| 1. Serve local and organic catering at your reception. | | | | shortly after the reception, but a potted plant can live |
| Leaving a "light footprint" on the Planet is a great way | | | | on for years after you say I Do. Plant the flowers in |
| to start off your life together. Ask your caterer to | | | | your garden after your honeymoon or give them |
| serve organic and local ingredients as much as | | | | away to guests as parting gifts. |
| possible. Stop by your local farmer's market for ideas | | | | 5. Consider donations to charity in lieu of wedding gifts. |
| about what is in season in your area. | | | | Traditional wedding gifts of china sets and candle |
| 2. Print your invitations on recycled paper. Using | | | | sticks are being pushed aside for donations to a local |
| recycled paper for your invitations, programs and place | | | | or favorite charity in the couple's name. The gift of |
| cards is a great way cut back on waste without | | | | charity can have a lasting effect on an issue |
| surrendering style. Designers like Earthly Affair, | | | | meaningful to you and won't clutter up your home with |
| earthlyaffair.com, offer a plethora of beautiful designs | | | | a bunch of stuff you may not need. |
| and options. If you are making your own invitations | | | | 6. Avoid a plastic covered wedding. Replace |
| there are also great resources for recycled and | | | | disposable plastic cups and utensils with reusable |
| natural paper products - and are our favorite. | | | | products. Bamboo plates and utensils are a stylish, |
| 3. Go green with your gown. Your wedding dress is | | | | durable and reusable alternative to disposable plastic or |
| often one of the main cornerstones of the Big Day. | | | | paper plates. Another way to avoid plastic is to place |
| What better way to show your commitment to a | | | | your favors and/or attendant gifts in cute reusable |
| green wedding than by selecting a "second use" | | | | canvas bags. |
| wedding gown? Browse online sites like | | | | 7. Arrange a carpool for guests. If your wedding |
| PreownedWeddingDresses.com, or peruse your | | | | location is out of the city connect your friends and |
| favorite vintage shop for a one of a kind wedding | | | | family members and have them carpool. With the rising |
| dress from the 1940's. If you already have your heart | | | | price of gas they will thank you for providing this |
| set on a gown from a local boutique think about | | | | thoughtful option. |
| donating your dress to when the wedding is over. | | | | 8. Schedule an eco-friendly honeymoon. Begin your |
| 4. Create an Eco-Friendly Centerpiece. A great way | | | | married life with an Eco-Friendly Honeymoon. Choose |
| to reduce your imprint without sacrificing style is | | | | a green hotel, off-set your carbon emissions, and/or |
| creating a beautiful centerpiece around a potted flower | | | | select an earth-friendly travel company like Elevate |
| or plant. Cut flowers get thrown away or shrivel up | | | | Destinations, elevatedestinations. |