Dreaming of a Green Wedding

Date: June 22, 2008 | Category: Beauty

A wedding is a very personal occasion. It can mean a trip to city hall or an extravagant event that takes a year of planning and careful execution (or anything in between).

It’s not an eco-sin to want that fantasy wedding you’ve been dreaming of ever since you saw your first Disney movie (though you are probably relieved that you aren’t sixteen like Ariel). Just as your union should be sustainable, so should the wedding. These days it is easy to wed like a Kennedy in heels or elope in sandals while minimizing your ecological footprint. Here tips and resources to help make your occasion as ecofabulous as possible!

Team ecofabulous did double duty looking for the details that make the big day such a big deal. Special thanks to Eliza Thomas, editor of LIME.com. Her quest for her own green wedding provided extra insight into what is happening right now on a very practical level.

And So it Begins

Before any festivities can commence, “Save the Date” cards (this is for the real planners - it wasn’t even a possibility for my shot gun celebration) and invitations are posted the old fashioned way. Sending thank-you notes for gifts is common etiquette, too. Here are some of our favorite green printers and bearers of eco-friendly salutations.

Yellow Owl Workshop will collaborate with you to design the most personal artsy wedding paper goods imaginable - we’re talking WAY beyond font and color scheme. Then, they’ll screen-print them by hand with non-toxic inks on 100% recycled paper.

If you’d rather design your own creations (I envy you creative types), the Greener Printer is the perfect place to get it hot off the presses. They’re total pros and will give you a quote online. Plus, they’re 100% wind powered. Our bride-to-be was blown away by the quality of her cool “Save the Dates”.

Smock Paper

provides truly elegant invitations, sustainably printed on “luxury” bamboo paper in upstate New York. Smock Paper is the proper choice, if you are looking for a more traditional, sophisticated appearance.

And for you paper haters, nix the pulps and move your wedding correspondence 0nline. Smilebox offers “creative messaging” and designs that can be personalized with photos, video, music, words, and style.

Another tree-friendly option is to direct guests to your wedding website for details like directions and accommodations. This way, you save paper and printing costs. Invitees can also RSVP via your site and browse your green gift registry. WedShare.com is a fast and easy place to get your site up and running.

What to Wear

Annatarian is an “Eco-Effective Design Company” driven by Cradle to Cradle principles. The designer works with brides-to-be to develop a unique custom gown made from vintage and organic materials.

Gaia House, based in the U.K., specializes in customized special-occasion dresses made of elegant, flowing “peace silk.” For those of us stateside, Gaia offers a selection of ready-to-wear gowns in vegetarian, organic fabric.

Designer Wai Ching’s name means wisdom and virtue in Cantonese. She lives up to these principles with her avant-garde gowns. Everything is hand-selected, hand-dyed, and hand-constructed.

Budget Bridal Gowns offers an online catalog of “used” dresses, including runway samples, closeouts, and previously owned or rented items (worn no more than three times). Or you can just rent from them. They have a diverse selection of lovely dresses (and some not-so-lovely ones). Once I find a place that uses non-toxic pigment, I plan to dye my white wedding dress green. It’s been nearly eight years, though, and still no resource, so let me know if you have any tips!

As for shoes, go with a pair that will make its debut at the wedding, but not its finale. Consider shoes that you can dye later. Beyond Skin hand-makes the classics — stilettos that never go out of style. They’re vegan, PVC-free, and incorporate various eco-friendly (vintage, organic) materials. Yet, were I to get married today, I would definitely walk the isle in a pair of Chamone’s stunning Cinnamon velvet heels in black (really more silvery gray) or bordeaux (deep wine). They are like foot candy with their satin ruffles and can certainly be worn to many future events. Then again, I am a big fan of brightly hued footwear - I wore pink velvet to my wedding.

For the fellas, Boll Organic makes a beautiful organic cotton dress shirt. And Conscious Clothing will have a groom looking dapper in an impressive hemp tuxedo (don’t be intimidated by the dreadlocks on the model). Otherwise, consider vintage for him. We’ve heard of some good finds from Vintage Swank. Tell us your sources too.

And for your little flower girl? She’ll look absolutely adorable prancing down the aisle in a Misha Lulu ensemble, made from Skal-certified organic cotton with retro-modern designs inspired by nature.

What About Rings?

Wedding tradition calls for something old and something new. Perhaps the ring is the perfect place to explore the “old” category. There’s nothing more meaningful — or more eco-friendly — than a timeless vintage ring.

Fourtane in Carmel, California, carries an exquisite collection of vintage jewelry — it is where I found my Edwardian engagement ring, but they have a splendid selection! Another amazing place to find vintage rings and all things bling is Lang in downtown San Francisco. (It’s also a favorite of style maven Gina Pell, from Splendora.) You can view the bulk of their extensive collection online, as well.

Sometimes marriage doesn’t work out, and people are left holding the ring box. What to do? Sell the abandoned band to some other hopeful fiance(e). I Do Now I Don’t is an auction site where one person’s misery is another person’s joy. If their karma isn’t of concern, you might score a great deal.

But for those who prefer a newfangled ring on those newlywed fingers, you can make sure that the quintessential symbol of your love does not
support violence, human rights violations, or environmental destruction
by supporting ethical jewelers.

Brilliant Earth will lead you through the process of designing the perfect, one-of-a-kind ring and deliver it to you with a certified stamp of ethical approval.

