Tips for an inexpensive, environmentally-friendly wedding
Invitations printed on special seed-containing paper can be planted instead of thrown away.
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Eco-friendly means being passionate about the environment and is a popular trend. Combining eco-friendly with the recession and a tendency to spend less could lead to an inexpensive wedding that harms the environment in the fewest ways. And this sort of a wedding can be wonderful. The bride and groom can feel great about their wedding day.
But how could a wedding be both eco-friendly and cheap?
A few ways include:
1. Use locally grown flowers, if the season is right. Always use a local florist and try to select flowers that don’t need to be flown in from far away.
2. Buy a simple wedding dress that can be worn again. Some gowns come with a separate bodice and skirt. Purchasing such a gown could allow you to wear the top portion again, paired with slacks or your favorite jeans.
3. If new formal attire is necessary, be sure to go with apparel your bridesmaids and groomsmen are able to wear again.
4. Buy wedding shoes you can wear again or go barefoot.
5. Use branches or pine boughs to decorate the tables at the reception. Add ribbons in the bride’s colors or pinecones and tiny red berries. With driftwood you could use smooth lake stones or small bowls filled with moss. Local apple and cherry farmers might be willing to give you pruned branches.
6. Fill Mason jars about half full of sand and add a tealight. Tie some jute, raffia or ribbon around the top of the jar and use the jars to decorate tables, alcoves, windowsills, whatever. Just before the reception, light the candles and their glimmer will provide ambience. A friend used these at her daughter’s wedding, and it was beautiful.
7. Votive candleholders filled with a few twigs and seasonal berries look great as table decorations.
8. Keep the cake simple, or go with cupcakes. Smaller portions make for less waste.
9. Or have wedding cookies, which could be the bride and groom’s favorite or a special family recipe. Cookies could be stacked on an epergne to make a spectacular cake table display.
10. Create a wedding website rather than have invitation inserts which need to be mailed back. Or use a postcard reply card that does not require an envelope. If the wedding is small, have folks e-mail their RSVP.
11. Mail out plant-able wedding invitations. Invitations printed on special seed-containing paper can be planted instead of thrown away.
12. Instead of the cost and environmental waste of bottled water and canned soft drinks at the reception, opt for large containers of iced tea, lemonade and ice water.
13. Squares of scrap fabric, perhaps stamped with the bride and groom’s names and the date can be used as colorful napkins. Guests could even take them home as wedding favors.
14. Use twine for a charming, rustic and cheap alternative to napkin rings.
15. Use potted plants for table decorations or even to decorate the church or other wedding venue. Plants can be transferred to your patio or garden later or given to the nursing home or hospital.
16. Ask friends to help you create centerpieces or favors during a bridal shower or bachelorette party.
17. Plant a tree to celebrate your wedding day. Perhaps make a tradition of it to mark your anniversaries as well.
18. Guests can blow bubbles or toss birdseed instead of throwing rice to wish the wedding couple well. (Uncooked rice can kill birds.)
19. Instead of expensive attendants gifts, make a donation in their name to a worthwhile charity or cause.
20. Try to remember: simplicity can be a good thing.
