !

How many times have you been invited to a wedding or a special occassion where you sport your most special part of your ensemble only to have your heel cought in the crack of of stones or tiles or embedded deep in the dirt? Not to mention the uncomfortable feeling of wobbling your shoe out.

The ingenious inventor of Clean Heels/ Heel Stoppers is Ally Stevenson, a savvy fashionista that thought outside the box to bring us this very important accessory.

Her mission was to provide a product so that ladies no longer have a fashion dilemma while dressing for an outdoor event. High Heel Stoppers prevent even the thinnest heel from penetrating the lawn by providing a discreet platform that prevents sinking in grass or getting stuck in-between decking. No more sinking stilettos, no more ruined heels. The wide rubber base will keep you worry and damage free when walking on wooden floors or teak decks. No more dents and dings, no more walking barefoot in a cocktail dress while your gorgeous heels sit lonely and abandoned by the door. High Heel Stoppers even protects wood flooring from stiletto damage and have become wildly popular throughout the mega-yacht industry for protecting their luxurious flooring while keeping the Fabulous fashionable. To order your Clean Heels High Heel Stoppers please visit : http://www.divadilemmas.com/
or email : divasavers@gmail.com
Happy Dressing !

Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Events

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The Perfect Touch for your Wedding Reception

Linens are probably the most important design feature of your wedding. It is an opportunity for you, the couple to showcase your personality, style and theme of your wedding.There are many options to consider for your tabletop to bring your personalized panache into the decor. One of the most important is layering.

While most venues will provide a basic tablecloth,those linens will most likely not reach to floor. Getting a full size tablecloth is very important as it creates the backdrop for your tablesetting, china and flowers. The first step is to call the venue that you have chosen and ask them what size tables they offer and how many chairs will fit in each table.The second step is to idenitfy what type of chair you will need to cover so that you can select a fabulous cover that compliments your tablecloth. Don't forget to bring this information with you to your linen appointment.

There are so many wonderful vendors in Houston for linens and many of them offer one stop shopping for your tabletop such as chargers, napkins, napkin rings and votives. One of our favorite vendors that has the widest selection of colors is : The Perfect Touch Linens, located at 2506 South Boulevard, Houston TX 77098. Make sure you check out their website for their specials and pictures of their new arrivals: http://theperfecttouchlinens.com/index.php

 or call today to make your appointment: 713.523.4567 and get your complimentary consultation today.

Happy Planning !

Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Events

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My Good Green Greetings

Choosing a wedding invitation sets the tone and feel for your guests on what to expect for the formality of your wedding. The invitation also is an opportunity to say a lot about you and your sense of personality and style. If you have been making choices lately that are more eco-friendly, then you may consider the type of paper you choose for your invitations.


Seattle based, My Good Greetings debuts their custom stationary all printed eco-friendly green on 100% recycled paper stock. Hip, modern, contemporary cards, including social stationery that you can personalize and preview with your photos and text are the perfect way to mark life's worthy occasions. Upload your photo, and add your text to create a unique contemporary card that will be treasured and you can feel good about it too.

For the complete collection of wedding invitations, check out their website: http://www.mygoodgreetings.com/Just-Wedding-Invitations.html  or call  800-658-1547.

Happy Planning !

Jessica Zapatero

Green Lily Events

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Discover Your Floral Style

There are so many options when choosing your flowers for your wedding. It can be confusing and overwhelming when you are not sure where to start. One of the first things we suggest to our Brides is to start tearing out all the pictures that appeal to them from current and past Knot editions. You will notice that there is a theme in what you like. Even if your selections are all over the place in regards to colors and flower types, you will soon see that you will have a trend in your selections.


Take as many of these tear outs to your florist with your swatches of bridesmaids dresses, linens, and any other colors that you can. Your floral designer will help you discover your floral style.

For inspiration, make sure you visit The Knot Complete Flower Guide: http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-flowers.aspx?MsdVisit=1

Happy Planning !

Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Events

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Get the Star Treatment at Macy's Registry- Sip & Scan Event for Knotties

Attention all Knotties! Join Macy's Wedding & Gift Registry for an event featuring fun beverages, hors d'oeuvres, and great registry experts to help you create your dream registry. Bring your fiancé and he can play 007 with the scan gun while you sip your drink and approve his choices. You'll also receive a fabulous gift from Macy's. The perfect weeknight date!
Call the number below to reserve a spot now, or email Macy's.  Please be sure to include your phone number and how many people plan to attend.

Date: Tuesday, June 22nd

Time: 6:30pm

Macy's Galleria Hidalgo
5135 West Alabama
Houston, TX 77056
2nd Floor

RSVP: 832-667-4309 stan.ware@macys.com

Cheers !

Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Events

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A Touseled Chignon

Summer is here and it often beckons us to put our hair up. There are many beautiful options for wearing hair up elegantly. While up do's have been the popular style to ask for in the past, today, a tousled Chignon adds chicness with more movement forgiveness than an up-do.   The popular term Chignon,  pronounced “sheen-yon,” is actually derived  from the French phrase “chignon du cou,” which translates to “nape of the neck”. An artful pull back of the hair, touseled or styled can reflect your beautiful facial features and serve as a great base for a gorgeous pin, feathers, or any floral accent you place in the hair.

Many salons specialize in up-do's but ask your hairdresser for a touseled chignon and see how you feel wearing a modern twist on the up-do.

Jessica Zapatero
Green Lily Events

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From Start to Finish a Georgia Wedding

 Looking for that perfect destination for your fairy tale wedding, but wanting something different than everyone else? What about setting the date in the beautiful location of Savannah, Georgia? Here is Alli & Jeff and their dream wedding in Savannah, Georgia. Photography by Christine Hall.  

How did the two of you meet?  Tell us your story.  My best friend, Laura, and I were meeting with a friend at the mall. As luck would have it, our friend was good friends with Jeff, and we were meeting him at Radio Shack where he worked. Once we got there our friend was gone and we got to meet Jeff. His eyes were so blue and I instantly developed a crush. We waited for him to get off of work so we could hang out with him longer. Well, during his break we decided to ride the carousel. We chose to ride in the teacup because that was Laura and Is favorite ride. You can spin so fast and because Jeff was so tall we had to cram into the tiny teacup. As we’re riding Laura begins to say, “Your hurting me, you hurting me!” while pushing my legs until, BAM! I go flying out of the teacup, slamming my ankle on a tiger. They stopped the entire ride and I was humiliated, but apparently I made quite the impression! 

Describe the proposal. On December 3, 2007 we were taking our dogs out for a walk and he insisted we stand by the fountain because it just looks so beautiful at night. It was freezing out so we were standing there holding one another and I notice (through my earmuffs!) that his heart is racing. Next thing I know he is on his knee asking me to marry him! And of course the answer was YES!

Three adjectives that describe the day are:  Beautiful, Magical, Extraordinary


Our favorite detail of the wedding was: It was everything! The location, our families, favors, flowers, everything and every vendor made my day/details spectacular!

                                                                 Tell us about finding your wedding dress: It took me one trip to Priscilla of Boston to find my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses. The moment I put on my Melissa Sweet gown I knew.

Describe your wedding flowers: For my wedding flowers I wanted something simple. I was on a budget and flowers were the least of my worries because Savannah is so beautiful I didn’t need many. To keep from going over budget I chose the hydrangea. Since they’re such a full flower I didn’t need to buy more than one stem, saving me money to spend in other areas!  


Describe your wedding cake: We wanted our cake to taste delicious. And to save money we chose to go to Publix for our cake. Not only was it beautiful and delicious but it was affordable!

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Honestly, I did all the planning myself including making the wedding favors and I enjoyed it so much that now I am working to be a wedding planner!


What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? I have two moments that made my day spectacular! My photographer had my dad sit outside waiting for me while I got dressed. She had him face away from me as I approached him. The moment he turned around we both cried and I will never forget the way he looked at me. I’m a Daddy’s girl, can you tell? And of course the moment my husband and I said our vows.

