Everyone needs a hippie friend

how many announcements have you gotten in the past month for friends getting married? past six months? how about the past year? in my mind there are three types of announcements.

first, the one-in-all. this is the choice for those that like to be simple, catchy, and fun. there is one piece of photo paper inside that is double sided, a picture collage, with writing displayed throughout with striking phrases, the place where they are getting married along with the date. it also tells you where they are registered, and in some unqiue spot, if you are lucky enough, you are invited to the ceremony on it.

second, the traditional. a single classy photo of the couple sitting in either a nature place or a modern street with something unique is given on a single 5 by 7 photopaper. behind the photo is the cardstock with the classic "bob and debra schnickers are proud to announce the marriage of their daughter brenda..." the writing is all snazzy and cursive (sometimes unreadable...handy when you don't fancy the couple getting married...oops).

finally, the unique. this can go one of two ways. either the parents agreed to spend way too much on it to where it is old school, Count-of-Monte-Cristo-invitation-to-a-ball type announcement with a ribbon and wax sealed envelope or a very distinct idea that sets it apart from everyone else.

in writing this, i mean no offense to any choice made by a couple. to each their own and you only get married once (hmmm some form of YOLO...YOGMO? does that work? and this is best case scenario). but this brings me to one of my friends from my mission. she has always been...unique. my friend...is a hippie...granola...tree hugger. one of the coolest people i know. a common friend said about her "she's one of the only people that has a passion, went to school for it, and is fulfilling her dream in making a differene."

one of the ways that she did this, tried to save the world, was through her announcement. it was quite ordinary on the outside, brown recycled paper withe the "classic" writing on it, but within the paper...that was something completely different entirely. on the back of the paper, it says "plant me, and i'll grow." this paper was not only recycled material, it had SEEDS in it! how cool is that? way to make a statement, that you love the earth, you want green to usurp the other colors, and for plants to thrive. i accept your challenge. i will plant your announcement and let it grow like your love for your new husband (how's that last part? cheesy enough?)

but really, its cool that she is as passionate as she is about it and made it a HUGE part of her wedding...not to mention pinecones for corsages and boutinires (spelling?), dream catchers hanging all over the reception hall, some form of special stone that's not a diamond, beared hipsters and hippies all over the place, a jazz band playing in the background, and to top it all off, "flowers in her hair...flowers everywhere." way to go kimmy!