| Does it seem like the phrases "ecology" and "wedding" | | | | can go upmarket ("hemp satin") or relaxed (cottony |
| could hardly have less in common? | | | | separates that can be worn after the wedding). |
| With the average wedding costing well over 15 | | | | 2) Patronize Earth-Friendly Vendors |
| thousand today, one would think so. And yet, the | | | | Flower petals in paper cones are environmentally |
| "green" or ecologically-friendly wedding is gaining | | | | friendlier than bubble solution in plastic containers, and |
| momentum across the nation. | | | | require minimal clean-up. The trick is finding petal |
| Lower impact and a smaller environmental footprint | | | | suppliers that don't use pesticides. These growers are |
| doesn't mean austere. The green wedding can be | | | | more popular in the U.K. than the U.S. |
| hauntingly romantic, with its outdoor setting, its focus on | | | | Green brides might also distribute harm-free favors, |
| living plants, and its more casual gown (often made of | | | | such as sachets made of pesticide-free herbs, live |
| hemp) that brings to mind fairies from ages past. | | | | flowers, tree seedlings, or small packets of organic tea. |
| Even the ecology bride herself forms a contrast with | | | | In fact, some brides register at charitable organizations |
| more conventional weddings. Even on her big day, her | | | | instead of department stores, and contribute to |
| fresh face couldn't be farther from the heavily | | | | environmentally-active organizations instead of handing |
| made-up cover girls of bridal magazines. | | | | out favors. |
| When it comes to more functional aspects, the green | | | | 3) Reuse, Recycle |
| wedding has three main goals: | | | | Even the most traditional wedding brings opportunities |
| - Do no harm, | | | | for reuse/recycling. For example, leftovers from the |
| - Patronize earth-friendly vendors, and | | | | reception can be delivered to food banks, and flowers |
| - Reuse/recycle. | | | | dropped off at hospitals or rest homes. The green |
| 1) Do No Harm | | | | bride often takes this a step further and chooses |
| The green bride tries to avoid products or activities | | | | recycled paper for invitations and Save-the-Date |
| that could compromise the environment. For this | | | | cards, for example. She might also re-use a wedding |
| reason, butterfly releases are rare (vendors aren't | | | | gown (her mother's ideally, or failing that, one from a |
| always careful to ship butterflies only to appropriate, | | | | thrift or vintage store). Otherwise, she might opt for a |
| native environments). Similarly, she steers clear of | | | | new gown that isn't too formal so she can wear it |
| beeswax candles, styrofoam or soft plastics at the | | | | after the ceremony. Separates are perfect -- a lovely |
| reception, and subtitutes reuseable glass and porcelain. | | | | lace top goes great with her favorite pair of jeans! |
| (Brides are often surprised to discover the caterer | | | | Just as at the grocery store, eco-friendly doesn't |
| may not charge much more for this service.) | | | | necessarily mean cheaper. Ecology brides are |
| Many green bridal couples are vegetarian or vegan. In | | | | sometimes surprised to discover their weddings cost |
| metropolitan or college-town communities, this provides | | | | 10K, 20K and up, just like those of their more traditional |
| a great excuse to serve dazzling ethnic foods at a | | | | sisters. |
| reasonable cost. | | | | Still, when she looks back on a wedding that opted for |
| Many environmentalists respect hemp because unlike | | | | more "nature," less formality, and less conspicuous |
| cotton, it can be grown without pesticides and returns | | | | consumption, the green bride might find it was time well |
| most of its nutrients to the soil. When the green bride | | | | spent - and maybe even hope that a guest or two |
| buys a new gown for her ceremony, she often looks | | | | was inspired to follow in her footsteps. |
| to fabrics made of hemp. Surprisingly flexible, hemp | | | | |