"Going green" is for obvious reasons becoming very popular. Weddings are no exception and people keep coming up with good ideas for green weddings. This post - 10 Ways To Go Green at the DIY Bride blog offers up some interesting ideas.
Be sure to check out some of our posts on the subject too:
If your dream is to have a stylish yet earth-friendly wedding, you’ll want to be sure to select wedding invitations composed of environmentally friendly materials.
Invitations made of recycled paper and non-wood fiber are becoming easier to find. LCI offers a selection of recycled papers and envelopes such as Carnival Card Stock (shown top), Gmund Fine Papers (shown bottom), and Oxford in a wide assortment of colors and textures.
Other paper options to consider include hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton.
Choose paper that is natural in color or tinted with natural dyes. Look for the PCF (processed chlorine free) label, which ensures the paper hasn’t been bleached. Metallic or plastic-coated papers typically aren’t recyclable so you may want to pass on them. And when choosing embellishments, consider those made of natural fibers, dried flowers, or leaves.
Ask your printer to print with soy or vegetable-based inks since they are biodegradable. Stay away from metallic inks as they often contain toxic pigments. They can also be problematic to de-ink when recycled. If you’re printing your own invitations, buy remanufactured toner cartridges and recycle them.
To cut back on the amount of paper you send out, consider sending a postcard for RSVPs instead of the traditional card and envelope. Along that line of thinking, LCI’s Seal and Sends are a great option for streamlining your invitation ensemble. Their design combines invitation and envelope so less paper is used.
Hopefully, these suggestions will help you remain environmentally aware while still selecting beautiful wedding invitations.
Tags: ecofriendly paper, ecofriendly+invitations, ecofriendly+wedding, recycled paper
There are more ways than you’d think to make your wedding eco-friendly. From the makeup you wear to how you arrive at your event, all aspects can be planned from a “green” perspective. Read on for suggestions on how to make your big day a great one for you and Planet Earth too.
Wear a “green” face on your wedding day.
No, I’m not referring to that pallor that’s brought on by wedding day nerves…
But seriously, more and more cosmetics manufacturers are creating products using organic ingredients. So how do you know that their all-natural claim isn’t bogus? Check the product’s packaging for the USDA’s National Organic Program seal. This program monitors beauty products and in order to be awarded this recognition, 70% or more of the ingredients must be organic. Just think how much more healthy that is for your skin.
Real flowers aren’t necessarily green.
Did you know that many roses are so genetically engineered that they don’t even have a rose fragrance? If you’re going the real flower route, check out where they’re grown to find out if they were raised organically, without pesticides and other chemicals.
Consider alternatives to flowers. Many environmentally-conscious brides skip flowers altogether and carry silk ones instead. A new trend for bridesmaid bouquets is large, beautifully decorated fans or silk boxes or purses holding faux bejeweled flowers.
Use potted flowers or plants for centerpieces, ones that can be brought home and planted in a garden. Decorate your reception hall with potted trees strung with tiny white lights.
Select recycled paper for your invitations.
Choose recycled paper for your invitations or paper made from other fiber, such as hemp or bamboo. And, try to use less paper within your invitation ensemble by consolidating information as much as possible. Instead of placing a menu at each table setting, provide one or two menus per table. Create an attractive poster that displays seating information in lieu of individual escort cards.
For recycled colored card stock, try brightly colored Carnival Card Stock (50% Recycled Fiber and 30% Post-Consumer Waste Fiber) or light shades of Gmund Colors Card Stock (10% Post-Consumer Recycling and 25% Pre-Consumer Recycling).
For thick, textured card stock, take a look at Gmund's Vice Versa line, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
A few more green ideas.
Candles are a must at weddings. Their soft light adds such ambience to any setting and they make great favors, too. Instead of using candles of paraffin wax, burn all-natural soy candles, scented, or unscented.
What about your transportation? It doesn’t have to be a limo. A horse drawn carriage (or sleigh for a winter wedding) is always a romantic, elegant, and environmentally-friendly option.
Instead of purchasing a new gown, perhaps you have access to a family member or friend’s heirloom or vintage gown. Alternatively, consider a custom-made gown (if your budget allows) of 100% natural silk.
Tags:
green wedding
environmental wedding
eco-conscious wedding
recycled invitations
recycled card stock
silk flowers
silk gown