Recycled gold, conflict-free stones, locally produced. I am smitten with the elegant array of rings from Dawes Design. Her stacking rings are magnificent and make a wonderful anniversary gift - no reason not to think ahead.

Don’t take their word for it: Through its Green Assay program, Green Karat provides info about the ecological characteristics of all of the materials that make up each ring, so you really know about your ecological fingerprint too.

What to Serve

As always, keep it organic, local, and seasonal. If you want to make the ultimate commitment to the earth, make your wedding a vegetarian or vegan affair.

After many meetings, our betrothed confident went with Springloaf Catering, which serves the Bay Area. “They’re this perfectly adorable Euro couple,” Eliza cooed. “And they compost!”

Another green caterer getting rave reviews around the Bay is Work of Art Catering. They hand-pick their produce and divert over 90% of their waste.

How about a company that revels in the details? Living Room Events will create the sumptuous, stylish menu of your eco-dreams, proving that precision pays. I have used them for a number of glamorous parties myself.

A few others that top our list:

Lucid Food in New York makes sure everything is ethically procured. They compost 100% of their organic waste and even offer a no-waste or low-waste option to clients. Seedling Catering in LA focuses on vegan and macrobiotic menus that are healthy and eco-friendly, while Portland’s Phresh Organic Catering caters to a more omnivorous crowd devoted to farm-direct and artisan ingredients. Herban Feast, with seasonal menus or regional growers, and local, organic Ravishing Radish are two tasty options in the Seattle area.

Check the directory on Portovert (one of our favorite green wedding sites) to see if there’s an eco-friendly catering service in your area.

Oh, the Cake!

Since most wedding cakes are custom made, you can probably request that your cake artist use strictly organic ingredients. Just tell them “gourmet and organic” are like “husband and wife.” You can also ask that they source local ingredients. Yet, since details add up, here are a few eco-confectioners that need little direction.

Nana Pearls, serving the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut), offers vegan and organic selections.

So does Lotus Cake Studio in Northwest Philadelphia. They’re known for their super-innovative cakery (like the iPod cake in pictured here).

Cake Obsessions in New York is more than willing to bake you up a delectable eco-cake.

And for those of you in the SF Bay Area, The Pastry Princess can bake it vegan and delicious with certified organic ingredients. Or she’ll whip up a hormone- and antibiotic-free creation from humanely produced ingredients. Love the Cupcake Tower!

If we didn’t hit your neighborhood, check out this extensive Vegan Wedding Cake Directory.

Florify With Greener Greenery

It can take a lot of flowers — and a lot of cut stems that start withering during the reception — to pull off some people’s idea of a picture-perfect ceremony. One thing you can do to leave a lasting impression: Use potted centerpieces that double as take-home favors for your guests. Also, Flowers for Rent offers silk arrangements that won’t fade (a perfect metaphor for your love).

Otherwise, find a local florist who specializes in or is willing to do organics. Local Harvest is a good place to look for green businesses. Inquiries with flower vendors at your local farmers market can be fruitful.

If you are having trouble finding a local organic floral offering, check out Organic Bouquet and California Organic Flowers to see what certifiably eco and ethical blooms they have.

Giving Is Receiving

When less is more, register with the I Do Foundation. Just like a gift registry, this charity registry informs your guests about which causes are in your good graces. You can also register with their partner stores (Gaiam, Target, and more), and up to 10% of guests’ gift purchases will go towards charity. Like both ideas? Let your guests make the choice — great for reigning in your more uncontrollable family members.

ChangingThePresent allows couples to register for charitable gifts to hundreds of leading nonprofits. Some of the neater gift opportunities include planting trees in the couple’s name, protecting wildlife, and funding research. Not to mention, the site also has over 1,000 green gifts that are perfect for the wedding rush.

For couples who really do need all those essentials to jump-start their lives together, consider registering online with VivaTerra.

Wedding favors are also a perfect opportunity for you to think about what sort of message you’d like to convey to your guests. Make yours thoughtful and green with something like the Peace Love Earth Seven Wishes Bracelet. It’s made from recycled sterling silver and surplus (or organic cotton) string. Your guests put the bracelet on and make a wish. Once it falls off, their wishes are supposed to come to fruition. Manifest!

Blushing Brides

Brides are should radiate beauty as
they walk down the aisle, no matter what type of isle they choose. Most of them need a little bit
of help getting that glow, though. Use the Innersense Spa & Salon Locator to find your local purveyors of organic beauty.

Where, Oh Where?

When selecting a venue, first you need to decide what type of wedding you want. Ideally, consider where most of your guests are coming from, and choose a spot that is local for both the wedding and the reception. Holding both events in one location is key for cutting down on transportation. Another thing to consider are are LEED Certified sites, or buildings that have been built to meet various eco-friendly standards. Check with your local chapter for options in your area.

For getaway ceremonies, check our travel guide.

More, More, More
We’ve obviously only scratched the surface of what’s out there with our ecofabulous picks. Delve deeper through these plenteous portals. They’ll steer you in the right direction for practically everything wedding.

portovert.com
zahzoom.blogspot.com
everythinggreenweddings.blogspot.com
ecochicweddings.com
earthfriendlywedding.blogspot.com
greatgreenwedding.com

And check out our Ecofabulous Travel Guide to get those honeymoon plans in the works!

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