Eco-Friendly Wednesday -11 Tips on How to Green Your Wedding

Today on Eco-Friendly Wednesdays I want to share with you some tips on how to make your wedding or special event eco-friendly. If you incorporate some or all of the following tips, you'll be making an eco friendly difference.

1. The Wedding Gown – Go vintage, go ebay or go organic. These are some options to buying an eco friendly wedding gown. My favorite organic option is the Chameleon Wedding Gown by Isadora Clothing made in organic cotton/ bamboo jersey or cotton/soy jersey. Today there are eco-friendly options in weddings gowns. The fabrics and dies, if any, are eco friendly. I like Chameleon Wedding Gown because it's priced at $360 and is 'convertible to different looks. It can also be professionally dyed for future use after the nuptials.

2.. Favors for Kids - Reusable bags especially for kids serve as the perfect kiddie goodie bag. Envirosax makes reusable bags designed specifically for kids. Kids are always lugging their favorite stuff. Why not help educate the next generation in the responsible re-use of bags.

3. Hand made soap favors - These can be purchased on websites such as Alabu, Hawkmoon Soaps, or, if you’re extra crafty, you can make them at home. Either way, it’s an all natural and environmentally safe choice. Wrap in natural, gift wrapping tissue paper and tie a ribbon or twine and/or place a label on it. You've got a chic eco-friendly gift.

4. Centerpieces - Live plants are an eco-friendly and inexpensive alternative to the traditional floral centerpiece. Some excellent options are succulents, bamboo, branches, herbs and common household plants found in Home Depot, your local nursery or farmer's market.

5. Recycled Paper Bouquet - A bouquet made of recycled tissue paper is a labor of love, easy to make and the possibilities are endless. This simple craft is one I learned in grade school and I've noticed it's making a comeback and big girls, in particular brides, are loving the options.

6. Caterer - Hire a caterer that uses ingredients from your local farmer's market. It’s an organic, delicious and eco responsible choice.

7. Eviting - Cut down or eliminate paper invites by emailing invitations, also known as eviting. Utilizing a website to keep your guests posted on upcoming wedding events.

8. Eco Friendly Place cards - Label seedling packets with guests’ names and table numbers.

9. Baking Favors - Home bake batches of cookies then package in gift boxes made of recycled paper. Not only is the eco-friendly, it's also budget friendly too.

10. The Venue, The Great Outdoors - Instead of booking a 'wedding factory' type venue, try the great outdoors. Places like a beach, lake, botanical garden, mountain top and a park require minimal to no embellishments.

11. Hire a Green Planner - A planner who specializes in green weddings will have eco friendly resources readily available.

How have you incorporated eco friendly steps into your wedding or special event? Let me know.