Tips for an Eco-Friendly Wedding
14 Jul
Everyone’s doing their bit to save the world, and it’s called going green. Nowadays ‘green’ weddings are becoming more and more of a big deal with the likes of Al Gore’s daughter (no surprise there!!) and Maya Karin keeping up with this trend. If you’re bent on keeping things eco-friendly for your wedding, these tips may come in handy!
1. Location
Set the tone of your green wedding by choosing an eco-friendly location. If you go for an outdoor wedding , choose a location that will show off the beauty of the environment. Have your wedding during the day to take full advantage of the sunlight (saves loads of electricity and pictures taken under natural lighting are so pretty!)
2. Invitations
Use recycled paper wherever possible for wedding invitations, most companies can offer this option. Also consider treeless paper made from materials such as bamboo, hemp and kenaf. Even the type of ink used for the invitation should be taken into account as some inks can be toxic. Weddings can generate a huge amount of paper consumption, so give careful thought to items that can be reduced. For example, instead of a program for everyone, perhaps one per couple or group.
3. Choose Eco-Friendly Rings
When it comes to choosing a ring, make sure to use jewelers that are green-friendly. More and more jewelers are using recycled gold and fair-labor gemstones. To make sure you are not purchasing a “blood diamond,” ask your jeweler about the origin of the stone.
4. Photos
Instead of sending out hundreds of paper based photographs, save on postage, processing and toxic chemicals by storing digital images on your wedding blog for family and friends to download as they please; printing out only what’s absolutely necessary.
5. Flowers
Transportation and care of wedding flowers requires extra resources. Try to use locally sourced flowers. Perhaps use potted flowers as these can make a great addition to your home or garden after the big event.
'Green' Wedding invitations, flowers and favours!
6. Car or van pooling
Instead of having everyone drive from their hotels/motels or wherever they are staying to the wedding or reception venue, perhaps organize a car pool or hire vans to transport everyone to and from your wedding venue. A great deal of fuel can be saved this way, not to mention it will help ensure those who have been basking in the spirit of the occasion a little too much (aka drunk guests) will get back to their accommodation safely.
Remember, having a ‘green’ wedding doesn’t mean your wedding will be less than extraordinary, in fact it will be even more phenomenal because you did your part to save the planet in the process!
