Standing on Ceremony - On greening your wedding

Dear Umbra,

How about some practical thoughts on "green" weddings? My daughter is planning an outdoor July wedding in Wisconsin -- any tips? The reception is going to be outdoors at our home.

Tomm G.
Waukesha, Wis.

Hi Tomm,

This week's theme is 10-foot-pole topics! Or love! They're one and the same!

Environmental issues to consider for weddings are going to be quite similar to the everyday issues: transportation, food, non-transit energy use, consumer waste. Green weddings are a potentially awkward proposition because elaborate three-day affairs have become the cultural norm. Obviously in consideration of the environment less is more, but in the modern wedding context it might be difficult for the family to feel happy or comfortable just having a simple event, which we might call the "reduce" wedding.

The wedding industry is large, and the "green products" industry is sizable, and they have an area of overlap. The trouble with a lot of "green" consumer stuff is that it is simply substitutive. Vendors exist who can sell you all the things you would like for a regular old giant wedding, only with a green pedigree: organic flowers, organic party favors, hemp gowns, registries with ecologically minded companies. My feeling is that this is somewhat better than the traditional route, and if you want to go ahead with that kind of idea, please punch "green wedding" into your search engine. You might also read my earlier columns about rings, registries, and flying all your guests to Hawaii. My big heretical notion is: the smaller wedding (see last column for heretical notion about smaller family). Either that's possible given family politics, or it is not. Consider it thoroughly. A small guest list will mean fewer resources used in every category.

Less transportation will be the big goal, but it can be achieved in a variety of ways. Since this is likely the largest impact of your backyard shindig, let's list some emissions-reducing transport schemes. For others who haven't yet chosen their location, consider one to which guests will travel the least total miles. Try to do everything possible to reduce individual car trips from airports and hotels -- provide buses, shuttles, provide incentives to use the buses and shuttles (snacks? keeping event location secret? guilt?), have the wedding at a hotel where everyone stays, have ceremony and reception in the same location. Consider purchasing green tags to make up for unavoidable carbon emissions.

In choosing the food, look for organically grown and/or locally sourced products, as you should when possible in your daily life. Find a caterer who will work with you to use the products. Here's an unpopular but environmentally sound idea: have a vegetarian menu. Hey, speaking of unpopular ideas, how about a composting toilet at the reception? Quelle scandale! But seriously, folks, what other categories do we have? Outdoors in summer is a great choice, because you won't need to heat or air-condition the space. Any paper goods such as invitations can be printed on recycled-content paper. Any festive garments can be purchased secondhand or reused -- the tradition of using a mother's gown fits in nicely with environmental ethics. There's a whole brides-against-breast-cancer gown resale project too.

Never having planned a wedding, I'm sure I'm missing some vital piece of the event, but reduce -- go smaller and use less stuff -- seems to be the key. If you've been reading Grist, you already know the major considerations for daily life with an environmental bent. Think carefully about each step of the planning, keeping your knowledge in mind, and I don't think you can go too wrong. Besides transportation, almost everything about a wedding would happen anyway, right? People at home would eat and sleep and crumple napkins anyway. So follow your common sense, and hopefully being ecologically minded won't add to the stress of planning a big event. And congratulations.

Soothingly,
Umbra

By Umbra Fisk - 28 Mar 2007 - http://www.grist.org/

Altar-native Energy - How to green your wedding

No one wants to scrimp on matters of the heart. And not a lot of lovebirds want to pass up the chance to throw a meaning-laden bash with friends, family, and bubbly that ends in a sex-crazed vacation. Who could say no to that?

But when it comes to weddings, there are greener ways to get hitched. Today, earth-friendlier versions of conventional weddings are blooming everywhere -- from "Days of Our Lives" to the pages of Modern Bride. Thanks to an increasingly robust eco-marketplace that offers everything from organic champagne to biodegradable confetti, walking down the aisle without leaving a huge carbon footprint is a piece of connubial cake. And ideas abound for alternative (i.e., non-extravaganza) ceremonies too.

All it takes is some simple planning and a bit of pruning for the guest list (do you really need to fly in your fourth cousins from Slobovia?). After that, just feel the love -- the kind that extends to your betrothed and to the ground we all walk on.

Here are a few ideas to get you started -- and we welcome those of you who have walked the eco-aisle to share your story in the comments section below.

Level One: The Baby Step

Be a skipper. As in, skip the rice tossing. It's potentially bad for birds and wildlife, and it's definitely messy. If you must provide something for guests to toss, opt for something like birdseed -- unless the event is in a wilderness area where feeding critters isn't allowed. Try skipping a few other things, too, like party favors and place cards. The industry will tell you these things are a must, but any guest who's left an event laden down with them will tell you they're a bust. If you can't bear to skip them, consider giving garden seeds as favors and writing your guests' names on stones. Don't worry, Martha would approve.

Level Two: The Next Steps

Dress reversal. Green wedding garb, like the best love affairs, shouldn't leave a trail of toxic residue behind. Buy new or nearly-new gowns at places like Encore Bridal or your local secondhand store; check out the green wedding site Portovert; or shop at Anna Cohen, a Vera Wang of the green world. And guys: keep renting those tuxes! If you could really use new threads, buy organic cotton dress shirts or hemp suits that you can wear again.

Do the local-motive. Yes, Fiji is pretty this time of year, but making your guests jet there to see you wed is guaranteed to produce a world of CO2 hurt. So get married in a central spot near the majority of your guests. And when you're buying the wedding goodies, snag them locally, to reduce the carbon costs of driving and shipping. If you can't find the shops you need, browse Co-op America's green pages to find local-organic flowers, décor, food, and drink -- including fine champagne and wine.

Bling it on. Diamonds, as we know, are a churl's best friend. Metal mining -- another nightmare -- is a No. 1 polluter in the United States, according to No Dirty Gold; a single band of gold produces 20 tons of deadly mine waste. So ring in the new: buy from the growing class of conflict-free gems, including eco-friendly diamonds and gold made with fair labor practices. Recycled jewelry glitters just as nicely.

Guide yer gifters. This is where your noblesse can really oblige. Ask people to forgo that third toaster they were about to give you and instead request gifts from a green registry like VivaTerra. Even better, encourage guests to buy carbon offsets, contribute toward an experience (skydiving lessons, here you come!), or donate to any number of cool charities via nonprofits like the I Do Foundation, which also accepts donated wedding dresses when the day's done.

Level Three: The Big Step

Say 'I Don't.' Traditional weddings doth not automatically a happy marriage make; being in love is what counts. So why not escape the headaches and pressures of party planning -- while saving major amounts of money and stress on you and the earth -- and just elope? Say your vows at city hall, vault neatly over the months of work and piles of bills, and stick the perfect landing. It's an option that bucks tradition, to be sure -- but it's just as likely to lead to a happy ending.

29 Apr 2008 - http://www.grist.org/

Green Party Tips

10 ways to make your next party stylish, fun, and green.

Do as many of these tips as you can. Then reward yourself with a fresh mani and pedi for your party. Hey, even three or four of these ideas will help future generations of Nesties.

1. Evites are a must

Skip the pretty paper cards and save a tree or two. We know you love wowing your friends with your invitation creations, but you'll amaze them enough when they arrive, we promise! Plus, the Evite has a great way for you to still be clever with your post. We love uploading funny pictures and choosing pretty designs that even the pickiest guest will love. And be sure to get creative with the reply categories.

2. Use the stuff you've got

You know those dishes, glasses, and place settings you put on your registry but still haven't taken out of the cabinet? Now is the time to break them out. You'll have to do a little extra cleanup at the end of the night, but isn't reversing global warming worth an extra few minutes?

3. Personalize cups

If you insist on using disposable glassware, buy the kind made from recycled or sustainable materials (look for stuff manufactured from corn resin or sugar-cane stalk, or items labeled "biodegradable" or "100 percent recycled content"). And prevent the cup-mistaken-identity syndrome (you know, when someone takes a cup and places it next to an identical one, and then both people have to get new cups) by taking a Sharpie and marking each cup with a personalized monogram.

4. Light it up

Cut down on electricity and create a romantic (and, let's face it, flattering) glow by placing lit candles everywhere. Use soy or beeswax candles, which, unlike petroleum-based paraffin candles, won't emit toxic, sooty fumes.

5. Be thrifty

When looking for hosting odds and ends that will add a finishing touch to your decor -- like salad servers and place mats -- check out flea markets and thrift shops. As long as you wash them in incredibly hot water, you are actually getting something amazingly unique and doing your part to create less trash. After all, if you didn't buy it, it might have been thrown out.

6. Go local

Skip the produce aisle at your regular grocery store, and visit a local organic farm or market to grab your greens. Or if your supermarket chain carries a local organic vendor line, all the better. You'll not only get pesticide- and hormone-free products, but buying local items means they've had to travel only a short distance (versus thousands of miles) to get to your house. And if you haven't guessed it already, that means they used up less fuel.

7. Fill 'er up

Treat your friends to organic wines and spirits, and you'll be getting them drunk without the gunk of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Another reason you're hearing and seeing so much "buy organic" propaganda is that it supports farmers who make the extra effort to not pollute the soil, which helps Big Momma Earth.

