You may have heard the saying, "Something old, something new. Something borrowed, something blue." It's meant to bring brides good luck on their wedding day. But we're giving this Victorian rhyme a make-over.
Every day, about 6,000 couples tie the knot in the US, and some of them are taking the opportunity to say "I Do" to eco-friendly values.
Want your wedding to be green? Here's an easy-to-remember guide that'll keep your big day from having a big environmental impact.
Old
Between the save-the-dates, the showers, and the reply cards, weddings consume a lot of paper. So why not send your guests invitations printed on recycled fiber? Twisted Limb offers 100% recycled paper wedding invites, as does WomanCraft--a social enterprise in Chicago that provides employment to homeless women.
Cut your paper usage even more by going electronic. Evites are economic, efficient, and eco-friendly. Plus they won't get lost in the mail.
New
Aunt Sally's flying in from Florida and Cousin Joe is driving cross-country. Offset all those travel-related carbon emissions with one of the new carbon credit companies. Purchasing offsets will support carbon reducing programs like wind farms and reforestation.
If just 10,000 couples offset the carbon emissions from their wedding, it would mitigate a cruise ship's weight of CO2.
Borrowed
A wedding dress can be a costly investment. Why not look into a vintage gown? I Do Designer Bridal Consignment at 6742 W. Belmont Ave is a sure stop to find lightly-worn bridal dresses from the thirties to the present day.
Green
When it comes to food and flowers remember to think organic and source locally. Organic agriculture will cut down on pesticides and near-by growers offer fresher produce with fewer CO2 emissions.
After the big day you can donate flowers and centerpieces to charities, hospitals or retirement homes, keeping the green spirit alive long after the "Just Married" hybrid pulls away.
Want to calculate the CO2 emissions from your wedding? Click here.
Got any tips on green weddings? Share them below.
