Go Green!

A huge trend in wedding planning this year has been the "Go Green!" movement. From recycled paper invitations to seedling tree wedding favors. The trend has hit every wedding across the country.

Use these green ideas when planning your wedding:

-Book your wedding near your home. Make a conscious effort to use more local vendors to decrease your wedding's carbon footprint.

- Try looking at in stock wedding gowns. Why not purchase something in your size that is already in the store. Not only will this be very convenient, but will cut down on the unnecessary waste of producing another dress.

-Recycled invitations. Contact Pink Paper Designs, Meghann is amazing and she is sure to please. www.pinkpaperdesign.com

-Seedling tree favors. These are adorable and with your help each guest can plant a little tree. Think about it...one wedding of 200 guest could potentially produce 200 seedling plantings. Find all kinds of seedlings and other plantings at www.plantamemory.com

-Learn how you can donate your wedding dress to charity at www.idofoundation.org.

-Find a caterer who will provide vegetarian and organic entrees.

-If you are already settled into a home, and do not need kitchenware or furnishings, you may prefer to state on your invitations: "Please no gifts" or "Your presence is your gift to us", or recommend that guests donate to your favorite environmental group in honor of this special occasion.

-Throwing birdseed is a good alternative to throwing rice ONLY if you are having a city wedding, or will be tossing birdseed in a manicured, non wild yard. Standard birdseed mixes contain invasive plants not native to your area, and throwing birdseed in a natural wedding spot, like in a nature preserve or state park, can cause havoc to that ecosystem. Alternatives to rice and birdseed are throwing native wildflower seeds or petals, ringing handballs, or blowing homemade bubbles from recyclable containers.

We hope these ideas will help you to Go Green! for your wedding. Enjoy!