6 tips for greener weddings and wallets |
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3. Find reusable decorations. When it comes to selecting your
decorations, think about items that will last a lifetime. When Adele Leonard, owner of Above & Beyond Event & Party Planning
in Brick, N.J., got married three years ago, she used recycled glassware to create the centerpieces. Leonard, who now plans
eco-friendly weddings as part of her business, also used biodegradable flatware and potted plants for the décor. Flowers do
not have to be placed on all of the tables. Instead, consider using items such as soy candles, branches and berries, suggests
Chertoff.
"You can even have beautiful baskets of breads and fruits and then have that be part of your menu for the night,"
she adds.
When searching for decorations, creativity can also save you money.
"Check out your local flea market and hunt for
some great bargains on recycled glassware and stuff like that," Leonard suggests.
4. For flowers, think local. If you decide to use flowers, check
with a local florist to see what flowers are going to be in season on your wedding day. Not only are seasonable flowers more
affordable, but they also can arrive to the wedding destination without being flown in from a distant place -- an action that
adds carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Not only will organic flowers grown at a local farm be free of pesticides, herbicides
and chemical fertilizers, but by supporting local businesses, you'll also be supporting your local economy in the process. Instead
of giving guests a wedding favor that they are likely to throw away, consider giving them a plant or seeds that can be planted
in their yards.
"Those little things are beautiful and simple touches that are still green, eco-friendly and affordable,"
Chertoff says.
5. Eat organic.
One eco-friendly element that can be costly is the food you choose
to serve. Serving organic foods to all of the guests could become
expensive because organic ingredients typically cost 50 percent
more than nonorganic ingredients, according to Consumer Reports.
You also have to find a caterer that specializes in organic menus.
If you wanted to have an organic menu, you might start your search
at a local farmer's market, says Leonard, by asking what caterers
they already work with. And if it's important to you to not cut
costs on the menu, then consider cutting your guest list.
"If you really want to have a completely
organic menu and it's really expensive, you might want to tailor down your guest list a little bit so you're still within your
budget," says Chertoff. Edible wedding favors also give guests a memento they can eat rather than one that will take up space
in a drawer.
6. Get charitable. One of the greatest gifts couples can offer their
guests is an example of how to care for the environment. Instead of asking for gifts, consider having guests donate instead to
an environmental charity of their choice. Not only do the guests get a chance to give, but they will receive a tax deduction as
a result of participating in your wedding. Another way to be charitable is to forfeit giving out wedding favors and donating the
amount you would be spending on the favors to a charity in all of your guests' names. In doing so, guests will see firsthand
what your priorities are and will be able to take part in the giving spirit of the day.
When it comes to planning an environmentally friendly wedding, there are plenty of ways a bride and groom can
incorporate eco-friendly touches without breaking the bank.
"By being creative and conscious, the future bride and groom can
reflect their green views on their wedding day even with the simplest things," says Leonard.
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