What’s next for you as a couple?  What are you looking forward to in the future?  We’re moving to Virginia! We are looking forward to buying a house and starting a family!

                                                                   Who were your vendors? Photography: Christine Hall

Rehearsal Dinner: Cha Bella

Ceremony: Forsyth Park (Fountain)

Reception: Vic's on the River

Forist: Garden on the Square

DJ: First City Events (DJ Jeff)

Hair & Makeup: Robs at Drayton Towers

Wedding Favor: shop.alli

Bridal Gown: Melissa Sweet (Priscilla of Boston)

Bridesmaid Dresses: Melissa Sweet (Priscilla of Boston)

Tuxes: Men's Warehouse

Earrings: Anna Bellagio

By: Alli Geary-Weisenhorn

Wedding Coordinator 

Green Lily Events

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Capturing Your Day in Creative Ways

Wedding days are filled with emotion, ranging from uncertainty and nervousness to pure joy and ecstasy. The creative photographer can find ways to capture each of these moments beautifully. Creative photos convey emotion and cause the viewer to smile, laugh, or even shed a tear as they recall these special moments.

Creativity also shows the level of commitment of a photographer to his or her craft and to your wedding. Creative photographers are engaged in their art and go far beyond the point-and-shoot approach. Creativity requires a photographer to get out of his or her comfort zone and do something different when the opportunity presents itself.

How can you assess whether a photographer is creative? Take a look at these areas:

• How do they manipulate light?

• How do they compose images?

• How do they photograph details?
• How well do they capture emotions?

• Is everything staged?

There is so much going on at a wedding emotionally, and this translates into a powerful story. The photographer must be alert and trained to anticipate these stories and capture them. Combining artful images creates a visual story of the wedding, and photos will allow a couple to endlessly revisit their wedding day.

Although couples should also consider the ethics, credibility, accolades, and integrity of a photographer, choosing one who creates beautiful, unique, and creative images will leave a bride and groom with photos they will be proud to display.

Photos courtesy of Owen Woghiren, Jr.
http://www.owenjunior.com/

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Spring is Here!

      

It might be a bit chilly compared to normal March temperatures, but spring is here! The sun breaks through the clouds and brightens the hearts of couples anticipating their wedding. New life is created all around us! Hatchlings and bunnies are born and flowers blossom. Most significantly, vibrant colors fill our surroundings once again. If you are entering wedded bliss in spring, then your color palette is of great importance. It should be light-hearted, carefree, and beautiful. You can mix colors like lavender, teal, and pink to go for a soft and unique color combination or stick with a bold color combination like deep purple and yellow! Whatever colors you choose for your spring wedding keep with the feel of the season; enjoy emerging beauty and the new life ahead of you!

Sarah Chesley

Wedding Coordinator

Photos courtesy of Morris Malakoff
http://www.morrismalakoff.com/

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Casa de Novia Bridal Couture

I recently visited Casa De Novia to view their Spring 2010 Collection. Carmen Rideau greeted me as soon as I entered the inviting boutique. The flow of the salon was open and relaxing unlike some salons that are divided into many separate sections. It was apparent from the moment I walked in that the employees at Casa de Novia would do anything to make a bride-to-be’s dream come true. Casa de Novia has a wide selection of designer gowns, ranging from Junko Yoshioka to Monique Lhuillier. There were three dresses in Casa de Novia’s selection that especially caught my eye.

This artsy bridal gown from Monique Lhullier’s Platinum Collection is ideal for the bride who wants to stand out when she walks down the aisle while maintaining a feminine aura. “Sunday Rose” is perfect for the woman who wants her dress to say it all! She is fierce, fashion-forward and has an impeccable flair for style.  It is an ivory silk satin organza gown priced at $9500.

The picture of this elegant Oscar de la Renta gown does not do it justice. This silk taffeta and tulle v-neck dress is embroidered with sequins that really make it shine. With every hint of movement this gown flickers so subtly and would look exquisite at a candlelit ceremony and reception. I cannot stress enough that this dress must be seen in person to really get the full effect of its beauty. The bride who wears this gown loves a little sparkle in her life and wants to feel like royalty on her wedding day. The gown is runway look #22 in Oscar de la Renta’s Spring 2010 Collection (Style # 12E02).

