Eco Friendly Weddings

Happy Earth Day!! I know that in yesterday's post I had said that I would be discussing Seasonal Themed Weddings but in light of today being Earth Day, I decided it would be best to have a look at Eco Friendly Weddings!! So, from the ring to the reception, say “I do” to a green celebration.


You are already living an eco-conscious lifestyle, so it’s no surprise that you want your wedding to be a reflection of that. Luckily, there's a movement towards helping new brides and grooms find the support and alternative items they need. A great place to start is by reading a book by New York Times writer Mireya Navarro called "Green Wedding".

"It all stems from a want to avoid waste and excess,” says Navarro. “Being green keeps couples in check as far as not overspending and not overdoing it.” The key is to follow the principles of the three Rs—reduce, reuse, recycle and apply that to every aspect of your wedding."

Engagement:

Go for recycled gold, which is not fresh-mined. It may take a little searching but there are companies out there that work exclusively with recycled gold. Looking for something more sentimental? Collect old rings from family and friends, and have them melted down into one, incredibly meaningful piece of jewelry. Or ask your grandmother or mother if they have a vintage ring you can use as your own. And lastly, when purchasing a diamond, always ensure it’s mined without conflict. All Canadian-mined diamonds are conflict-free.

Invitations:

To keep things personal, Navarro stops short of suggesting electronic invitations. “Etiquette experts agree you should still send paper invitations,” she explains. Luckily, there’s an entire market of recycled invitations out there. And, for all your stationery needs beyond invites and thank you cards, she suggests creating a wedding website. A simple website with a personal URL can be set up for less than $100 for the year and everything from RSVPs to directions can be posted there.

Ceremony:

Want to save on the cost of flowers? Say “I do” at a botanical garden or outdoor park and let the venue’s natural backdrop act as your free decor.

Reception:

"Try to bring the wedding to your guests", suggests Navarro. Reduce travel by holding your wedding in a city or venue that’s easily accessible for the majority of your guest list. “You don’t want your guests to travel far,” she explains. “Transportation has a huge impact and leaves a huge carbon footprint.”

Wedding Favours:

Favours are more optional than ever, in fact, many couples are deciding against them altogether. But if you are going to hand out favours at your wedding, ensure it’s something that won’t go to waste, such as an edible treat, homemade jam or chocolate, or tree seedlings that may be planted. Many forward-thinking couples are also opting to donate to a green cause on behalf of their guests in lieu of favours.

Wedding Dress:

Though this should be one of the easiest ways to be green, it’s often the hardest. “Many women have a very specific idea of what they want to look like on their wedding day,” Navarro says. Perhaps the simplest way to green your gown is to buy something you’ll wear again, such as this dress to the left which can be altered by shortening it into a lovely evening dress for future wear. If you look at it honestly, it’s a total waste of resources to spend thousands of dollars on something you will only wear once. Another option is to buy your dress second hand. If the thought of buying something pre-loved doesn’t sit right with you, borrow one from a friend who is already married. Finally, if you must buy brand new, ensure your dress has a second life. Donate it to an organization that takes wedding dresses or sell it yourself. “Just be sure to keep it moving along,” says Navarro.

Honeymoon:

Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice luxury to enjoy earth-friendly travel. In fact, there’s a whole industry built around eco-tourism. When planning your honeymoon, choose natural destinations, places where the people and the environment will benefit from your visit. And always ensure you’re being a responsible tourist by making sure the products and services you purchase will benefit the local economy; for example, ensuring the souvenirs you buy weren’t made in China – unless, of course, you’re honeymooning in China.

If you need help getting started? Consult the Green Living Guides’ “Green Events & Weddings” section to find a sustainably-minded planner right in your own city. Having an Eco-Friendly wedding shows your guests you care about our Earth and that in itself can make your special day that much more so.

Thanks for logging in and be sure to check back with me tomorrow where I will continue with Seasonal Themed Weddings.

Cheers and Blessings,

Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010...

I am so excited to begin this series. I love weddings, I cry at every one. There is no greater day than when two hearts are joined as one. Over the next week or so we will be looking at various aspects of weddings from upcoming trends, traditions, themed weddings, budget ins and outs, wedding planning and we will finish it up with where to find all your wedding needs on Etsy!!