8. Give away your decor

Decorate your pad with small organic plants -- they'll help clear the air of carbon dioxide, of course, and pump in more oxygen. Then give them away as favors. Encourage guests to plant them, and you'll be spreading that earth-lovin' love!

9. Recycle

This might be the "duh" tip of the day, but if you don't do it already, you must. Check absolutely everything you're about to throw away to see if you can use it again (even if it's to send home extra food with a guest). And if you can't use it, make sure glass, paper, and plastic products get thrown out in the recycle bin. This will preserve natural resources, cut down on junk heading to landfills, and reduce the amount of energy used and pollution emitted in the manufacturing of new products.

10. Clean up green

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Organic stuff equals good for the planet. So use spray cleaner and dishwashing liquid that won't add bad chemicals to the water supply, air, and soil. We like Method (methodhome.com) because its products smell yummy. And if you must use paper towels (reusable cloths are ideal), get recycled products from Seventh Generation (seventhgeneration.com) or Planet (planetinc.com). And for whatever waste you have (hopefully, it's not too much), use biodegradable trash bags, like the ones from BioBag (biogroupusa.com).

-- Christie Matheson
http://ideas.thenest.com/

Zero Waste Event Planning Tips

Making your wedding, meeting, or party into a zero-waste event can be a clear display of your stewardship for the environment as well as an educational experience for attendees. Done successfully, there are benefits for the environment including waste management (nothing goes to the landfill) and energy savings. However pulling it off is not as easy at it might seem. There are three questions to ask yourself when planning your zero-waste event.

First, can you use durable goods such as ceramics, silverware, glasses, and cloth tablecloths and napkins? If so, use them! This is often an option when events are held in churches or halls that have their own durables. Yes, there is some extra work since they need to be washed, but there will be much less trash to dispose or which will save you some money.

When durables aren't an option and you'd like to use compostable food service items, can you avoid contamination of compostables and/or recyclables? For example, can you instruct your attendees either verbally or through signage to separate out compostables, recyclables and any remaining trash? If not, you will likely end up with contaminated compostables and/or recyclables. Most people are not accustomed to this level of separating out their waste (yet!). Recycling has been around for a long time but even now at any given airport you'll find recyclables in the trash receptacles, so people are bound to make mistakes. These factors help avoid contamination:

• Only use compostables for the event.
• Instruct event attendees as a group as to how to dispose of their waste.
• Have someone present by receptacles to instruct attendees.
• Post very clear signage on waste receptacles.

Last, if you think you can avoid contamination of your compostables, do you have a place to compost your compostalbes? Check with your municipal waste facility to ask about drop-off composting options or commercial composting facilities in your area. You can also look for local composters at findacomposter.com. If there is a local commercial or municipal composting facility, be sure to ask which compostables they will accept. Many do not accept bioplastics.

Composting at home might be an option, but certified compostables are meant to be composted in commercial or municipal composting facilities where high temperatures and humidity are achieved. Most home composts do not achieve such conditions. Compostables made from paper and bagasse (residual from sugar cane) or other non-plastic compostables will likely break down more successfully in the home setting than compostable plastics, although information on home composting of bioplastics is lacking. Also consider the amount of compostables you will generate. If you have a family reunion for 50 people and a 3x3x3 foot bin, you will likely end up with an overflowing bin for a while.

Compostables require composting to fully break down and complete the biological cycle, but unfortunately not everyone has access to a commercial or municipal composting facility. Compostables can be used in areas where there are no composting facilities or home/farm composting options, but the benefits of using them are much less (if any). Bioplastics in landfills may last as long as traditional plastics, and landfilling them breaks the biological cycle that sustains us.

Author Description: Lynn Zanardi Blevins, MD, MPH is the founder of http://compostablegoods.com, a company offering compostable and biodegradable items and dedicated to the promotion of cradle to cradle product design. Dr. Blevins is a medical epidemiologist, an environmentalist, and an enthusiastic home composter.

http://ezinearticles.com/

7 Tips for Planning Your Green Wedding

At $20,000, the average wedding in the United States is not cheap, to say the least. It's rare to have that kind of spending power. So put your love and your wallet to work for the environment with these great green wedding ideas.

Before accepting or making a proposal, make sure you are starting the marriage off on the right foot with an eco-friendly ring. Conflict-free diamonds are a must. Try Polar Bear Diamonds, which follow strict labor and environmental guidelines. Another great option is Green Karat, which makes unique styles from recycled metals and responsibly mined diamonds. Any wedding needs something old, and something new -- which category will your ring fit into? A timeless vintage ring can be chic and trendy, not to mention environmentally responsible.

It's all about the dress. Make a statement in vintage, organic or sustainable materials. But don't stop with the bride's gown. Now, we know every bride tells her bridesmaids their dresses can be worn again; but it's important to truly choose wedding party dresses that can be worn again and cherished forever (not tossed out the day after). One rule of thumb: Fuchsia is not green.

Does lacy paper inscribed with checkboxes for prime rib or salmon, and its own little return envelope, really signify modern love? Paperless e-vites might be the most eco-friendly way to go, but if you want something more traditional, try recycled paper and ask for an online RSVP. Skip the printed directions and other info often stuffed into the envelope, and make your guests' first stop a Website with all the details.

A large part of your wedding dollar is spent on the location. If possible, choose a venue nearby most of your guests to cut down on their drive or fly times. If you have a botanical garden or park you support locally, why not ask if you might use the venue for your reception? If booking a hotel, consider a fuel-efficient shuttle to ferry guests to and from the ceremony and reception. Who wants a parking lot full of cars in their wedding photos anyway?

Local is the name of the game here. Check out wineries and breweries in your area. If there are none (or your guests' palates are too refined for anything but Chateauneuf du Pape) choose an organic or biodynamic wine alternative. For your meal, talk to the farmers at your local market to see what will be fresh at the time of your wedding, and see if you can order ahead. If you are working with a caterer, discuss local seasonal foods that you'd love to see on the menu. Chocolate strawberries for a spring bride? Yum.

How often can you shamelessly tell people exactly what gifts you want? Why not ask for some more meaningful items than the shiniest fondue pot in the store? (If you need help, check out our eco-chic wedding gift list.) Or register with a charitable registry like the IDoFoundation, which donates a percentage of the money spent on your gifts to a charity of your choice. Of course, the most eco-friendly way (although not as much fun) is to ask for no gifts at all... so if you don't need 'em, let your guests know.

To have and to hold... to pollute and to poison? Many traditional wedding flowers are doused with pesticides and shipped from halfway around the world. If you don't want to start your marriage with that kind of carbon footprint, try organic flowers or find out what flowers grow locally. Instead of traditional centerpieces, try potted plants that can double as gifts to your guests. (For some beautiful options, check out our organic flower ideas.)

A marriage is about love and a commitment to a shared future. The choices you make at your wedding can frame a lifetime: Live well by doing good. Your commitment will be everlasting. Shouldn't your wedding be sustainable, too?

Here's wishing you continued love for each other and the environment long after you say "I do."
Find tips on taking a great green honeymoon, as well as other green wedding suggestions, here.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/

100% Biodegradable Umbrella

With the last few weeks of winter finally drawing to a close, we can begin to look forward to the renewal that spring showers and the subsequent greenery promises. What better way to help you get a head start on greening your spring wardrobe then by introducing you to ‘The Brelli’, a 100% biodegradable umbrella? Good riddance to deflated black umbrellas littering city streets or piling up in landfills and neighborhood refuse bins. The Brelli aims to introduce us to a new era of rain gear - one where the life cycle of an umbrella is something that we can finally rely on and also factor into the seasons ahead with a clear, eco-friendly solution.

Stylishly crafted out of sturdy bamboo (a renewable resource) with a printable bioplastic canopy, The Brelli will apparently completely biodegrade in 18 to 24 months (though we would hope that there would be no need to dispose of it!). This artfully constructed umbrella is made in two sizes, a stow away 37″ diameter and a sidewalk parading 52″ diameter. Whether rain or shine, we hope that you will consider The Brelli as a possible way to clear the clouds of confusion when it comes to accessorizing in sustainable style.

Available at Fred Segal in Santa Monica and Jussara Lee in NYC (see website for details)

http://www.inhabitat.com/

Host the ultimate eco-affair — in your own home

For guilt-free entertaining, use planet-friendly alternatives to usual goods
By Marisa Belger - TODAYShow.com contributor - Aug. 19, 2008

Forget movies, concerts, and dinner out. These days my favorite social activity takes place in the comfort of my own home. That’s right, I’ve become an entertainer. From breakfast to brunch, midday snacks to light supper, even multicourse dinners and cocktail soirees — I’ve found that there’s nothing like gathering a bunch of people in the cozy comfort of your personal space.

But as I move deeper into my role as hostess and continue to throw parties both big and small, I’m starting to feel twinges of eco-guilt. The usual entertainment accoutrements — disposable plates, cups and silverware; one-use decorations; processed snack food, etc. — can be incredibly tough on the environment. In this era of all things sustainable, I guessed that there had to be planet-friendly alternatives to the usual party, but I wasn’t sure where to start.