This organza Palazzo gown, Tess, was my favorite gown in the whole boutique, and they received it a few hours before I got there! I am glad I went when I did because this dress is just perfect in every way.  This gown is for the bride who wants to showcase her true beauty rather than the dress attracting all of the attention. At first glance it is simple but it has the exact amount of detail in the back to be extraordinary. This delicate dress is meant for a woman who wants a truly romantic evening without being over the top. It costs $4200.

Casa de Novia Information:

3331 D’Amico

Houston, TX 77019

713.523.9090

www.casadenoviabridal.com

Owned by: Luvi Wheelock

Upcoming Trunk Dates: (view website for more dates)
Junko Yoshioka will make a personal appearance February 25^th-27^th. Brides will receive 10% of regular price if they purchase a dress at the trunk show!

Experience Elizabeth Fillmore’s 2010 collection Saturday March 13^th. Elizabeth’s exquisite avante garde taste & chic silhouettes are one-of-a-kind and a must see! 

Sarah Chesley 

Wedding Coordinator

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Summer Wedding with a Watermelon Twist!

An outdoor summer wedding should be laid back, a ton of fun, and beautifully reflective of the season. A typical bride in this economy desires the wedding of her dreams without spending a lot of money. A backyard picnic-themed wedding set in the enjoyable summer season is just the answer!

What is a backyard picnic without watermelon? Not only is watermelon a refreshing treat to serve to your guests to beat the summer heat, it also provides the perfect color palette for your wedding. You can serve a fruity pink cocktail with a watermelon garnish or you can serve the champagne for your toast from a watermelon keg.

For the centerpieces, place your favorite pink and white, in-season flowers in vintage watering cans. You can spend a relaxing day with your fiancé bargain hunting for watering cans at local antique shops or borrow them from friends and family. Be green and save money by reusing glass jars as candle holders. Pair the country-style bouquet centerpieces with the candle jars to adorn your rustic tables. To create a truly magical wedding look, reuse glass jars as lanterns by placing candles inside the jars, tying wire around the tops, and hanging them from surrounding trees. 

Cut costs by having a simple meal like sandwiches, potato salad, and fruit catered by a local deli or prepared by someone close to you. Place all of the meals in picnic baskets with silverware and napkins, tie with ribbon, and let the guests keep the baskets as wedding favors. 

Personalize your wedding to your budget, your wants, and your needs. Don't become overly stressed about your wedding; it should be enjoyable and the beginning of a wonderful new chapter of your life. Whatever you are considering for your wedding, remember that it is your day and anything that you want is within reach. You might just need to get a little creative!

Sarah Chesley

Wedding Coordinator

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Spring Splendor

     Well, January is behind us, we're working our way through February, and now March and spring are hopefully right around the corner. Spring has always been a popular "wedding season," and with the wide array of flowers, colors and locations to choose from it's easy to see why. This inspiration board draws from the more serene and organic colors of spring with a few touches of pink. The whimsy and shabby chic tin buckets are full of feminine peony pink ranunculi, while the boutonnieres are a small, visually appealing succulent backed by a lush dark green leaf. The colors and overall botanical theme are carried through to the wedding invitation in its soft leaf and ivory hues. The dark mahogany Chiavari chairs against the clean ivory linens make for a rich contrast bringing the eye to your center arrangements, whether they be floral or perhaps the soft glow of a candlelit lantern? The decor possibilities that come with the changing of winter into spring are endless, you simply cannot  go wrong with setting your date in spring. 


*Composed by: 
Layne Smith
Wedding Coordinator 

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Winter Love

Red is the color of love and love is what a wedding is all about. What better colors to have than white to represent the beauty of a new beginning, brown to represent the start of a new season, and red for the passion of things to come. Great colors for a winter wedding are green and red, or white and silver. My favorite color is red so I wanted to create something that wasn't necessarily conventional but still illustrated a love two individuals have for each other. This is definitely a wedding scheme for no one other than a romantic. 

