Green Weddings
During the wedding etiquette seminar I attended, one of the things we discussed was the concept of “green” weddings. The speaker said that “Etiquette is about treating people with respect, so it’s an easy step to treat our environment with respect as well.” This really resonated with me.
As responsible citizens of the world, it is our job to help preserve our resources for the generations to follow. To that end, many couples planning their weddings want to be respectful of the environment. The green concept has spawned many resources for making your wedding eco-friendly.
One thing to remember is that because “green” is the new buzz word for being successful in the wedding or other type of businesses, just because someone slaps a green label on a product does not necessary mean it is green. Do your homework when investigating options. Another concern is pricing, many times the “green” option can be more expensive and in our current economy, this will have an impact on your overall budget. You will need to weigh this factor into the planning and decisionmaking.
The main issue becomes how far do you want to take the concept of “green” for your wedding and where are you willing to compromise? Many times brides feel it has to be an all or nothing approach. I don’t think it does. You can make the accommodations that you feel work with your budget and that will not compromise the wedding you envision. There are many simple things you can do. For example, using recyclable paper for your wedding invitations is an obvious choice. Many of the highly regarded invitation manufacturers such as Crane & Co. now offer this option. While using the computer for some elements of your wedding planning, invitations should always be addressed by hand and mailed. However, you can avoid the need for “save the dates” by mailing the wedding invitation early thus eliminating more paper. Or let people know by word of mouth.
Favors can be organic jams or jellies; Eco Express carries natural and organic gifts including candy, jams and fresly baked goods. This is a great option for your guests because it is consumable. How about wearing your mother’s (or sister’s or good friend’s) wedding gown and/or veil? It can be altered to fit you and will make your mother very happy in the process.
If you want to take the concept to another level, consider having your event during the day when you don’t need lots of additional lighting thus saving on electricity. Most brides, however, want an evening event and here is where you have to decide what the priorities are. If you do have an evening event, consider using lots of candles in lieu of electric lights where feasible. Creative Candles carries 100% pure beeswax taper candles perfect for table decorations or favors.
In the end, be creative and practical when making elements of your wedding green and remember the earth thanks you.
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