Want a Truly Green Wedding From Beginning to End? Then Start With Your Wedding Favors!

Wedding favors have traditionally been things like matchbooks printed with the date of the wedding and the bride and groom’s names, similarly imprinted balloons and the like, which are all disposable products. If you’re truly interested in making your green wedding a success, then you’re going to need to begin thinking green from beginning to end, and that includes the kinds of wedding favors that you’re handing out to your guests. One idea that I really like for wedding favors is to give guests some hand-made, locally produced soy-based soaps or candles packaged in a square of locally manufactured cloth that can be recycled as either a handkerchief, head scarf or napkin. That way, the wedding favors are earth friendly, produced with as tiny a carbon footprint as possible, and even the packaging can be reused again and again. If you ask me, it’s hard to beat that for a green wedding favor.

One thing to bear in mind for whatever wedding favors you choose however is how far the components of these wedding favors will travel. When you buy local, you’re supporting the local economy, and ensuring that the carbon footprint these small gifts create will be as small as possible. Here’s another idea for a classy and very green wedding favor: give packets of flower seeds so that after the wedding the guests can plant the bride’s favorite flowers in their own gardens. If you like, you can have the seeds packaged in wrappers printed with the day and date of the happy event, the bride and groom’s names, and the name of the flower that will grow from these seeds. Just make sure that you print the gift packaging using recycled paper and soy-based inks. And if you can find a local grower to supply the seeds and a local printer who can accommodate your desire for recycled paper and soy inks, all the better. Always keep in mind the idea of the carbon footprint that you are creating when choosing your wedding favors, as well as everything else.

If you do have a good printer in your area who carries a line of environmentally friendly paper products, then you can also give your guests a set of note cards and envelopes printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks, or how about a set of Post-It® -style notes imprinted with a picture of the bride and groom or their wedding date. That way their friends and family will be reminded of their happy day every time they use the note cards or Post-It notes. Now that's what I call having some smart green wedding favors!

How to Throw an Earth Friendly Wedding

It seems that more and more couples these days are choosing to have an earth friendly wedding, while many other well-intentioned couples would like to have an earth friendly wedding but just don’t know how to approach staging one. I won’t try to kid you by saying that it’s easy to stage your own earth friendly wedding, but it’s probably a lot easier than you imagine.

One of the first ways to start planning your own earth friendly wedding is by eliminating waste and duplication, and wherever possible, eliminate disposable materials. Now what do I mean by disposable materials? I mean anything that’s made of thin plastic or paper and designed to be used once and then discarded into a landfill, things such as plastic knives, forks, and spoons, plastic serving spoons and ladles, plastic cups, plates, and serving platters. Are you starting to get the general idea? Earth friendly means being friendly to the earth!

Some other things to avoid when planning your green wedding are disposable paper products such as napkins, paper towels, and tablecloths. However, personally, I think it’s okay to use disposable paper products under certain circumstances, for example if you purchase only paper products that are manufactured from unbleached, recycled paper. To me, this is the only acceptable use of paper products. So, to make certain that you have the ultimate earth friendly wedding, you need to apply this same philosophy to every paper product you use. Oh, and other way to make your wedding more earth friendly is by making sure that you use only garbage bags that are made from recycled plastic, and if you can find garbage bags that are made from recycled plastic and are also biodegradable, even better. That way, even your trash can be made more earth friendly.

Another great way to make your wedding more earth friendly, and more socially conscious at the same time, is to be sure that all of the leftover food is packaged up and given to the homeless or to a food pantry in your area. I know I’d enjoy a fancy wedding feast a lot more knowing that the leftovers wouldn’t go to waste and would later be providing a nice meal for someone who’d really appreciate it. You see, being green doesn’t just mean cutting corners and doing without, it means thinking through all of the processes you go through to ensure that they’re as environmentally correct and socially responsible as possible. Face it folks, big, expensive, wasteful weddings are out. We are now in the era of the earth friendly wedding.

