5 ways you can make your wedding greener
Both eco-green AND pocketbook green.
I love flowers like nobody’s business, but each beautiful wedding that we construct with lovely loads of cut flowers arranged artfully around the room gives me pause. It seems SO wasteful! Of course, we try to give them away at the end of the event to churches, elder care homes, the event staff, etc. But sometimes, that’s difficult because of the size or the container. With this in mind, we’ve gathered a few suggestions together for eco-friendly event planning.
Here are 5 ways to make your decor budget just a bit friendlier to the environment AND your pocketbook.
• Think live plants for your centerpieces- How about 1 gallon containers of dwarf boxwoods, azaleas, gardenias, or hellebores? Choose a flower that is seasonal to your area at the time of your wedding and plant them in your landscape after the wedding. OR, you could always donate them to a park or charity.
• Choose something small but edible for your favor. Let’s face it – the matchbooks or the little votive candle with your monogram and wedding date on it will probably sit in the junk drawer for 6 months and then get tossed! So make it yummy -and better yet, choose a product that is local. Go to your local farmer’s market to find beautiful choices of seasonal fruits and baked goods.
• If you are already on a tight budget and your caterer is recommending disposable plates and cutlery, I have a chic suggestion…Bamboo disposable plates. They can add a modern flair too your event AND they are biodegradable!
• Choose locally brewed beers or wine from local wineries. You don’t have to provide a full bar to make your event memorable. Offer butler-passed local wines or set up a wine tasting bar with local wineries represented.
• Last but not least – Don’t buy any decor items before you meet with your florists or designer. Pull the complete look together first. Many of the items that are purchased ahead of time at “bargain” prices often don’t fit the final design and are never used or are stuck in and look out of place. These items can often be rented at a better price point than they can be purchased. Remember, the first suggestion of using live plants for centerpieces? You can rent gorgeous containers to place these in for the evening – Again a win-win for the environment and your pocketbook!
Keep it GREEN and ENJOY each blissful moment!
Article by: Melanie Hobert