Tamara Harbar
Going Green
Some of us will be vanquishing the February blahs with visions of fragrant bouquets, glittering jewels, and travel to exotic places.
Valentine’s Day arrives soon, and certain people might be popping a certain question to certain loved ones. Once the heart-felt “yes” is spoken, the planning begins.
Most couples tie the knot in months that are lush with greenery. Why not plan a wedding that’s green in other ways, too? The spirit of sustainability offers up the perfect theme for the earth and for the couple’s long-term success together.
The green wedding trend is also eco-chic and surprisingly budget-friendly. Estimates put the average cost of a wedding in Canada between $15,000 and $25,000. A green wedding can cut about $10,000 or more off expenses, while reducing waste and other environmental woes.
Wedding arrangements that include at least some sustainable products and services also encourage and support a green economy.
Here’s a shower of ideas for the happy couple – or any party planners:
Something old
• Vintage fabrics and styles are often elegant and timeless. Fit a grandmother’s wedding gown for the new bride. Or check vintage clothing shops for the entire wedding party.
• Gold mining produces cyanide and mercury, and exposes workers to unsafe conditions. Instead, create wedding rings from reclaimed gold lying forgotten in old jewelry boxes. For fair trade and/or recycled gold and gemstones, see www.Brilliantearth.com and www.greenkarat.com.
Something new
Brides didn’t always wear white, so feel free to introduce 21st century innovations.
• Create a website to manage wedding plans at www.ewedding.com.
• Save trees: techno-savvy couples can opt for attractive and tasteful electronic invitations at www.evite.com.
• If paper invitations are a must, choose recycled paper, or even plantable paper embedded with seeds. As it says at www.botanicalpaperworks.com, “Grow flowers from the paper instead of creating paper waste.”
• Register for local, eco-friendly gifts at www.registerlocally.com or, instead of gifts, ask for donations to green causes.
Something organic
From the dress to dessert, make that dream day pesticide-free.
• Wedding clothes sewn from organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and wild raw silk are available from British Columbia company, www.rawganique.com. The wedding dress price tag, at around $300, is another bonus.
• Florists can source fair trade and organic blooms. Local, organic and in-season flowers are ideal. Try Toronto-based www.ecoflora.ca.
• Herbal, veggie and fruit bouquets are available, as well as edible centerpieces. One picture is worth a thousand words at www.veggiebouquet.com.
• Feast on local, organic and in-season ingredients and dishes.
• Offer guests eco-licious vegetarian or vegan options.
• Sip on wines from Ontario’s only certified organic winery, located in the Niagara-on-the-Lake region. Visit www.frogpondfarm.ca.
• Complete the dining experience with organic, fair trade and shade-grown coffees and chocolates.
Something blue
Newlyweds probably won’t head off on their honeymoon pedaling a bicycle built for two. But whether travelling through the blue skies, or across the blue ocean, keep this blue planet in mind.
• Consider buying carbon offsets. Find a user-friendly guide to carbon offsets at www.davidsuzuki.org/Publications/offset_vendors.asp.
• Honeymoon at an eco-resort, whether in Costa Rica or closer to home in Canada.
Planet friendly pleasures
• Source compostable party supplies from www.greenshift.ca – and compost them, too.
• Light the celebrations with beeswax or soy candles and tea-lights.
Web Peeks of the Week
www.thegreenbrideguide.com
www.davidsuzuki.org/GreenWeddings/weddingtips.asp