The Aspects of a Green Wedding

What idea comes to your mind when you hear the words “green wedding”? Maybe you’ll first think of the color green literally as what it indicates, but in this type of wedding it doesn’t only indicate a color but also a kind of wedding wherein the concept would mean so much not only because it is sacred but also it would be a way to show your love for the environment. As we hear the word green, the first thing that may possibly come into your mind would be the environment – and yes, it is true, it’s an environment friendly type of wedding. If you’re wondering if you can have a green wedding by simply celebrating the reception at a garden or some place that would make everyone feel that they’re near with the nature – you can actually do this by simply having a vegan wedding.

A Vegan wedding is also sometimes called a green wedding wherein all concepts and ideas should be eco-friendly. Vegan is a word derived from vegetarian that means a diet that forbids the use of meat, fish and poultry from dishes to clothing and other things. The main good reason of vegetarians would be because of the animal welfare; they believe that it is not right to harm and inflict pain on animals just for the sake of making clothes and things from them especially if you were just about to slaughter animals for meal consumption. They believe that it is not right, ethically speaking, to harm these creatures just for the benefits of human; this reason is indeed true if you’ll weigh every factor concerning animal welfare. Another very factual reason is that eating vegetables would be helpful for our body since it would provide us with enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals that will prevent the human body from diseases.

Green weddings can be planned by seeking for information first about who can help you out on preparing everything. First of all, you have to find a vegetarian caterer that would make a great green veggie menu for your wedding day; try to create a list of different vegetarian caterers in which you can choose whom you would want to prepare the dishes on this important day. The next one you should consider is about the wedding gown and dresses of all the people who will participate in your wedding. Try to select a designer who will be able to work with you on designing the gowns and dresses and shoes; it would be easier if you coordinate with someone who has an idea about being a vegetarian. Also, we’re sure that you’ll be very busy during your wedding especially if there are a lot of people expected to attend the ceremony, and so you have to make sure that you can accompany each one of them by your great veggie menu. When it comes to cakes or desserts the first thing that you have to do is to list bakeshops that are already creating vegetarian cakes so that you’ll be sure that they have an idea on how to make the best vegan cake. It is better if you first ask or get information about the procedures that they are doing to make the vegan cakes and what are the specific ingredients; after finding out everything about this, you can go ahead and select the bakeshop that will make a cake that would meet your standards.

Throwing Environment Friendly Weddings

Weddings, for all of us, are a very sacred and special occasion that happens, whether they are once a year, every other year, or a few times a year. For this kind of occasion all of the families involved are very busy with the location of the wedding, reception, invitations, foods, desserts, cakes, drinks, gowns and dresses and the likes. It is very important to make this day special and with that, we know that we want it to be the most memorable day of our lives.

There are a lot of different types of weddings, each one varies from the brides and grooms’ traditions, culture, values and way of life. Even the social status of a person can be seen in the wedding and this is only proof that the wedding day was a very important and special day for everyone because it denotes different beliefs.

One of the greatest and most exceptional types of weddings that can be done by couples would be an environment friendly wedding. This type of wedding, as the term obviously imply, it is to promote a wedding that would bring no harm to the nature. To further explain this phrase, one example is the recipe for meals that would be served on the wedding day. Mostly, wedding meals (for those who are not vegetarians), would include meat dishes, fish, chicken, or poultry. Those foods were extracted from animals and of course if it would be from animals that would mean that it includes slaughtering, and inflicting harm to these creatures. It would be against animal welfare and their right to live; this is ethically speaking. This is also the first reason why vegetarians hate to eat meat, fishes and poultry – because it would be from harming animals.

If you are a vegan and were about to plan an environment friendly wedding, you should have to plan first about the concept, ideas and things that would make up your wedding day. First of all, try to consider the people who were about to help you on your wedding preparations; from the designer of your gown up to the people from catering, you have to be more specific in finding someone who has the knowledge about vegetarians. Try to search for people who are knowledgeable about being a vegan so that it would be easy for you to coordinate and organize the whole wedding concept. From your gowns, you have to be specific on the designer that will make the material, try to check the resources that would be used in creating your wedding gown as well as the gowns that will be used by all the participants. It is a great idea to have a fine silk and make sure that the silk worms were not alive when used on making the gowns.

