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We all hear it, each and every day, be green, going green, and from Kermit the Frog, it’s not easy being green. Of course he was quite wrong, at least when it comes to the world. I’m sure being the colour green is much harder. Anyway…
I will say it again, as wedding photographers, we all see the inside and out of a wedding, we see just about everything that goes into it, from the food, to the materials to the transportation. And many times, at the end of the night, we see a large amount of waste. But honestly, just because my love happens to land me in New England as a wedding photographer, where we have generally always been eco-minded, doesn’t mean there aren’t some tips we can all use. SO, about a green wedding… Some tips are here…
- Setting the tone, when choosing a location, if your thoughts are pointing to the outdoors, choose a location that truly brings out all the beauty of the surrounding area. Apple Orchards, sea side, nature centers or even just some beautiful vast gardens. Being outside means that there is no need for heaters to be run, a/c’s to be pumping pollution and using energy and even more so, fresh air for all the guests. If your thoughts are leaning inside, think about museums or theatres where many of them donate or at least use the funds from your day for a good cause. And when at all possible, hold your ceremony and reception at the same location to cut down on total driving times. Not only will it cut down on pollution but your guests will enjoy not having to find their way from one place to the next.
- The rings, many jewelers now use recylced gold and or silver, let alone fair labor gemstones to make sure you’re not getting a “blood diamond”… With the right research you can easily find “green” jewelers.
- Though your wedding dress could easily be the most treasured item, tradition tells brides to use their mothers or grand mothers dress. I know what many of you could be thinking, it’s ugly. What about taking it to a seamstress with your own ideas and seeing what kind of transformation it could under go??? You may just be surprised what you could end up with! And if you just can’t fathom that, check out charities where you could buy and or donate a dress such as brides against breast cancer. All proceeds there go to the support of women with breast cancer.
- Used recylced paper, I know, I know, common thought back in the day was that recylced paper can’t be beautiful. How wrong you are if you make that statement today! Try checking out Tasha Rae Designs. Her theory: “Who said recycled invitations can’t be beautiful?” Her invites are just that, beautiful! And to cut back on paper even more, build a wedding website where guests and relatives can look further into the planning side. Such as Paula and Matt had done. www.paulaandmatt.com
- Flowers – quite simply, if you have the space and the time of year permits, grow your own. If that’s not possible, try a local organic farm or florist. And to go one step further, use potted plants as center pieces to be given away!
- Go organic with the meals, vegetarian dishes can be quite delicious! And don’t use disposable plates and platters, if your location or caterer doesn’t provide dishes, try renting them to cut down on waste. And remember to recylce all the bottles, beer and more.
- Instead of wedding favors, quite simply, donate. Let the guests know that you have donated in their honor. And remember less waste, so instead of leaving a little something with the note at every place setting, try one per table or a larger poster for all to see. Sites such as www.ifoundation.org let you raise money for your charity of choice.
I could continue to go on and on but I believe you get the point, if you’re thoughts are on the earth, try it out. Maybe you don’t have to go completely green, but maybe a light green will do??? Might just be worth the time and consideration!
Going green with theknot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/real-weddings/green-weddings.aspx
WWW.TREEHUGGER.COM (who would have thought. LOL)
http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com/
Shine on!
~Tim
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