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Green weddings: Earth-centric
planning
The EarthSmart Life | Kim Carlson
A green wedding is an event that combines care for the planet without sacrificing
style, beauty or tradition. For some couples, it means saving resources by having
the wedding and reception in the same place; for others, it's choosing vegetarian
options or locally grown, organic foods. Whatever your choices are, an earth-friendly
wedding is about putting your money where your values are: before, during and after.
Here are some of my suggestions on ways you can keep the earth and environment in
mind as you plan:
´ Pre-wedding skin care -- Health-conscious brides and grooms should choose
personal care products with fewer synthetic (made from petroleum) chemicals. Remember
to read labels. If the ingredient list on a product shows a long list of "hard
to pronounce" chemicals, try instead to choose something that has natural botanicals.
´ Bridal gowns -- Consignment shops are great places to look for previously
loved wedding gowns. You may even find some that have never been worn! Chances are
either kind have been cleaned and are in good shape. Look for new gowns that are
made from all natural fabrics such as silk, tencel, organic cotton/silk or hemp/silk
blends (Boston-based OrganicWeddings.com offers a small line of gowns like these).
Or check for manufacturers that use fabrics that are bleached with a less toxic,
non-chlorine mixture.
´ Flowers -- Look for florists who are willing to use locally grown, organic
or in-season flora. There can be more to bouquets than cut flowers. Fruits, vegetables,
herbs and grasses can make lovely additions or substitutions, as do beads or berries.
Make arrangements to donate large bouquets or centerpieces to local nursing homes,
hospitals, etc.
´ Reception location -- If you're planning an indoor function, consider a
pavilion or facility with lots of indoor vegetation (plants filter indoor air pollution).
Making use of a special place of worship or a historical landmark promotes the concept
of maintaining older buildings, rather than tearing them (or trees) down to build
new ones. If a natural outdoor environment strikes your fancy, look for botanical
gardens and/or parks that use few pesticides and fertilizers, which can be toxic
to wildlife, plants and wedding guests, or organically maintained locations.
´ Paper views -- Consider a reply postcard instead of a card with a separate
envelope. Print the directions and map to the wedding on the back of your invitation
to save paper. Print your invitations on recycled paper or paper made from hemp,
recycled office paper, junk mail, etc.
´ Gifts that keep on giving -- Shop at planet-friendly online stores, such
as www.vivaterra.com and www.vivavi.com, for gifts made from eco-friendly materials.
Online shopping also saves gas, emissions and time. Register for gifts with eco-conscious
merchants, such as www.gaiam.com.
´ Transportation -- Try a non-petrol option such as a horse-drawn carriage.
Car pool. Arrange for transportation for all of your out-of-town guests staying at
your local hotel or B&B. It will be easier on them (they don't have to navigate
in an unknown area) and on the environment (less cars on the road).
´ Food -- Serve organic or vegan food and drinks at the reception. Ask for
free-range chicken, vegetarian pastas or locally grown, seasonal food that isn't
genetically engineered. Organic wine and champagne are also trendy choices this year.
Look for labels from Bonterra or Frey. Or consider wines from local wineries. Bakeries
are getting better and better at providing options that are organic and whole-grain.
Arrange to donate leftover food through a local food bank.
´ Favors -- Send your wedding guests home in eco-chic style with a small bag
of organic chocolates or a packet of wildflower seeds.
´ Honeymoon options -- An eco-tourism destination that's local, national or
international is the perfect get-away after you've tied the knot. It's unique, memorable
and you will be doing a good thing for the local economy, too. The primary focus
of ECOTOURISM is to experience nature, local culture and adventure, all while caring
for the environment. A green get-away doesn't necessarily mean flying off to South
America for a rafting trip down the Amazon. (Although if you can swing it, go for
it!)
Here are just a few ideas: Snowshoe or cross country ski -- some of the winter lodges
are lovely and romantic. Enjoy a biking or hiking vacation in your favorite national
forest during the summer. If your honeymoon brings you to a city, make sure that
you are staying in a green hotel. There are B&Bs, inns, motels, state parks and
eco-lodges for a more low key earth-friendly adventure.
´ Online Resources
www.organicweddings.com -- Detailed, comprehensive planning info for all aspects
of wedding planning.
www.ecoparti.com -- Provides eco-friendly party favors, confetti, etc.
www.diamondorganics.com -- A link to organic flowers and food.
www.organicbouquet.com -- The Internet's first eco-florist.
www.gaiam.com -- Earth-Friendly online retailer with gift registry.
www.vivaterra.com -- Earth-Friendly online retailer.
www.vivavi.com -- Earth-Friendly online retailer.
www.greenhotels.com -- Identifies hotels whose managers are eager to institute programs
that save water, save energy and reduce solid waste--while saving money--to help
protect the earth.
www.ecotourism.org -- The International Ecotourism Society is a non-governmental
organization that fosters the idea that tourism is a viable tool for conservation,
poverty alleviation, protection of culture and bio-diversity, sustainable development
and educational, as well as enjoyable, travel.
www.greenkarat.com -- Provides an ecologically and socially responsible jewelry alternative
(recycled gold) to those who seek change.
Kim Carlson, the EarthSmart Consumer, shares fun and practical ways to live a
more planet friendly and human healthy lifestyle. From natural beauty and green gifts,
to providing eco-makeovers for entire homes, Kim blends responsible consumerism with
her own brand of "eco-chic." Kim regularly promotes EarthSmart tips on
local and national television. She is also a frequent guest on talk radio programs,
and is a contributing editor to several major magazines. Kim can be reached at kim@earthsmartconsumer.com.
Copyright © 2005 Kim Carlson. All rights reserved. |
| May 2005 |
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