Green Monday: Our Green Wedding Pledge, Part II
Written by Sara on March 15, 2010 – 9:10 am -Hi readers! As you recall, J and I have made a commitment to ensuring that we make choices for our wedding with the environment in mind. I thought it might be wise to take another look at what we’ve pledged to do, and see how we’re doing (as we’re about four months out from our wedding day!).
1. We will inquire about and utilize recycled paper materials as much as we are able. I have already contacted a graphic designer at my father’s company (where our stationery will be printed) to investigate what our options are for recycled paper. Update: ALL of the paper products we’ve used thus far have been made of at least partially recycled materials!
2. We will inquire about and utilize locally grown or organic food as much as our budget allows. I have already contacted our event coordinator at the Washington Pavilion, where our wedding reception will be held, about our caterers using locally grown or organic food. While we are on a very strict budget for our entire wedding planning, I am hopeful that our caterers will come back with a competitive quote. Update: We inquired, and we’ve realized that unfortunately, given the extremely low demand for organic and/or local food in our area, we won’t be able to provide organic or locally grown food for our guests. We do feel excited that we asked, because maybe our asking will help another couple in the future!
3. We will incorporate plantable paper in at least one way throughout our wedding stationery. I love the symbolism behind the paper (just like our love is blooming, so will our guests’ flowers!), and it reinforces the purpose of renewable goods. Update: We’re thinking about utilizing this paper for our ceremony programs!
4. We will incorporate locally grown flowers as much as possible. My Mom and I have discussed the possibility of planting a wildflower garden in our backyard this summer from which we would take flowers for our reception decor. We also have beautiful peonies that bloom in our yard that we’re going to attempt to keep alive through the heat of summer. Last, as one of my dear friends mentioned to me in the past few weeks, sunflowers grow wild EVERYWHERE in South Dakota, and it wouldn’t be difficult at all to pick some, dress them up with ribbon and give them to my bridesmaids to carry. Update: See this post for some exciting news on locally grown, organic flowers!
5. While at this point I don’t believe we’ll be incorporating wedding favors, if we do decide to give our guests favors, they will be locally grown or locally handmade. I firmly believe in investing in the local economy! Update: We are offering our guests favors of sorts, and we used recycled paper for them! Click here to see our cootie catcher trivia favors!
6. We are utilizing my mother’s birdhouse collection as our reception decor, and are therefore eliminating extraneous waste or costs associated with renting/purchasing and then inevitably disposing of centerpieces. Update: We still plan to use my mother’s birdhouse collection; we’re so excited!
7. We are supporting handmade goods by purchasing wedding accessories from Etsy. Update: Thus far, we’ve purchased my hair fascinator, gifts for my bridesmaids, our flower girl dresses, our guestbook, a prop for our photobooth, a stamp for our wedding stationery needs from Etsy. Whew!
8. My Mom and I plan to make handmade napkins and handmade bout’s for our wedding day. By sewing our own napkins we A) cut down on rental costs at our reception venue, and B) eliminate waste that would be created by using paper napkins. By making bout’s for our guys out of fabric and/or non-floral material, we will again cut down on waste and will utilize renewable goods to accomplish the same effect as floral bout’s. Update: We still plan to do this, and have begun purchasing supplies for both the napkins and the bout’s!
9. Jordan and I plan to build a photobooth to provide our guests with endless merriment at our wedding reception. I originally hoped to build our photobooth using found materials, and while that might still be possible, I am thinking of other ways to make our photobooth project green. As a start, we will be reusing our engagement session props for our photobooth (2 hearts on sticks, 2 mustaches on sticks, chalkboard + chalk). We also will be using a digital camera and tripod that Jordan’s family already owns, therefore cutting down on the waste that would be created if we utilized disposable cameras! Update: We’re still planning to do this, and can’t wait to get going on this project once the weather is warmer!
10. Last, I have a dream of being married by candlelight. I’m dreaming of an evening wedding (maybe 6:00 or 7:00), and being surrounded by candles. However, the candles we will utilize will be either soy or beeswax (lead-free, long-burning, made from renewable resources, not petroleum/paraffin). Update: While we’ve since decided not to get married by candlelight, due to the sheer number of candles we’d need to make this possible, we have purchased 7 eco-friendly candles to use as a tribute to our grandparents that have passed away.
So, as you can see, we’re doing rather well with our commitment to having an eco-friendly wedding!
How are you making your wedding green?
Tags: Etsy, Washington Pavilion
Posted in Budget Weddings, DIY, Eco-Chic, Inspiration & Insight, Our Wedding | 4 Comments »
By Amberdawn on Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
That plantable paper is awesome! I’ve already got my invitations, but using it for the menus like you said could work. Thanks for sharing!
By Andre Nievo on Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
And for the favors you could have a bonsai plant but this might cost you a lot.
By Krystal on Apr 22, 2010 | Reply
First off, let me say I was beyond thrilled to come across your blog in a recent google search. I’m busy trying to plan an eco Sioux Falls wedding and the resources seem to be slim to none. Second, have you heard of Buffalo Berries [http://www.buffaloberries.com/] or Sanaa’s Gourmet [http://www.sanaacooks.com/restaurant/catering-menu/] Sanaa’s is very focused on green practices while Buffalo Berries focuses on natural, sometimes locally produced food. Both are in Sioux Falls and definitely worth a look for your catering.
By Sara on Apr 22, 2010 | Reply
@Amberdawn You’re welcome! Always glad to shed some light on great resources out there for brides.
@Krystal I’m so glad you found Eco-Vintage Weddings! I have heard of both Buffalo Berries and Sanaa’s, and I seriously considered both of them. Ultimately, for us, our choice of venue (the Washington Pavilion, where we felt that we could get the most bang for our buck) limited us to using their catering services, and unfortunately, their organic cuisine was quite far outside our budget. However, the Pavilion does host “green” events throughout the year, so if you haven’t yet found a venue, take a look there and see what they have to offer!