Just in time to kick off wedding season comes THE WEDDING, a marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton that will be the most extravagant event of the decade. And even if the happy couple decided to go green for the day, it would be a difficult feat to accomplish when there is a demand for royal splendor and millions of well-wishers celebrating along with the wedding party. Already the city is anticipating the clean-up of roughly 140 tons of waste.
But for those couples not requiring an avenue of trees being brought in to line the venue or the London Chamber Orchestra, here are some tips to make your special day an eco-friendly wedding.
Choose the right dress – Thanks to shows like Say Yes To The Dress, the pressure to find the perfect dress is greater than ever. But make your dress perfect for you and the environment by choosing environmentally conscious materials such as bamboo, organic cotton and even hemp! As brides become more eco-savvy, more designers are stepping up to provide fashionable and sustainable options. Or choose to go vintage and wear a previously worn gown – there’s nothing to say that you can’t make it your own with your accessories and choice of bouquet.
Greener Invitations – With the technology available, many couples are choosing to email their invitations. Websites are available for the bride and groom to share wedding details and even except RSVPs. If you still prefer traditional invitations, choose tree-free or recycled paper. Go an extra step and opt for a one piece folded design that will save paper and envelopes!
Keep it local – Avoid the destination wedding and marry at a venue that is easily reached by the majority of your guests. Hosting both your ceremony and reception at the same site also cuts down on travel and car emissions for the day. If you can keep it outside and avoid the use of electricity for a large, indoor venue, even better!
Keep the food local – Aside from asking your caterer to use real linens, cutlery, dinnerware and glassware (nothing gets thrown out!), make sure that they also use local vendors that produce organic foods. Local foods require less transportation to get to your hungry guests and they support local farmers which is an added bonus!
A sustainable bouquet – Unless you’re the bride that absolutely has to have pink tulips flown in directly from Holland, choose a bouquet of in season and organic stems. For the reception, use potted blooms or plants for decoration and they can be taken home afterwards to join your garden as a reminder of your special day. (I’ll give the royal couple credit for that as every bloom used will be donated afterwards.)
Wedding snapshots – Avoid the ever popular disposable cameras and trust that your photographer will get all the casual shots that you require. Or, assume that most wedding guests will have a digital camera tucked away and will be more than happy to email you photos of your big day.
The Favors – This is a tricky one for most but more often than not, the favors don’t do any favors for Mother Earth. And while you might think that the frosted candle holder with your names engraved on it or a seashell replica with a bridal portrait is the cutest thing ever, be realistic about what guests will actually keep or actually toss. My favorite wedding favors over the past few years have included homemade candies (you know you’ll eat it and there will be no waste!), engraved glasses that are still being used, and seed packets for local wildflowers and herbs.
Make your day a special one for you and for Mother Earth by making eco-friendly choices. For more tips on living green, visit Green Earth News’ Green Is Grand section!
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I just received an invitation that is blooming paper, if you plant it you will have wildflowers!
That is a fantastic idea for an invitation!!
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