Eco-Friendly Weddings: Going Green in 2010

Green Weddings

By Karen Sturtevant

We’ve all changed our lifestyle due to the way we care about the environment. We turn off water when brushing our teeth, lights (powered by energy efficient bulbs) are clicked off when we leave a room, we return empty cans and don’t think twice about separating plastic from cardboard. We’re doing our part to preserve Mother Earth. For couples choosing to further this cause as part of their wedding, they get two big green thumbs up. Our favorite frog Kermit said: “It’s not that easy bein’ green.” If Kermit ever got his willpower energized and popped the question to Ms. Piggy, he would have realized that going green doesn’t mean sacrificing style or panache. It’s easier than he imagined. These thoughts empower all of us to make decisions that will have positive, rather than destructive, impacts on our planet. The following are some ideas to consider when wedding planning meets environmentally conscious thinking.

The Gown

If wearing your mother’s gown isn’t an option, consider shopping secondhand and vintage clothing stores. With some alteration and modification, a diamond in the rough dress from bygone days could become elegant and distinctive. We know a bride that purchased her gown for $99.00 at a vintage clothing store and looked like a million dollars on her wedding day. If you are purchasing new, look for designers that use sustainable fabrics. Hemp, hemp blends, organic silks, and cottons are nature-friendly rather than factory-friendly options. Pay it forward and consider donating your gown to a charity or secondhand shop.

Jewelry

Consider purchasing jewelry made from recycled metals and stones. Visit estate sales and vintage shops to find pieces that can be resized or reset. If a diamond is in your future, ask the right questions to be sure the stone was acquired in a ‘conflict free’ manner.

Ceremony and Reception

State parks, beaches, outdoor gardens, and backyards are not only earth friendly, but natural, picturesque venues for ceremonies and receptions. Save on electricity consumption and let the solar power provide the ambiance. If opting for an indoor site, ask about energy efficient appliances and biodegradable products. Restrooms should have hands free dryers, natural soaps, and lotions. Silverware and china should be used over throw away plastic and paper ware. Holding the ceremony and reception in the same location eliminates the need for additional travel and carbon emissions.

Become a Locavore

By supporting your neighborhood florist, jeweler, formalwear shop, caterer, and baker you are making an investment in the local economy which benefits us all. These businesses make their livelihood by serving you, the discerning consumer. With more people leaning toward environmentally conscious decisions, businesses are more than happy to accommodate specific requests and may offer fresh alternatives that you hadn’t considered. Visit local vendors and you will find that many are as passionate as you regarding sustainable practices.

Menu and Dessert

Partnering with your caterer you will be able to offer your guests the best local, organic and seasonal products; produce and meats from local suppliers are far healthier and tastier than those trucked from the west coast – not to mention the carbon footprint savings. Visit farmers’ markets to get an idea of local offerings and share these ideas with your caterer. Maple syrup presented in a variety of glassware make fantastic, local favors. Carman Brook Maple Farm and VT Mountain Syrup (located in the Resource Guide section of Vermont Bride Magazine) are experts at these sweet treats. Consider free-range poultry, eggs and beef – the taste difference is remarkable. If fish is on the dinner menu, avoid commercially raised and those high in mercury. Wild salmon and tilapia are excellent choices; stay away from dolphin harming tuna. Local wineries, including Boyden Valley Winery, offer a wide variety of white and red wines along with exquisite dessert wines. Look into donating any leftover food to local food shelves or soup kitchens. This is a good job for the best man and maid of honor.

Décor

Candles add sparkle and elegance for a reasonable price. Produced from petroleum, paraffin candles have taken a second seat to more earth friendly choices like soy and beeswax. Excellent choices for their longer, soot free burn time and renewability, soy and beeswax candles are sure winners – they also make great favors.

Leave the streamers, confetti, balloons, disposable cameras, and polyester at the discount store. Being dumped in a landfill to putrefy for years is far too hefty a price to pay for all of us – especially when there are friendly alternatives. Put on your green thinking cap and come up with your own socially conscious touches.

Consider the most natural choice of decoration for your reception: plants. From the showy banana tree to the bushy Boston fern, these natural air purifiers are attractive and affordable options. Claussen’s Florist & Greenhouse offer Vermont’s largest selection of indoor foliage for sale or rent. With a delivery and pick up service of an extensive variety of sizes and species, they can enhance the look and feel of your wedding day. Ask about wicker pot covers and bows to match your décor.

Potted plants and herbs, tree seedlings, seashells, driftwood, and fruit make original, imaginative table centerpieces. They can also double for favors. Homemade jams, honey, relish and maple syrup in glass containers given as favors are sweet reminders of the day. Making donations to established charities including The Sierra Club Foundation and World Wildlife Foundation in names of guests have become popular. If you consider making donations in lieu of favors, choose one or two that are dear to your heart. Your guests will find this refreshing and personal, and isn’t being personal what your wedding day is really about?

Stationery

Your stationery supplier will be able to offer options that include soy and vegetable based ink, recycled, cotton or linen paper and paper embedded with flower seeds for invitations and other stationery essentials.

Flowers

Local florists will have connections to regional sources that provide vibrant blooms especially for you. If working with local suppliers is important to you, mention this in your search for a florist and he/she will be able to start sourcing which flowers you are interested in. Particularly with flowers, having second and even third choices are important as there are many variables in Vermont’s short growing season. What to do with the flowers at the end of the reception? The appreciation received from a nursing home, respite house, or hospital will be gratifying beyond words.

From shoes and jewelry to cufflinks and containers, going green is not only fashionable, it’s commonsensible. Having a wedding that is carbon neutral free is virtually impossible, but knowing that you are proactive in choosing constructive alternatives is a huge step in making your wedding truly fulfilling.

Begin looking at the world through green tinted glasses and know that small changes can, and do, make big impacts on our planet and our daily lives. Kermit would be proud.

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