XOXO

I hate to be a party pooper, but balloons can be really awful for birds and other aquatic animals. ALL balloons eventually deflate and come down. when they do, they can be eaten by birds in particular and can choke them. also, if they have strings attached, which they usually do, that can get tangled and drown an animal (duck, bird, or even tangle some marine mammals). i know that it stinks that we can barely do anything, but i definitely wouldn't recommend balloons as an alternative. that is why elementary schools don't have balloon day any more (remember that when we were young? or am i the only oldie!)

sorry

People still do it, it just depends on how environmentally conscious you are. I mean, if someone decides not to do the balloons, but still has the escalade limo (gas guzzler), and serves Chilean Sea bass (endangered), they're definitely not environmentally conscious.
Btw, I'm totally not an environmental nut, just relaying some other things I've read along the way.

I agree SomeDayBride. I didn't mean to sound like an environmental nut. I actually feel terrible about it, but we are serving seabass. FH really likes it.

I researched ballons for my wedding and found that if you use 100% latex balloons filled with helium, they will safely disintegrate into the atmosphere once they get high enough up (they shatter into dust particles) - that doesn't help the ones that get caught in tree though.

we ended up with bubbles.

edited to say Chilean Sea Bass is not an endangered species.
From the US Dept of State:
Is Chilean sea bass an endangered species?
No. But large, unreported catches from illegal fishing of this valuable fish has made effective management difficult. In 2000, more than 16,000 tons of Chilean sea bass were legally harvested in the Antarctic management area. Estimates vary, but there may be up to twice that amount taken illegally. Some Chilean sea bass fisheries are managed in a responsible manner, but there are some areas where the species has been and continues to be overfished.

Is Chilean sea bass trade regulated?
Yes. In order to address the problem of illegal fishing, the Commission has adopted a measure requiring that all imports of Chilean sea bass be accompanied by a document verifying that the fish were caught legally. U.S. Customs and NOAA Fisheries regulations do not allow Chilean sea bass imports without this document and a valid dealer permit issued by NOAA. In addition, the United States works closely with Chile to ensure that Chilean sea bass imported from there has been
legally caught and is properly documented.

U.S. regulations allow imports of Chilean sea bass that are caught within legal limits and that provide for the sustainable use and conservation of the fishery resource. However, some illegally harvested Chilean sea bass does enter the United States. Restaurateurs and consumers should ask questions before buying Chilean sea bass to ensure that the fish being purchased were legally harvested.

All about Chilean Sea Bass

So serve it without guilt!

I went to a wedding in Florida recently where they threw heart and bell shaped confetti in white and silver (the bride's color theme)... It was cute and different...

we are having our guests ring bells & blow bubbles

Don't mean to hijack a thread here, but again, I was only posting what I had read along the way. Are Chilean sea bass endangered? Maybe not, but they are in a sorry state today. An article from greenpeaceusa.org says: 'This rapidly disappearing species is often referred to as 'white gold' within the fishing industry, and has consequently been overfished to the point of commercial extinction, particularly by 'pirate' fisheries. Many fishing companies that have collapsed fisheries in their own national waters, operate under Flags of Convenience (FOCs) in the Southern Ocean. Because vessels operating under FOCs are unregulated, it is impossible to control the amount of their catch. Often, the vessels don't even bother coming to shore when they've filled their quota. Instead, reefer ships with proper refrigeration are hired to transport the fish to illegal harbors, while the fishing vessels continue their relentless hunt for the remarkable toothfish. It is estimated that in some areas, 90% of commercially sold toothfish are pirated from the sea. '

do the ringing of the bells!! I think that is so pretty and you can have everyone hold up the bells for the pictures and in the video it will pick up the ringing!

Good Luck!
Lisa