Happy Earth Day!
In honor of Earth Day, this wedding blog is dedicated to doing our part to greening our planet.
I think we can all agree that weddings can be pretty excessive events. There is so much waste! From food that goes uneaten to the flowers we use for a few hours that we toss in the trash, there are many opportunities to add a few environmentally-friendly items to your wedding. Here are a few of my favorite eco-friendly tips.
- Start planning your wedding from home. Before driving all over town, surf the Internet for vendors you like, make phone calls, exchange emails and narrow your options. Your at-home efforts will save you time, gas money, and will reduce nasty carbon emissions.
- Have a plated meal rather than a buffet. When the chef can make precise portions there is less food waste.
- Get an accurate guest count to your catering manager. This will also avoid over-preparation of food, which not only eliminates waste, it will also save you money.
- Use live plants. I have to admit, I LOVE fresh cut flower centerpieces and I never want to see them go away, but if you are doing extensive decor for your ceremony and reception, flowering trees can be stunning (and you can plant them in your yard if they aren’t rentals)
- Donate to a charity rather than give favors. I have many clients who have been giving money to their favorite charities in honor of their wedding guests. It makes them feel good to give something back to the community.
For some more eco-friendly wedding ideas, check out this special package that my company, Just Marry! and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel created for couples who want to add a bit of “green” to their wedding.
- Eco-friendly wedding planning and coordination: Inclusive of complete electronic documents, minimal carbon output, custom concepts and inspirational ideas (less paper means less trash)
- Organically and Locally Grown Floral
- Solo acoustic musicians playing guitar or violin (saves electricity)
- Plantable invitations/stationary
- Eco-friendly favors to include organic fabric shopping bag with green canteen and fresh locally grown
Florida Oranges - Customized Environmental Table Numbers
- Just Marry! Green wedding planning DVD
- Organic Cocktails: Organic Vodka, Organic Wines,Beer on Tap, Filtered Water Infused with Fresh Fruits (no bottles save our landfills)
- Utensil-free hors d’oeuvres: Petite Toast with Quail Egg and Gourmet Cheese, Smoked Salmon Lollipop, Tuna Tartar served in Cones, Soup Shooter of Heirloom Tomato Bisque in Demi Tasse, Chipolte Lobster rolls with Sips of Chili Rubbed Bloody Mary’s in Shot Glasses (no utensils or toothpicks mean less trash and less dish washing)
- Locally-grown dinner menu: Lake County Heirloom Grown Tomato Salad, Indian River Honey Grapefruit Vinaigrette or White Balsamic Tomato and Chive Vinaigrette; Rock Shrimp and Organic Mascarpone Tortelloni, Hazelnut Sage Butter; Choice of Pan seared, line caught Florida grouper with Homestead Avocados, Micro Arugula and Key West line vinaigrette, Marion County grass-fed organic ribeye, or Marion County corn-fed breast of chicken; Plant City strawberries and organic chocolate cake
Special Touches
- A tree will be planted in honor of Bride and Groom with placard indicating name and date of wedding. Bride and Groom will be invited back on anniversary to water their tree
- 10 hours of environmental community service by the Just Marry! Team
- All recyclable materials will be properly separated
- Carbon footprint credit with a donation to the bride and grooms charity of choice
- Soy Votive Candles
There are so many more wonderful eco-friendly ideas for weddings that don’t include wearing a gown made of soda cans or dancing with the lights off. I would love to hear some of your suggestions and to share them on the wedding blog! Post for me here, or email me at susan(dot)southerland(at)pwg.com. Also become a fan on Facebook by clicking here and follow me on Twitter by clicking here.
Your partner in perfect planning,
Susan
