Eco-Chic Weddings

“Eco-chic”…that’s what they're calling it now.  You know a movement, trend, or belief system has really taken off when it gets its own buzzwords.  The inclination to be more globally aware seems to have permeated every aspect of our lives now, all the way to the glory of glories: Your (or Your Client's) Wedding.

As Seinfeld might've said, “Not that there’s anything wrong with that”.  I mean a wedding is really a big deal.  The people, the food, the lighting, the transportation, the clothing, the flowers and décor - it all amounts to well, A LOT!  So to try and be a responsible resident of Planet Earth while planning the biggest day of your life is really not asking too much.  Or is it?

At first blush, the term “Green Weddings” brings to mind barefoot maidens circling a daisy-haloed bride adorned in a dress made from hemp in a wildflower field.  It's one thing to recycle your plastic grocery bags, but quite another to expect 100 of your nearest and dearest to dine on sustainably harvested fish and locally grown organic veggies.  And what if your dream for The Big Day resembles something more along the lines of Father of the Bride than Woodstock? Are you toast?

Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of couples getting married who are indeed focusing on the environmental impact of their wedding day.  Some of them are very liberal minded, global warming activists, going all out to ensure that their wedding-day-carbon-footprint is as minuscule as possible. But many other couples view this accomplishment as so unachievable that they figure “Why bother?” It feels futile; you decide to serve organic fruit salad only to discover that the guava and mangoes were flown in from South America on airplanes spewing tons of pollution into the atmosphere.  And those pesticide-free flowers?  Great, but the florist just delivered them in environmentally toxic, clear plastic containers. And what about the cost of going green?  With the current average American wedding nearing $30,000, who has the spare pocket change to order the hybrid Hummer limos in the name of An Inconvenient Truth?

Get this: On average, there are 6200 weddings per day in this country.  The average wedding emits 14.5 tons of carbon dioxide into the air we all share, which, BTW, is more than one single person emits in a full year!  Many agree that it is tragic to actually DO nothing, but it does seem a bit daunting. I'll speak for myself. It seems really daunting. The good news is that going a little bit green is better than going dark.  Rest assured though, the reception does not have to be powered by a windmill in order to be considered “Eco Chic”. 

Up Next:  Stay tuned for 10 easy, realistic and affordable ways to do your part!

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[Pensacola Beach weddings]

You can have eco friendly weddings. Check out local health food stores or herb shops and ask them for local vendors who can help you make a difference.