ethicalweddings.com

I’m afraid I’m shirking my diamond debating duty once again but I just had to tell you about the lovely evening I had on Wednesday night.

A friend (who has a business fashioning furniture from reclaimed wood) and I decided it was about time the ethical businesses of Brighton and its environs got together.  We knew there were lots out there but somehow none of the business events we had been to had helped our paths to cross.

So we went for a ‘does what it says on the tin’ style event and created Our Ethical Network. 

We emailed all the green and ethical businesses we could find in the area and invited them to our ethical networking evening at that (locally) famous foodie heaven for local and seasonal produce, Bill’s.

Among the many who gathered that night, sipping organic wine, were several of our lovely ethical wedding suppliers, some of whom I got to meet for the first time after many email conversations!

Mark, Lynne and Paula of Gaiahouse, designers of ready-to-wear and bespoke ethical eco-friendly wedding dresses, were there tantalising listeners with talk of their elegant organic silk and recycled fabric creations.

They got chatting to Siobhan of Kolkata who imports fabulous fair trade silks and stationery perfect for weddings from women’s groups in India. 

So keep an eye out for some fair trade silk options in the Gaiahouse collection soon!

Caroline of Janganant, creator of unique recycled jewellery confided that a range of recycled glass tiaras, perfect for the ethical bride, is coming soon. 

For Brighton & Hove brides, you can catch Caroline (or at least see her work!) at the annual arts event, Hove Open House, every weekend in May from 11am – 6pm.

I also got talking to Helen, one of the original shareholders of Due South, who spoke of their passion and commitment to serve almost exclusively local (from a 35 mile radius), seasonal and organic food in their gorgeous beach front restaurant.

We had our anniversary meal there last year and I can confirm it is amazing!

Due South is also the only venue on the beach with a licence to hold weddings and civil ceremonies so if you’re planning an intimate wedding (50-70 guests) and are looking for fabulous food and an incredible view, look no further!

And last but by no means least, the lovely Holly of Our Green Wedding List was chatting away to all and sundry sourcing new green and ethical products for her gorgeous green gift list.

This event was a first for us and we weren’t sure how it would work but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves so we’re planning the next one already! If you’re a Sussex-based ethical business interested in coming along, just drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.

Katie