Enter Celia Chen, ex-event planner and current editor-in-chief of Notesonaparty.com, an online magazine dedicated to entertaining. Chen knows how to throw a party, and today she’s equally versed in hosting the ultimate eco-affair. She recently answered a few of my questions, and I’ve now got what it takes to give my events a necessary green facelift.

I want to host a greener party — where should I start?
Take your party outside. Find a venue that incorporates elements of nature and host your event early — you’ll use less energy if you take advantage of natural light by hosting your event while the sun is still shining. Find a garden or terrace for drinks at sunset — it’s Mother Nature’s entertainment!

I’ve got hungry friends. What about the food?
Contrary to what you may think, an eco-friendly menu does not consist of bland, vegan food. If you serve organic and locally grown food, you can have pretty much any type of cuisine you desire, but without nasty pesticides, chemical additives or antibiotics.

Most leading grocery or specialty-food stores now offer organic produce and hormone-free meat. Or, find a local green market and support local farms and food artisans. Food that is in season and sourced locally is better for you and the planet. It’s fresher because it doesn’t have to travel as far to get to your plate.

If you don’t have time to prepare the food yourself, hire a green caterer in your area. In New York City we turn to Sage Events, a local sustainable caterer (operating since 1997) that prepares delicious food sourced from local family-run farms.

You can also set up a farm table with local artisan cheeses, organic fruits and vegetables and freshly baked bread.

They’re thirsty, too. Is it possible to serve eco-friendly cocktails, beer and wine?
Better ingredients make better cocktails, so stock your bar with organic wine and beer as well as spirits that are made in a sustainable way. Parducci is an organic winery that’s powered by solar panels and wind energy and also uses earth-friendly packaging. Peak Organic Beer has four signature brews made with barley and hops that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

For eco-chic cocktails, we like to use Reyka, an Icelandic vodka made at a distillery powered by geothermal steam and to stir in natural mixers from Stirrings.

Disposable plates and silverware can’t be good for the environment, right? What are the alternatives?
When possible, use glassware for your events instead of plastic (which is made from petroleum) or paper (which ends up in the landfill). Tableware and glassware can be rented from local rental companies or through your caterer. They can deliver right to your door and will take away all the used items afterward — no dirty dishes to wash!

If you are dining outside and need a nonbreakable alternative, there are a few companies that make clear cups out of polymer, a substance that is made from corn and is 100 percent biodegradable. And Preserve by Recycline has great-looking tableware and cutlery sets in different colors made from 100 percent recycled plastic.

What about décor? How do I create a party atmosphere that will make both my guests and the planet happy?
Be creative with your décor. Buying mass-produced, disposable themed décor is unoriginal and, if you only use it once, pretty wasteful. You can find interesting ways to create atmosphere with everyday items. For example, vintage tea tins make great vases. Or find brightly colored fruit that’s in season to display as an edible centerpiece.

You can also buy seasonal flowers from the green market or an online retailer like Organic Bouquet that specializes in sustainably grown, fair-trade flowers. Their roses come in many different colors and smell amazing. Small potted plants are also an easy way to incorporate florals without having to arrange cut flowers. They can be given to guests as they leave or be enjoyed by you after the party.

And invites?
Go digital! The best way to save paper (and money) is to send a digital invitation. Pingg.com is a new online invitation and event management company that offers a great selection of modern images. Not only are the invitations free of advertising, but the interactive Web pages will let you upload photos, video and even set up a gift registry.

If your event is more formal, try paper invitations that are made from 100 percent organic cotton and printed with vegetable inks that are nontoxic. One of my favorite stationery companies is Smock, which handprints the most exquisite wedding invitations and birth announcements. They are the only letterpress printer in the U.S. that uses paper made from bamboo, which is a renewable resource.

There’s always so much left over at the end of a party. What’s the best eco-move for extra food, flowers, etc.?
Dealing with your post-party cleanup is the least glamorous part of your event, but an important aspect of being green. Sending your guests home with leftover food and bouquets of flowers is a thoughtful way to lessen your load.

You can also put out different bins for recycling bottles, cans and paper. This sends a low-key green message and helps to educate guests. If you hire a green caterer, they will be in charge of separating compostable food from garbage and will dispose of it properly.

Leftover food that hasn’t been touched can be donated to your local food bank. Make arrangements beforehand and find out their specific requirements.

What if you don’t have access to eco caterers and other green vendors? Can you still throw a sustainable soiree?
If eco-friendly vendors are scarce in your neighborhood, hop online to see what might be delivered to you. Or, be creative and use what you already have in your home. Vintage items and heirloom tablecloths are eco-friendly because you are continuing to use them and not buying something new.

Marisa Belger is a writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience covering health and wellness. She was a founding editor of Lime.com, a multiplatform media company specializing in health, wellness and sustainable living. Marisa also collaborated with Josh Dorfman on “The Lazy Environmentalist” (Stewart, Tabori, and Chang), a comprehensive guide to easy, stylish green living.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

Green Partying: Five Easy Steps

By Maureen Ryan - Published: May/June 2006

When Andreea Matei, a marketing consultant in New York City, started planning her dream wedding, a simple, green theme came to mind. "I wanted it to be reflective of how we live our everyday lives," says Andreea, who buys only organic produce, uses low-VOC paint in her home and sticks to the most natural shampoos and lotions she can find. In order to throw a "green" wedding, Andreea and her financé wanted to incorporate as many organic, local and natural options as they could.

For invitations, they used recycled paper. Instead of renting out a hall, they exchanged vows on a beach at Lake Michigan. Bouquets were handpicked from a neighbor's garden. They served locally grown food, regional wines and herbal "gardens in a bag" as wedding favors. "Although we couldn't find everything organic, we were flexible and made sure we had alternatives. In the end, everyone told us our wedding was truly inspiring," Andreea says.

Whether you're planning a wedding, a simple cocktail hour or a graduation bash, these simple tips can help ensure that your party is as green--and inspiring--as can be.

A Green Party Checklist

1. Invitations

Many art and stationery stores carry recycled paper products, but try to avoid purchasing invitations that have non-recyclable aspects, such as plastic or heavily coated papers.

*Twisted Limb makes uncoated, recycled invitations and stationery by hand (paper starts at $.75/sheet; www.twistedlimbpaper.com).

*Vickerey sells recycled paper handcrafted from the bark of the Lokta bush, a tree-free resource in Nepal ($10 and up). Their Memento boxed note cards are $13.50 and up (www.vickerey.com).

*Go totally paper free--and save time and money as well--by sending your guests an electronic invitation. Log onto www.evite.com or www.regards.com.

2. Setting and Ambience

The ideal place to throw a green party is, naturally, outside. If weather permits, welcome your guests to an evening in your backyard or on your front porch, back deck or rooftop. The surrounding greenery and sky will provide a beautiful ambiance.

Candles can brighten any setting and help keep the bugs away. The choices below use fiber wicks free of metals such as lead and are free of synthetic fragrances, which contain hormone-disrupting phthalates. To guard against fires, protect candles from the wind and never let them burn unattended.

*Way Out Wax's natural hemp citronella candles, made of pure vegetable waxes and citronella essential oils, will discourage bugs from infesting your green party ($19.99). Other candles are scented with summery essential oils of rosemary, orange or eucalyptus. In freestanding pillars (from $6.79); encased in cobalt blue glass holders ($11.49) or 8-oz. tins ($6.79); or votive candles that also make nice party favors, sold in boxes of 18 ($30.60; www.wayoutwax.com, 888-727-1903).

*Tall, 100-percent beeswax tapers with all-cotton wicks burn clean ($7 and up; www.candlebeefarm.com). Protect them in Yin Yang holders, made from recycled wine bottles ($39.95/2; www.abundantearth.com, 888-51-EARTH).

*Find a post-consumer-recycled glass holder for votives ($11.50) or a drip-catching saucer for pillar candles ($23.50) in ocean aquas, blues and greens (www.katescaringgifts.com).

*Feeling extra festive? Try stringing LED white lights from Innovative Energy Solutions ($13.95 for a Candlelight string; www.inirgee.com), which use 80 to 90 percent less energy.

3. Food and Drink

Serve raw foods: Fresh salad greens and strawberries are coming into season. To find greenmarkets near you, see www.ams.usda.gov.

*If you don't feel like cooking, there are eco-friendly catering companies around the country. In New York City, The Cleaver Co. uses organic raw materials that come from local family farms (www.cleaverco.com, 212-741-9174). Or chef Jon Tierney will cater a green menu, from savory hors d'oeuvres to dreamy sweets (www.jontierneycatering.com, 917-538-5511).

*City Bakery, in addition to its greenmarket lunch menu, Nirvanic cookies and chocolate and lemon tarts, also caters (212-366-1414, 310-656-3040). Also check out "Birdbath" at www.buildagreenbakery.com.

*Back to Earth, based in Berkeley, California, is known for its organic and local meats, fruits and vegetables (www.backtoearth.org, 510-528-3987).

*Whole Foods Markets prepare handy party platters of vegetables, fruits, breads and dips and cheese--and can customize an organic dinner menu (www.wholefoodsmarket.com).

