| Is it chic to have a green wedding? Yes, its a trend but | | | | seasonal ingredients. It should be served on recyclable |
| is here to stay. Having a celebration and leaving a | | | | or biodegradable plates, cutlery or glasses. Some |
| small footprint on the planet is the new way to show | | | | couples only have vegan food and the wedding cake |
| the couples love and their love for the planet. Today's | | | | made with free range chicken eggs, but most will opt |
| eco aware couples are incorporating their beliefs into | | | | for a more traditional fare. The food should be organic |
| their wedding planning. | | | | and fresh, without pesticides. Drinks should be organic, |
| Green weddings can be achieved in small footsteps or | | | | and yes, there are many organic beers and wines. |
| giant leaps. Every small step is a positive step for the | | | | Flowers should also be organic without pesticides and |
| environment. Some couples will strive to have as close | | | | locally grown. Some brides are reusing the flowers at |
| to a hundred percent green wedding, although that is | | | | the rehearsal dinner for the reception. Or you can use |
| impossible. Some will easily incorporate smaller | | | | the flowers at the church for the reception. After the |
| eco-friendly changes. | | | | wedding, they are taking them to nursing homes so |
| Here are suggestions complied from couples to | | | | that they can be enjoyed. Other brides are carrying |
| "green" the wedding: | | | | bouquets of fresh herbs and using fresh herbs in clay |
| All invitations and printed materials should be on | | | | pots at the reception tables. Guests can take them |
| recycled paper. You can purchase invitations with | | | | home and use them. Others are using clay pots full of |
| wildflower seeds embedded into the paper. After the | | | | blooming bulb plants on the tables that guests can plant |
| wedding, the guest can tear up the invitation, plant it | | | | at home. |
| and enjoy wildflowers. | | | | And what about the bride's dress? There are |
| The wedding rings should be from recycled gold. | | | | traditional wedding dresses made of natural fibers |
| There are jewelers who specialize in melting down | | | | such as hemp, silk, linen, and cotton. Or restyle an |
| gold or family heirlooms and refashioning it into | | | | heirloom family dress or a vintage dress. If you choose |
| wedding bands. Avoid "blood diamonds" by making | | | | a traditional dress of satin or man made material, |
| sure any diamond is conflict free. Diamonds from | | | | donate the dress after the wedding to a charitable |
| Canada are conflict free or consider substituting | | | | organization such as Making Memories where the |
| mossionite for a diamond. There are green jewelers | | | | dress profits go to helping breast cancer victims. |
| who can guide you in the choice that is right for you as | | | | For the groom, consider the traditional way of renting a |
| a couple. | | | | tuxedo or wearing a wool, linen, hemp or cotton suit. |
| The most green venue is to have the wedding at the | | | | Green couples are eschewing favors in place of |
| court house with no guests so there are no travel | | | | donating money to eco-friendly organizations such as |
| emissions into the atmosphere.. But most couples want | | | | the World Wildlife Foundation or the National Arbor |
| a celebration, and are choosing to have the wedding | | | | Day Foundation. You can print up cards on recycled |
| close to home so that the guests don't have to travel. | | | | card stock that tell the guests that a tree was |
| Some are having it outside in nature, a beach, | | | | donated in their name in lieu of an individual wedding |
| woodland, lake. If guests have to travel, there are web | | | | favor. Or you can print it on a sign board near the |
| sites that track travel carbon emissions, and for a fee, | | | | guest book and loan the board to other friends getting |
| neutralize the carbon dioxide. The getaway vehicle can | | | | married. Now, that's recycling! |
| be a hybrid or horse and carriage. | | | | Greening the wedding is a step forward for the planet, |
| All the food should be locally grown with fresh | | | | one tiny step at a time. |