A Green Theme for your Wedding

1. Start out with some eco-friendly announcements. Instead of using wood generated paper try paper made of bamboo, kenaf or hemp. When printing them ask for soy based inks or hand letter them yourself with a nontoxic pencil or water-based markers. Have guests RSVP via the phone, or e-mail to cut down on more paper waste.

2. Choose ceremony and reception sites that are naturally beautiful. This can include parks, beaches, vineyards, gardens, lakes, etc. It will be easier for you to choose a caterer that is eco-friendly if you choose the park or beach areas. Most established reception sites will not allow you to bring your own caterer, but you can always ask.

3. There are many caterers who will provide vegetarian menus and or will accommodate meat eaters as well.

4. For guests who must park far away from the reception provide a bicycle taxi or golf cart for pick up and delivery. Or some type of carpooling. Guests who come from the same area should be encouraged to carpool. Try to provide carpooling options with your invitations.

5. The dress of your dreams may not have been created when you were dreaming of it. But now there are plenty of natural fiber options such as cotton and silk. Be sure to inquire about chemical dyes and synthetic materials used to create the dress. If it is difficult to find what you want you can always have a dress custom designed. You don not have to be a celebrity to take this option!

6. Play music at your pre-ceremony that resembles your natural surroundings such as birds, ocean waves, babbling brooks, or dolphin sounds.

7. For the reception try decorating tables with potted plants and flowers (that guests can take home) or rent them from a plant company such as Good Earth Plant Co.

8. For an evening wedding ceremony or reception use candles to light the way. Make sure they are soy long lasting candles. This will also create a beautiful, intimate wedding atmosphere.

9. Use washable towels and natural soaps as well as recycled toilet paper and tissue in the rest rooms at the reception facility.

10. Use nontoxic soap to blow bubbles when the bride and groom leave for their honeymoon or use eco-friendly bird seed instead of bird killing rice.

11. Give your bridal party gifts of scented candles, gift certificates to sporting goods stores, nature CDs, recycled paper and soy-based ink pens, massage therapy gift certificates, etc.

12. Finally, the honeymoon beckons. How about a Nature Conservancy Adventure on protected land, backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail and collecting trash along the way, or visit the rainforest that you have been working to save in Costa Rica.

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