Red has such an intensity that it can easily over power anything, but by only using it subtly you can acquire the full scale of romance and charm. If you decide to use such a strong tone as red, then an ivory wedding dress is a must have. The combination of an ivory dress and a bouquet full of different red hues compliment each other wonderfully without taking over the bride. My inspiration for the center pieces was exactly what you see in winter. Everything is bear but it has a surreal beauty unlike any other season. Also, using the compilation of white linens allows you to have the perfect blend of everything that is romantic.

Astrid

Wedding Coordinator

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The Sunny Side of Weddings

When you think of a summer wedding, what do you see? The warm sun, a beautiful bride, and gorgeous flowers, of course! This summer why not make your flowers warm and happy like the sun? If you’re wondering where I’m going with all of this then you’ve maybe never heard of a Billy Ball flower.  Billy Ball’s are the perfect accessory to any bouquet or centerpiece and they will definitely put a smile on your face. If you’re looking for something quirky, fun and unforgettable then I say this flower is the perfect one for you!

And for that bride on a budget why not pair up some hydrangeas, white or green, with little Billy Balls adding that pop of brightness! Like the sun peaking through the clouds.

By: Allison Geary-Weisenhorn

Wedding Consultant

Green Lily Events

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The Walk Down One Green Street on their Grand Opening Day !

We were so honored to be a part of this true case study  of green co-working at it's best. When Sherry and Dave Eichberger had the foresight and passion to create Houston’s first organic lifestyle destination, they came to New Living,http://www.newliving.net/  a green home + building epicenter for all things green to make their vision come to life. A short 10  months later, One Green Street was opening it's doors thanks to the swift build of Joseph Fowler of Forrest Custom Construction http://forrestcustomconstruction.com/. Interior Designer Saba Jawda fashioned the store with a soft palette of grays, blues and taupes, creating a beautiful background to merchandise.

From the moment of the ribbon cutting, to the end of the day, One Green Street was the place to be. As the doors opened, guests were greated with warm welcomes and smiling faces anxious to share all the green treasures that they have to offer. There was a warmth and happiness like no other grand opening that I have ever experienced.


Guests enjoyed perusing among the four quadrants of the store, Whole Body, where Shirley and Mimi of W3LL People provided mini makeovers and introductions to their fabulously long lasting, holistic beauty color line. At Full Circle Fashion, guests delighted in reading the Alot To Say messages on the shirts and undies made with recycled bottles. In the Healthy Home section, guests relaxed with massages, warmed up with EcoSmart Fireplaces and discovered hand picked organic, vintage or hand made treasures. Guests migrated to the Gathering Place to enjoy Green Light Martini’s, a signature cocktail developed by Dee of Dripping Springs Vodka and organic delights by Byrd’s Market.


For those ubber cool, eco-fashion and home design addicts, you have yet another reason to rejoice about shopping : At One Green Street, you will find over 70 lines of all that is good for you and the planet too at the brick and mortar store and online at : www.onegreenstreet.com

Keep posted for many upcoming events including the Alot To Say on Valentine’s Day on February 13th.

Take a walk down One Green Street. You will be glad you did.

Jessica Zapatero
Director of Public Relations + Events
Green Lily Events

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Tonya and Chris !

There is nothing more that we love than to make a Bride and Groom happy as we navigate through all the choices and decisions of wedding vendors. We have had so much fun helping Tonya and Chris wrap up some of the final details of their wedding that we felt compelled to share their fun loving engagement pics by creative photographer, Christina Carroll Photography. http://www.christinacarrollphotography.com/

Tonya has selected a playful theme for her wedding where she is incorporating personalized koozies and home made cookies. We love Tonya's style. Be on the lookout for more Wedding Pics from Austin based photographer, Christina Carroll. The ceremony and reception will be held at the Tuscany Villa in Katy, TX. Cheers Tonya and Chris !



Jessica Zapatero

Green Lily Events

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