If, like an increasing number of couples, you are starting to think green and eco-friendly when it comes to planning your wedding and honeymoon arrangements, then here are some things you can think about and some useful links throughout the page. If you choose a greener wedding, not only will you be doing the environment a favour, but as an added bonus you'll probably find your wedding costs less too.
The venue: A number of venues specialise in offer green weddings, where everything from the food, wine and table decorations to the entertainment and transport can be arranged around environmentally friendly principles. Another aspect worth considering is the distance that the wedding party will have to travel to and from the venue. The greater the number of transport miles, the higher the greenhouse gas emissions; but even if a lengthy journey is unavoidable there are things you can do.
Click here to see the website for Penrhos Manor
Click here to see the website for Hazelwood House
Transport: Think about your method of transport for the day, rather than a ‘Roller’ or vintage car, why not consider a carriage, pony & trap, or even a tandem? For the guests you can encourage the use of public transport by including rail timetables etc. in with invitations. You could also consider organising a bus or coach for guests, or have either the best man or one of the bridesmaids organise an informal car share.
Food and drink: Many venues will be able to organise an organic meal including the all-important wedding cake. It’s also worth asking if the chef can try to source local, seasonal produce to avoid it being flown halfway round the world before it gets to your feast. For the refreshments try organic beers, wines and ciders and when choosing look for local producers – there are some fabulous British wines or failing that French, Italian or Spanish rather than those from the other side of the world. Try these:
Entertainment: Fairly obvious really, but something local (again to avoid transport emissions) and a live acoustic band, quartet or barn dance rather than a disco or electric band.
The Wedding Dress and Bridesmaids outfits: There's an increasing chance these days that you'll find your dream creation in hemp, and you should also be able to find outfits made in organic cotton. Another eco-friendly option is a pre-owned dress, so scour the charity shops and internet for secondhand or vintage gowns. If you're not lucky enough to have something gorgeous handed down through the family, try eBay or a dress exchange. Editor's note: Since the time of originally writing this, we have discovered some beautiful hand-made creations in organic cotton and yes, even in hemp - take a look at Conscious Elegance.co.uk.
The Rings: Energy is used in the making of rings so try looking for antique, engagement and wedding rings. Alternatively Greenkarat specialise in recycled gold rings.
www.greenkarat.com
Flowers & confetti: Another fairly straightforward one – look for seasonal and locally grown flowers and why not think about pot plants for table decorations as they can be re-used either as gifts or in the garden of the marital home.
www.confettidirect.co.uk
Stationary and Table Decorations: Recycled paper is now widely available for invitations, orders of service, directions and seating plans etc. For table decorations, again pot plants are a great option and try to choose other natural materials rather than plastics.
www.recycled-paper.co.uk
The Wedding List: Think of gifts that will help you live a greener lifestyle, such as a subscription to a local organic vegetable box, an Eco kettle, or unglamorous as it may seem, a waterbutt! Encourage guests to buy locally manufactured products and to shop over the web. Where some couples marry many years after sharing the home in unwedded bliss, and they already have pretty much everything they need, guests could make a donation to an environmental charity such as the World Land Trust in lieu of a gift.
And finally …. The Honeymoon: Locations like the Caribbean, Australia etc.that involve long-haul flights will mean high greenhouse gas emissions, but if that is your dream then you can always purchase carbon offsets for the air miles (our carbon offset calculator will do all the calculations for you). Alternatively you can consider some more environmentally friendly options, such as rail travel to European locations, or even explore options within the UK. If you're feeling a little more adventurous you can consider joining one of the Earthwatch Europe Institute expeditions.
www.tourismconcern.org.uk
Some other useful links:
www.greenweddings.org.uk