Your Guide To Green

Have a Big Fat Green Wedding!
By Kathleen Davidson

There are an estimated 2.5 million weddings celebrated in the United States each year which translates to a $70 to $125 billion industry depending on the wedding marketing sources you use. But whatever the actual figure may be, these sources agree that they are seeing more and more signs of eco-friendliness taking root in the wedding industry.

“TheKnot.com” website states that 86 percent of couples surveyed are interested in making some part of their big day green. This is significant considering estimates that the average wedding creates 14.5 tons of carbon dioxide - two tons more than an average person creates in an entire year.

Reflecting the recent meteoric rise in green consciousness, green weddings are only part of a larger trend. Green event planning is encompassing everything from private parties to conventions, where even small changes are helping to produce big results.

So what actually makes a wedding green?

It doesn't have to be any elaborate overhaul, according to Simone Hudson, owner of 5Senses Events Design, who was quoted by reporter Elwin Green, in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper article. "It's little things that can have an impact overall -- recycle here, carpool there.” Essentially she doesn't push people too far out of their comfort zones, but instead simply works to help them meet their goals with an eco-eye.

With average wedding reception costs estimated between $20,000 and $27,500, it may be encouraging to learn that Hudson said couples who go green also can save some green in the process. For instance, she explained that altar floral arrangements used in the ceremony, which often start at $150, can be reused for the reception, instead of having separate floral arrangements for each. Or the wedding and the reception can be held at the same location, saving up to $700 on limousine transportation and rental fees for the parking space…not to mention the auto emissions.

Conversely, it can increase costs, depending on the options selected. Hudson noted that a completely organic menu, wine included, could be more expensive than a non-organic one and a gown made from organic cotton would carry a premium.

Books and websites on this subject indicate that greening your wedding can be as simple as: choosing one location for everything, donating leftover food to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter and diligently recycling after the celebration. And it can be as complex as arranging for all locally-grown organic food and flowers, making your own cake and recycled paper for the invitations and wearing only natural-fabric clothing.

For all of us who fall somewhere in between, the green-wedding options are as abundant as the styles of dresses and variety of flowers to choose from.

Your Guide to Green co-creator, Amy Edelen enjoyed incorporating eco-conscience touches into her wedding, “Most of the things we did were simple and inexpensive and we both enjoyed the celebration even more knowing that we hosted an environmentally conscience reception. We didn't plan to have so many green elements, it just happened and it was fun once we started to see where we could make a greener choice.”

Amy shares her experience as well as some suggestions for couples engaged in green wedding planning:

Invitations and thank you cards – We went with handmade, recycled paper invitations infused with wildflower seeds that can be planted and 100% recycled envelopes. They are created by womancraft.net, a social enterprise that provides a supportive, authentic workplace where women can: earn income, engage in meaningful work, improve job skills and build a work history. We also opted not to have wedding programs to reduce paper consumption.

Registry – We used a green wedding registry for some of our wedding items and requested getting organic items when possible. In lieu of gifts, some couples ask for donations to their favorite charity.

Gift wrap – We didn't think to do this until afterwards, however if asked about gifts, couples may wish to request recycled gift wrap or newspaper.

Bridal dress - While I couldn't find a consignment bridal dress store until after I had found a dress, I bought from a local family-owned store. Another approach is to wear an heirloom dress or one worn by another family member or friend.

Tuxes - We chose Men's Warehouse for the tuxes because they now use green dry cleaning.

Photographer – We met a husband and wife photography team through the Sierra Club who use digital cameras and use minimal chemicals in making prints by using inkjet instead of traditional printing. We used reclaimed wood. We used reclaimed wood frames for our selected photos.- http://www.recycledframes.com/

DJ – We found a very environmentally conscious person who rides his bike to and from work and uses green dry cleaning.

Rings – We didn't go with a diamond ring, but couples who wish to can consider fair-trade gold and diamonds. We did buy from small, local businesses. Couples also can consider recycling gold or silver jewelry rather than buying new in order to save on the mining operations.

Ring pillow/Flower-girl basket/throw garter - We made these purchases at a bridal consignment store instead of buying new.

Favors – We worked through the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted in honor of each guest. In addition, we enjoyed giving fair-trade chocolate favors to our guests. We avoided o ver-packaged items like disposable cameras.

Centerpieces – We used recycled wine bottle vases from a company called “Green Glass” set them in reclaimed bedspring holders surrounded by LED tea light candles. We also used LED lit candles for ambiance and rented or borrowed our other wedding decorations.

Catering - We selected a local caterer that buys about seventy-five percent of their food locally. The reception featured compostable plates/utensils/cups made from sugar cane and potato starch. The use of china also reduces the need for one-use items. We bought bottles and cans and provided recycling bins for them. Using kegs also cuts down on bottle consumption. From the get-go it helps to confirm that the management of your catering hall or restaurant is environmentally responsible or is willing to accommodate your beliefs. The Green Restaurant Association is one source that may help.

Cake – We found a local Phoenix, Arizona woman (Tasteful Creations) who made an organic cake for us.

Flowers – We used silk flowers that are being re-used. Brides who prefer real flowers can buy from fair-trade or organic florists.

Ceremony/Reception – We held the ceremony and reception at the same place to reduce emissions. The place is owned by a mother and daughter so we were happy to support local sustainability.

  Other – We bought carbon offsets for the entire wedding (location, driving, flying, etc.) through TerraPass. TerraPass sent us a description of the Carbon Offsets we chose framed in reclaimed wood to display at the reception.

Hotels – We chose a family-owned hotel that is working on going greener.

Honeymoon - On a final note, statistics show that n inety-nine percent of couples take a honeymoon. Suggestions for a green honeymoon include: stay nearby; choose an ecologically sound destination or method of travel; seek out travel agencies that specialize in eco-tourism.

 

Resources:

Reporter Kristin Dizon wrote an article titled, Declare your love for each other and the Earth, ” in the Seattle P-I REPORTER in which she provided the following Resource Guide of vendors that can help make your wedding greener.

General

greatgreenwedding.com ; greeneleganceweddings.com ; portovert.com ; www. ecochicweddings.com ; organicwedding.com ; greenweddings.net

Clothes

naturalfiberclothing.com , getconscious.com (hemp and silk gowns)

Gifts

greenhome.com ; ecohousewares.com ; anaturalhome.com

Transportation

carbonfund.org ; nativeenergy.com ; thecarbonfund.org

Flowers

phinneyridgeflorist.com ; butlergreenfarms.com ; almhillgardens.com ; californiaorganicflowers.com ; organicbouquet.com

Kathleen Davidson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Northern Arizona University and has served in communication management positions for Fortune 100 companies. A 36-year resident of Phoenix, Arizona, Kathleen now owns her own communications business and has clients across the country. More recently she has focused her writing and editing efforts in the sustainability arena.