Green weddings are very popular around the country. Brides and grooms want to be socially concience. It doesn’t matter if you spend $5,000 or $50,000. Decisions can be made in the purchasing process to be more environmentally friendly. We would like to offer a few suggestions to help you on your way.
1) Hire a photogrpher that takes all pictures in digital format. This way there is no need for proofing indivually printed pictures as no pictures are printed. All pictures taken can be viewed online! If you are going to have a photo album, consider albums with recycled materials such as the paper and album cover.
2) Just as in hand-made products, so are some services such as musicians. Brides and Grooms can hire accoustic music players for their ceremony like harpists, guitarists, violinists and more. This way there is no use of electricity. If you do hire music entertainment, the shorter driving distance the better. Also, check if they use energy efficient sound equipment and LED lighting.
3) Wedding dresses are one of the most important purchases for brides. One green option is to wear a previously worn dress by another family member. If you happen to purchase a dress, select organic materials such as bamboo and hemp silk. For Grooms, consider renting a tuxedo versus purchasing one. Also, consider purchasing dress shoes that you can wear over and over again or just rent with your tuxedo.
4) A green option in food and drink is purchasing organic food. Ask food suppliers like bakers and caterers if they purchase organic food. Organic foods are produced without chemicals and avoid environmentally destructive actions. Some manufacturers of drinks such as champagne, wine and beer offer certified organic products.
5) Be sure to recycle as much as you can at your wedding reception. Items to recycle include bottles, cans, paper products, and cardboard. In addition, what about sending any leftover food to charity? Check to see if your venues also support recycling projects.
6) When creating gift registries, green offerings include donations to charity. We can recommend two websites that let wedding planners choose from a number of charities to make donations, I Do Foundation and JustGive. Another suggestion is to create registries at stores that offer items made from sustainable products or refurbished products. Green gift registries can be created through stores like Branch, Greenfeet, GreenSage, Relish and Restoration Hardware. Brides and Grooms can create a registry with sustainable building products for their home.
7) Wedding reception venues can be decorated beautifully with green products. Green decor items include bamboo plants, soy candles, recycled glassware and tableware and real flowers from a local grower. Table centerpieces can also be made with recycled materials or pre-owned.
8) Finally, there are many great reycled paper products available. We know invitaions are available on Etsy that contain seeds that can be planted after the wedding. Besides the invition itself, you can also find 100% recycled paper for envelopes, R.S.V.P. cards and other inserts.
Green is definitely the way to go today! There is also bamboo plates and silverware that is really nice looking if you want to go green!