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15 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Wedding

Flickr: epSos

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Why a Green Wedding?

• Share your values with the people who mean the most to you

• Support local green businesses

• Lighten the impact of an event that can be very wasteful

Flickr: yakobusan

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Invitations

• Send invitations printed on recycled paper

• Make a website with directions, maps and wedding-related events that your guests can access on their computer and mobile phone  (so they don’t have to print anything)Flickr: weddingparaphernalia

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Clothes

• Incorporate vintage family heirlooms and jewelry made from recycled metals and stones  to glamorize your wedding day look

• Donate your wedding gown to charitable organization like Brides Against Breast Cancer to make wedding dreams a reality for other brides

• Buy a suit or tuxedo that can be worn for other occasions… or rent one!

Flickr: lucas4891

Flickr: MNgilen

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Gifts

• Don’t register for things you don’t need, or don’t think you’ll use.

• Create a charity registry to share your guests’ generosity with a charitable organization of your choice. You can learn more at The I Do Foundation

Flickr: Puggles

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Flowers

• Ask your florist to create centerpieces inspired by nature using dried or silk flowers, branches, leaves and rocks. If you must have cut flowers, try to buy flowers in bulk and from local farmers.

• Use potted plants instead of cut flowers. They can be given as gifts to the bridal party, guests and family members after the wedding festivities.

Flickr: project hotsauce

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Reception

• Customize your reception menu with organic foods and beverages made exclusively from locally grown ingredients. The leftover food can be donated to nursing homes, non-profit organizations and shelters.

Flickr: wedding-photography-by-jonathan-day

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Favors

• Give wedding guests favors that keep on giving like an envelope of vegetable seeds, flower bulbs or a tree from the National Arbor Day Foundation

• Make bridal party gifts, like candles, bath salts, oils and fragrances, ahead of time and eliminate last-minute shopping or shipping hassles.

Flickr: arnold | inuyaki

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Honeymoon

• Travel locally or by train to reduce your carbon footprint

• Consider staying at an eco-friendly hotel

• Engage in low-carbon activities activities like sailing, horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba diving and hiking at your destination

Flickr: TravOC

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Want to learn more?

• Great Green Wedding http://www.greatgreenwedding.com/

• Green Living Guide’s “Ten Tips for an Eco-Friendly Wedding” http://www.greenlivingguide.org/10-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-wedding.html

• Planet Green’s Green Weddings guide http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/weddings/

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Looking for a great green wedding gift?

Check out our wide selection of green products at sustainablog’s Green

Choices storehttp://sustainablog.org

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Credits• Images

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/epsos/4327124010/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/yakobusan/3190888778/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/weddingparaphernalia/4452387054/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/20179579@N00/2139098757/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/puggles/2264263142/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/quattro_ftw/3424691207/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/wedding-photography-by-jonathan-day/3530514249/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/arndog/2189565076/

– http://www.flickr.com/photos/travoc/64417778/

• Text: Talancia Pea & Jeff McIntire-Strasburg