Have you Considered an “Eco Wedding”?
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
Are you concerned about the environment and trying to reduce your carbon footprint? Then maybe you’ll want to consider an “Eco Wedding.” Adding eco-friendly aspects to your wedding–whether they’re added in all stages of your wedding planning or not–can substantially reduce damage to the environment. And even though there are still a limited number of vendors who provide green products and services for weddings, with a little research and ingenuity, you should be able to green up your wedding day with no problem. Use these tips to help you plan your big day in a green way.
- Take it outside. Contemplate an outdoor wedding to save energy. If you get married in the morning or afternoon, you won’t need any additional light. If you get married in the early evening, you may want to use soy-based candles for lighting. They don’t emit harmful fumes when burned like wax candles do.
- Make it wild. Use local and seasonal wildflowers for bouquets and table décor at your reception. If that option isn’t available, consider using a florist in your area that only purchases organically grown flowers for their shop.
- Make it natural. Use eco-friendly wedding invitations for your green wedding. Crafted on quality recycled paper, eco-friendly invitations should contain at least 30% post-consumer fibers.
- Keep it close to home. Choose a wedding location close to your family and friends, so people can carpool.
- Eat fresh. It used to be considered alternative to offer a vegetarian selection during a dinner reception, but couples today are requesting organic, seasonal and/or locally grown food options.
- Lease it. Rental companies and caterers can supply everything you need in the way of tents, tablecloths, glassware, tableware, dishes and centerpieces. Since these items are frequently reused, their environmental impact is quite minimal. Use a local vendor, and limit the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere by delivery trucks.
- Wear some green. While a wedding dress made of recycled paper might seem a bit extreme, they are available. If this route isn’t for you, though, you might consider dresses made of organic cotton, organic silk or hemp blends. If you want to go even greener, go vintage. Wearing a family dress, or opt for one from a vintage clothing or secondhand store. Not only will you be helping the environment, you may realize a significant cost savings!
- Digitize it. Digital cameras take better quality photos and don’t require all the harsh chemicals used when developing 35mm film. Most photographers opt to go digital these days, but check with yours to be sure.
- Give eco-friendly gifts. You’ll find a variety of unique green wedding gifts and favors you can give your bridal party and guests. Some ideas? You might want to give a bamboo towel set with natural organic soap and body butters to your bridal party; a mini herb garden or potted plant as a gift that keeps on growing; or make a donation on your guests’ behalf to a local environmental organization. Use your imagination.Lisa Bakewell
