January 29, 2008

Green Weddings

Most couples like to start their married life off by leaving their mark. However, more environmentally conscious couples are hosting Green Weddings, weddings that do not leave a mark on the environment.

Here are some easy ways of incorporating environmentally sound practices into your special day:

Start your day off with a second-hand dress. Whether found in a second-hand store, on E-Bay, or in your Grandmother's closet, even the most out-of-date dresses, in the hands of a remarkable seamstress, can be revitalized into a beautiful environmentally-sound couture. A green idea that not only saves you the hefty sum of a brand new dress, but also make a significant contribution to your green-themed day.

When creating invitations, programs, menus, favor tags etc. make sure all are created on recycled paper that can be discarded into recycling bins. By having a few bins set up, you can recycle bottles and cans left over from the reception bar as well as all the envelopes and gift wrap that come with wedding gifts. If the venue hosting your reception does not have a recycling program in place, help them on their way by bringing your own bins.

For wedding gifts, try to convey your beliefs in as genteel a manner as possible in your invitations and let your guests know that you would prefer a donation to be made in your name to an environmental cause. Ask for gifts to be secondhand or wrapped in recycled paper.

You can choose organically grown produce, meat products, and coffee products to be served at your reception. The more locally grown fresh products you use that are prepared on site, the less of a footprint your reception dinner will have on the environment.

If having an evening wedding, add to the romance and not the emissions by installing power saving light bulbs or by lighting soy candles all around the room. Burning both brighter and cooler, soy is a renewable resource that makes an excellent light source.

Ideas for environmentally sound wedding favors include: seed packets for flowers, vegetables or trees, potted plants or flowers, hand made recycled stationery, and organic herbs and teas; all of which are wonderful favors that guests will delight in taking home with them.

No matter how conscious a bridal couple is, there will always be some form of environmental footprint left behind, even with careful planning. That is why many couples choose to offset any footprint made with the purchase of carbon offset credits, ensuring that the only environmental footprint made by your wedding is the kind left in the sand on your honeymoon.

©2008 Weddingstar Inc.