To start off our wedding series we are going to look at the Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010:

1. Retro - Chic Weddings: Retro style weddings ~ such as at a hotel, in your parents' backyard or even at a restaurant ~ are huge right now. A wedding filled with vintage details, can make for a meaningful heirloom-filled back-in-the-day vibe and the decor options are limitless.

2. Dinner Focused Receptions: Say goodbye to informal buffet lines and light hors d'oeuvres stations and welcome back the sit down reception dinner ~ but with a twist. The twist is called Familystyle. Dinner is served by platters being placed in the centre of the table and guests help themselves. To achieve a level of comfort among your guests, order starter plates of hors d'oeuvres to get guests munching and chatting and then choose a dinner menu of the meat and potatoes variety. Do it this way and you'll encourage conversation and create a more intimate atmosphere.

3. Buttercream for Icing: Fondant is falling behind due to the taste, but buttercream is making a huge comeback in the market. Most cake designers can smooth out buttercream so that it looks like fondant but the taste is so creamy and decadent. Overall, buttercream is a much better flavour and has more natural ingredients. Also, some designers charge alot less for buttercream. Another trend with respect to wedding cakes is the absence of the traditional bride and groom cake toppers which are being replaced with items such the first letters of the bride and groom's names.

4. Wedding Favours: Personalized favours are back in a big way. Guests always notice when couples don't put alot of thought into the favour. Most couples are thinking outside the box by getting favours that are useful to their guests thus by keeping with the growing "eco-friendly" aspect. Also, by purchasing their favours from local artists to support their own communities.

5. Local Wedding Destinations: The popular "destination" wedding will remain high on most couples priority list, but couples are selecting locations that are within driving distance. This way couples can create a "wedding weekend". As well, having a more local wedding will allow more guests to attend and again it supports their local economy.

6. Eco-Friendly or "Green" Weddings: Couples want an "eco-friendly" wedding. They are making small changes, but getting big results. Recommendations for a "green" wedding are: a) the venue is cleaned with green cleaning products; b) all lighting should be LED; c) have the caterer/chef prepare food using local and organic ingredients; d) food leftovers should be composted; and e) all stationery should be printed on recycled paper.

7. Video and Digital New Age Ideas: Everyone has seen the photo/video montages of your childhood's during dinner, but the next phase in video at your event comes in several different forms. Wedding ceremonies are being broadcast on large screens for better viewing from the back of the venue; also, they are broadcast over the internet to guests who are unable to attend the event. The photographer and videographer are also setting up cranes with cameras and projecting the event as it unfolds on screens around the dance floor.

8. The Bride's Veil: Back in fashion is the vintage looking "Birdcage" veil. This veil combines a jeweled clip or feathered headpiece with netting that only covers your face. Wearing one of these veils allows you to have some dramatic glamour and feel like a bride but it is a more fun look and less hassling than a long traditional veil.

9. Hand-Tied Bouquets: This is becoming very popular. Hand-tied bouquets look fresher and natural. They are perfect for outdoor or garden weddings. They are also less expensive because they take less time to arrange and put together. As well, hand-tied bouquets are easier to preserve, as this is a another trend of today's bride. You can dry the bouquet upside down in a dark place. As the flowers dry, spray the flowers with silica gel or shellac for protection.

10. Donations to Charity: Many couples today already have a house set up. Therefore, they do not need flatware or sheets. Instead of registering for gifts, couples are requesting that donations be made to one of their favourite charities ie: Humane Society, Red Cross, American/Canadian Cancer Society etc.

So, there you have it, the Top 10 Wedding Trends for 2010. Weddings are very individual and unique. I don't think I have been to one that is the same as another. Of the top ten trends, I must say that #7 Video and Digital New Age Ideas was one I have not seen before. I will have to mention this to our Pastor, he is very technologically new age and would probably love to have that type of service available.

Thanks so much for checking in to read up on the newest trends for our wedding couples today. Be sure to join me tomorrow for Something Old, Something New...Traditions of the Modern Couple.

Cheers and Blessings,