| You've probably already considered the impact of a | | | | labor. For a less ironic symbol of your everlasting love, |
| traditional wedding on your pocket. But lavish weddings | | | | go for a vintage diamond or a conflict-free one. As |
| with all the bells and whistles also have a tremendous | | | | always, the fewer new resources you use, the lighter |
| impact on the environment. Diamonds fuel conflict and | | | | your environmental footprint. |
| bloodshed in third world countries. Flowers leave behind | | | | 4. Think local, seasonal, and organic when it comes to |
| soils saturated with pesticides. And the transportation | | | | flowers and food. Your food will taste better and |
| of anything and everything, including your guests, | | | | pollute less. Donate your leftovers and compost the |
| means fossil fuels and carbon emissions. | | | | flowers after the big day. |
| What's an eco-conscious bride to do? Fortunately, | | | | 5. Skip the wedding favors. No one knows what to do |
| there are greener alternatives to every aspect of a | | | | with them after the wedding, anyway! If you must |
| wedding. Here are ten ways to reduce the | | | | have favors, go for something biodegradable, plantable, |
| environmental impact of your big day. Green is the | | | | edible, and/or minimally packaged. |
| new white! | | | | 6. Use recycled paper for your invitations, skip the |
| 1. Keep it small. A small conventional wedding is still | | | | glossy finishes that make them unrecyclable, and cut |
| greener than a big wedding with organic food, flowers, | | | | your paper trail to a minimum. That's what the internet |
| and recycled paper invitations. Fewer people mean | | | | is good for! |
| fewer resources and less waste, period. So start by | | | | 7. Offset your carbon footprint by donating to a green |
| chiseling down your guest list to only the people you | | | | non-profit organization such as Nature Conservancy, |
| truly love and want to have with you at your wedding. | | | | WWF, Environmental Defense Fund, etc. |
| Don't be guilt tripped into inviting anyone else. | | | | 8. Instead of gifts, ask your guests to make a donation |
| 2. Go vintage. Whether your own tastes run to dainty | | | | in your name to a green organization. Do you really |
| Edwardian tea dresses or to flamboyant 1950s ball | | | | need two toasters? I didn't think so. |
| gowns, vintage dresses make fantastic wedding and | | | | 9. Hold your wedding outdoors to reduce the need for |
| bridesmaid dresses. They cost less, require few new | | | | decorations and electricity. Gardens, beaches, |
| resources, and can be worn after the wedding. | | | | vineyards, and parks are all potentially suitable locations. |
| 3. Reuse...diamonds. If you have a hideous diamond ring | | | | 10. Elope. Are you a diehard treehugger? Consider |
| that was handed down to you by your great | | | | getting hitched at the local county courthouse. If you |
| grandmother, you can have the diamond reset in a | | | | don't mind giving up the romance, this is as close as |
| new ring. Many new diamonds are 'blood' or 'conflict' | | | | you'll get to a zero impact wedding! You'll save money |
| diamonds that are responsible for violence and slave | | | | and the planet at the same time. |