Ways to Go Green on Your Wedding Day, from the I Do Foundation

As
an engaged couple, you have immense consumer power as you make all of
the spending choices involved in your wedding day. Through your
dollars and your preferences, you can make a difference by selecting
environmentally conscious options that are good for you and for the
planet.

 

1.
Make Informed Jewelry Choices: Whatever your ring style or
preferences, consider the source of your chosen metals or gems.
Jewelers like Green Karat  offer rings
made from high quality, recycled metals. In addition, nonprofits such
as Global Witness have
developed consumer questions you can ask that will help you feel good
about your diamond purchases.

 

2.
Be Fashionably Green: Think outside the box for your wedding
dress, and you may find cheaper, more unique options. How about
purchasing a vintage dress that you can tailor to create a style
that’s all your own? If you’d prefer a new gown, there
are a range of organic fabrics that can make for a beautiful, natural
look. And when it comes to your bridesmaids, choose a dress option
your maids will want to wear again and again.

 

3.
Eat Well: Give your guests a tasty and healthy meal by working
with an organic caterer. If you’ll be serving meat or fish, ask
your caterer to consider using naturally raised meat or fish choices
that are environmentally friendly. Check out the list of approved
seafood from the Monterey Bay Aquarium
as you make your menu choices.

 

4.
…And Be Merry: As your guests raise a glass to toast your
commitment, consider filling it with an organic beverage. Organic
wines are a hot trend in the wine industry, and Organic Vintners is a great place to begin your
search for the perfect pairing for your meal. For those who prefer a
non-alcoholic beverage, try Honest Tea for
a delicious, naturally brewed organic drink.

 

5.
Flower Power: As you picture your perfect flowers, think organic,
seasonal, and potted. Most flowers in the United States are imported
from South America where heavy pesticides are used, often without
adequate protection for worker safety. As an alternative to these
traditional production methods, consider an organic source, like
Organic Bouquet . Also, work with your
florist to find blooms that are in season in order to avoid the
financial and environmental cost of transporting out-of-state items.
And don’t forget to ask about potted plants that you or your
guests can enjoy long after your wedding day.

 

6.
Travel Light: Looking for a cool transportation option to get
your guests around during your wedding weekend? Check out
environmental rentals like Ozocar.com in New York City or EV Rental
Cars on the West Coast. Provide travel tips
for your guests that include public transportation options and help
arrange for car pools when possible.

 

7.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Here’s a good rule of thumb for all
of your wedding purchases: If it can’t be reused, recyled, or
consumed, rent it. When you work with vendors, ask about their
recycling policy and make sure they have one. Consider what kind of
recycled materials you can use throughout your ceremony, starting
with your invitations on recycled or tree-free paper.

 

8.
Create a Green Registry: Make your home as green as your wedding
with green registry options such as Green Feet [http://greenfeet.com]
and Gaiam . You can also shop your values when
you create a registry with fair trade organizations like Global
Exchange which ensure workers and
artisans receive a living wage for the goods they produce.

 

9.
Be Carbon Neutral: Guests will be coming from near and far for
your celebration, and all that travel has an impact on the
environment. There are many programs that can help make your
celebration carbon neutral by allowing you to offset carbon dioxide
emissions through investments in industrial efficiency and renewable
energy projects. Check out options like Terrapass and the Carbon Fund.

 

10.
Eco-honeymoons: After the festivities have drawn to a close, keep
the green spirit alive with sustainable travel or eco-tourism.
Rainforest Alliance will help
you be a savvy green traveler whether you want to wander Paris or the
rainforests of Peru. If you are looking for a honeymoon adventure
that combines nature conservation with improving the lives of native
peoples, check out The International Ecotourism Society.
Here you will find a comprehensive list of tour operators from around
the world who have agreed to meet standards for responsible
ecotourism standards.

{All contributed content/photos in this feature © I Do Foundation  Please do not copy or redistribute without permission}.