Eco Weddings.....

From earth-friendly wedding decorations to recycled invitations, green weddings are the hot new thing taking the new year with a storm !

 Here's how to make your wedding eco-friendly..........

We don't expect you not to pick your venue if it doesn't have low-flow toilets, but we're all for doing our bit in helping the earth and you can do it without blowing your budget. Check out our tips for going green without walking down the aisle in a paper dress!

Your Reception Venue......

Choosing a venue really helps to set the theme for any wedding, and is normally your first major decision. However, traditional places, such as hotel's and large resorts, use loads of electricity, water and other typically not so earth friendly products in order to put on these glamorous affairs.
To think green, get married outdoors, come rain or shine, think on a farm, or in a meadow and cut the cost of electricity. There are tons of beautiful botanical gardens, hilltops and farms that offer modern facilities such as sinks and toilets, so you don't have to lose these comforts! Think lots of outdoor lighting, from candles in jam jars and paper lantins strung in the tree, let the sun provide all the daytime lighting.
  I know an outdoor ceremony and reception don't work for everyone. If you want to be indoors, try these ideas,
*  First, hold your ceremony and reception in one place meaning no guests will have to travel, so you'll cut back on fuel emissions.
* Or choose a venue that gets plenty of sunlight and host a daytime wedding so you can leave the lights off.
* Use hotels that recycle and use energy efficient appliances such as lightbulbs and biodegradable products. 

 Stationery.....
So many trees are cut every year to make paper. Eco couples are trying to help by making eco-conscious invite. Stick to Evites and make a  wedding web page to spread the word about all of your plans. Email is great for quick messages! Make sure all elderly guests get an invite though as they may not have email.. Emailing thank-you cards isn't a great idea either,  handwritten letters show best that you are happy with your gifts. Try opting for a single envelope making sure you use recycled paper products.  Some invites are even plantable! Guests can plant them in their backyards so the paper turns into flowers, plants or herbs instead of ending up in a landfill. Or go paperless with sustainable resources from teatowels and keyrings to knapkins are all gorgeous ideas.

The Flowers....

Many people think flowers are natural products, Wrong! Flowers are grown with chemicals to keep insects at bay. Try using things you can reuse in your home after the wedding, like candles, instead of flower bouquets think re-useable buttons or shells and make a brooch bouqet. If you have your heart set on a flower that isn't in season and a seasonal replica won't do, look for flowers that are VeriFlora-certified. This means that the blooms aren't drenched in chemicals or grown under harsh working conditions. A good eco-friendly choice is to choose potted flowers or plants as centerpieces. This way, you can take them home and replant them after the wedding.  For flower girls use wands and your bridesmaids can use handbags or paper windmills instead of posys and bouquets. 

The Catering.....

Think about your food carefully. To go fully eco you may want to include a wedding breafast that is complely vegeatrian. As meat comes from animals,  And, as with flowers, non-organic fruits and veggies may be treated with pesticides that can harm the earth.  A three-course meal of only organic goods and a vegan cake is a popular option for Eco couples. Organic foods do tend to cost more, so if they're not counted for in your budget, they might not be an option. You may also want to include a vegan meal option which means no dairy products, no eggs and, obviously, no meat.
So how can your dinner be green? Look for a provider who uses locally grown food. If bought directly from suppliers, food needs less time in the fridge and less packaging to stay fresh. You'll create less trash and less electricity has to be used. Your baker can use locally harvested eggs and milk for the cake too.  Out-of-season fruits and veggies are grown in heated greenhouses. If you're having a winter wedding, don't serve summer favorites, stawberries and summer fruits that must be grown in a greenhouse. Opt for cooked apples, and choose veg like butternut, and Brussels sprouts instead.

The Favors.......

Remember some plastics, metals and fabrics that couples use to package their favors arnt biodegrade. Ditch the favors altogether and donate to a charity instead. Let all of your guests know about your contribution via word of mouth instead of printing a sign, or clogging up your invites.  Favors are considered a lucky extra, but you still may want to give guests a takeaway treat as a little thank-you. Luckily, there are ways to make sure that yours don't end up in landfills. A nice optionis to give edible fruit favours. Head to your favorite farm or orchard for jars of jam or fresh honey. Not only will you save on gas by staying local, but you'll also be using glass containers that guests may recycle or reuse after they've finished what's inside. A nice idea is topersonalise them to so you can skip the monogrammed favor tag. Another option is to buy organic, chocolate bars.  Try to not use exta packaging! For a more lasting favor, give out something guests can grow, like seeds in pretty packets.

Your Wedding Dress......

Wedding dresses aren't always eco-friendly because, after making a pattern, there's bound to be extra material that gets put in the bin.  Man-made fabrics, like most tulles and some satins, electricity has to be used to create these. The fact that you'll only wear a wedding gown once also adds to the wastefulness. Remember your mom preserved her wedding dress for a reason, If it's not quite your style, work with a seamstress to make it right. There are ways to be green when deciding what to wear. Make your first stop vintage clothing shops for pre-worn dresses. That way, no new gowns are made and the dress that you buy gets a second wear too. But if you prefer to wear a brand-new dress, try to find a designer who uses sustainable fabrics created by nature and not a factory like organic cotton, silk or hemp.  Consider letting the bridal party wear clothes they already own. Offer a few guidelines, like a color or dress length. .