You can incorporate several elements into your wedding planning to make your wedding more eco-friendly. Use biodegradable seed paper for your invitations; when planted in soil, they grow wildflowers. Other invitation options include hemp, bamboo, banana stalk, and sugar cane paper. You could also use recycled paper stock and utilize new technology to have invitations e-mailed to more tech-savvy guests by using a service such as Evite.com.
Wear a vintage or previously owned wedding dress. Places to find vintage dresses include consignment shops, thrift stores, or auction websites. Some bridal shops also may specialize in the restoration, recycling and resale of wedding gowns. Alternatively, you can have a dress custom-made from organic raw materials grown without pesticides, such as taffeta made from corn, silk blended with hemp, or natural, earth-friendly bamboo. The groom can even wear a hemp tuxedo! Many up-and-coming wedding dress designers are practicing their craft with innovative fabrics and fair labor practices. The color white is traditional, but not environmentally friendly, as it became white from a toxic chemical process. After the wedding, think about donating your wedding gown to charity. There are charitable organizations who donate proceeds from used wedding gowns to their valuable work.
If you have your wedding and reception in the same location, it will lessen automobile emissions into the air. Instead of renting a limousine or Hummer, try using a hybrid, compact car, or even a horse and buggy for a more unique, old-fashioned vibe. If two separate locations cannot be avoided, you can request that your guests carpool on the invitations or hire a shuttle bus. Use local and organic food wherever feasible, and donate extra food to a shelter.
If you have your wedding and reception in the same location, it will lessen automobile emissions into the air. Instead of renting a limousine or Hummer, try using a hybrid, compact car, or even a horse and buggy for a more unique, old-fashioned vibe. If two separate locations cannot be avoided, you can request that your guests carpool on the invitations or hire a shuttle bus. Use local and organic food wherever feasible, and donate extra food to a shelter.
Use local, seasonal flowers for the ceremony and reception. Another option is potted plants, which can be given to guests for replanting or donated to a local hospital or professional nursing facility. Consider giving your guests wedding favors such as packets of seeds and bulbs, promoting sustainable and renewable agriculture for the planet.
Serve local, organic beer and wine–at least avoid imported beer and wine. (Contemplate home-brewing if that is an interest of yours—a bottle of your home brew could also serve as a possible wedding favor.)
As a viable alternative to the limousine or Hummer, how about renting a hybrid or compact car, or even a horse and buggy for a more unique old-fashioned vibe?
Set up your bridal registry at stores that sell organic cotton, recycled glassware, bamboo home décor, and the like, reflecting your green lifestyle and values as a couple. As another option, you could request that your guests donate to eco-friendly organizations rather than giving other wedding gifts.
The sky's the limit, have fun!
Jenniene
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