Personalizing your wedding is very important to making your wedding a special celebration that reflects you and your Groom. Hosting a “Green” Wedding is a great way to make the celebration unique and meaningful. Here are some tips for an Eco-Chic Wedding:
Location, location, location
The location of your wedding sets the tone for the event – and can account for a big chunk of your budget.
- When selecting a venue, consider choosing a setting that’s convenien
t for most of the guests, minimizing travel impacts. The less your guests have to travel, the less oil consumed. Also consider having the ceremony and reception at the same place. - An outdoor setting will infuse the whole event with a natural sensibility – and require less decorating too! I chose to have my wedding on a beach. There was a good deal of luck involved weather-wise; but I can't think of a much more beautiful setting than one provided by nature.
- If you decide to hold the event indoors, try and select a venue that makes the best use of natural light. Or pick a unique local spot that supports a cause you believe in – like an art gallery, nonprofit space, organic restaurant or farm, green hotel, botanical garden, or green-roofed building.
Save the date and a tree
Your invitation is the first impression guests will get of your eco-friendly wedding.
- Use recycled paper wherever possible; most companies offer this option now. You may also want to consider treeless paper made from bamboo, hemp or kenaf.
- Even the type of ink used for the invitation should be taken into account as some inks can be toxic. Try to have your invitations printed with vegetable- or soy-based inks.
- Jump at the opportunity to go paperless. Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. Instead of multi-enveloped notes, I sent a postcard for my save-the-date. This was both cost-effective and cut down on paper. My wedding website was constructed to keep guests informed of wedding-related parties such as the rehearsal dinner. We eliminated the R.S.V.P. card and encouraged guests to reply online.
Be sure to let guests know about the eco-friendly hotel and transportation options in your area, from hybrid rental cars, to directions to the ceremony using public transportation. And don't forget to pick up some extra green paper products for your guest book, place cards, and thank-you notes.
From décor to flowers and beyond
Add beauty and style to your wedding décor, naturally.
- Flowers used at weddings and receptions have a tendency to be out of season and as a result are imported. Transportation and care of these flowers requires extra resources. Try to use locally sourced flowers. Think organic.
- Think outside of the box and have your bridesmaid showcase something other than flowers. For instance, I had my bridesmaids carry bamboo fans and matching purses instead of cut flowers.
- Reuse, hire or borrow room décor. A great way to help the planet, choose vendors who are committed to recycling, such as Gala Inc. Forego the traditional centerpiece and instead decorate with branches, potted plants or candles. Use beeswax or soy-based candles over its romantic and energy efficient. They are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles.
- Use leaves or other natural objects as place cards. At my wedding, I chose sand dollars as escort cards. Guests loved them and even took them home as keepsakes.
- If you must have fresh cut flowers, consider recycling them. For instance, alter arrangements at the ceremony can double as a centerpiece. Or, donate the flowers to a hospital or rest home at the end of the day.
Give away favors that give back...to the earth!
- Show your guests that you care about the plant’s species, habitat and humanity – give Endangered Species Chocolate. These chocolates support charitable organizations.
- Go green! Give your guests a small plant, personalized eco-friendly wildflower seed packets, or tuck bulbs in an attractively burlap bag.
- Dress up your basic mason jar and fill it with organic jams, jellies or honey from the local farmer’s market. Handmade, natural soaps or candles are a nice touch as well.
- Reusable cloth tote bags are a great idea.
- Brighten your guests’ home with a compact fluorescent light bulb.
- Use place cards made of seeded paper that can be planted at home. Better yet, give guests a small plant to take home.
- Or, my favorite, give a charitable donation to a cause that is special to you.
A special touch, consider planting a tree at the end of your ceremony instead of releasing butterflies, which can disrupt wild butterflies’ migration and spread disease or parasites.
Going green doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your big day, though. By taking a look at the bigger picture, you can move beyond the usual decadence and consumption to create a truly personal, moving, and sustainable celebration that people will remember for years. You may even open a few eyes in the process.
The author of this blog is Kristie Pichler, Event Planner at Gala Events, inc.
