Saying I Do to Green Weddings

You know how things always come up in threes?  Well, in the last few days the idea of planning a green wedding has popped up in my email, on the web, and now in the old fashioned newsprint.  So I figure this is clearly a sign that I should blog on greening your wedding.

Now I would never suggest tofu appetizers and compostable invitations (with flower seeds embedded) but I have seen a few cool suggestions to help you walk the talk as you walk the aisle.  So starting with the invitations, there are some awesome hand made and recycled paper invitations that are simply gorgeous. 

For the dress, I am a big a fan of checking out eBay. Vintage dresses or dresses that have been worn just once are not only eco-friendly, but they can save you a bundle and you will look sensational.  I admit I bought my dress new (and on sale) and boxed it up.  I have to be honest here, it is taking up valuable closet space and I can't imagine imposing, I mean offering the dress to my daughter, because she'll have her own style and ideas.  So I recommend checking out the finds out there in eBayland.

For the flowers, I am told you can be super earth friendly by choosing local and seasonal flowers.  This saves transportation costs and fosters the local economy to boot.  Of course, you can get married outdoors in a garden and you have to buy a whole lot less flowers.  I got married in a rose garden and only really had to buy the flowers for the wedding party to hold/wear.

Food - going organic is a great start.  And on your way out, throwing bird seed is probably preferable to the traditional rice which can make the birds sick.  Then I say, throw caution to the wind, and go somewhere fabulous for your honeymoon.  Sure you can buy some carbon credits if you feel too guilty, but this is one place I wouldn't scrimp.  Have a great time!

Here are some articles and sites that look nifty....

Plan Your "Green Wedding" with Green Elegance Weddings (TreeHugger)
I didn't go through Green Elegance Weddings, but had my own green wedding myself last November. And for me it was the committment to making our wedding ...
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/04/plan_your_green_1.php

“Green” or Environmental Wedding Favors | Favor Ideas
We are having a green wedding, (although we didn’t realize it was a concept until now!). Yay! We have organic caterers, recycled glass centerpieces, ...
http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-themes/unique-themes/green-or-environmental-wedding-favors/

Organic Weddings USA
Top Organic Chef provides fine
Organic Catering anywhere is US
www.busypeopleinc.com

Eco Weddding invitations:

http://wedding-invitations.invitesite.com/gallery_eco_alphabetical.html
Or
http://www.custompaper.com/
Or
"Unexpected Green" Finalist: Wedding Invitations (TreeHugger)
for invitations. Now, you wouldn't necessarily think that recycled paper from a company that sells wedding invitations would be "unexpected", however, ...  http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/unexpected_gree_8.php

Cheers,  Jill

Comments

[Jill Finlayson]

One more site: http://www.idofoundation.org/ The I Do Foundation helps you make charitable giving part of your celebration.

[Wedding Favors]

Wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception. http://www.hqweddingfavors.com

[Wedding Favors]

Wedding is a ceremony that celebrates the beginning of a marriage or civil union.