| Green weddings have become very popular over | | | | planted. |
| the past several years. With more people | | | | 4. Location / Setting - consider natural outdoor |
| becoming aware of our environment and how the | | | | settings such as parks, nature preserves, |
| decisions we make impact our environment, | | | | botanical gardens, even private beaches. Check |
| many couples are choosing to incorporate | | | | the local regulations for the area; some locations |
| eco-friendly ideas into their wedding plans. Here | | | | may require you to obtain a permit before your |
| are ten tips to make your wedding more | | | | event. If you can not find an outdoor location for |
| environmentally friendly. | | | | your wedding, schedule your wedding in the |
| 1. Attire - For your wedding gown, bridesmaids' | | | | afternoon and find an indoor location with many |
| dresses, groom and groomsmen attire think | | | | windows which will allow natural light inside. |
| comfortable, loose, natural materials such as | | | | 5. Menu - serve organic food and wine. Or |
| cotton or linen. Try to stay away from tuxedos, | | | | perhaps a vegetarian or vegan menu. Organic |
| suits and dresses which will have to be dry | | | | food may be more costly, but it is better for the |
| cleaned. The chemicals in dry cleaning can damage | | | | environment and healthier for your guests too. |
| the environment. If you can "reuse" a dress, do it! | | | | Serve dishes on reusable, washable plates, |
| Try your mother or grandmother's dress or shop | | | | silverware and glasses. |
| at a vintage dress boutique. | | | | 6. Hire Classical Musicians - electricity can drain the |
| 2. Invitations - consider recycled materials, natural | | | | environment too. Consider hiring a pianist, harpist, |
| fibers, and unbleached paper. Another | | | | or other musicians which can play without the use |
| environmentally friendly option is to send invites | | | | of electric power. |
| via email. If that method is too informal for your | | | | 7. Photography - have your photographer use |
| affair, send invitations but consider not sending | | | | digital photography and offer digital proofs. This |
| response cards, and have your invitations state to | | | | way you can select which photos should be |
| RSVP by phone or email. If you have many | | | | printed without having the photographer waste |
| details to include with your invitations (such as | | | | additional paper resources. |
| directions) you may want to consider having a | | | | 8. Transportation - arrange for car pools to get |
| wedding website, and include the website address | | | | your guests to the wedding location. Consider |
| on your invites. | | | | being driven to the ceremony and reception in an |
| 3. Flowers - a common misconception is that fake | | | | eco-friendly hybrid car or horse drawn carriage. |
| flowers are better for the environment. Consider | | | | 9. Favors - give organic chocolates, wildflower |
| how these faux beauties are produced; using glue | | | | seeds, or consider a donation to an eco-friendly |
| and chemicals which are not environmentally | | | | charity. If you decide to give a wedding favor, try |
| friendly. Instead, plant wildflowers and freshly pick | | | | to cut down on the packaging (it just produces |
| them for your day. If you prefer a more | | | | waste) or purchase recycled boxes. |
| traditional look, purchase flowers from a local | | | | 10. Honeymoon - to cut down on fuel consider |
| supplier or farm who can guarantee their flowers | | | | traveling to a local destination. If you must travel |
| are pesticide-free and organically grown. Floral | | | | to a far away location stay at earth friendly |
| centerpieces can be small trees or plants which | | | | hotels. |
| can be taken home by guests and cared for or | | | | |