*Also see www.organicweddings.com and the organic foods by mail list at www.thegreenguide.com.
Desserts
It's getting easier all the time to find organic treats at local bakeries, patisseries and creameries. Or for nationwide shipping, try:

*Dancing Deer Baking Co.'s decadent preservative-free cakes and cookies, freshly baked when you order (cookie packages start at $14.50, $19.50/cake; www.dancingdeer.com, 888-699-DEER).

*Organic lemon raspberry or chocolate cheesecakes ($34.95) or fruit pies ($26) come flying to your rescue from Diamond Organics (www.diamondorganics.com).

*Global Exchange sells Fair Trade Certified Gold Coin chocolates stamped with fair-trade messages ($6.99/40 pieces; www.globalexchange.org).

Beverages
*R. W. Knudsen's Organic Juices are in great taste for any age group, in Concord Grape, Blueberry Pomegranate and Orange Carrot ($2 and up; www.knudsenjuices.com).

*Frey Vineyards, in the Redwood Valley of California, has produced award-winning organic and biodynamic sulfite-free wines since 1980 ($7.50 and up; www.freywine.com).

*Samuel Smith Organic Ale & Lager, from the Old Brewery in Tadcaster, England, is delicate, fruity and full of fresh hops (prices vary; www.merchantduvin.com). Wolaver's refreshing Organic Beers, brewed in Middlebury, Vermont, contain a special house yeast (prices vary; www.wolavers.com).

*Maison Jomere distills certified organic spirits. Their Juniper Green Organic London Dry Gin has received numerous awards, and their Papagayo Organic Spiced Rum is made from organically grown sugarcane and is as smooth as can be. Not to mention the UK 5 Organic Vodka (prices vary; www.maisonjomere.com).

*New find: Sacred Grounds' certified organic coffee is grown on small, family farms (starting at $9.95/12-oz. bag; www.sacredgroundscoffee.com, 800-425-2532).

*For more brands, see the Wine, Beer and Coffee Product Reports at www.thegreenguide.com.

4. Favors

You may want to give your guests a small gift--for instance, a cup that they can drink from and take home, cutting down on dirty dishes and waste.

*Try a 100-percent recycled glass tumbler or goblet from Green Glass's new Modern Collection ($25/set of 4; www.greenglass.com).

*Memories of your party will flourish as your guests grow Good Luck Gardens in a Bag ($8; www.wishingfish.com) or Windowsill Herb sets of starter pots containing lemon mint, oregano, thyme, rosemary and sage ($27; www.gardeningbulbs.com).

*Endangered Species Belgian Chocolate Bug Bites are made of organic milk or dark chocolate and come with endangered insects trading cards ($28.99/64 pieces; www.mothernature.com).

*Send kids home with organic cotton dogs, cats, rabbits and elephants ($9.95 and up; www.store.yahoo.com).

*Get kids thinking big with Tree in a Box kits, which provide everything needed to grow a tree from seed ($2.50 and up; www.treeinabox.com).

*Other great summer favors for nature lovers: birdfeeders, gardening sets and wildflower presses ($18 and up; www.naturalplay.com).

5. For the Table

It's always greenest to use washable linens, napkins, cutlery and dinnerware.

*Start setting the mood with the table. Rawganique sells organic hemp and French linen tablecloths (starting at $54) and matching napkins ($10.95), in vibrant colors like burgundy, russet orange, olive and alpine meadow (www.rawganique.com, 877-729-4367) .

*Bamboo plates are light and nonbreakable ($4-$20; www.bambuhome.com, 877-226-2829). Handcrafted seaglass plates and bowls by Riverside Design Group make cool summer settings ($132/4-piece set; www.pangaya.com, 800-872-6618). Also see "Dishes and Glassware," GG #111.

*When you must use paper, try to buy recycled, such as Seventh Generation's paper plates, which are made from 100-percent recycled paper, with a minimum of 83-percent post-consumer materials. They are also whitened without chlorine bleach ($1.39; www.seventhgeneration.com).

*Mix and match with Marcal's paper napkins, multicolored and also made from recycled paper ($3 and up; www.marcalpaper.com).

*Finally, keep your clean-up simple: Set up a recycling center in your kitchen or backyard. Use one container for aluminum, one for glass and one for compost--guests will enjoy helping to sort. And use earth-friendly cleaners like baking soda. See the new Household Cleaning Product Report at www.thegreenguide.com.

http://www.thegreenguide.com/

The Frill Is Gone

How to green your office holiday party
Published: 26 Nov 2008

They say it's a "no-frills holiday season" this year -- with the economy hitting the skids, many companies are putting the brakes on lavish holiday-party spending, and some are nixing their parties altogether. But just because you have to cancel the fireworks show doesn't mean you can't have a good time. If your company is celebrating the holidays this year, consider this a memo on how to plan a lean, green, and still-enough-fun-that-you-regret-it-the-next-day occasion.

Here's where to start. Got more ideas, or examples of stuff your company is doing? Let us know.

The Baby Steps

Make yours a paperless office. As frequently noted, society hasn't done so well with that "paperless office" prediction. But when it comes to holiday cards and invites, that's the way to go. Send an electronic invite, send a plain old e-mail, or heck, stand up and shout your invite through the cube farm. If you must print on paper, look for a company that uses recycled stock. (See Resources for a few to get you started.)

But load the copier with used or recycled paper. Hey, if people are gonna get drunk and photocopy their asses, you don't want them wasting perfectly good sheets.

The Next Steps

Work the pretty. When it comes to decorations, keep it simple. Buy a few plants, gather up some others from around the office -- yeah, even the half-dead ones -- and cluster them for an outside-in décor (just be sure you know whose desk they go back to). Ask staffers to contribute a favorite holiday item or their kids' artwork to brighten up the scene (just be sure you know whose kid they go back to). Or use food as decoration -- it's pretty, it's colorful, and when it all gets eaten, your Decorations Clean-Up Subcommittee will be happy. For lighting, try LED strings or candles (the non-yucky kind) -- or have your party in the daytime so lights aren't necessary.

Eat and greet. The best thing about a holiday party should be the food. If your affair is catered, ask about local and organic options. Request linens and silverware instead of disposables. If you're planning to have your shindig at a nearby establishment, support a local business instead of a faceless chain. And if you're inclined to raise the bar, consider biodynamic wines, organic beers, or your own occasion-specific organic cocktails. Provide recycling bins, and either compost leftover food or donate it to a local organization.

Cut the crap. Don't give out pewter pens or umbrellas stamped with your company logo to every staffer -- it creates waste and inspires frustration. Instead, if you have that money to spare, put it into the next paycheck or a gift card. If staffers are pushing to uphold gift-giving traditions, consider a white-elephant exchange, and make it the kind where you bring an item from home, not purchase something new. And if custom dictates that you absolutely must give something to your (greedy, planet-fucking) clients, look into green options geared toward corporations (see Resources, below).

The Big Step

Call the whole thing off. Follow the lead of companies like Viacom, which is giving employees extra paid days off this year instead of splurging on a holiday bash. Or look into a "Big Little Holiday Party" -- these collaborative events, catching on around the country, bring small groups together for one whopper of a good, impact-sharing time. Or hold your holiday party in January -- after the frenzy of the holiday season is over, when people need a diversion, and when food and facility costs aren't jacked up beyond all reason.

Whatever you do and however crunched your finances may be, be sure to show your employees the love. After all, where would you be without them?

http://www.grist.org/

A Green-Chic Event

Monday, July 30, 2007

Wolfgang Puck Catering and The Bridal Bar are set to host an eco-friendly evening of organic fare, organic cocktails and sustainable event décor at one of Wolfgang Puck’s special event spaces, The Annex at Hollywood and Highland on Tuesday, July 31st from 7pm to 10pm.

Overlooking the Hollywood skyline, guests will experience unparalleled organic cuisine by Wolfgang Puck Catering, eco-friendly cocktails by VeeV Spirits, green decor by Tic Tock Couture Florals, Classic Party Rentals, Arriba L&H, and LED Lighting by ELS Lighting. Guests will be welcomed into this wedding oasis by the sounds of RedShoe LA, toasting with martinis and mojitos infused with organic cucumber and dining on foods such as mascarpone, anis and black pepper-stuffed local figs and fresh, chilled lobster salad.

The event will expose attendees to inspiring and environmentally-friendly ways to plan for weddings and special events. The use of cloth cocktail napkins instead of paper, florals from local growers, and invitations on 100% cotton (or tree-free) paper; this event will feature the top designers and ideas in the world of green weddings.

In true green spirit, this event will also give back as after the evening has concluded. For every guest in attendance, a donation will be made to the Griffith Park Restoration Fund through TreePeople, a Los Angeles based non-profit dedicated to education, restoration and environmental healing. Our goal is to once again make Griffith Park a natural destination for weddings.

Wolfgang Puck Catering is a pioneer in the green event movement, providing quality foods with healthful benefits for its guests. “For Wolfgang Puck Catering, it’s all about WELL™. We are dedicated to treating our bodies, our produce and animals, our farm families, our purveyors and, always, our customers, well. We do so by striving to provide our customers, at any given price point, the freshest, organic and humanely-treated ingredients, the most delicious, innovative tastes, the best in genuine hospitality, and the highest-quality products we can. Only then can we truly meet Wolfgang’s standards for “Eat, Love, Live!” Marketing Director Clare Davis explains. On July 31st guests will experience Wolfgang’s love of life and living WELL™ first hand.

