White dresses, cakes, bells, rice, flowers, friends and family, gifts and (siiiiiiigh...) true love! Weddings can take quite a toll on your checkbook as well as the planet.
So look out, wedding planners everywhere -- here at The Nature Conservancy, we're trying our hand at planning an Earth-friendly wedding. Here are some ideas that will marry your love for your fiancee with your love for the Earth.
The Planning
Invitations and announcements are the first opportunity to, well, announce the wedding and to demonstrate your Earth-friendly ways. Sending these electronically, or on recycled paper stock will save money and trees (and save on the fuel used to deliver the cards if you go the electronic route).
Local and/or organic food and wine can be catered to cut down on pesticides and the fuel used to ship the food. The menu will be fresher for the guests and easier on nature.
Choose a venue that is as close as possible to where the majority of guests live, and where you are able to hold both the ceremony and the reception -- this will cut down on transportation costs and the fuel used in transit. Also, think about having the ceremony and reception at a location that embraces or supports environmental causes like a park, natural area, nature preserve, or even a local cultural center or museum.
The Look
The bride and groom can be dressed to impress both their guests and Mother Earth. Reusing an heirloom or vintage gown is a great way for a bride to show her family ties while eliminating the need to use new materials (or, choose a dress you know you will wear again). If this is not possible, try a dress that is made of certified organic cotton; polyester is petroleum-based, and most other cotton is grown with harsh pesticides. The groom (and anyone else attending the wedding for that matter) can be comfortable in organic cotton or hemp shirts.
As for the ring, this is another great opportunity to practice the second "R" -- for "re-use" -- by finding a vintage or heirloom band. When this isn't possible, stick with silver, as gold can be mined in a manner that releases poisonous cyanide and mercury into the environment.
The decor can also be "green" at any ceremony! Every couple wants their wedding to look perfect, and there are plenty of Earth-friendly options to help you get it right. No matter your taste, from minimalist to lavish, you can use materials that are gentle on nature. Organic flowers are one option, but so are dried or silk flowers. Even better -- you can decorate with potted plants native to your area, and then plant them when the ceremony is over.
The Goodies
Register for wedding gifts that are healthy for the planet. Many places you may already know of that carry organic and environmentally sound products can be a good place to start. You can find bedding made from organic materials, and buy many products made from recycled materials.
But the best way to help is to register only for those items you know you will use -- reducing consumption can have more of an impact than simply buying recycled/recyclable or low energy products. Also, if you find that there aren't many material goods you need, ask for gifts to be donated to a charity of choice in your honor.
Every newlywed couple wants to leave their guests with a gift -- a small reminder of the special day. So also let them remember just how much you care about the planet with a gift membership in your favorite charity, organic goodies like chocolate or wine, or even by planting a tree in their name.
The honeymoon is every newlywed's favorite way to celebrate their new life together while extending the celebration of their nuptials. Why not take a trip that leaves you with indelible memories, but that also leaves no imprint on the planet?
Try something local like a trip into a local wilderness or an area resort. If you're up for something a little farther from home, more organizations are offering eco-trips or environmentally friendly excursions. You could even go on a Nature Conservancy Conservation Journey!
No matter how you decide to spend your honeymoon, you can buy energy offset credits to offset the toll your travel has on the environment. Numerous sites can be found to help with this process -- a quick search on the internet will bring up many resources.
Sources: Grist Magazine (www.grist.org), Valcore Community Recycling (www.vacorerecycling.org) -- got any more green wedding tips for us? Share them all below in comments!
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Let keep Gaia well groomed and happy and she will provide for all our children's children's, children- and dog's to.
THE SPIRALED STEM FLORAL DESIGN GOES GREEN
Southern California Wedding and Event Floral Designer Launches a Sustainability Program to Help Clients Have a Green Wedding
Anaheim Hills, CA – April 11, 2007 – The Spiraled Stem Floral Design has created a comprehensive approach to green its business practices and go beyond the expected for engaged couples who are planning a green wedding.
The Spiraled Stem is the first wedding and event floral designer in Southern California to become an affiliate of organicbouquet.com, whose flowers are grown and harvested using practices that aim to improve the quality of farm working conditions, minimize damage to ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and enhance environmental quality for future generations.
Sourcing organic and locally grown flowers for clients is an important first step, but going green means much more to owner Christine Saunders. "A wedding may last for only one day, but I decorate weddings all year, so the impact my business has on the environment is greater than any one event".
Page Two
And when one considers that there are an average of 2.4 million weddings performed annually in the United States, representing a $50-$70 billion dollar industry, one can see the potential impact of the wedding industry greening up its act.
In addition to offering a selection of sustainably grown flowers, The Spiraled Stem Floral Design uses soy candles, recycles all paper and plastic packaging from flowers and vases, properly disposes of all flower trimmings, and offers clients a container rebate so they can enjoy the flowers after the event and return the container later, or pass it on to their local florist. Since The Spiraled Stem uses the freshest of flowers and brings them in a day or two in advance of the event, the flowers do not need to be stored in a cooler, therefore reducing energy use.
The Spiraled Stem Floral Design specializes in weddings and events and has served Southern California since 2004. The Spiraled Stem's mission is to surround you with flowers that are almost as beautiful as you are. The Spiraled Stem is a member of the Association of Bridal Consultants, and was the official florist of the Bank of the West Beach Games in Huntington Beach, CA in July 2006.
The Spiraled Stem Floral Design…Unique as the Love You Share
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For more information about planning a green wedding, or if you'd like to schedule an interview with Christine Saunders, please call Christine Saunders at 714-488-1529 or email at christine@thespiraledstem.com.