Vow to be Eco Chic When Planning your Wedding

Many people are constantly looking for ways to take care of our planet, so that it can be enjoyed for generations to come. Planning your wedding is a perfect time to minimize your carbon footprint if you have not already been doing so. Below are some suggestions from easy to those that take a bit more effort for those who vow to go green when planning their nuptuals:

• Seek out stationers that offer recycled paper and/or print with vegetable based inks. There are many beautiful and affordable options. Or look on the web for sites or stores that offer luxurious tree-free and 100% postconsumer recycled invites that you can print yourself or have them do it with their own vegetable based inks.


• Having a casual celebration: Ask your caterer if you can use biodegradable plates, flatware, and napkins.
• Use flowers from a friend or family member’s garden that you have admired to create aisle accents or cocktail table arrangements.
• Ask your Maid of Honor (or others planning your shower) to send shower invitations out by e-mail and think of earth-friendly favors to give out such as soy/beeswax candles, miniature flowers for planting, or other delights.
• Ask your caterer if they can use locally grown ingredients or organic foods and to purchase local wines. Also discuss their recycling plans for items used (like cans and plastic bottles) from your wedding.
• Donate uneaten/untouched food and flowers after your wedding or reuse centerpieces at your day-after activity.
• Look for pastry chefs that use vegan and/or organic products.
• Look for make-up artists that use organic make-up.
• Create a video to be emailed to all of your guests instead of sending out invitations for those of you who really want to make an impact. Companies like (E-Clips - http://greenvite.net/) can help you create a beautiful and highly personal, yet waste free way to announce your wedding. Do this for your save the date or be bold and do it for your wedding invitation. Sadly, many people lose invitations anyway, but can always go back to an email!
• Re-use your alter arrangements as escort or guest table centerpieces or create other double duty arrangements to be used at the ceremony and reception. Ask your floral designer about floral options that are seasonal in your area and do not have to be shipped from another country.
• Buy less stuff and rent items from the Wedding Planning Boutique instead of spending money on items you likely may not use again. We have all types of votive candle holders, vases, and other items that are often hard to find and costly to purchase! Ask friends and family about items that they may have from past weddings or other events that you may use.
• Forego the paraffin wax candles (those commonly found) and opt for beeswax or soy candles.
• Find wedding-related items on E-Bay, Craigs List, and other sites where people give away free items or put things up for sale.
• Wear a dress with natural fibers: organic cotton, wool, hemp, linen, or silk; look for dresses without toxic dyes and where the cotton was grown free of pesticides. You can also benefit from beautiful gowns that others have worn by purchasing one from Second Time Around Bridal Shops, Vintage Shops, Thrift Shops, Flea Markets, and of course from family members.

Here are some websites with other earth-friendly wedding suggestions:

http://www.greatgreenwedding.com/default.php

http://www.green-weddings.com/

http://www.rawganique.com/organic-hemp-wedding-clothes.htm

Those are my tips! Let's all do our part!