Planning An Eco-Friendly Wedding

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If you are concerned about the environment then consider planning an eco-friendly green wedding. Below are nine tips which can reduce the impact of your wedding on the environment.

1. Wedding Gown. A recycled wedding dress can look just as lovely as a new one, and you may find that a sister, friend, relative or even your mother has a gown that can be altered to fit you. If you’re short on female family members then check out second-hand stores and online auction sites. If you decide to buy new then go for a natural material like silk.

2. Wedding Ring. Gold mining uses toxic chemicals, and diamonds are often associated with war, conflict and smuggling, so again try and recycle. Use recycled gold or reset gems - perhaps a family ring from your grandmother can be resized and even reshaped.

3. Wedding Invitations. Use recycled paper and soy-based inks, or better still don’t use paper at all. Send a nicely laid-out email, because even if the guest prints it out later you have still saved an envelope and the environmental costs associated with the postage system.

4. Food. Go for locally–produced organic food. If you want fish on the menu make sure it is sourced from sustainable fisheries. Local wines save on carbon emissions involved in transportation.

5. Photography. Digital photography saves paper and chemicals used to process film.

6. Flowers. Buy locally produced flowers that are organic with no pesticides used. You can reuse flowers from the church at the reception. You can have table decorations of potted plants or herbs that guests can take home afterwards and plant in the garden.

7. Venue. A wedding in an outdoor venue such as a Botanic Garden saves on air-conditioning/heating, and also decorating the venue. Make sure that the weather will be suitable though as a rainy windy wedding would be miserable.

8. Transport. Encourage your guests to carpool. Consider a horse and carriage for the getaway or make your wedding car a hybrid.

9. Recyle. Make sure the caterers know of your recycling policy and choose appropriate materials. Sometime after the wedding, recycle your wedding gown by handing it on to someone who is special to you.

There are many things you can do to make your wedding eco-friendly, without making extreme changes, just remember even the smallest changes can help the planet!