Green Weddings

[plaidmom]

Originally Posted by 1bright_future

if you really waned to be eco-friendly, you would have the wedding via Skype or live stream it on some website, that way the relatives and friends wouldn't need to drive to the wedding and so badly hurt the environment.

LOL probably true...but let's not discount the value of human interaction.

I agree that a printed invite is still the norm. A dear friend printed her's on paper vellum, tied with cloth (reusable) ribbon to a recycled/handmade paper sheet impregnated with wildflower seeds. Guests were asked to "plant" their invitations in a favorite sunny spot.

Wear a vintage gown (and tux). Ask your bridesmaids to pick their favorite dress instead of buying something new.

Consider exchanging simple recycled-gold (or titanium or platinum etc) bands, sans diamonds(mining costs). The ring is just a "symbol" anyway, and has become waaaaaayyyyy over- hyped, due to marketing (Not so much Green, but more about Frugal: skip the rings altogether and buy gold bars and loose stones instead as an investment in your future).

Ride a bicycle to your venue, and encourage your guests to do the same. Ride off on a tandem. I've been to such a wedding and it was super-charming.


Hire a caterer who specializes in local, organic foods and produce.

Use all "real" china and cloth linen instead of throw-away paper and plastic products.

Consider potted flowering plants instead of cut flowers and give them out as party-gifts. If you must pick cut flowers choose something in season, and hopefully grown close to your venue.

Bird Seed instead of rice or bubbles.

Finally gifts. It's not kosher to mention gifts in the invite, but spread the word through your close friends and family that you would really prefer donations made to "XYZ Foundation" instead of getting yet another toaster, wrapped in three dead trees.

Also, check out indiebride.com for ideas if you are not buying into the whole "Modern Bride" or "The Knot" style of a wedding.

Good luck, best wishes and most of all....CONGRATS!

[uptown_urbanist]

I would definitely avoid the evites. That's going too far. You could avoid all those extras that the invitation companies like to press on you -- you don't need double envelopes, for example. I like the idea of buying stuff (dress, etc.) second-hand or borrowing them. Your food decisions could be a big one, and you could choose to go with organic, local, in-season options wherever possible, for example. Have your ceremony and reception in the same place, or within easy walking distance. Don't do a "destination wedding" that requires people to travel long distances.

[Maxie Coale]

Originally Posted by 1bright_future

if you really waned to be eco-friendly, you would have the wedding via Skype or live stream it on some website, that way the relatives and friends wouldn't need to drive to the wedding and so badly hurt the environment.

This is nice, haha. But for some people a wedding is best shared with the physical presence of people you love. So you can still party with your beloved friends and family but just try your best to put green touches:
- use recycled paper for invites
- prepare organic food

You might also want to check out: Green Weddings - Earth Friendly Weddings