Green Friday: Guest Post – Dream Green Weddings!
Written by Sara on January 29, 2010 – 9:00 am -Happy Friday, readers! Today we are lucky enough to feature a guest post from Heather at Dream Green Weddings, a super-chic online marketplace of eco-conscious wedding and/or gifting goods (and a lovely blog, too!)
Heather’s bringing you 10 easy ways to “greenify” your wedding. Take it away, Heather!
Congratulations! By reading this post on the wonderful Eco-Vintage Weddings blog, you are already a step ahead on your journey to planning a greener wedding. By making just a few eco-friendly choices, you can truly make a difference in the impact your wedding has on our environment.
Here are 10 ways to help reduce waste, save energy, conserve resources and decrease carbon emissions produced by your wedding. Remember, this is not an “all or nothing” concept. If you can incorporate all 10, fantastic! But if you can only do one or two, every little bit helps. Here we go . . .
1. For invitations, choose from tree free papers, letterpress, 100% PCW recycled paper, seeded invitations, and look for vegetable or soy-based inks.
2. Look for favors that are made from organic, sustainable or recycled materials, or even handmade. Other eco-friendly options include tree favors that your guests can plant in your honor. Seeded wedding favors are a beautiful and renewable option. Bamboo favors are symbolic of good luck, and are good for the earth.
3. If decorating with candles, be sure to select candles that are made from natural soy or 100% beeswax. Avoid using paraffin candles as they are made from petroleum (which can increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere).
4. When you are considering gifts for the wedding party and special guests, look for Fair Trade organizations that provide fair wages and create safer working conditions for people in developing countries. Jewelry is hand-made and usually with eco-friendly materials!
5. Pick a location that is close to home to save on carbon emissions. Try to have your ceremony and reception at the same location to avoid additional transportation requirements and to reduce carbon emissions.
6. Look for local, eco-conscious caterers who offer organic menus, and use locally-grown foods from local farmers. Ask them to deliver the leftovers to a charity.
7. Avoid flowers that are imported, as they are generally grown with toxic chemicals and pesticides. Insist on locally grown flowers that are in season, and/or organically grown flowers.
8. Consider beautiful vintage wedding dresses, or new wedding dresses made from organic materials such as recycled/organic cotton, hemp or silk.
9. Support green businesses by looking for vendors who are environmentally and socially responsible.
10. Extend your green theme to your honeymoon. Many luxury hotels and resorts are now practicing sustainable hospitality. There’s a helpful travel “green” guide at http://ecotourism.org.
Big thanks to Heather Teague from Dream Green Weddings; head on over to her site for more easy ways to make your wedding green!
[Photos: Courtesy of Heather at Dream Green Weddings]
Tags: bamboo favors, beeswax candles, Dream Green Weddings, eco-friendly wedding dresses, ecotourism.org, Fair Trade
Posted in Adornments & Embellishments | No Comments »