The Bridal Bar is an interactive event resource library in Los Angeles dedicated to assisting engaged couples to find their perfect vendor match. The Bridal Bar represents green event producers, florists, photographers, and caterers among others in a variety of price points, styles, and areas of expertise in order to assist every bride-to-be. The Bridal Bar’s services are complimentary to the public and many of their talented vendors’ works can be seen at Weddings by Wolfgang Puck on July 31st. The Bridal Bar, through its business practices, vendors, and educational outreach is dedicated to removing the footprint weddings make on our planet.

http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/

Green is the New White

Thursday, December 13, 2007

When it comes to weddings, we all think of white. The bride wears white. The cake is white. Calla lilies and doves. But the hottest trend in weddings for 2008 won't be white - it'll be green, as in organic.
'Great Performances' On-Trend with “Eco-Friendly” Offerings

"Green" is the new white. Or at least figuratively speaking when it comes to recent trends in weddings. As more and more couples are seeking ways to incorporate organic, sustainable practices into their ceremonies and celebrations, white is taking a back seat to green. From “100-mile menus” to seasonal floral arrangements, wedding industry professionals are now offering engaged couples a whole host of green options. And none more so than Great Performances, one of New York’s most innovative and prominent catering / events concerns, distinguished by a singular dedication to locally grown food and sustainable agriculture.

The company, who recently inked a deal to operate all the banquet space at New York’s legendary Plaza Hotel, has seen the green trend really take off. As an Event Director for Great Performances, Porfi Figueroa has his finger on the pulse of what’s hot in the wedding industry. “Couples are now using more and more seasonal and organic products, and are coming up with creative ways to make use of what’s available. The Internet has been a huge factor in propelling the green wedding trend, as it provides an invaluable resource for researching ways to incorporate local / seasonal accents into events.” Figueroa once had a couple use banana leaves woven into plates to use for hors d’oeuvres, and in place of chargers.

Great Performances’ main wedding venue, Wave Hill, a 28-acre estate built in 1843 in the style of an English country residence with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Palisades, is an ideal location for those seeking to add an element of natural beauty to their event. The Riverdale location just outside Manhattan offers a green setting for a couple to exchange their vows, and while couples may choose the venue for its exceptional setting, they’re also able to offer their guests menus reflecting locally grown, organic produce, vegetables and meats, as Great Performances not only maintains strong relationships with local farmers, but also owns and operates Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY.

“Having the ability to source various ingredients from our own farm, as well as other local farms, gives couples the option of making their wedding a truly sustainable event,” says Christopher Harkness, Executive Chef of Great Performances. “Daily contact with local farmers, including our own at Katchkie Farm, ensures that we are in tune with what’s fresh and most seasonal. We offer our clients an organic experience and do our part to help support the local economy.”

And while the food and location can speak to a couples’ desire to go green on their big day, there are other aspects that can be “greened” as well. Figueroa suggests some of the following:

• Choose a signature cocktail, one that incorporates a seasonal bent and ties in with the general color scheme.

• Make your floral arrangements representative of your event locale; check if there’s a flower that’s unique to the area and incorporate it into your event.

• Simplify – look around at what’s blooming and growing and it will guide you to creating a seasonal and fresh menu.

Great Performances brings consummate culinary skill and originality to the table. The company, founded in 1979 by Liz Neumark, is an acknowledged leader in the high-profile events arena and the first caterer in the country to own and operate an organic farm as a year-round resource for locally grown produce. In addition to the company’s singular embrace of sustainable agriculture, Great Performances has carved a niche as the foodservice partner of some of the city’s most prestigious cultural institutions, including The Plaza, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Sotheby’s. Great Performances currently has seven establishments on its restaurant roster. For more information on Great Performances and its Katchkie Farm, visit www.greatperformances.com, www.katchkiefarm.com or call 212-727-2424.

http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/

From Planning to Honeymooning...

Fairmont Offers Advice for Green Weddings
Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something...green? That's right - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a pioneer in responsible tourism practices, now offers a variety of eco-chic options for couples looking for a greener wedding day. Wedding planners from British Columbia to Sonoma to Washington, D.C. offer up surprisingly simple yet elegant and easy ways to celebrate that special day while also respecting the environment. In addition to selecting Fairmont for eco-accommodations (properties across the portfolio offer energy-efficient lighting, water-conserving showerheads, toilet and tap aerators, among other services), prospective newlyweds can choose from a host of green ideas, including:

Pre-wedding Planning
Invitations, Menus and Place Cards: Robert Mikolitch, director of catering at Fairmont Washington DC, suggests working with a printing company that uses recycled paper and soy-based ink for invitations, menu cards and place cards.

Event Location and Time: Mikolitch also recommends choosing a site that promotes environmental awareness and scheduling the wedding during the day to use less electricity and more natural light. Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has been promoting green practices longer than any other hotel group and strives to help its guests leave a lighter footprint when traveling - brides and grooms to-be can choose from 51 hotels and resorts in twelve countries for their eco-wedding or honeymoon.

Reception Ideas
Menu Composition: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa's wedding consultant, Kelly McLeskey, offers an eco-a la carte menu with the option to use any or all of the green alternatives to tailor a couple's wedding ceremony, including personalized menus that highlight local organic produce, wines and coffees. Additionally, brides and grooms to-be can serve meatless hor d'oeuvres and seafood options that are not depleted, over-fished or on the endangered list.

Transportation & Parking: California's Fairmont hotels, including The Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica; The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa; The Fairmont Newport Beach; The Fairmont San Jose and The Fairmont San Francisco, offer complimentary overnight parking for hotel guests traveling in Hybrid vehicles, another option for transporting guests to and from the ceremony and reception.

Linens: The Fairmont Washington DC's Mikolitch says to rent linens in natural colors, tinted without toxic dyes and to rent cocktail napkins as opposed to paper napkins.

Post-Wedding & Honeymoon
Floral Arrangements: Fairmont’s eco-experts at British Columbia hotels, including The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport, The Fairmont Waterfront, The Fairmont Empress and The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, suggest sourcing locally grown flowers and plants and donating floral and plant arrangements to nursing homes and hospitals after the ceremony.

Eco-Activities & Buying Local:
Sign up for activities and buy souvenirs from local artisans and companies to support the local economies. Take an eco-tour or plant a tree – Bermuda's Fairmont Southampton offers Leave It Green, a program that provides newlyweds an opportunity to commemorate their vows by planting a native Bermuda Cedar seedling on-site at the golf course or at the hotel as a symbol of eternal love and devotion, ultimately contributing to the hotel's reforestation project. Additionally, The Fairmont Mayakoba, an ecologically diverse resort on Mexico’s Yucatan, works with Community Tours Sian Ka’an, a local tourism network from the nearby Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site, to encourage guests to visit the Reserve and thereby generate revenue for the communities of Sian Ka’an.

With more than 50 distinctive hotels and 22,000 hotel rooms around the globe, Fairmont continues to lead by example with innovative environmental programs and an unwavering attitude to growing the movement of overall environmental stewardship. Under the innovative leadership of its corporate environmental affairs division and hotel-based Green Teams, 26,000 employees have taken on the role of environmental ambassadors helping to protect the habitat, resources and culture of the places where we, and our guests, work, live and play. For more information on Fairmont’s environmental initiatives, visit www.fairmont.com/environment.

http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/

Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations

Wednesday, April 23 2008

Since yesterday was Earth Day and I wrote about organic wedding cakes, I decided to continue with green weddings for another day and let you know about some online resources for eco-friendly wedding invitations. I'm sure there are many more out there, so if you know of any others or you own an eco-wedding invitation business, please let me know by leaving a comment.

InviteSite.com carries Eco Wedding Invitations that use treefree and post consumer recycled papers. Their invitations are sold as DIY kits and you can either print them yourself at home or have Invite Site print them for you inhouse using vegetable based inks.

Earthly Affair strives to give you the most original and unique wedding invitations using 100% recycled paper, earth friendly printing methods, an eco equipped studio, and carbon free shipping. I absolutely love Jennifer's invitation designs.

Tasha Rae Designs uses papers that are 20-100% post consumer recycled and/or made by companies that use Well Managed Forests. Also, with each eco-friendly order, a tree is planted.

Botanical Paperworks offers plantable wedding invitations and favors that recycle into flowers. You simply plant the seed-embedded paper to grow the flowers indoors or in a pot.

Naturally Ever After offers a collection of wedding invitations are made from quality, recycled paper containing at least 30 percent post-consumer fibers.

