And while every green wedding comes in a very different shade, keep in mind that one common feature most share is that they are usually sophisticated and also simplified. Couples who want to plan socially-conscious events generally focus on the details that matter the most, and also skip over most of the excess.
Green Wedding Planning 101
While a wedding used to be all about the couple, this is no longer the case. Modern weddings provide the perfect opportunity for a bride and groom to move beyond the spotlight to also call attention to some of the causes they care about. So if eating organic food, supporting fair trade practices and shunning blood diamonds are things that matter to you, you should stay true to these details when planning your event. But keep in mind that you don’t have to sacrifice the effect to do this. Here are some things you can do to plan an environmentally conscious wedding that will be the talk of all your guests.
Location, Location
Look for wedding locations that use minimal resources such as organic farms or gardens, or museums or buildings housing nonprofit organizations that support important causes you care about. Also think about where the majority of your guests are located. The less travel that is needed for people to attend your event, the less energy you will waste. But if you have your heart set on getting married in a fancy golf course that is a long drive for almost everyone, you don’t have to rule this out. Just make some wise choices, such as hiring buses to transport guests, holding your ceremony and reception in the same location, and if the weather permits, hosting the party outside so electricity use is minimized.
Think Ahead
You can have your dream dress, the rings and the beautiful flowers. Just think about how to reuse them in different ways after the wedding is over and everything is put away. You can donate leftover food to homeless shelters, deliver the flowers to nearby hospitals or nursing homes, have rings that were passed down from family members remade specially for and your partner and invest in a dress that can be worn by future generations so it won’t go to waste after your big day.
Shop Organic
Look for food and flowers that are locally grown and organic in nature, so you can serve a tasty, healthful meal and support your local economy at the same time. You can also shop for locally-grown organic flowers. Choose in-season options. Also serve organic wine and beer choices. It might help to remember that food and drinks that have been manufactured without using chemicals will be healthier for your surroundings, as well as for your guests. In addition, if you don’t have to transport the products far, you are saving energy and minimizing fuel waste.