Organic Wedding Guide

Honour your new spouse and the earth at the same time with the rising trend of the "eco-chic" wedding.  Couples can choose to have all of the components of a traditional wedding while incorporating their concerns for the environment into their décor, linens, styles, and even vows.  Environmentalists and outdoor lovers alike will want to explore this option, as it truly may be a nice day for a green wedding.       

Wedding Plans

Invitations

It's not necessary to waste your money on hundreds of invitations bleached with harsh products that will end up in the trash anyway.  Instead, look to eco-friendly alternatives.   "Love Grows" cards: These cards are made from recycled and biodegradable materials; your guests can actually plant the card and wait for it to turn into a beautiful flower.  These cards really leave a lasting impression!    If you opt for the traditional, standard cards, choose materials like linen,  bamboo,  cotton fibre,  or recycled paper.   They are much better for the environment.

Wedding Location

When thinking about your location, there are a ton of places you can choose to hold your wedding.  However, why not consider having the ceremony in a botanical garden, nature preserve, or public park?  Look at our guide to Planning an Outdoor Wedding to make sure you have everything covered.   Don't forget to include bins for recyclables.      Find a location that will connect you with nature, but yet will not put the natural habitat at risk.  For large weddings, look for a place that is somewhat developed so that it will be able to hold a decent amount of people.  For small weddings, look for an area to hold the ceremony that is untouched and pristine.  Invite only your closest friends and family and then move on to another location for the reception. Think about holding the reception at a Green Hotel.

Wedding Attire

Of course, you will want your fabrics to be organic and eco-friendly, but this can cause a challenge for formal wear.   Look for organic fibres  and natural fibres  for a wedding dress  or men's suit.    Silk  will break down, though it does take hundreds of silkworms to make it; this decision is yours.  You will also want to look at feminine fabrics like chiffon  or organza  for a special wedding dress, both of which are eco-friendly.    Some green couples also look to hemp.  You can find this in everything from the dress  to the dinner jacket  to the shoes!     Incorporate these materials into bridesmaid dresses  and attire for the groomsmen  as well. You can find wedding bands made of recycled gold  or other precious gemstones  to avoid the harsh results caused by mining.  Check our guide to Buying Jewellery With a Conscience for even more ideas.

Flowers and Decoration

There is nothing worse than watching flowers wilt and go to waste after the reception.  Look to more eco-friendly alternatives that are sure to be longer lasting.   Use potted plants  as decoration.  They can be nurtured and will continue to grow months after the wedding is over. Try a nice display of candles  as a centrepiece instead.  Organic candles  will work for even the most formal of occasions!  Try candelabras  for a fancy feeling or place soy tea lights  around for a more casual atmosphere.     As favours,  you won't want to give something that can be thrown away.  Try organic chocolates  or seed packets.

Food and Drink

Where to start? You will need to tackle everything from tableware to the actual food you will be serving.  Find organic linens  for your tables!  When it comes to plates,  cups,  and cutlery,  it is easy to rent them.  If you are not planning to rent, it is best to find paper products that are made of recycled material or that are made of corn and therefore biodegradable.  A popular brand to look into is Seventh Generation.  Choose a wide assortment of food with vegetarian  and vegan  options.   It is best to find foods that are locally grown.  Avoid certain endangered fish.

Transportation
	We all know the harm of gas emissions and the last thing you would want to do at your organic wedding is drive away in a huge limo full of pollutants.  Consider riding off into the sunset on horseback.   You can rent horses or a horse and carriage  to take you back to your honeymoon suite.   Look for an eco-friendly limo service  or hybrid limos. Rent a hybrid car  yourselves!

Related Guides

• Choosing a Wedding Location
• Eco-Fashion
• Green Guide
• Jewellery with a Conscience
• Organic Health and Beauty Products
• Planning an Outdoor Wedding
• Seasonal Weddings
• Vegetarian and Vegan Guide 

External Links

• BridalWave.tv: Articles on perfecting your eco-chic wedding.
• GreenLivingIdeas.com: Tips for hosting a green wedding or green wedding shower, along with ideas on creating a green wedding registry. 
• TheKnot.com: Resources for organic and earth-friendly reception ideas. 
• TheNaturalWeddingCompany.co.uk: Specialising in green and eco-weddings, this company offer tips, ideas, and planning tools. 
• Organic-Nature-News.com: An article on the components of planning an organic wedding.