Monday, August 31, 2009

GREENing Your Wedding

These days as couples take stock of what’s really important, over the top weddings are giving way to eco-chic weddings. More and more young people are concerned about the environment and have decided that they can be eco-friendly and still have the wedding of their dreams. From the location, to the thank you’s, here’s a few thoughts to green your wedding.

Choosing to have your wedding and reception in the same place saves time and usually some money, to say nothing about the gas to get from one location to the other and the convenience for all your guests.

With the busy lives we all lead, a Save the Date announcement is a must. For many, an Evite will work, but for those you don’t have emails for, a simple Save the Date postcard is perfect.

When choosing a caterer, ask about locally grown and/or in season fruits and vegetables, and organic choices. Often times this menu is just slightly more than their non-organic menu, yet the taste difference is worth every penny. And choose 100% cotton napkins and tablecloths.

For the truly green bride, search Ebay or in consignment shops for a wedding gown you can call your own. For the groom, purchasing a dark suit that he’ll be able to wear again and again, costs not much more than a tuxedo rental he’ll wear for just the day.

For invitations, choose recycled paper or non-paper alternatives such as cotton, bamboo or hemp, and print them with soy based ink. Plus you can skip the response envelope if you ask guests to RSVP via email. Better yet, create a wedding website where guests can RSVP and you can share photos of your bridal party and family.

When selecting flowers for the bridal party, choose organically grown and if possible in-season varieties.

As your guests enter the reception area, skip the placecards and instead have a member of the wait staff locate the guest on a list.

For your tables, consider potted plants or a basket or bowl of seasonal fruit, or perhaps a few soy candles in glass holders as your centerpieces. Select organic wines and local beer where available.

In lieu of wedding favors, make a donation to an environmental organization. The Heifer Organization is one of my favorites.

At the end of the day, encourage your guests to take the centerpieces home, or donate them to a local senior residence. Ask the caterer to wrap up any leftover food and take it home or donate it to a homeless shelter!