Photo by Christopher Cooke of CMC Photography
In honor of today being Earth Day, I thought that it would be appropriate to talk about eco-friendly weddings. Many of the tips can be incorporated into other types of parties and events too. Just using one or two of these ideas will greatly contribute to helping the world around us!
Many wedding couples think that an eco-friendly wedding is difficult to successfully plan or will not look like the fairytale wedding that the bride has dreamed of since she was a little girl. That is not the case in today’s wedding planning industry. More people are becoming more conscience of how they can reduce waste in their normal everyday lives, so why not spread your eco-knowledge to your wedding planning? There are many ways to make your wedding more eco-friendly and in most cases you do not have to give up your fairytale wedding details.
Will you marry me?
From the very beginning of your engagement you can start to add eco-friendly details. First of all, look for an engagement ring that has a conflict-free diamond. Companies such as Brilliant Earthoffer these types of items. Even using your late great-great grandmother’s engagement ring is being environmentally friendly!
Venue
Next, look for a wedding venue that is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building. Venues that are LEED certified use resources more efficiently. If you can’t find a LEED certified venue in your area, consider having your wedding in the afternoon either indoors at a building with a lot of windows to let in natural light or consider having an outdoor afternoon wedding where you do not need to use extra electricity for lighting and heating or cooling.
Let them eat cake!
You may also want to search for a caterer that uses organic and sustainable products. Cakes can even be made with organic ingredients. There are also organic wines on the market to choose from. Head over to your local Whole Foods Market to find a wine to compliment your reception meal.
You're Invited
There are many eco-friendly invitations to pick from now-a-days. Consider using a postcard for RSVP’s to use fewer pieces of paper and also to save on postage.
Decor 
There are many ways to use environmentally friendly decorations as well. Think about using a local florist that uses organic flowers or use potted plants at the ceremony and reception and guests can take them home at the end of the night. Candles are a great idea to use instead of floral centerpieces or to add a romantic feel to your wedding. Soy candles are more environmentally friendly and burn slower. If you pick a venue with a lot of natural beauty, there is less of a need for decorating.
Say Cheese!
There are even “green” photographers to hire for your special day. Photographers that use digital equipment help the environment and using an internet gallery for you to view your photo proofs saves paper.
Dance the night away
Other vendors such as DJs can be eco-friendly if they purchase renewable energy credits to offset their electricity use.
Dress the part
You can even go so far as to find wedding attire that is made from organic fabrics, such as help or bamboo. Even purchasing a dress from a bride on eBay or Craigslist helps the planet, as these dresses are being worn a second time. Organic make-up lines exist, so the bride and her attendants can help save the planet while looking gorgeous.
Favors
There are many favors out there that are “green.” Wildflower seeds, donations to charities, and local organic honey are all examples of popular favors.
Registry
Websites such as www.registerlocally.comlet you register for gifts such as hemp place mats, bamboo cutting boards, and other useful eco-friendly items.
Honeymoon
Brides and grooms can end their festivities with a honeymoon to an eco-friendly hotel in locations such as Napa, California, Costa Rica, and Italy.
If none of these items are appealing to you, consider purchasing carbon credits to offset the costs of your guests’ transportation so that you can reduce the carbon footprint that your wedding created.
What are your eco-friendly wedding or event ideas?
Kelly Hardin
Kelly Hardin is a Certified Wedding Consultant and Certified Destination Wedding Coordinator. She owns Artistic Wedding & Event Planning in California.
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