Other resources include:
Bella Figura
Festivale.net
Twisted Limb Paperworks
Sweet Invitations

http://www.brendasweddingblog.com/

10 Steps to a Green Wedding

By Jennifer Hattam - Published: March 29, 2007

Every engaged couple wants their wedding day to be a special celebration that reflects who they are and what they care about. Going green is a great way to make the festivities unique and meaningful--and show friends and family just how fun, beautiful, and delicious a sustainable lifestyle can be. Here's how to start planning the kind of wedding the online nuptial gurus at TheKnot.com have anointed "the hot new thing":

1. With this ring...
A green wedding begins where any engagement does: with a ring. Don't start off on a sour note. The beautiful alternatives to "blood diamonds" (those that are mined in war zones and fund conflicts) include:

* vintage rings, whether a family heirloom or an antique find (you can even have old gold melted down and refashioned)
* lab-created diamonds (greenKarat's are set in recycled gold too)
* diamonds mined in peaceful Canada or Australia, like those from Brilliant Earth, Cred Jewellery, or Leber Jewelry's Earthwise line
* diamonds certified as "conflict-free" under the Kimberley Process, an ongoing effort to reform diamond mining in Africa (ask your jeweler the questions in Amnesty International's buyer's guide)
* one-of-a-kind wooden bands

2. Location, location, location
Your choice of venue sets the tone for your wedding day--and accounts for a big chunk of the money you'll be laying out. Spend it wisely! Consider:

* choosing a setting that's convenient to the most guests to minimize travel impacts
* having the ceremony and the reception at the same place, or providing ecofriendly transportation between them
* picking a unique local spot--like an art gallery, nonprofit space, organic restaurant or farm, green hotel, botanical garden, or green-roofed building--that supports a cause you believe in
* an outdoor setting that will infuse the whole event with a natural sensibility (and require less decorating too!)
* arriving at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage, cycle rickshaw, or hybrid car
* offsetting your guests' travel (or asking them to do it as your wedding gift)

3. Please join us...
Your invitation is the first impression guests will get of your green wedding. Look for:

* recycled, handmade, or plantable papers processed chlorine-free and printed with vegetable- or soy-based inks
* tree-free paper made out of hemp, banana stalks, bamboo, kenaf, or organic cotton
* a printer who will use paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content
* papers that aren't metallic or plastic-coated, characteristics that make them hard to recycle
* opportunities to reduce paper use, like sending a postcard (instead of multi-enveloped notes) for your save-the-date, or using online invitations and a wedding blog to let people know about the bachelor/ette parties, rehearsal dinner, and gift registry

In your invitations, let guests know about the ecofriendly hotel and transportation options in your area, whether it's hybrid rental cars or directions to the ceremony on public transportation. And don't forget to pick up some extra green paper products for your guest book, place cards, and thank-you notes. (You will be writing thank-yous, won't you?)

4. The final fling
Plan bachelor and bachelorette parties that will keep the green theme going:

* Stay local (and spend more time with your friends, and less dealing with travel stress).
* Offset your trip if you choose a "destination" party.
* Travel by train (and start the party early in the bar car).
* Indulge in organic wine (or beer) tasting or an organic spa treatment.
* Take a class and learn to make your own wedding flowers or jewelry.
* Do something low-impact and outdoorsy like a camping, surfing, sailing, kayaking, or fishing trip.

5. Here comes the bride...
...in a gorgeous hemp-silk gown. When it comes to outfitting the bridal party, green options abound. You can:

* go vintage (and update your look as necessary with tailoring and modern shoes and accessories)
* pick clothes made from hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton or silk--or find a dressmaker who will make a one-of-a-kind item out of these sustainable fabrics (men's suits and shirts come in organic cotton or wool too)
* borrow an elegant gown from a stylish friend
* buy something you'll wear again (and let your bridesmaids do the same)
* accessorize with a unique recycled purse and/or jewelry
* use vegetable dyes on your shoes (or go barefoot for a beach wedding)
* accentuate natural beauty with all-natural makeup
* donate the dresses to charity after the event

6. Set the stage
Add beauty and style to your wedding décor, naturally. Here's how:

* opt for organic flowers
* find a florist who's diligent about recycling packaging and will source locally raised flowers
* have bridesmaids carry matching purses or silk bouquets instead of cut flowers
* decorate with branches, dried grasses, grains, greens, berries, or live plants (potted or dried arrangements can double as favors)
* choose beeswax or soy-based candles over those made with paraffin, a petroleum byproduct
* arrange to have decorations moved from the ceremony to the reception (if you opt for separate sites)
* use leaves or other natural objects as place cards
* throw biodegradable confetti or organic rose petals instead of releasing butterflies
* donate the flowers to a hospital or rest home at the end of the day

7. Eat, drink, and be merry
Showcase green gustatory pleasures (and spoil your guests) by basing your menu around local, organic, and seasonal foods. Don’t forget the organic wine, beer, and spirits, and the free-trade, shade-grown coffee and tea! Some tips:

* Ask the venue's preferred caterers and bakers if they can do your event organically.
* Find a local organic restaurant that does off-site catering.
* If your wedding won't be complete without a specific type of food, get married when it's in season.
* Find a caterer you trust to pick the best seasonal selections (since you may not be able to taste those exact items ahead of time).
* Consider vegetarian selections and seek out cruelty-free meats and wild, rather than farmed, fish.
* Make sure the venue offers comprehensive recycling facilities, and ideally composting too.
* Have your cake decorated with organically grown flowers or other natural materials instead of plastic toppers.
* Rent real glassware, dishware, and linens instead of using disposables.
* Go for a chic eclectic look by mixing and matching thrift-store plates and dishes (and donating them back when you're done).
* Use biodegradable utensils and dishes made out of cornstarch, potatoes, wheat, or sugar cane--if your venue can compost them.
* Make arrangements to donate leftover food to a local food bank or homeless shelter.

8. Lasting memories
Whether you prefer film or digital photographs, look for a photographer who will do digital proofs to save paper and chemicals. Avoid single-use cameras, but ask friends with digi-cams to share their photos with all the guests online in a free Flickr group or Snapfish group room you set up for your wedding.

9. 'Tis better to give...
OK, OK, giving and receiving are both great! For your gift registry, consider:

* asking for gifts to charity instead of material goods
* registering with the I Do Foundation or another site that gives a percentage of gift purchases to your chosen cause
* registering with stores that offer local, fair-trade, handmade, organic, or other ecofriendly products like Branch, Gaiam, Greenfeet, GreenSage, Ten Thousand Villages, UncommonGoods, or VivaTerra.
* registering for outdoor gear or contributions to an ecofriendly honeymoon
* creating a custom wish list of ecofriendly items like a fresh-produce subscription from a local farm, organic gardening supplies, organic linens, park and museum passes, gift certificates to organic restaurants, and subscriptions to green publications or memberships in green causes

For your favors, give something your guests will really use and enjoy, not disposable plastic souvenirs. Some ideas:

* gourmet organic chocolates or another organic or local food item
* attractive bags of fresh or dried organic herbs
* seeds in a commemorative container
* reusable cloth tote bags
* a small plant
* natural soaps
* soy or beeswax candles
* a compact fluorescent lightbulb
* a downloadable playlist of your favorite songs
* a small charitable donation in each guest's name
* place cards made of seeded paper that can be planted at home

For your helpful, loyal attendants, you'll want to up the ante a little, perhaps with:

* gift baskets of organic skin-care products
* recycled jewelry, wallets, handbags, or drinking glasses
* selections of organic coffees, teas, and chocolates
* recycled paper journals and stationery
* great bottles of organic wine

10. Happily ever after...
Begin your new life with a honeymoon that's light on the Earth. Consider:

* going somewhere local (you're going to be spending a lot of time in that hotel room anyway)
* engaging in ecotourism, which can be as rugged or luxurious as you want it to be (find listings that suit your style through Conservation International, National Geographic, Planeta.com, or ResponsibleTravel.com)
* taking a trip that benefits an environmental group; perhaps boating in Florida's Dry Tortugas, birding in Alaska, or walking the Italian Alps with Sierra Club Outings
* skipping the cruise and taking a relaxing, romantic train trip
* getting around at your destination by renting bikes or taking public transportation (the better to enjoy the sights instead of arguing about your spouse's driving habits)
* staying in a family-run B&B or inn, a luxury teepee or yurt, or a green hotel that's working to save resources and reduce waste
* offsetting your trip’s carbon dioxide emissions

http://www.sierraclub.typepad.com/

The Three R's of Wedded Bliss

By Maureen Ryan - Published: May/June 2007

Once regarded as barefoot-hippie fests, earth-friendly weddings are finally coming into their own. "Many couples are looking for ways to incorporate their values and consciousness into their big event," says Corina Beczner, founder of Vibrant Events, an eco event-planning company in San Francisco. But there are a lot of shades of green, she adds. "It's really up to the couple how far they want to go, based on what's most important to them."

For starters, here are some simple tips:

1. Reduce: Cut down on materials with a large impact. Jewelry is one of Beczner's biggest pet peeves. "[Mining] is so destructive to our Earth," she says. Arsenic and mercury used in gold mining can easily seep into waterways, endangering people and animals. Plus, diamond shipments may be infiltrated by conflict diamonds, which are traded in order to fund civil wars—wars in which nearly 4 million people have died. Seek out antiques, or recycle the gold or platinum from family members' rings to create a unique, personal design.

Another way to reduce? "Don't serve a buffet-style dinner," Beczner says. "They always go to waste." Serve a sit-down or family-style dinner instead.

2. Reuse: Renting ensures that things will be reused, and "absolutely no plastic cups or bottles!" she says. After the event, donate flowers and centerpieces to charities, hospitals or retirement homes.

