Green Wedding Ideas: Invitations, Dresses and Receptions
Posted by Lisa Carey
A wedding ceremony is the beginning of couple’s new life together. It may be a time to make new commitments, not only to each other, but to other worthy causes such as leading a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Brides and grooms can take a green stand on their wedding day, no matter the color scheme of their flowers or bridesmaids dresses.
Since weddings, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions are often a time that couples and their families want to splurge, there may be many wedding day purchases and traditions that couples just don’t want to compromise on. However, happy couples can have the wedding ceremony and festivities of their dreams and still there opportunities around every nuptial corner to consider eco-friendly options. The first step is to simply be aware of ways, both large and small, that you can create a wedding day that will make a bold, positive and lasting impression without making a huge negative carbon footprint on the world.
You’re invited… to choose green wedding invitations
Most people agree that e-invites may be just fine for a neighborhood BBQ but aren’t going to be appropriate as wedding invitations. Still, couples can choose invitations that are made from recycled papers, printed with soy inks and are smaller without unnecessary layers.
The Wedding Dress: Can White still be Green?
The wedding gown may be one of those wedding purchases where the bride knows just exactly what she wants. Still, you may just as easily find a vintage or “recycled” wedding dress that fits you and your budget to a T. If you insist on a new or custom made dress, consider organic fabrics. The same goes for bridesmaids dresses. Do the earth and your bridesmaids a favor and choose dresses that they can wear again.
Guest May Come from Far and Wide but Wedding Flowers Shouldn’t
Remember that native and in-season flowers from a local greenhouse will not have traveled across the country creating greenhouse emissions. You’ll be saving money while you’re saving the earth with these native and in-season flowers as well.
After the nuptials, use leftover flowers to create potpourri to bring the sweet aroma of your wedding day bliss into your new home. Composting other flowers is another way to reuse your wedding day flowers to for greening projects at your new home. Another option is to have a friend or family member deliver them to a local hospital or nursing home to spread some of your wedding cheer with patients.
Reception Food with an Eco-Friendly Mood
There’s no doubt that serving less meat at a wedding reception is less expensive and serves up less carbon emissions as well. But there are other ways to offer a more eco-friendly wedding feast.
Most caterers agree that a sit down dinner means less waste than a buffet. Regardless of which route you go with your wedding reception food, there are questions you can ask your caterer to head in a greener direction.
Does your caterer use any locally grown meats or produce?
Will you caterer donate left over food to a local shelter that offers meals to those in need?
Does your caterer compost or send left-over organic matter to a farm for animal consumption?
Making Eco-friendly Trails with Green Details
As couples soon learn, there are so many small details that arise in planning a wedding and a wedding reception. There are also opportunities to go green with each selection.
Candles: Soy candles are made from a renewable resource and won’t emit toxins into the air where you’ve invited all of those you love to join you.
Napkins: If your wedding celebration is small and intimate, you can choose non-disposable napkins made from organic fabrics. For many, the guest lists is too large to choose reusable cocktail and dinner napkins but you here again you can choose napkins made from recycled paper and if you’re splurging on having them printed, look for soy ink options.
Wedding Favors: Many brides and grooms like to offer wedding favors to their special guest and the bridal party. Avoid those tempting trinkets that were shipped around the world and choose gifts made by local artisans. Short or time or ideas? The National Arbor Day Foundation will deliver a small a tree that will remind your favorite people of your special day for years to come.
A wedding day celebration can fill a couple’s hearts with joy without filling up landfills. Eco-friendly weddings are a perfect way to say “I do…” to caring about the environment.
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