Green Weddings are Growing

Over the past couple of years, it seems like you can’t turn on the computer, TV or open a newspaper without hearing or reading something about going green and becoming eco-friendly.  There’s even a new eco-lifestyle TV network, Planet Green.  Wikipedia gives this definition - Environmentally friendly, eco-friendly, and nature friendly are synonyms used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.  Brides want to do their part to help the environment too so it’s no wonder they are incorporating this concept into their wedding planning and gift registries. 

Now I am far from an expert on ways to go green but there seems to be some easy ways to add eco-friendliness to your wedding.  If you can go full blown “green” with your wedding that’s awesome, but if you can’t, here are a few things you can do:

- Include food from a caterer that uses local, organic and sustainable meats and produce
- Buy invitations made from recycled paper or embedded with seads that can be planted
- Use biodegradable plates and utensils or plates made from sustainable bamboo
- Light beeswax candles instead of petroleum-based
- Take into account your carbon footprint and off-set it with the planting of new trees
- And my favorite, make a donation to your favorite environmental group in honor of your guests instead of giving out favors.

More Information on Green Weddings:
View Sara Snow’s Green Wedding Tips video.
Find ideas for a green gift registry at planetgreen.discovery.com
Estimate the carbon footprint of your wedding at carbonfund.org
Read Chic Green Weddings at Brides.com