Biodegradable wedding poppers: one of the most well known, and most commonly practiced wedding traditions is showering the Newlyweds after the ceremony. The Bride and Groom will exit the ceremony and head off to the reception, but not without first being showered with rice or confetti. Many modern couples have chosen not to use rice, for various reasons, and have since replaced them with other options, the most popular being paper confetti. This is often shot out of a small “popper”, which leaves a mess that creates unnecessary waste, and harms the environment. However, now there are wedding poppers that have biodegradable confetti and streamers, offering all of the fun, without any of the negative impact. Give your guests these favors and keep your conscience guilt-free, with these “Green” wedding favors.

Blooming seed papers: these favors are a gift that keeps on giving, especially when it comes to giving back to the environment. Seed papers are composed of Eco Friendly fibers and flower seeds, which can be easily planted, and will result in beautiful blooming flowers. These papers come in a broad range of shapes, all available with instructions and a personalized message for your guests. Not only will they remember your wedding day, but they’ll also be easily reminded by the flowers these favors provide.

Flower seed favors: these personalized cards can include your names, wedding date, and a personalized message for your guests. The flower seeds include instructions on how to plant, and grow, this Eco and budget friendly wedding favor. Make your wedding truly “Green” with favors that not only protect the environment, but also give something back. There are plenty of generic wedding favors out there, but none more unique and worth while than the gift of nature.

Credits: Arrangement by April Flowers (California) photographed by Ken Kienow (California).

Colors: Tuscan Red, Asparagus, Coral, Redwood, Tea Rose.

Elements: Wood, Succulents, Twine, Natural Details.

Credits: Bouquet (Photography, Arrangement), Ring Pillow, Sign Posts, Wood Journal, Invitation (Preview).

Many people wouldn’t consider the idea of getting married in an H&M dress, but for some people it isn’t all about the dress’ label, and they have some pretty cute styles in their sustainable collection for the modern bride looking for a sweet and simple cocktail look. Maybe a less flashy dress for a civil ceremony?

See all of these and more here, and read about the project, and how it is sustainable here.

Invitations & Cards: To help eliminate paper waste all together, send ecards for your “save the date” and “Thank you” cards. You can keep all the creativity and work with a digital designer to create your invites without all the waste.
If you’re set on paper, go with recycled paper and envelopes with natural ink.

Making Memories: When you choose your photographer, be sure they are shooting digitally. Preview your pictures and share via a computer, and have your pictures burned to a CD. If you prefer film, be sure they recycle materials and don’t use so many chemicals in the development process.
For photo albums, there are plenty of companies that have green options for printing and binding your wedding album, without any loss of style and chic design.

Choose eatable! The best idea for green wedding favors for guests are tasty goodies. If things are 100% eatable, there is no waste. Bake some homemade cookies or chocolate, or even make jam from homegrown fruits. If you need a wrapper for baked goods, used recycled products and those that are easily degradable, or save your glass food jars and refill them with goods. You can also give some free-trade products such as coffee (read up on what free-trade means here) or natural beeswax candles or home made soaps.
For the reception meal, treat your guests to locally grown food that is pesticide free. If you can’t go 100% organic, choose meats that are acquired sustainably and seafood that is low in mercury.

Other DIY gifts can include live potted plants, fabric bags, and other things that can be around for a long time. How clever is this Banana bread that is baked directly inside a reusable terra cotta plant pot from Style Me Pretty?

Don’t buy disposable. For the reception, use real dishes and glasses, that can be washed and reused. Use fabric napkins and table clothes that can also be washed and reused.

Find Eco Friendly hotels in the area, here is a good resource for “green” hotels in America: GreenHotels.com and Canada: Hotel Association.

Phew that was a lot of research. I hope you’re inspired to have an Eco Friendly wedding!

Credits: Succulent gifts, Homemade Bread, Soap, & Potted Bread.

Read up on Stylish ways to Go Green:
Green Wedding @ Amazon
Green Bride Guide @ Amazon (Budget Friendly)
Eco-Chic Weddings @ Amazon

When it comes to diamonds, you may think that buying “conflict free” is an eco-friendly and humane alternative, where it is definitely the latter (read up and understand why buying “conflict free” is so important), it isn’t clean of leaving a carbon footprint. Both gold and diamond mines produce waste that include toxins such cyanide and mercury, which seriously affect the water and environment alike. Vintage and antique rings are a 100% clean alternative. Yes, they are used, but they come in more styles and at a much cheaper price than whats in retail stores. The other great thing is that they are unique, you are the only one with that exact ring. That’s more meaningful than a mass produced ring. As for wedding bands, go for recycled metals, or re-used diamonds, often salvaged from old estate jewelry.

As for the dress, you might not want to comprise on, but maybe you’re unaware of just how many options you have. There is a variety of resources for choosing the perfect dress with a conscience. You can buy vintage, gently used, or recycled.

Vintage: Unique, one of a kind, well preserved vintage dresses are a great choice to have some retro flair in your wedding. There is every style, every cut, every color you could wish for, as most of the fashion of today’s dresses are just based on retro styles anyway. Check out Vintageous.com.

Gently Used: Lets be honest, a used wedding dress is probably the most pure form of the word “used” as you know it was only worn on one occasion. You can trust it is in good condition, check out BravoBride.com or RecycledBride.com.

Recycled: If you’re particularly crafty, you can make a unique dress by using second hand or thrift dresses and making your own with the fabrics.

Same goes for shoes and bridesmaid dresses. A great way to recycle is to sell your dress and other items post wedding just as the brides did whom you bought from!

Useful Articles:
@ Stress Away Bridal
@ Environment Canada

Today we’ll cover location and decor!

Cactus centerpieces and Succulent bouquets: Not only is this a great alternative to the traditional, overpriced, fresh cut flowers, they also add a great, rustic touch to your wedding. Imagine how well they fit a Texas, Arizona or Nevada wedding? Ceremony in Mexico? Rustic country theme? (Look how well it works into this real wedding) They also last so long you won’t know what to do with them. You can re-pot them as a special way to remember your big day. Cactus also have some of the most vibrant flowers and colors, which can make amazing centerpieces. Be sure to buy locally, as that is what makes this so “green”. No travel means less of a carbon footprint. Buying online and having it shipped to you is also a little redundant.

Why are floral bouquets not “Green”? Most fresh cut flowers come all the way from South America. They are grown year around with harmful pesticides and other chemicals. Then they have to travel all the way to you, all the while keeping fresh. This leaves a serious carbon footprint. I guess the exception to this would be if you or your friend grew the flowers in your backyard organically.

Act Locally: Destinations are glamorous and tempting for those who have the money to fly themselves and their family to the other side of the world, but if you want a truly green wedding, you should stay put. I won’t lie, an exotic ceremony in the Caribbean sounds great, but what’s more meaningful, a random (but beautiful) local across the world, or the park where you met your fiance in the town where your family and friends live?

Plane tickets, limos, even SUVs are all culprits in large carbon footprints. Instead have the ceremony in your friend’s garden, or in a local park. Have guests carpool, or, with all the money you save on planet tickets, really go all out and rent a hybrid or “Green” car for the transportation.

Next time… the ring, and the dress!

Useful links:
RecycledBride.com – Offers a place to find “gently used” wedding dresses, rings, decor and more.
GreenUnion.co.uk – Stylish and sustainable wedding items.
WeddingChaos.co.uk – How to recycle your wedding items after the big day.

Credits: Outdoor Wedding, Yellow Bouquet, Red Bouquet, Orange Bouquet, Pastel Bouquet, Centerpieces, Album.