When it comes to the wedding cake, try to visit some bakeshops and try to see who's already making vegan cakes so that it will be easier for you to coordinate and tell them what you really want for your vegan wedding cake. On the other hand, those meals that should be served on the reception must be great since you also have to consider that you will be busy at that time and you can’t accommodate everyone, so be sure that you’ll let them feel accommodated with the great taste of your vegetarian menu. With just the right planning, your environment friendly wedding can turn out delightful, and perhaps teach others a thing or two about the vegan way at the same time.

To Do List for a Green Wedding

Planning your dream green wedding? As of now, you might have an unending what-to-do list. They say that planning a wedding is one of the most stressful times for the couple. The excitement, pressure, and other feelings can sometimes be overwhelming. So, it is important that the couple must immediately plan the wedding as there are several details that need proper attention and planning. Carefully organize your notes and list all the things you want for your wedding. Even if both of you have decided to have a small wedding, planning is still the key to make your wedding day extra marvelous.

In the wedding preparations, the couple must first set the wedding date. First and foremost, this is the most important, as all the other wedding details will follow including the availability of the venue for the wedding reception. If the date is already considered, then the next step is for the couple to have a complete list on who would be part of your special day. Set the number of people to invite and from there, you can now discuss the wedding budget. After finishing the mentioned steps, you can now book the venue for your dream wedding. Consider your number of guests when looking for a wedding location so everyone can feel comfortable and not be cramped during the reception.

And of course, the couple must discuss the wedding theme. Most couples already have an idea on what kind of wedding they want. However, the only problem is that they don’t know where to start or how they can incorporate their vision into their dream wedding. These days, many couples have experimented on trying out different wedding themes and all prove to be a major hit. Some of the brides would go for the traditional wedding. While some want a garden wedding or even a beach wedding.

Though these themes are exciting, it would still be nice if you deviate from the norm. After all, it is your goal to make this wedding a truly memorable event. So, start looking for a unique theme to let your guests have a wonderful time in your special day. But as you are looking for the right theme, make sure that your interests and your personality are not compromised.
Take for example a couple who are advocates on helping save Mother Earth. They could incorporate their interest or cause to their wedding. Green weddings are now becoming more and more popular because people are now aware of saving the planet. For a green wedding, you can start by have recycled papers to serve as your invitation. Also, pick a wedding dress that is made from natural materials like silk and cotton as these create less negative impact on the environment. And for a full green wedding, the food must also be in sync with your chosen theme.

With all these things considered, the couple can now have a unique wedding theme without slashing their budget. This then proves that a wonderful wedding does not entail great amount of money if planned correctly.

A Dream Green Wedding: Having an eco-friendly Wedding

Stressed out in planning your wedding? Or are you running out of ideas on what to do with your wedding preparations? Worry no more as there is a multitude of exciting and unique wedding ideas you can find. You don’t need to be a wedding planner or wedding expert to come up with a magnificent idea that would put your guests in awe. But if you are still worrying that you do not have enough cash so your green dream wedding can push through, again, stop all your worries as a perfect wedding does not need extravagant spending of money. There are so many practical ways on how you can incorporate your dream green wedding without breaking your bank account.

You may actually wonder what these wedding ideas would be. Well, this wedding idea does not require thousands of dollars or too much wedding preparations. Hold on to your seats, as you take a closer look at the newest fads in many weddings today. This newest wedding idea is known as the eco-friendly wedding. Yes, you may have a little inkling on what this is all about because of the root word eco-friendly.

In this increasingly chaotic (both in terms of politics and environment) world, a modern bride must still be vigilant in answering the cries of society. In your own little way, you can contribute in preserving our planet. And this is truly memorable as you can do your share in saving the earth in the most memorable time of your life—your wedding. When we say eco-friendly wedding, this actually refers to having a wedding that has a lesser impact on the environment. You can do this by using wedding materials that can do no harm to the surroundings. Some of the most worthy materials to be used for an eco-friendly wedding are recycled papers. You can use this for your invitations. Using recycled papers can help protect trees. This only proves that your green wedding can go a long way in protecting the world we live in.

