GREEN ECONOMICS
From White To Green
Weddings take on a new eco-friendly hue
It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of a “green” wedding was reserved for tree-hugging hippy types—a simple, shoeless affair. Today, however, couples across the social spectrum have sought out and developed innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of their special day. Throwing a green wedding can be all that any bridezilla can imagine. Weddings are not just expensive, they’re resource intensive, especially when you are planning them on an island in the middle of the Pacific. From the food to the flowers to your auntie and your tutu, the most important elements of your wedding must often be flown in from across the world. The flights, the hotels and the rentals cars amount to a huge carbon footprint, and we haven’t even talked about the entertainment, gifts or décor. An energy-neutral wedding is best accomplished with a holistic approach, one that focuses on your nuptials while keeping the Earth’s best interest in mind as well. Such an approach involves figuring out what the various environmental impacts of your wedding elements are, and seeking out alternatives that use fewer resources and produce less waste. The first step in greening your wedding is assessing its carbon footprint and what you’ll need to offset. Evolution Sage is a locally owned and operated company that provides carbon off-sets by investing in local, clean renewable-energy providers, sustainable agriculture projects and native reforestation. They can set up a carbon calculator specifically for your event. Once you start to think about the ways in which to integrate eco-friendly alternatives into your wedding, the opportunities for going green are really endless: reuse dresses for yourself or your bridesmaids, buy vintage rings, send recycled paper invites or go totally paperless by sending an e-vite. For place cards use shells, stones, or sea-glass.4 28
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Leaves from an autograph tree serve as place cards at this green wedding.