Flower Alternatives for Green Wedding

I was looking for some flower alternatives for a green wedding and I was surprised to see just how many alternatives are out there.  Etsy.com is a treasure trove!  There are button bouquets, paper origami bouquets, brooch bouquets and shell.  There were way too many but I wanted to show you some of my favorite ideas!  Will be talking to local florists next week to get their ideas for what they offer their clients for Green Weddings.  Will keep you updated.

The Everything Green Wedding

Increasingly, brides and grooms are spending their wedding dollars on environmentally friendly products and services. From the dress to the dinner, there are more green options available today than ever before. This book will teach the happy couple just how easy and affordable it is to: choose a stunning environmentally friendly location; create beautiful invitations printed on recycled paper; find the perfect eco-fashion; enjoy a gourmet organic caterer; find the right romantic honeymoon retreat, and more! This fun, informative guide provides all the steps to a beautiful wedding - without leaving a footprint!

The release date for the Everything Green Wedding Book by Wenona Napolitano is December 17th. This is a must for any couple interested in being good stewards of the earth, and in saving money.

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.

Lessen the environmental impact.... Go Green!!

As an ordained minister, I personally feel a responsibility to be a "steward of the earth". In the wedding industry, we can certainly find many ways to lessen the environmental impact by going green! I have seen many websites, books, and news articles about how couples do seriously consider the environment when planning their weddings. I am going to share those websites and book ideas with you and suggest ways in which you can also be a steward of the earth in your wedding planning.

Today, I wanted to talk about a location that is a perfect setting in our efforts to lessen the impact. When I am at the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida, I am so in tune with nature. Every corner of the area is beautiful, whether it be flowers, trees, or butterflies. I feel tranquil at these various locations. I have officiated several weddings there, in the butterfly garden area, and it is so beautiful to see the butterflies dancing around during the ceremony. At the Oak Pavilion, I am amazed by the natural arch formed by the live oak trees where the couple stands under the canopy of trees to take their vows.

Since 1935 the Sunken gardens has been a favorite setting for exchanging those special vows. The beauty and tranquility of this timeless sanctuary will add an air of romance to your special day.

Call (727) 551-3106 today and let them help you create a garden wedding filled with splendor and magic.