Tips for an Eco-Friendly Wedding

With all the planning involved in a wedding, it can seem daunting to include sustainability in your plans.  But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you are the hosts of the event or a guest, here are some ways to make the occasion green.

Hosts

• Buy an eco-friendly wedding dress.  Wedding day duds made of hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, and other sustainable fibers are produced without the pesticides found in conventional cotton or the petroleum used in synthetic textiles liked nylon or polyester.
• Use organic and fair-trade flowers for the big day. Organic flowers are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers that don't harm the environment or your health. Organic farming combats global warming through carbon sequestration, while fair trade farming supports earth-friendly, often organic, practices that are safer for you and those laboring to bring blossoms to your table.
• Find a caterer that utilizes local food. You can reduce the carbon dioxide emitted in the transport of food if it comes from your area, and it tastes fresher too!
• Use eco-dinnerware: Don’t clog your trash bin with disposable dishes, cutlery, and cups. Instead, choose table tools that are reusable, recycled, or biodegradable.
• Register with an eco-friendly registry.  There are many online registries dedicated to fair-trade and environmentally responsible gifts.  A few to checkout are www.branchhome.com, www.ecoexpress.com, and www.tenthousandvillages.com.  Or register with a charity to allow your guests the ability to donate to a group of your choice. The website www.justgive.org is a good place to start a registry with a reputable charity.

Guests

• Give the gift of charity. Let your friends and family know that you planted a tree or adopted an animal in their name through a wildlife conservation organization. 
• Opt out of a greeting card or consider recycled-content or tree-free one.
• Carpool if you can.  If traveling, try to schedule your trip with other friends and family members in order to share a ride or hotel room.  It will cut costs and help reduce fuel consumption.