Green Weddings - Latest Trend Sweeping the Industry

As people become more environmentally aware, it's wonderful to see this kind of responsible thinking entering the wedding industry. One of the most current trends in weddings is having a Green Wedding. Many environmentally considerate couples are opting for more green options when planning their wedding, but it's something all couples should keep in mind when planning their wedding. Wedding's have an impact on our environment and every step to preserve our environment is a step to preserve our future and our children's future.

What Is A Green Wedding
A Green Wedding means incorporating the 3 R's into as many aspects of the wedding as possible. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are not usually what you think of when planning a wedding, but more and more couples are opting for cleaner choices when buying wedding products and services and many wedding businesses are offering choices that are more environmentally friendly. Some of the more obvious choices for greener wedding planning is selecting items that are available locally to avoid a "carbon footprint" in our environment, finding ways to use items you already have or borrowing items so unnecessary manufacturing takes place, reducing garbage waste and buying organic items that don't put poisons into our earth. Even if you can implement a few greener choices into your wedding, it's a step in the right direction and it will help us all. Most wedding guests are quite impressed and pleased to be part of these accountable choices.

Ceremony and Reception
With the move to having more unique weddings that reflect the couple's personalities, going green only makes sense and is quite acceptable. Most couples that choose to have a Green Wedding choose to have their wedding ceremony outdoors amongst the beauty of nature as a reminder of why they have made their cleaner choices. Having your wedding reception at the same location as your ceremony ensure that people don't have to travel in between sites and saves the environment from unnecessary pollution.

Weddings can produce a lot of garbage waste. You can help reduce this waste by ensuring that there's recycling bins at your wedding reception for paper, bottles and cans. If possible have the organic waste from the reception meal composted.

Wedding Attire
Reusing a love ones wedding gown can have great sentimental meaning to you and them. Used wedding gowns are also available through some non profit organizations that have wedding gowns donated to the organization and then the proceeds are given to a good cause such as the cancer society. Sometimes letters are included with the gowns from the previous bride that includes the history of the dress and well wishes to the new owner of the dress on her wedding day. This is a wonderful way to feel good about doing something good for the environment and a terrific cause. Even the men's tuxes can be found used. If you don't like the idea of wearing someone else's used clothing, you could choose to buy wedding wear that is made from organic materials and/or attire that you will be worn again. Buying a suit instead of a tux, buying a simpler wedding gown and attire for the wedding party that can be worn to formal events in the future also reduces unnecessary manufacturing.

Wedding Favours
Environmentally products in wedding favours has come along way. There are many options for couples that support a green wedding with items that help the environment replenish or are made from organic materials. The internet is a wonder place to research ideas and be sure to check our wedding article on choosing wedding favours for some green options. Couples can help their wedding guests save the environment by giving reusable shopping bags as wedding favours. With more and more stores not giving out bags for free, this favour is bound to be a hit with your wedding guests. Another great option is to give small trees and other plants that your guests can plant after your wedding. This is a fantastic way of keeping the memory of your wedding alive.

Wedding Reception Meals
Find a caterer that will use organic produce and meat from local farmers for your wedding food. Buying locally for as many products as possible is important to reduce transportation pollutants and supports your community. Don't use paper plates or napkins for your wedding reception meal. Plates and cloth napkins can be rented for your wedding day.

Flowers For Your Wedding
Again purchasing flowers from local growers reduces emissions to the environment and supports local growers. Some couples take on the task of growing many of the flower for their wedding themselves. If you do plan on growing at least some of your flowers, choose flowers that are easy to grow, bloom at the time of your wedding and have fairly long blooming time such as tulips. The risk of doing this is timing and having the wedding date when the flowers are at their best. Another thoughtful ideas is to consider donating any left over centerpieces from your wedding to a local nursing home to brighten someone's day.

Bear and Wine
The demand for organic products is becoming so great that some companies are offering organic beer and wine for weddings. Often these products are a little more costly.

Wedding Rings
Some couples have the wonderful opportunity to have wedding rings handed down from grandparents or parents and this has great sentimental value. If you don't have this kind of opportunity to you may want to consider reusing gold jewellery you have and don't use and have it made into new and unique wedding rings for you.

Transportation
Reducing transportation and greenhouse gases helps our atmosphere. Some couples decide to use / rent hybrid vehicles for their wedding day. Take into consideration the number of cars you will need for your wedding party. Using more cars defeats the purpose. Another option is to car pool everyone to keep the number of vehicles limited. It may not be as luxurious as a stretch limo or bus, but you'll feel good about doing something decent and you'll save some money also.

Invites and Stationery
Wedding invitations and stationery including programs can be made from recycled paper to help save trees from being cut down unnecessarily. Encouraging your wedding guests to recycle your wedding invitations when they are finished with them is another great step to make. Many couples are also moving towards eliminating paper wedding invitations all together by using email wedding invitations. Email invites are a great way to invite wedding guests and it makes replying to a wedding invitation fast and easy, decreasing the number of late replies. If you choose to use email wedding invitations, you'll probably need to order at least a few paper invites for those family members and friends that don't have computers or internet connections. As technology advances we'll probably see more and more wedding invitations done online. Electronic invitations can also link wedding guests to your wedding website. Having a wedding website is also another brilliant way of eliminating the need for paper products. You can post a lot of information on your wedding website including directions, maps, hotel links, gift registry links, party information, events and even have your guest book where guests can leave well wishes for you.

Using the 3 R's for planning your wedding is not only great for the environment, but it can save you a lot of money in your wedding budget.

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