3. Recycle: Recycle everything you can and consider biodegradable and compostable utensils, like those from Nat-Ur (www.nat-urstore.com). Set up recycling stations and compost if possible.

Whether you want to go all green or not, here are some products that will incorporate every shade of green into your big day.

Save the Date

Twisted Limb invitations combine recycled office paper, junk mail, grocery bags and grass cuttings (www.twistedlimbpaper.com, 812-876-9352). Tree-free-paper invitations are available from www.invitesite.com.

Looking Good

Polar Bear Diamonds sells Canadian diamonds mined in strict adherence to worker and environmental protection laws (www.polarbeardiamond.com, 877-861-6675). GreenKarat's Celestial Love band contains recycled platinum ($425), and the Gatsby Redux diamond engagement ring and matching band, with synthetic gems, are cast in either recycled gold or recycled platinum ($1,350; www.greenkarat.com, 800-330-4605).

Wear an organic cotton, hemp, recycled-textile or cruelty-free silk dress, such as those sold by Wholly Jo's (www.wholly-jo.co.uk) and www.mycorset.com (512-762-2918); Rawganique offers organic hemp and linen dresses and shirts (for men) (www.rawganique.com, 877-RAW-HEMP). "Once worn" gowns donated to the I Do Foundation are resold, and 20 percent of the profits go to the charity of your choice (www.idofoundation.org). Underneath, feel sexy with Ciel's organic-cotton underwear collection (www.thenaturalstore.co.uk).

For safer cosmetics, see the new Cosmetics Product Report at www.thegreenguide.com/reports.

X Marks the Spot

An obvious destination for a green wedding is outdoors—in a park, a backyard, on a beach or even in an organic garden. Find gardens through Local Harvest (www.localharvest.org) or the Organic Trade Association (www.ota.com). If you're set on a hotel, Greenseal independently certifies lodgings based on rigorous criteria, including recycling policies and energy-efficient appliances (www.greenseal.org).

Historic buildings and museums that belong to non-profits are popular as well. Remember: Having one location for your ceremony and your reception cuts down on fossil-fuel use and pollution.

Set the Mood

Create ambience by using renewable soy or beeswax candles with lead-free wicks, such as the soy candles from Way Out Wax (www.wayoutwax.com, 888-727-1903). Find beeswax tapers at your local farmer's market or through Cottage Stillroom (www.cottagestillroom.com, 800-395-BSWX) and the Beeswax Candle Company (www.beeswaxcandleco.com, 866-724-9300).

Locally grown flowers cut down on shipping pollution. Otherwise, California Organic Flowers (www.californiaorganicflowers.com, 530-891-6265) and Organic Bouquet (www.organicbouquet.com, 877-899-2468) ship nationwide and sell flowers certified by Veriflora, which prohibits pesticides and promotes worker welfare.

Dig in!

Support your local community by serving locally grown food, or opt for organic caterers. In California, Back to Earth Catering serves vegetarian and vegan fare, free-range meats and healthy fish (www.organiccatering.com, 510-652-2000). In the Northeast, search the Northeast Organic Farming Association (www.nofa.org) for assistance. Brides also can contact natural grocers such as Whole Foods (www.wholefoods.com) or Trader Joe's (www.traderjoes.com). Finally, the Chef's Collaborative lists restaurants that serve local and organic food (www.chefscollaborative.org, 617-236-5200), while the Organic Bakery Association (www.ecobusinesslinks.com) can provide sources for organic cakes.

Gifts Galore

Get: Create a guilt-free registry at Green Sage, which stocks eco-friendly gifts (www.greensage.com). Select a charity at JustGive and ask guests to make donations in your name (www.justgive.org).

Give: Offset guests' travel carbon emissions; see "Shifting Into Neutral"

http://www.thegreenguide.com/

Carley Talks Trends on The Today Show

The Today Show recently stopped by The Knot headquarters in New York to chat with editor in chief Carley Roney about green weddings. Carley proved that you don't have to sacrifice style in order to have a socially conscious bash. Here's a closer look at some of Carley's tips and her top picks for environmentally friendly vendors.

Green Tip #1: The Invitations
Between the inks, toners, and solvents, it takes many chemicals to create traditional invites. Finding a stationer that uses alternatives like recycled paper and vegetable- and soy-based inks is a great way to go green. Green Field Paper Company embeds wildflower seeds into their tree-free papers, and uses soy-based inks and recycled-paper envelopes.

Green Tip #2: The Gown
Eco-friendly brides have lots of options when choosing their gown and accessories. You can purchase a gown made of organic materials such as silk. Wear a vintage gown, either from a family member or purchased at a vintage store. Opt for vintage jewelry or borrow pieces from friends. Check out this gown made of 100-percent pure silk by designer Monique Lhuillier.

Green Tip #3: The Toast
Let you guests toast your marriage with organic wine. True Organic wines are certified by the USDA National Organic Program and have become much more popular over the last couple of years. When making your wine picks, think about Frey Vineyards, the oldest organic winery in the country, which has been around since 1980. Not only are Frey wines eco-friendly, they taste amazing and sell at a great price point.

Green Tip #4: The Cake
In addition to a menu that is based on organic or locally grown foods, consider serving a wedding cake made of organic ingredients. This cake from Chef Lori Ann Blethen of Wildflowers is 100-percent organic, including the butter, eggs, sugar, strawberries, and flour. Even the decorations are organic, as Lori opted for organic fondant and used organic sugar to make the flowers.

Green Tip #5: The Favors
Candles are a must for weddings, but paraffin candles are produced from not-so-earth-friendly petroleum. We love soy wax candles by Welcome Home Candles, which are hand-poured with fragrant, 100-percent soy wax (a natural resource). Also, be sure to check out the Beeswax Candle Company, which produces 100-percent beeswax candles that have been filter polished (not bleached) to their natural, creamy white color. Beeswax candles give off a delicious honey scent too.

For more favor ideas, check out The Knot Shop's eco-weddings boutique.

http://wedding.theknot.com/

Should You Donate Your Gown?

Get a Not-so-new Gown

Purchase your gown secondhand -- reducing fuels used in creating a new gown and lessening demand for overseas labor. One option is the Brides Against Breast Cancer campaign, run by MakingMemories.org, which hosts trunk shows across the country featuring donated gowns as well as new gowns and samples from designers and bridal salons. Proceeds fulfill wishes for terminal breast cancer patients.

Donate it to Charity

If you aren't planning on saving your dress as an heirloom, donate it to charity after the wedding. You can either give your gown to an organization like Making Memories, or sell it (be it through a consignment shop or online) and give the profits to the charity of your choice.

Consider Couture

There's also the option of having your gown custom made with natural fabric (most likely silk or a silk blend) that you've purchased yourself. If you don't have a seamstress near you (or the cash to afford a gown that's completely custom), Conscious Clothing, based in Santa Fe, NM, creates wedding gowns that range from traditional to trendy, and feature all-natural fabrics (visit GetConscious.com).

Don't Forget the Maids

Ask them to donate their dresses to charities such as The Glass Slipper Project (GlassSlipperProject.org) or the Fairy Godmothers Inc. organization (FairyGodmothersInc.com), both of which work to put dresses in the hands of underprivileged teens who can't afford a prom dress. It's a much better fate for the dresses than sitting in the back of closets -- trust us.

http://wedding.theknot.com/

Organic and Earth-Friendly Reception Ideas

Reduce & Reuse

The key to a wedding that's eco- and style-conscious is to simplify. Reusing accents or materials doesn't just save money, it saves resources. Work with what you've got nearby (and in season) and feel good about your efforts.

Choose a Site with Significance

Look for a space that will benefit from your event, like a museum, a cultural organization, or an art gallery. Ask how the site will use your fee (hopefully toward new programs and upkeep of the institution). Want an outdoor event? Opt for a botanical garden, arboretum, or the grounds of a historic home -- it's likely you can even find one run by a nonprofit organization.

Recycle Your Decor

Decorate your ceremony space with items you can reuse at the reception, whether it's topiaries that go from the altar to the entryway or arrangements that decorate the program table and dress up your guest book area. You'll save money and waste less. When the evening is over, plan to donate the pieces to a nursing home or hospital. Call ahead to see if you can arrange a pickup from your site.

Decorate with Bamboo

A great and modern-looking option, bamboo is considered one of the most sustainable materials on earth -- it can grow up to two feet a day, "So it takes only three to seven years to mature, as opposed to 120 years for some nice oak!" explains Ariel Dekovic, coauthor of 365 Ways to Save the Earth. Use tall stalks of curly bamboo in centerpieces, or choose bamboo chargers for your reception tables. And of course, mini stalks of lucky bamboo are always a favorite favor.

Arrive in (Low Emission) Style

A Prius limo? That might not yet be a reality, but there are ecologically friendly options out there. If your wedding is near the water, leave your ceremony in a canoe. We've also seen couples depart on tandem bicycles, rickshaws, or old-school conveyances like a horse and buggy.

