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| GREEN WEDDINGS
Green Weddings
updates by Shelley Waugh


Tips to help make Your Wedding Green

Photo: TheDailyGreen.com

The financial investment you make for the day of your wedding for love and a commitment to a shared future can help frame a lifetime.

When a wedding is $20,000 or more, it's rare to have that kind of spending power. So put your love and your wallet to work for the environment when you can.

Here are some ideas to help make your wedding green wedding.

Your rings:
Pick eco-friendly rings. Every wedding needs something old, and something new - a timeless recycled vintage ring can be chic and trendy, not to mention environmentally responsible.

The production of one tiny band of gold results in 20 tons of mine waste, according to Earthworks, an organization that works to protect the environment from the impact of mineral development.

Or go for silver bands — the mining of silver is a bit gentler on the environment.

Conflict-free diamonds are a must.
 

It's all about the dress
Make a statement in vintage, organic or sustainable materials or a hand-me-down dress is the most environmentally and cost-friendly way to go.

But if you prefer a new dress, look for one that's made of certified organic cotton, since polyester is petroleum-based and most other cotton is grown with harsh pesticides.

Grooms and ushers can get on the all-natural natural-fiber bandwagon as well by wearing a dress shirt made of hemp or organic cotton.

Choose bridesmaid dresses that can actually be worn again.


Invitations
Paperless e-vites are the most eco-friendly way to go, but if you want something more traditional, try recycled paper and ask for an online RSVP.

Skip the printed directions and other info often stuffed into the envelope, and make your guests' first stop a Website with all the details.

Sending invitations electronically or on recycled paper stock will save money and trees. Bonus for going the electronic route and you'll save on the fuel used to deliver the cards.

Remember that you may need to photo-copy and mail some invitations for those who do not have a computer.


Location
A large part of your wedding dollar is spent on the location. If possible, choose a ceremony and reception venue near most of your guests to cut down on their drive or fly times.

If you have a botanical garden or park you support locally, why not ask if you might use the venue for your reception? If booking a hotel or banquet hall, consider a fuel-efficient shuttle to drive guests to and from the venues.

If you have a choice for a location, scientist say that big cities might be better than country locations because cities, for the most part, have less energy use in terms of per capita carbon.


Food
Local is the name of the game. Check out wineries and breweries in your area to choose an organic or bio-dynamic wine alternative.

For your meal, talk to the farmers at your local market to see what will be in-season at the time of your wedding. Your menu will be fresher for guests and easier on nature.


Gifts
Register for gifts that you actually need, will definitely use and (if possible) are healthy for the planet.

You can also include an option for your guests to donate to your favorite charity or create your own personal fundraising page on your wedding website — complete with photos, updates and a guestbook.

Of course, the most eco-friendly way (although not as much fun) is to ask for no gifts at all... so if you don't need them, let your guests know.


Flowers
Organic flower bouquets are in keeping with eco-friendly. Dried or silk flowers can be tastefully arranged. If you are planning traditional centerpieces, try potted plants that will have a long, happy life when brought home by your guests — wedding décor and landscaping in one fell swoop!


Favors
It is estimated that the average couple spends over $400 on favors for their guests. A greener option? Donate the amount set aside in your budget to a favorite charity, and list it in your program or with a notice on each table. If you are giving an amount to a charity add the information to the Best Man's speech list.


The Honeymoon
The party might be over, but the honeymoon fun has just begun. One way to lessen your trip's environmental impact is to forgo a far-flung destination. (And as the cost of fuel continues to rise, keeping it local will also save you a bundle in travel costs.)

If you're heading off to an exotic location, remember that many travel companies offer eco-trips or environmentally friendly excursions.

No matter how you decide to spend your honeymoon, you can buy energy offset credits to offset the toll your travel has on the environment.

sources: TheDailyGreen.com, The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.
Don't fall for buzz words like green, sustainable living or environmentally friendly

Tips for planning your wedding can be the best time to be eco-friendly. Just make sure if you are planning a green wedding that you are not falling for a marketing ploy from a company that is just using the new buzz words like green, sustainable living or environmentally friendly. Do your research and check out your sources online before you make any decisions or sign contracts.

The Eco-Chic Weddings book includes quick, simple, and easy-to-follow tips to make your wedding socially responsible. The book provides environmentally friendly tips such as:

• Use in-season flowers to save on price and reduce the environmental cost of shipping in non-local flowers.

• Skip the save-the-date card and save some trees–and a lot of hassle.

• Don’t purchase items you will only use at the wedding; instead, invest in dresses, shoes, or glassware you will alter and reuse.

The book chapters are very well constructed and include the wedding basics, engagement and wedding rings, attire, registries, invitations, flowers, style, favors, health and beauty, menus, transportation, honeymoons and married life. The Appendix lists several eco-chic resources.

Eco-Chic Weddings Simple Tips to Plan an Earth-Friendly, Socially Responsible, Affordable Green Wedding by Emily Elizabeth Anderson (Hatherleigh Press ISBN: 978-1-57826-240-3 US$16) - SW

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 WeddingsHoneymoons.com | Green Weddings | May 13, 2012
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