How to make less of an impact on the Earth while planning your wedding.
The average wedding costs more than $27,000, according to CNN/Money. Freelance writer and author of I Do but I Don't: Walking Down the Aisle Without Losing Your Mind (Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2006), Kamy Wicoff, has said the wedding industry has grossed into a $125 billion business. With excess like this, the wedding industry has recently been reinvented towards a new trend; “green” weddings.
The term “green wedding” refers to weddings that are more eco-friendly and eco-conscious. These weddings make less of an impact on the environment and aren’t in excess of things that aren’t necessary. Eco-friendly weddings used to conjure up images of “flower power”, hookahs and hippies but the wedding industry has ebbed and flowed into a sleek and stylish way to leave a smaller footprint on the Earth while still having a glorious wedding.
Attire
Taffeta and polyester are not very “earthy” which is what most wedding dresses are made of. However, many designers are now designing more green dresses out of cotton, hemp and other organic blends. Michelle Kozin, founder of a green wedding planning company, uses a blend of silk and hemp when designing wedding dresses. “Synthetic fabrics cost less, but polyester is petroleum-based," Kozin says.
Another way to minimize the effect on the environment is use a vintage dress, something that someone has already worn. A dress the bride can wear again on another occasion is also something that is better for the environment. Brides can buy white cotton dresses in a variety of styles that they can wear again and again.
Flowers
There are thousands of places brides can buy flowers, online or in their town. Usually brides pick a florist by referral, price or what type of flower the particular boutique specializes in. A green bride will pick a place that utilizes certified organic practices or forgo the flower boutique completely and go with locally grown wild flowers. There are a handful of websites that specialize in organic flower arrangements and the prices are comparable to what any other boutique would charge.
Invitations and Favors and Menus, Oh My!
Invitations should be made from recycled paper. In the past recycled paper was much harder to find but many stores sell recycled paper for do-it-yourself invitations. Save-the-date cards can be emailed or an RSVP can consist of a phone call instead of a card. Try to cut down the amount of paper used.
Favors for a green wedding are a little different than the typical bubbles in a cake-shaped container. The favors can be potted plants that can also be used as centerpieces, packets of different types of seeds the guests can plant or even organic chocolate. Soy candles can be used in the centerpieces as well and guests can take the candles with them. According to Wicks Works, a candle retailer specializing in soy and beeswax, soy candles burn longer, slower and emit less soot than paraffin candles. The soybeans are American-grown and biodegradable.
Serve food that is organic or buy the produce at a local farmers market and buy organic wine and juices to serve alongside the food. Sometimes this can be a little pricier than getting things catered but the food tastes better and it supports local farmers and the local economy.
Registry
When registering for gifts, look for retailers that sell organic cotton sheets, bamboo dishware, recycled glass cups, etc. Many stores sell certified organic items if the consumer just researches a little to find a place that suits them.
A couple might also forgo the gifts and ask friends and family to donate to specific charities or ask them to plant a tree in honor of the couple to help promote new tree growth.
