Weddings are typically exercises of excess. On top of the exorbitant budget and details, the average wedding of 150 people produces 600 to 800 pounds of waste. With an average of 2 million weddings a year in the United States, the amount of wasted knick-knacks, centerpieces and displays sitting in landfills is astronomical--and devastating to Mother Earth. When you start planning your big day, consider opting for a few green elements to do your part for the planet. In addition to helping the environment, green weddings can cost up to 40 percent less than your average extravagant ceremony. Kate Harrison, author of The Green Bride Guide, says, "You can have a luxurious wedding, save a ton of money and decrease your impact on the environment by borrowing, renting or purchasing pre-owned items." Need to know how? The eight following tips will make your wedding day green and easy:
1 Wear a pre-owned dress. The first step to going green might begin with your wardrobe. Jennifer Bernstein, who married her husband, Scott, in July 2007, found her A-lined beaded dream dress from an20Oregon-based nonprofit called Brides Against Breast Cancer, which sells thousands of new and used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer research. Bernstein says, "My dress was recycled; I bought my veil off of craigslist!"
Mireya Navarro, author of Green Wedding: Planning Your Eco-Friendly Celebration, adds, "For my book I interviewed brides who didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a dress they'd never wear again. One borrowed a Vera Wang gown from a friend, and others bought second-hand from vintage stores." Also go online and see what you can find on auction sites like www.ebay.com or wedding recycling cyberstops like www.bravobride.com. If the thought of a pre-owned dress makes you queasy, consider wearing a frock made of environmentally friendly fabrics like hemp. Hemp not your thing? Buy something special, then donate it to charity so it gets some use after your big day.
2 Consider a vintage ring. Popping on a pre-owned rock cuts down on waste while distancing you from the blood diamond controversy surrounding jewels mined in war-torn African countries. If you're more new school, Alex Lluch, president of WeddingSolutions.com, says, "You can have an old piece of jewelry melted down and made into a new ring," or "buy a new conflict-free diamond from a certified dealer."
3 Acquaint yourself with E-vite. Save trees and paper by going digital. Judy Allen, author of Your Stress-Free Wedding Planner, says, "Use your20wedding Web site to invite guests, receive RSVPs and to thank wedding guests." If you're more traditional, simply use the Web to alert guests to wedding-related events such as bachelor or bachelorette parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. For the actual wedding invitations, "use organic or soy ink on recycled paper," Lluch says, "and choose paper alternatives such as bamboo, hemp, banana stalks or even cotton."
4 Pick a central location. You may want to have an ultimate destination wedding in Ibiza, but the carbon dioxide emissions from the plane travel alone are not good for the ozone layer! "With friends and families so dispersed these days, it is important to pick a location that is convenient for the majority of your guests," Harrison says. "Not only will it decrease their travel costs (for which they will be grateful), but it will also decrease the carbon footprint of your event." Do your relatives a favor and have your bash at a local church, museum or public garden. Save the snazzy tropical locale for your honeymoon.
5 Keep it small. If you truly want to reduce waste, maybe you shouldn't invite all your long-lost cousins and aunties. "The easiest way to keep emissions and effects on the environment low is to have 20 guests instead of 200," Lluch says. Though it might be difficult, consult with your future husband and see where you can trim the guest list. Once you're set, have your wed ding and reception in the same place to avoid wasting energy and natural resources on transportation.
6 Take it outside. If you plan your nuptials during a bright gorgeous day, it's most likely cheaper and more energy efficient to take the fun into the sun. "With an outdoor wedding, you can utilize the natural beauty of the site--and have fewer wasteful decorations," Lluch says. You'll also save electricity on lights and air conditioning.
7 Go organic. If your whole menu can't be organic, opt for one or two organic items. "Ask your caterer about including a few seasonal, organic elements in your menu," Harrison says. "For the cake, see which vendors are willing to substitute organic flour, sugar, eggs and milk (all of which are easy to get at most large supermarkets)." Also look into organic wine or beer, recycled napkins and table linens, and organic bug spray.
8 Donate. Give any uneaten food to a local homeless shelter, and offer your wedding décor to a community organization, nursing home or hospital. Opt for potted plants as centerpieces and offer them to guests as lasting wedding favors. They'll be constant reminders of your gorgeous green day.
--Claire Sulmers
Leave a comment