Green Your Wedding-ideas on an environmentally responsible event
This year more then ever I keep hearing brides ask about how to “Green” their wedding. There are so many different ways to have an amazing wedding and still be environmentally responsible. Even the smallest thing will make you feel good, so whether you go to extremes or keep it simple everyone can add “green” touches to their wedding. Here are a few of my favorite ideas. If you have any ideas let me know!!
Catering- Buy Local!! Not only will you be supporting local farmers but you will also be getting the freshest produce. Let your caterer know that you want (and expect) them to also work with your “green” vision. This means that they should not use plastic water bottles and also should recycle. There are lots of fun hors d’oeuvres that produce no waste. So many times we see a lot of extra or wasted food from caterers just being thrown out. Make plans ahead of time to have any extras donated to a local food pantry. You must do this ahead of time and also keep in mind that some items (like seafood) cannot be donated for sanitary purposed.
Bar- Again let your bar service know what you expect. No plastic bottles! Make sure you have recycling setup and that the bar service will take care of taking the trash to a recycling center.
Transportation- Charleston is such a great place since it is centrally located in the Southeast. If you are having a destination wedding then most likely guests will be staying at hotels. Encourage them to carpool and/or provide transportation for guests so they will not all drive a car.
Flowers- Again, Buy Local!! There are lots of nursery’s that have florists onsite to help you. Have your centerpieces consist of a potted plant and then encourage guests to take them at the end of the night. It is also a wonderful keepsake for the bride & groom to plant in their garden something that came from their own wedding!
Favors- I always tell clients not to think of the favors as an after thought or just something if they have left over money. Instead use your “green” theme and do something like plant seeds or a donation to an environmental organization
These are just a few of
many ideas. Here are a couple of websites that might help if you want to have a Green Wedding.
http://greeneleganceweddings.com/
http://www.greatgreenwedding.com/
http://wedding.theknot.com/real-weddings/green-weddings.aspx