eco-friendly goes to the chapel
By Amanda Maly
Little girls dream about them. Flower and cake shops make thousands off them. But what about Mother Earth? What does she get from weddings? The truth is that many of the more common wedding staples can do more harm than good.
But don’t fret. Here are the most surefire ways to add “something green” into your big day.
The Ring
Many couples opt for the standard diamond set in gold. The problem is gold is often from open-pit mines, which create astronomical amounts of waste. No Dirty Gold, a campaign to reveal the truth behind gold mining, estimates one gold ring generates at least 20 tons of mine waste, and mining metals consumes as much as 10 percent of world energy.
Joshua Houdek and Kristi Papenfuss, a
If the thought of forgoing the bling seems too unromantic, you can opt for a Kimberly Process certified diamond. This ensures the rough diamond is from a conflict-free source and was mined to specific ecological standards. For the more earthy couple, wooden rings are another good option. Designer Gustav Reyes creates one-of-a-kind rings from salvaged lumber and sells them through his Web site, www.simplywoodrings.com.
The Invitations
Bruce Vassar of Twin Cities Bridal Association says many invitations are eco-friendly. “When it comes to their invitations, menu cards and thank-you notes, couples are probably already using recyclable papers,” he says. Houdek and Papenfuss took it one step further and chose RSVP postcards to cut back on envelopes and postage. If you’re willing to spend a few extra dollars, hire a calligrapher to do the invitations since hand power uses less energy than a printer. Internet RSVP and invitations not only save trees, but also reduce the flood of mail in those frenzied pre-wedding days.
The Dress
While Papenfuss bought a vintage dress she could wear again, many brides still want that special dress for their big day. Dresses can be made from all natural materials such as silk or cotton, although Vassar recently saw some designers use cotton for wedding dresses, and warns brides to be wary. “I have to say it looked somewhat odd, to say the least,” he says. “Cotton wrinkles and it just looked cheap. Not flattering.”
The Details
For bouquets and centerpieces, talk to your florist about organically grown flowers. Or you can create a personalized bouquet from your own garden. And while many fake flowers are made from plastic, silk flowers are a safe choice—and they’ll last as long as the marriage.
The Venue
“Where you get married has a huge impact on the amount of carbon emissions your wedding generates,” Houdek says. “What you choose for decor might not have as much of an impact.” He and Papenfuss chose a local park for their ceremony, but Houdek notes that it can be hard to find outdoor venues large enough for bigger weddings.
Another green option is a solar-powered wedding. The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society has a trailer that can be rented. This small trailer can store up to 22 kilowatt-hours of solar-powered electricity so it can handle the entire event.
The Grub
The best way to reduce your eco-footprint is to reduce waste. Plan an organic menu, using as many local vendors as possible, and for the cake, ask your baker to use only natural ingredients like sugar and flour in lieu of artificial flavors.
The real key to eco-friendly fare is what you do with it after everyone is full. If you keep the food at proper temperatures, and transfer excess to clearly label disposable pans and bags immediately, many food rescue organizations will take them. Check with your local branch of Second Harvest before the wedding to see its specifications and to arrange a pick-up time after your reception.
After the meal, serve Fair Trade Certified coffee. This not only ensures coffee growers receive a portion of your payment, but also that sustainable farming was used to produce it. A pound of Fair Trade coffee is equal to the average cost of a pound of regular coffee at many retailers, like Caribou Coffee.
The Honeymoon
