Having a Green Wedding

What better way to individualize your wedding than by having a green wedding?

A wedding is one of the most important days of your life and should reflect who you are and what you stand for.

Therefore, if you are someone who recycles, never litters, or has replaced the light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs, then you are probably someone who cares a great deal about the environment and should consider having an eco friendly wedding.

What is an eco friendly or green wedding? It is a wedding where the impact of the 'celebration' on the environment is taken into account.

This doesn't mean that you have to compromise on your big day. With a little planning, you can have a gorgeous and creative wedding that will show your friends and family how easy and fun a sustainable lifestyle can be.

If you haven't purchased your engagement or wedding ring yet, then here is a good place to start in planning your green wedding.

Buying recycled gold is one of the most ecologically responsible choices you can make. You might also consider purchasing diamonds that are lab created. There are several websites you can check out where the rings have been made with recycled gold and lab created diamonds. One such site is greenKarat.

You can also have old gold melted down and refashioned into a wedding ring style that you design yourself. This way you will have a unique ring that will always hold a special memory for you and your fiance.

Another idea is to buy a vintage or antique ring. Pawn shops are excellent places to begin your search. Make sure the ring is not new but is a used ring.

Hopefully, you will find a ring that is perfect for you and at a discounted rate. Plus, you will know that you are helping the environment.

THE GREEN WEDDING LOCATION

Choosing a location that is conveniently located to the majority of your guests will reduce the amount of traveling, gas and pollutants in the air. You can set up a vanpool from the hotel for your out of town guests.

If possible, try to have the ceremony and reception at the same location.

You can also plant a tree or have a tree planted to offset the CO2 produced by having people fly to your wedding. There are several groups that offer this service.

Or you might want to pick a unique location that supports a cause you believe in, such as an art gallery, organic restaurant, green hotel, or botanical garden.

If you and your fiance are passionate about the outdoors, why not have a wilderness wedding?

Some of the most popular National Parks to hold weddings are: Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone. If you would like to consider holding your wedding at a National Park, you will need to contact the park's office.

A few of the parks have web pages where you can apply for a wedding permit online. The permit can cost between $25-$100.

Be sure to plan your wedding around the weather and to have a backup location, just in case. Be sure to learn the park rules and follow them.

Some of the parks can handle catered receptions, but in most cases, you may want to hold the reception at a nearby hotel or restaurant.

You will need to be flexible but by having an outdoor wedding you will be saving electricity and using the natural environment for your decorations.

INVITATIONS

When choosing your green wedding invitations, announcements and thank you cards, consider using recycled materials. There are an increasing number of suppliers creating invitations from recycled materials. Twisted Limb Paperworks is a company who specializes in 100% recycled paper products that are designed for a celebration that is gentle on the earth. Green Field Paper Company is another tree-free paper company. They also offer seed embedded paper and cards.

You can cut down on paper use by using the web to post directions, maps, party schedules and other information.

Also, when you send your engagement and wedding announcements to the newspaper, send them by email.

If possible choose a wedding dress that you can wear again and choose one from natural materials.

However, if you choose to wear a traditional wedding gown, think about going vintage, or borrow one from a family member or friend.

If you do buy a gown, donate your gown to charity, so that it may be reused.

Let the bridesmaids wear simple cocktail dresses in similar styles and coordinating colors. This way they will have a dress that they can wear again.

The same applies for the groom and groomsmen. Forget the tux and have them wear similar styled suits that they can keep and wear again.

PHOTOS

While it may not be possible to have all your photos done digitally, work with your photographer to have all the proofs done digitally. This will minimize the use of toxic chemicals and paper in developing your pictures.

FLOWERS

Consider locally sourced flowers and organically grown flowers for your green wedding, if possible. You'll not only be supporting local growers, you will be reducing emissions generated in transporting the flowers.

Other ideas for flowers:

• Have the bridesmaids carry silk bouquets instead of cut flowers.
• Use branches, berries and potted plants for decoration.
• Use candles, as much as possible, in place of cut flowers but be sure they are made from beeswax or soy, not paraffin which is a petroleum product.
• Have your wedding cake decorated with organically grown flowers, instead of a plastic topper.
• Recycle your flowers from the ceremony to the reception. After the reception, you might consider donating your flowers to a local nursing home or hospital.

RECEPTION

At the reception, try to use biodegradable disposable cups, plates, spoons, knives and forks. If this will not fit with your wedding venue, then consider renting your dishes from the caterer.

Try to find a caterer, who uses organic and locally sourced ingredients for your green wedding. You will be supporting local farmers and will reduce the carbon emissions generated in transporting the food for long distances.

Donate your unused food to shelters or food banks.

HONEYMOON

Some eco-friendly ideas to use on your honeymoon are:

• When planning your honeymoon try to consider eco-friendly travel. Some sites to check are: Conservation International, National Geographic, Planeta.com or Responsible Travel.com.
• You can also plan a honeymoon trip that benefits environmental groups.
• While on your honeymoon, rent bikes or take public transportation.

Your wedding day is a very special event in your life; and by having a green wedding, you are choosing to celebrate it with love and respect for each other, for your guests, and for the environment.

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