Along with many other growing trends in the wonderful world of wedding planning is the desire of many brides and grooms to have eco-friendly weddings. A wedding in itself is pretty much the biggest party a bride will ever throw and the impact that brides all across the world might have on the planet is at least worth mentioning. Let’s remember for a moment the centerpieces full of beautiful fresh flowers and how they got there. Consider as well how many trees are cut down every year for the use of paper products ie. your invitations and let us not forget the process that was involved to create that beautiful gown.
Well, not to be so doom and gloom but this is the reality of it and what many brides have come to realize is that you don’t have to sacrifice elegance, style, and beauty to go green on your big day. Consider a few ideas.
1. The Invitations: There are a couple of ways you can go about creating a more eco-friendly way to anounce your pending nuptuals. Using 100% recycled paper is a nice way to maintain the traditional method of inviting guests while saving a couple trees. If you want to take it a step futher and are ok with a more non-traditional approach consider sending your guests e-vites. This can also prove to be a wedding money saver. Ooo la la eco-friendly and cheap I love it!
2. The Dress: We all know that when a women finds the perfect wedding dress it is as if God himself spoke life into a piece of fabric and the heavens opened up and the angels began to sing as he reached down and handed it to you in a perfect box with a perfect little bow and…ok thats gone on long enough… Anyhow, we still have to consider the materials, processes, shipping ect that is involved. So the green bride would consider having a dress that is made from organic materials such as silk. If you are a true broom jumpin, tree huggin bride then maybe you will consider buying a vintage gown or wearing your mother’s wedding dress. Finally when the big day is done, donating your wedding gown to a charitable organization is not only good for the environment but good for the soul. Two organizations you may want to check out are the “I DO Foundation” and “Making Memories: Brides Against Breast Cancer”.
3. The Favors: Ok, if you will allow me to be brutally honest for a moment…When it comes to your wedding favors unless you choose something that your guests can eat, whatever you give them will more than likely end up in the trash. It may be a week later or it may be a month later, but thats were it will probably go. So consider giving your guests a favor that they can use (at least for a longer period of time) that will not be expected add to a landfill somewhere. Potted herbs like mint and or basil are a cute, eco-friendly gift that your guests will enjoy. Plus at least if they toss it you don’t have the guilt of 200 pieces of plastic taking trillions of years to decompose. Well maybe not trillions but a VERY long time indeed.
4.The Food: Using caterers who prepare organic foods that have not been exposed to chemical pesticides as well as meat from animals that were ethically raised adds a nice green touch. It also allows you to feel good about serving your guests something that is better for them.
So if you are one of the many brides hoping to make their wedding day a little greener, I applaud you. Remember an eco-friendly bride is a happy bride!
