Simple tips to plan an affordable eco-friendly wedding!
Green Your Invitations:
* Go Digital. Be a modern bride and save trees! Go paperless for your weddingd day invitations. Not only will you be saving paper, you will also be saving postage (the cost to you) as well as eliminating the carbon output for the delivery of the mail. Electronic invitations are instant as well so it will save you time. You might try the free online websites such as www.Pingg.com or www.Evite.com
* Simplify your invitations. If you must send paper invitations, keep it simple. Instead of having several pieces included with your invitation (RSVP notes, wedding registries, maps, save the date cards) simply use one piece of paper for the invitation and have on it a telephone number or email address for guests to RSVP to. Again you will be saving paper, postage and delivery, and time.
* Use handmade or recycled paper. No trees will be cut down to make your invitations, you are simply being a responsible consumer and supporting the recycling industry.
* Send more than an invitation...send a keepsake. Having a memorable invitation, perhaps with your photo, a poem, a story, or inspirational quote will ensure that your guests keep the invitation as a keepsake for your special day and not throw it away to be added to a landfill.
* "Please Recycle." A friendly reminder to encourage your guests to do their part by recycling the invitation shows guests that you are eco-concious.
Flowers & Decorations
* Shop for in season flowers from local suppliers if available. This will rediuce the fuel consumption in order to get the flowers to you.
* Use simple flowers to add beauty and elegance to your wedding decor. Simple petals floating in a centerpiece are beautiful.
* Take time to share the flowers....after your wedding day, arrange for the flowers to be given to the local hospital where they will cheer others and be enjoyed by many
* There are no earth friendly balloons! Keep the use of balloons to a minimum or eliminate them all together. These only end up in our landfills or wose yet in the oceans where they are responsible for the death of many small sea creatures.
* If it can't be re-used, don't buy it. Be selective in your decorations. Choose decorations that can be reused for other occasions or brought into your home to enhance your home decor.
If you must have something and you won't be re-using it, rent it instead.
* Bring nature indoors! Use the beauty of nature to add elegance and fresh elements to your special day. Using items such as pinecones, leaves, pumpkins, branches, rocks just to name a few, to decorate your centerpieces and other wedding decor.
* Double Duty! Have your bridal and bridesmaids bouquets do double duty as centerpieces.
Wedding Favors
* Don't do favors! Make a donation to your favorite charity in the name of your guests. Eveyone wins and benefits from the gift of giving.
* Grow a favor. Give an eco friendly favor such as small trees or seeds to be planted by your guest.
* Eliminate packaging! Want to give mints out as a favor? Have a bowl on each table with the mints, thus eliminating the packaging. Perhaps you could give candles as a gift, but use them as centerpices that the guests can take home.
* Practical Purpose. Have the favors serve as a place card setting as well as a take home keepsake.
* Give something edible. The way to a person's heart is through their stomach :) Send guests home with home baked cookies, fresh fruit, or homemade wine or preserves. This is a favor they are sure to enjoy!
Do you have some eco-friendly wedding tips? We'd love to hear from you! Please email your ideas to help@weddingsinrevelstoke.info
