Having a GREEN Wedding, Reduce......Reuse......Recycle........HAVE FUN!

Yes, there is a way to throw an Eco-Friendly wedding.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle......  Don't think that having a "eco-friendly" or "green" wedding means that you will sacrifice style and beauty.  There are many alternatives to create an environmentally sound wedding!

Your Location for your ceremony can be outdoors.  Taking vows at the beach, at a lighthouse, at a botanical garden, nature preserve, covered bridge, or park will serve as a reminder about the beauty that must be preserved.  If you choose to have a hotel or resort room for your wedding, you can always check to see if that hotel or resort is committed to eco-friendly practices.  I know that in Florida, many are.  For example, the Sandpearl in Clearwater takes pride in their practices of being eco friendly.

Transportation is another area where you can minimize the amount of travel for both the wedding party and the guests. In my next blog, I will be telling you about a couple that did just that!  They drove to their ceremony on their bicycles!  In New England and in Florida, there are trolly services available to transport your guests.  You could also utilize a horse drawn carriage and that surely makes a statement.  If you happen to hold the reception at the same area as the wedding ceremony or within walking distance, guests and wedding party can walk to the event. 

When you think about your food and beverage, caterers can provide organic options, and use locally grown and produced food and drinks.  This supports local farmers and will reduce the carbon emisions generated in bring the food long distances.  There are some great organic wines, in New England at Trader Joes and other stores and in Florida, at most food stores.  You can also ask your cake maker if they are able to make an organic cake for you made with free range eggs.

When you think of the flowers and decor, choose organic and locally grown flowers, or incorporate small perennials or baby bushes as centerpieces.  The bicycle wedding I blogged about had hand picked flowers wired to their bicycle handles the morning of the wedding.  I have also attended receptions where the couple gave their guests a small tree sprout for later planting, and for beach weddings, couples have given hand picked sand dollars that the couple has inscribed a message on.  There are so many items you can consider using, like seed packets, bulbs which could be put in eco friendly favor boxes for your guests.  

There are also eco friendly candles that can be used for a unity candle ceremony or for the candles on the guest tables.  These are madeo f beeswax or vegetable oil.    Your table centerpieces could be made of containers that hold sea glass, shells or beach stones.    Not to be forgotten would be linens, you should ask the linen supplier if they use eco friendly business practices.

Your gown can bring you pleasure, be eco friendly, and help a charitable organization.  As you know from a prior blog, I am totally committed to The Making Memories for  Breast Cancer.  You can purchase your gown from them, one that has been donated either from a company or a bride that donated her gown, and take a tax deduction as well.  Proceeds from the purchase of your gown goes to raising money for the research and granting of wishes.  Check out The Making Memories for Breast Cancer.  If you are in Florida, you will get the opportunity to participate either as a volunteer, donate a gown or purchase a gown at the event to be held in March at the Hard Rock Cafe.  Email me and I will give you details on how to donate or volunteer!  It's a good cause and also don't forget about good Karma!

How about an organic gift registry??  Find stores that sell cotton, recycled glassware, bamboo accessories and so on.  Your gift registry will reflect your commitment to go green, your lifestyle and your values. You could also ask guests to donate to eco-friendly organizations or environmental groups instead of buying you gifts.  Giving to any charity is eco friendly.

Have a look at these websites and research more for great ideas.  http://www.greatgreenweddings.com or http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com

Going green can be a challenge, but certainly will help to benefit the world as a whole.    If you have had an eco friendly wedding I'd love to share it here on the blog!  Just email me, or send along some jpeg photos.