| v> | | | | way to go; simply extend electronic invitations for |
| In the world of engagements and wedding planning, | | | | guests who can be contacted via email. Emailed |
| green is the new white. From conflict-free wedding | | | | RSVPs offer an added bonus: guests are more likely |
| jewelry, to an environmentally-conscientious reception, | | | | to respond promptly, allowing you to accurately plan |
| with an eco-friendly honeymoon to round out the | | | | your headcount. |
| nuptials, couples are throwing out the era of Bridezilla | | | | Location, Location, Location |
| and ushering in the age of green weddings. And it all | | | | A central wedding location that requires minimal travel |
| starts with that oh-so-special wedding jewelry. | | | | for most guests will save on carbon emissions. |
| Choosing a diamond engagement ring ( and wedding | | | | Booking a venue that can host the wedding ceremony |
| bands are incredibly personal decisions that are also | | | | and reception will further reduce carbon emissions. Art |
| becoming ethical decisions. Socially aware couples | | | | galleries, botanical gardens, eco-friendly restaurants, |
| now want to ensure that their wedding jewelry | | | | hotels and parks are all excellent choices. |
| selections are not linked to human rights abuses or | | | | Here Comes the Bride |
| have not negatively impacted the environment. | | | | Something old, something new, something |
| Conflict-free Diamonds | | | | borrowed… something green? You betcha. |
| Until recent years, newly engaged couples were | | | | Green brides can choose lovely, previously-worn |
| blissfully unaware that an untold number of corrupt | | | | gowns from vintage stores or gown consignment and |
| organizations in African countries were illegally mining | | | | rental shops. Brides can also turn to their family tree |
| diamonds that are directly linked to human rights | | | | for a wonderfully sentimental heirloom gown. A |
| abuses. | | | | number of designers have also embraced the |
| The good news is that more than 40 nations | | | | eco-friendly trend and offer extravagant gowns made |
| worldwide, including the United States, now voluntarily | | | | of hemp silk. |
| participate in the Kimberly Process, a system that | | | | Wedding Favors as Decorations |
| imposes stringent requirements on imports to certify | | | | Organic, locally grown flowers for bouquets and |
| that diamonds are free from conflict. 99.8% of the | | | | centerpieces offer a fresh, seasonal touch. Flower |
| global production of rough diamonds is now accounted | | | | arrangements used at the wedding can perform |
| for through the Kimberly Process. | | | | double duty by being moved to the reception. Potted |
| Reputable engagement and wedding jewelry retailers | | | | plants also make lovely arrangements and can be |
| readily confirm the origin of any stone. Online retailers | | | | transplanted outdoors after the wedding or can serve |
| are particularly sensitive to consumer concerns | | | | as gifts that guests can take home. |
| regarding the genesis of their diamonds. Leading online | | | | The Gift that Keeps Giving |
| retailers, such as Danforth Diamond, My Solitaire, and | | | | Portovert Magazine, the nation’s first and only |
| Brilliant Earth actively educate consumers by providing | | | | online publication devoted exclusively to |
| helpful information on their websites to ensure that | | | | environmentally and socially responsible weddings, and |
| accurate information is easily accessible. | | | | NativeEnergy offer a carbon emissions calculator that |
| Green Gold? | | | | can be used to evaluate wedding-related carbon |
| For those who truly want guilt-free glitter, there are a | | | | sources, including travel, guest lodging and power used |
| number of retailers who offer recycled gold for | | | | at the wedding venues, which can help in the planning |
| wedding bands and the like. Concerned about a | | | | of a carbon-neutral wedding. You can find it here: |
| lackluster green ring? Worry not. Recycled gold, which | | | | Couples can also offset the carbon emissions |
| is melted and re-refined, is the same quality as | | | | produced as a result of their nuptials by making |
| newly-mined gold. | | | | contributions to an eco organization of their choice or |
| NoDirtyGold.org publishes an ever-growing and | | | | requesting that guests do the same in lieu of a |
| impressive list of retailers who support the responsible | | | | wedding gift. |
| production of gold. | | | | Paying it Forward |
| Vintage jewelry is also enjoying a resurgence in | | | | Eco-friendly tours, green hotel resorts, simple outdoor |
| popularity as brides and grooms opt to purchase | | | | adventures, volunteer work for a preservation project |
| estate jewelry or wear wedding rings that have been | | | | — green honeymoons run the gamut and cater |
| passed down from a family member. | | | | to a variety of preferences and budgets. From |
| Eco-friendly weddings aren’t just for the | | | | relaxing and luxuriant to active and outdoorsy, |
| granola crunching crowd nowadays — and | | | | newlyweds can take their dream green vacation that |
| conflict-free diamond engagement rings and recycled | | | | celebrates the beginning of their new life together and |
| gold wedding jewelry are just the beginning. As green | | | | the future of our planet. |
| weddings become more mainstream, the options and | | | | And to think that it all began with a diamond |
| price ranges are increasingly abundant. | | | | engagement ring. Green weddings provide couples the |
| Earth-friendly Invitations | | | | opportunity to make a lifelong commitment to each |
| Wedding invitations printed with soy- or | | | | other and to their world. Every wedding anniversary, |
| vegetable-based inks on recycled paper are a | | | | from the “small” ones to the milestones |
| mainstay for green couples. If that’s not green | | | | years is an opportunity to renew that commitment for |
| enough for you, perhaps paperless invitations are the | | | | now and for years to come. |