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A fresh take on the modern wedding: incorporating
eco-friendly elements that celebrate your love
for each other as well as your love for the Earth.
“Sharing your special day with your closest
friends and family can become even more memorable
if your plans incorporate consideration of the
environment,” observes Cicely Rocha-Miller of Life
Design Event Planning in Phoenix.
Rocha-Miller suggests including vendors who
also share your concern for the environment,
noting that your wedding consultant should be
able to direct you to caterers, stationers and design
professionals that can add a touch of green to your
celebration.
An event can include environmentally sound
choices without sacrificing style or sophistication.
“Green” does not necessarily equal “lean”—Even the
most luxe events can have eco-friendly elements.
Today, you can easily locate stunning invitation
papers that are made of recycled materials and have
your choice of extraordinary organic ingredients for
your wedding meal.
Particularly in Arizona, outdoor locations have
always been popular choices for celebrating a wedding.
A beautiful natural setting such as Sedona
is a natural choice, as is the lush environment of
Hidden Meadow Ranch in southern Arizona.
Celebrating the outdoors is a way of life here in the
Southwest. If you do choose an outdoor setting for
your wedding, do so in a way that is considerate of
the impact of your celebration. For example, hosting
the wedding and reception in the same venue will minimize
the need for transportation (read: pollution).
Avoid erecting structures in natural settings where you
might cause a negative impact on wildlife or native plants, and
don’t have your guests wear a path through a lovely meadow to
get to that “ideal” spot you’ve chosen to exchange your vows.
Anytime you can reduce your event’s footprint, you’re contributing
to the well-being of the environment.
Keep it simple and fresh, yet innovative. Phoenix Event Planner
Amy Mancuso recommends the use of native plants and
flowers that can be planted in your garden after the celebration
as a way to bring nature indoors and minimize waste. Candles are
also a lovely option—and who doesn’t look great in candlelight?
Invitations have always been one of the easiest ways to bring
in a love of nature to your wedding. Beautiful recycled papers
are available in many styles, colors and designs. For a more
overt environmental look, some couples are choosing invitation
papers that include dried flower petals, ferns and leaves. To take
it a step further, consider “plantable” invitation papers, which
are imbedded with wildflower seeds. Guests can then recycle
the invitations into a pretty flower patch after your wedding.
Recycled paper doesn’t have to look “used.” The vast majority
of paper products available today don’t call to mind the “twigs
and cardboard” appearance of previous recycled materials. An
experienced stationer will direct you to alternatives that fit the
tone of your celebration without looking out of place.
“One of the best things to do if you want to save paper,” says
Anne Bryan of Creative Events in Tucson, “is to send out a beautiful
email invitation. You can have this designed by a graphic
designer and have everyone RSVP online.”
Mancuso suggests that couples select table linens that can
be hand washed rather than dry cleaned, to reduce the use of
potentially harmful chemicals.
One natural choice when designing your eco-friendly wedding
is the selection of food and beverages you serve to your
guests. Many caterers offer fabulous organic choices for your
wedding reception meal.
Bryan recommends including locally produced wines and
produce in your catering plan. “Local wines are another popular
choice so you don’t have to spend the carbon miles of having
things shipped in from another state.”
She goes on to suggest, “talk to your caterer or venue about
using things locally grown—prickly pear salad dressing and margaritas
can be a big hit in the desert!”
Perhaps the ultimate in “recycling” is the use of that “something
borrowed.” Don’t have access to mom’s wedding gown?
Not to worry, says Bryan, “Getting your wedding attire from a
vintage or charity shop is another option.”
Today’s brides can make fantastic use of borrowed elements
for a sophisticated wedding. Consider using family heirlooms
such as serving platters; opt for rental glassware and dishes, and
items which can be reused later.
“
You may very well be surprised by both the excitement this
can generate among various family members and the resulting
items, not to mention a greater level of closeness among the
families. Plus, you’ve included the family elders in the planning
process,” explains Rocha-Miller.
One-time-use items should be an exception, rather than the
rule. Balloons, streamers, and other wedding-specific décor
could be kept to a minimum out of respect for the environment.
Don’t forget to share the wealth. Even if you do opt for cut
flowers and an extravagant meal, make a decision to share
what’s left when your celebration has reached an end. Senior
centers are appreciative of floral arrangements and some reception
leftovers may be suitable for donation to soup kitchens. In
these cases, a little advance planning can go a long way.
In-season ingredients for the reception meal, including as many locally produced products as possible,
reducing air pollution caused by long-haul transportation. (Imagine what it takes to get those pineapples to you in December!)
Likewise, utilize in-season plant and fl oral products
whenever possible.
Amy Mancuso suggests having the catering team
serve water as requested rather than pre-setting
filled glasses at each place setting. This will reduce
consumption and waste considerably.
It’s easy to “go green” with your wedding favors.
Consider seedlings (www.treeinabox.com), fl ower
seeds or bulbs, even heart-shaped fl ower “pods”
that yield wildfl owers (www.favorideas.com). Organic teas from www.weddingthings.com are packaged
in their own infusers—in a variety of flavors and
colors to coordinate with your theme.
Photography courtesy of:
Pangburn Photography |