Light Soy Candles

Candlelight isn't only romantic, it's energy efficient. Look for soy candles -- they're made from a renewable resource, are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles, plus spills are easy to clean (just use soap and hot water). They're available in nearly every size, shape, color, and scent you can imagine.

http://wedding.theknot.com/

Till Stuff Do Us Part

Till Stuff Do Us Part: On wedding registries again
By Umbra Fisk - Published: 16 Jun 2008

Question:
Hi Umbra,

I'm getting married in August, and I've registered on Heifer International, but am looking for other ways to offer gift-givers a way to buy socially conscious and green gifts. Since "green," fair-trade, and organic are all the rage, could you recommend any good online places to find eco-friendly products other than the obvious (Whole Foods, REI, etc.)? I want to be sure I support the right places instead of the wannabes.

Charla
Seattle, Wash.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Answer:

Dearest Charla,

Congratulations. I hope all the wedding advice and tips in the Grist archives have been helpful to your event planning. I know they help me every year as I revisit the green wedding. No, no, I don't get married every year. Each spring we hear from concerned betrothed persons, and I go back through the Grist archives, read what my colleagues and readers have suggested, and remix the ideas, along with some new ones, into one sparkly brew of love.

Mind you, some of my own home-cooked suggestions have been pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. I still believe that registering for durable, well-made products that you are certain to use is the way to go. "Gift" too often means something you don't really need that looks nice and decorative and seemed safely inoffensive to the giver. A "green gift" then becomes an unnecessary item made of bamboo. The biggest favor you can do yourselves and the planet is to figure out what you actually need, make that clear to your givers via direct communication or a registry, and not ask for anything above or beyond those needed items.

I laud you for registering on Heifer, not only because Heifer is great, gives to others, does good ecological work, and won't result in unnecessary gear, but also because you have provided your guests with a way to express their own social activism on your behalf.

All that said, I think it is also OK to register for things that you want. As for the "wannabe" question, that can be hard to muddle through, unless you have months to do research on each corporation. Today, we find some big companies taking positive steps: Target is phasing out PVC, even Wal-Mart is undertaking corporate greening. On the other hand, a smaller store that sells all-hemp or "natural" gear doesn't necessarily have meaningful green credentials -- a lot of the goods at all-natural sites are geared toward ye olde gifte shoppe type gifting. That's why I think the key here is the products themselves. If you find a pile of ecologically mild, desirable items at a store you respect, then go ahead and patronize their website. It may be Amazon (they sell cast iron pans ...), and that wouldn't necessarily be bad.

If that seems too obvious, our readers and authors have suggested a variety of helpful www shops: Just Give, a charity registry; Felicite, where you can build a registry out of various favorite online stores; Co-op America's Green Pages, a directory of "screened and approved green business"; and Green Home and Green Culture, two bamboo-filled sites. The Grist holiday gift guide from a couple of years back has gobs of suggested gifts and locations, and I have even flirted with the topic myself.

You might find local craftspeople whose products fit your values, and figure out some kind of registry process with them, either through their website or via email. Marrying people have also enjoyed asking for donations to the honeymoon, which gets back to the green idea of giving experiences, not things. Sometimes, though, you just want a KitchenAid mixer.

Covetously,
Umbra

http://www.grist.org/

Nice Day for a Green Wedding

How to marry your sweetheart and love the planet
By Suzanne Gerber, for The Green Guide - Published: 08 May 2003

When high-school sweethearts Alicia Gomer and Mark Wittink got engaged in December 2001, they pledged that their wedding would reflect their commitment to ecological issues. Gomer, who is working on an M.S. in environmental science policy, and Wittink, a project director at the Resource Conservation Alliance in Washington, D.C., were "shocked at the lack of green options in wedding planning. We had no idea what a consumptive, high-impact industry weddings can be," Gomer says.

About 2.4 million couples get married every year in the U.S., at an average cost of $20,000 per wedding, generating total revenues of some $70 billion, according to theknot.com, an online wedding resource. "Since you'll probably spend more on your wedding than any other single expenditure except your car or home, it's a chance to support and open markets for local, organic, recycled, and recyclable goods," says Eric Brown, communications director for the Center for a New American Dream. Michelle Kozin, founder of Organicweddings.com, a full-service, green-wedding-planning company, agrees. "You have a captive audience you can influence with your choices," she says.

Where to begin? Here's a green-wedding checklist.

Venue and Food

About half of the average wedding budget is spent on the venue and the caterer, Kozin says. Gomer had dreamed of having her June wedding at a vineyard in the Finger Lakes, near her hometown of Ithaca, N.Y., but she couldn't find one willing, or able, to serve organic food and wine. Then she thought of the 150-year-old Rose Inn. At first, the food-and-beverage director was reluctant, but he was won over after Gomer explained the health and environmental benefits of food grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, in ways that protect soil, water, and wildlife. As a result, all the food for their wedding, except for wild Alaska salmon (which is not overfished), will be organic and local. (Using local food translates to less fossil fuels used for transportation and fewer post-harvest pesticides.) "We're still sampling local and organic wines. That's the fun part," Gomer says.

When selecting a venue and caterer, Kozin recommends:

* Consider supporting a location and/or a nonprofit organization that's already interested in or dedicated to green causes: parks, museums, or retreat centers, for example.

* Rather than having everyone come to you, consider choosing a venue close to where the majority of your guests live. This will help cut down on the environmental costs associated with travel.

* For the same reason, hold the ceremony and reception at the same venue and help your guests arrange carpools.

* If you're looking at a hotel, inn, or restaurant, ask if the food director will cater to your organic and local wishes. If not, ask if you can bring in your own caterer, baker (Gomer's is a family friend), and wine purveyor.

Flowers

"Most flowers come from countries where pesticide usage isn't as regulated as it is here. And, since flowers aren't a food crop, they're seldom tested for pesticide residues," says Margaret Reeves, staff scientist at Pesticide Action Network in San Francisco. "In Latin America and Africa, the laborers on flower farms are mostly women of reproductive age, and exposure to excessive pesticides can be particularly harmful," she adds.

Some safer options:

* Choose organic fresh flowers. Seek out a local provider, if possible, or try organicbouquet.com.

* Grow your own, or force bulbs if not in season.

* Use dried or silk flowers or decorate with fruits or greenery.

* For more information on choosing environmentally friendly flowers, see our Valentine's Day column.

Invitations, Programs, and Menus

According to a June 2002 report by the U.S. EPA, close to 40 percent of the material in U.S. landfills is paper. Gomer's and Wittink's save-the-date card was printed on recycled junk mail; they also could have used old U.S. currency or denim. (See Creative Papers Online or Handmade Paper Online.) If you're going to buy paper, look for a non-chlorine-bleached product with at least 30 percent post-consumer waste. Other green-leaning engaged couples have sent out save-the-date cards by email, translating into an environmental savings in paper and transportation fuel.

Apparel

"Synthetic fabrics cost less, but polyester is petroleum-based," Kozin says. While cotton suits a spring or summer wedding, it uses an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre. The most environmentally friendly cotton is certified organic and either not dyed or tinted with gentler natural vegetable dyes. At least one web merchant, Jinjor, offers organic cotton "garden wedding" gowns. (Also check out the International Organic Cotton Directory or the Organic Cotton Site.)

Although Organicweddings.com offers organic cotton and cotton-and-hemp dress shirts for men, Kozin favors a silk-hemp blend for the natural wedding dresses she designs. Better still, you can buy vintage or choose a beautiful dress you can wear again. "I already had a silk crepe dress. It's simple but beautiful," Gomer says.

As for the ring, gold mining releases poisonous cyanide and mercury into the environment. Silver is lower impact, or you can have vintage gold rings resized. For more information on environmentally friendly wedding rings, check out what Grist environmental advice columnist Umbra Fisk has to say on the subject.

Favors and Gifts

As favors, Gomer and Wittink decided on organic cloth bags. Other options include:

* Giving organic chocolate or small jars of local honey from your farmers market.

* Making a charitable donation or planting trees in your guests' names. (See The Green Guide's Nursery Forest program to donate in support of tree-planting.)

* Requesting or registering for green gifts such as energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs, organic cotton linens (see Heart of Vermont or Gaiam.com) or an organic cotton, chemical-free mattress. See Ecomall.com for more environmentally friendly gifts, and visit the Green Guide's website for product reports on organic food and wine, clothing, paper, appliances, bedding, and more.

* Note: Do not release butterflies, which can disrupt wild butterflies' migration and spread disease or parasites, according to the North American Butterfly Association.

Cleanup

Use as few disposable items as possible, to avoid adding to landfills. Request that cleanup staff separate recyclables. If guests don't pick your tables clean, compost the flowers, or, if they're still fresh, drop them off at a nursing home, hospital, or other venue that will appreciate them.

Honeymoon

Gomer and Wittink plan to honeymoon in an eco-friendly way in Tahiti. "We want to find a lodge that employs local people in management roles, that gives money back to the community, and that treads lightly, using solar energy." Look to Co-op America's Green Pages for help with finding truly environmentally friendly eco-tourism. (And read a related Grist article on a green travel agent.)

For more and more couples, getting married provides a natural time to vow to treat the planet, as well as one's spouse, with respect and love. "A wedding is a time of hope for the newlyweds," Gomer says. "Why shouldn't it be that for the environment, too?"

**Suzanne Gerber, former editor of Vegetarian Times, is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Green Guide is the premier source of information for environmentally conscious consumers.

http://www.grist.org/