Sustainable Bliss

never stop learning!

Wedding

Green up your wedding! It can be affordable. Here is the checklist I used to do my wedding, with some tips and considerations

  • engagement ring
    • make sure your diamond is conflict free
  • save the date cards
    • use a post card for minimal paper use, and it's cheaper to mail!
    • create a business card and put it in your Christmas card
    • Use a green printer  (considerations: recycled content, tree free paper (eg seed paper), minimal packaging and vegetable-based ink):
  • guest lodging
    • pick a green hotel
    • opt for home stays, eg VRBO or HomeAway
  • guest travel
    • consider donating money for carbon offsets
    • carpooling
  • invitations
    • see green printers above
  • reply cards
    • consider using post cards - see green printers above
  • photographer
    • digital prints instead of paper ones
    • online gallery to share with guests
    • print on demand for pictures to frame
    • create your own book via Blurb or Costco instead of getting prints of photos in a book
  • flowers
    • local - I've found it is difficult to get organic flowers locally, and often local trumps organic as the organics would use lots of fossil fuels to get shipped
    • organic
    • VeriFlora
  • caterer
    • organic, local food
    • vegetarian options
  • cake
    • organic and natural ingredients
    • small decorative cake to cut, sheet cake to accommodate the rest
  • rehearsal dinner
  • transportation
    • hybrids
  • ceremony location
  • gift for priest
  • hair
  • makeup
  • wedding outfit
    • inherited dress
    • inherited veil
  • attendant outfit
    • something they would wear again
    • upscale resale shop
  • gift for attendants
  • groom outfit
  • groomsmen outfit
  • gift for groomsmen
  • wedding rings
    • conflict free diamonds
  • musicians
  • readings
  • ceremony program
    • see green printer note above
  • card box
  • guest book
    • recycled paper
    • calendar for people to sign on their birthday/anniversary
  • table assignments
  • favors
    • recycled items
  • centerpieces
    • recycled glass
    • bridetobride.com
    • bravobride.com
  • restroom baskets
    • organic, natural items
    • towels vs paper
  • other decorations
  • reception music
    • ipod
  • day-after get together
  • honeymoon
  • thank you's
    • see green printer note above