Tips for an Eco-Friendly Wedding


A green wedding doesn’t have to mean tasteless entrees, Birkenstocks, and a gown made out of hemp. Everyone from Bono to Al Gore is showing that going green can be chic, affordable, and fun. Incorporate these tips in your ceremony for a wedding that’s great for you and the planet. 

Do-gooder decorations.
Don’t be the bride who asks her florist to fly in tulips from Holland. The most eco-friendly floral decorations are those that have been grown without pesticides and don’t have to travel a long way to get to you.  Find a florist who can provide you with flowers that have been grown organically. You could also ask your florist to use locally grown flowers or plants that are in-season at the time of your wedding. If you’d like to avoid using cut flowers altogether, decorate your venue with potted plants that you can later transplant to your yard.

Green cuisine.
Organic food is grown without pesticides and is often better tasting and more nutritious. The downside? Serving organic cuisine can get expensive, especially if you are having a large number of guests. Still, it’s worth looking for an organic caterer if your budget allows it, and there are always deals to be found if you look. If you are serving cocktails and small plates instead of a sit-down meal, consider purchasing snacks and munchies from Earth-friendly supermarkets.
 
Another option is to ask your caterer if he or she can create dishes using locally grown ingredients. Local foods are often grown by small, independent farmers, require less fuel and resources to travel to the wedding, and are often inexpensive and easy to acquire. Serving local foods also allows you to create a fresh, seasonal menu that introduces guests to your favorite regional dishes.

Finally, consider having a vegan or vegetarian wedding. Vegetarian food is more fuel-efficient and less expensive than meat. If you don’t want to disappoint your steak loving dad, you could offer a few vegetarian dishes and make sure that any meat you serve is from free-range or cruelty-free providers.

End your meal by serving free-trade coffee and make sure to donate any leftover food to a nearby soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Something old is something new.
Green brides no longer have to limit themselves to wearing patchouli oil and going barefoot.  Designers like Stella McCartney and Anya Hindmarch have taken eco-chic to a whole new level of style. Follow the lead of vintage loving celebrities and purchase a used gown, or hire a dressmaker to adapt your mother’s wedding dress to fit your sense of fashion.

There are a million ways to have a beautiful wedding that Mother Nature will love as much as you will. Once you start looking for ways to be mindful of nature, you’ll be amazed at what can be done on any budget!