When incorporating this kind of wedding, your attire can also make a huge contribution. Make sure to pick a dress that is made of cotton, hemp and other organic materials so as to imbibe the green theme in your wedding. These materials are not petroleum-based. Meaning, they do not have nasty effects on the environment. Another alternative for your dress is to use a vintage or used one. You can ask the assistance of a designer for a little update on the dress to make it extra glamorous.

When it comes to flowers, you can go for the flowers that utilize organic practices. These flowers still look lovely. But the only difference is that these can do great lengths in your cause in saving the environment and also in your green wedding theme.

And lastly, for the menu, you can opt for the “green food.” Yes, you guessed it right. Your guests can have a taste of salad and fruits and stay away from meat. This would not only do great in your theme but you can help your guests maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why Not Have an Earth Friendly Wedding Today?

A wedding is an important event and also a decision that a couple makes to fully live together and be recognized by the society as husband and wife. It is very significant for a couple’s life but it need not be expensive. This is where the concept of an earth friendly wedding enters.

A lot of couples these days pay for almost 30 percent of the total expense on their weddings. To come up with your typical wedding with all the “necessary” items and services, you will need about $19,000 at the least! Not a lot of couples have that kind of money and prefer having that special day at Las Vegas or in Turkey where they are said to hold around 166,000 weddings per year!

The concept of holding an earth friendly wedding not only stays but continues to give a lasting impression of compassion and mostly, practicality. Who would not want to be practical these days? Nowadays, the world produces a lot more than what we actually need. More production, more waste; thus making our environment turn on the bad side. In weddings alone, the average couple purchases items and avails for services that are actually unnecessary, only to make an elegant impression and feel for their guests. Having an earth friendly wedding does not mean that your wedding will not have style and elegance. It all sums up to the creativity, resourcefulness and love you and your partner can offer. An earth friendly wedding is a sensible and compassionate way to unite one another in matrimony. It does not need all the commercial additives you usually find in the market. An earth friendly wedding is more personal and unique.

As like any wedding, you as a couple will soon discuss who to invite and send out these invites soon. Along with completing your cherished guest list, you form place cards and tags for giveaways. Instead of spending around $300 on paper, printing and cutting, why not personalize our invites, place cards and tags by purchasing natural, organic papers that are easily purchased in craft and paper stores. You and your partner can write the contents by hand or can have beautiful and rustic stamps to do the content of your invites. If you think that cutting would be time consuming, there are among dozens of ready made blank cards made from organic materials. Along with your early wedding preparation, you will soon find a place for your wedding ceremony, your wedding reception and also your green honeymoon.

Most couples exchange “I dos” in a church, chapel or synagogue, while their reception are usually held at hotels or resorts; of course there are fees to be paid with the use of these locations. Why not pay for one location to hold to important events that happen one after the other? Doing this not only cuts the costs of rental fees but also gives time for your guest to enjoy without worrying of road construction and traffic. You and your family can have a beautiful garden wedding and enjoy the foliage and natural beauty nature has to offer.

Having an earth friendly wedding does not necessarily mean that the food served has to be like what they would serve at a vegetarian wedding. Of course, it can if you like. There are caterers in the market who serve certified organic menus. They may cost a bit more but their flavors are great and can even impress some of your guests. Organic dishes are packed with freshness and flavors that are sumptuous to both the palate and the eye. Also inform your chosen caterer that you are having an earth friendly wedding so that they can adjust and avoid using “styro-foam” based products and can have recycled dishes, eclectic glasses that come in wonderful and vibrant colors. Influence responsibility to your caterer and have them dispose and recycle the garbage right after your reception. Excess food and flowers may be donated to a nearby senior citizens home or a local shelter for the homeless. Your giveaways can be 100 percent environment friendly by using all organic materials or by recycling old jars, crafting them up a bit and placing organic or home-made cookies or jams. Doing the organic way means having your gowns and suits in earth friendly materials.

By deciding to hold a practical and unique wedding event, you and your partner did more than just save cash, you pledged your love to each other and showed your guests that the love extends farther, all the way to the environment, by having an earth friendly wedding.