By: Catalina Walsh
A green wedding? Is it possible? When you think about it, it really isn’t that difficult to employ the same principles: Reuse, save and be creative. We’ve got a few tips that will help you follow these principles while making sure that this celebration is all you ever dreamt it would be.
Invitations
You can save a small fortune and the planet by sending out electronic “save the dates” and electronic invitations. Invitations can be incredibly expensive running up to $25 or more an invitation. An electronic invite can often cost next to nothing, roughly 20 to 45 cents a sender. There are some incredible websites that help you personalize them with multiple designs. If tradition is important to you, you can send out a printed invitation but ask your guests to rsvp electronically. This way you can at least save the printed rsvp cards. For green invitations, be sure to use recycled paper that hasn’t been bleached and that doesn’t have any plastic or metal.
Check out these amazing invitation vendors who can help you stay green:
Location
One of the easiest ways to reduce carbon emissions and keep your wedding green is to find a place that is close to your guests. This way you save your guests on the travel expenses and you save the environment from the bad impact that long-distance travel can cause. If your families are located far away from you and your groom, consider a central location for you and the groom.
Once your guests are at your destination you may want to consider arranging for group transportation to you venue. A large tour bus or small vans can be a great option to transport guests to and from the reception back to your hotel.
Another great tip to save on electricity is to have your wedding begin during the day. An outdoor reception in the summer can be an incredible way to spend an afternoon and evening. The best part is that the sun sets late so you have plenty of daylight hours. Then, when you reception goes on into the night you can save on electricity by bringing in candles (especially those candles made from soy or bees wax).
Decorations
Use local flowers. You will save money and will avoid the impact on the environment produced by transporting flowers from remote places. Also consider reusing the flowers from the ceremony at the party. At the end your guests could throw the petals to the happy couple instead of using the traditional rice. Be creative! You can make a center piece out of desserts. You could also organize a party before the wedding for you and your friends or relatives to make these center pieces together.
Food and Drinks
Serve organic, local and seasonal food. You can donate the leftovers to a shelter or food bank. You can also save money by purchasing local and organic wines and spirits. If you can, rent the dinner plates, silverware and glasses.
Pictures
Giving disposable cameras to your guests is so 90’s! What’s in, is to ask them to upload their digital photos to your website. If you hire a photographer, ask him not to print out the proofs but to show them to you digitally instead.
Favors
Give your guests something they will really enjoy. How about organic chocolates or some natural soaps?
Planning a green wedding forces you to step out of the box and be more original. An out of the ordinary wedding is also an unforgettable wedding. Put that green and unique stamp on yours!
