A wedding can be an ultimate exercise in overindulgence. We spare no expense, or assault on the environment, to ensure that our wedding day is perfect. More and more, we are becoming aware of how our actions can effect the environment and more brides are looking for ways to have their perfect day while still demonstrating environmental and social consciousness. Here are few ways to make your wedding “green.”
The Venue
The venue is one of the easiest and more obvious ways to go green – marry outdoors!! This eliminates the need for electricity and allows you and your guests to appreciate the beauty of natural surroundings. To make this comfortable for your guests, you should consider marrying during a time of year when the climate is comfortable. No matter the time of year, nature provides the perfect backdrop for a wedding. In the spring, you have beautiful new blooms and in the fall, you have an array of oranges, reds, and browns to work with.
If outdoors is not an option, choose a site that will benefit from your event rental fee such as a nature sanctuary, museum, art gallery or school.
The Dress
Thanks to designers like Adele Wechsler, even your wedding dress can be green!! The gowns are made with organic hemp and silk materials and will be available in Fall 2008. The Olivia Luca Design Studio, where YOU design your own dress, also offers organic fabrics.
Green Dresses may not work for those brides dreaming of a big beautiful ball gown as the emphasis in on simplicity with eco-friendly dresses.
Catering
There are several ways to be eco-conscious in this area. You can ask your caterer to use organic, locally grown produce, free range/organic meats, locally brewed beer and organic wine. You should also work with your caterer to avoid over-catering, preparing substantially more food than what is necessary. If you have leftovers, you can donate them to a local food bank, homeless shelter or soup kitchen.
You can also insist on using washable dinnerware and avoid disposable napkins, glasses, plates, etc.
Favors
In lieu of traditional favors, make a donation in your guest’s name to an eco-friendly charity. You can also give favors that are helpful to the environment, such as having trees planted in your guest’s honor, notes written on plantable paper or give tree seedlings that your guests can plant in their gardens.
Flowers
Ask your florist about using locally grown flowers – they travel less, provide local jobs for your community and arrive fresher. If you must have a bloom that is only grown internationally, insist on fair trade/organic flowers. A little known secret of the flower industry is that flowers are such a high value crop that they are often doused with dangerous, potentially cancer causing, chemicals to make them perfect. The conditions for workers in the international flower market are deplorable with several of them being exposed to dangerous chemicals, long hours and extremely hard labor.
If you are skipping the florist and doing your own flowers, the online wholesaler Organic Bouquet offers organic blooms.
Invitations
About the author of this article:
tiffany r. wright is a top wedding planner in the washington, dc area and owner of pirouette events , a premiere wedding planning company in dc/md/va.
