![\"TSW-Wedding1.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/ecolocal\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2009\/02\/tsw-wedding1-300x200.jpg\")
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photo courtesy of Capture Light Photography, Ballston Spa<\/i><\/p>\n
There are 2.5 million weddings a year in the United States, making up a $70 billion dollar industry. The impact on the environment from these celebrations is substantial and many couples are searching for environmentally friendly options. How can eco-conscious brides and grooms-to-be plan their special day without sacrificing style or the environment? Ecolocal publisher David DeLozier recently talked with Kate Harrison, author of “The Green Bride Guide,” to get answers.<\/p>\n
David: First off, what is a green wedding? <\/b><\/p>\n
Kate:<\/b>
\nA green wedding is any wedding where the couple tries to decrease the
\nimpact of their event on the planet – and there are many ways to do
\nit! Every part of a wedding – from invitations to flowers to the
\nfavors – has eco-friendly options worth considering.<\/p>\n
David: Why would a couple want to have a green wedding? <\/b><\/p>\n
Kate:<\/b> I think having a green wedding has environmental, economic and spiritual benefits.<\/p>\n
Environmental<\/b>
\nWith
\n2.5 million wedding a year in the United States the environmental
\nimpact from these events is enormous. Here are a few fun facts to put
\nthings in perspective:<\/p>\n
\u2022 The amount of paper used to make invitations every year could cover the island of Manhattan.<\/p>\n
\u2022 If every wedding used a disposable aisle runner and they were laid end-to-end it would circle the globe twice.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The amount of gold used to make just one ring produces 2 tons of mining waste – the equivalent of 12 elephants!<\/p>\n
The bottom line is that every green choice makes a difference – no matter how small.<\/p>\n
Economic<\/b>
\nThere
\nis a myth in our society that in order to be green you have to be
\nwilling to spend more. In fact, having a green wedding can save you up
\nto 40%!! How is this possible? Well, let me illustrate with a few
\nexamples from my own wedding. First there were the flowers. The
\naverage couple spends about $2000 on flowers. My husband and I had a
\nfall wedding and asked all of our friends and neighbors to donate
\nhydrangea and other seasonal flowers from their gardens. We then
\nbought $200 worth of organic dahlias from a local flower farm and that
\nwas that. Another example was my dress. Most gowns cost around
\n$1300. I bought a damaged gown (the train was stained) for $600 and
\nspent another $100 to have it tailored. I had the seamstress turn the
\nsalvageable material from the train into a matching shawl and after my
\nwedding donated both to Brides Against Breast Cancer. For my shoes, I
\nbought once worn white silk Vera Wang shoes on eBay for $50 and resold
\nthem after my wedding for the price – so I only paid for shipping.
\nSimple choices like these are not only better for the environment, but
\ncan help stretch your wedding dollars.<\/p>\n
Social Benefits<\/b>
\nFinally,
\nthere are the social benefits. When you start talking to vendors about
\nwhat you want to do you, and explain your choices to your guests, you
\nchange the way people in your community think about what it means to be
\ngreen. You make being green seem possible and help get the word out
\nabout sustainable alternatives.
\n
\nDavid: How do people explain this choice to their family?<\/b><\/p>\n
Kate:<\/b>
\nI think people today are more aware of the environment and conservation
\nthan they were even a few years ago. Although you may get a few odd
\nlooks, most family members and guests will not only be supportive, but
\nwill actively applaud your efforts. By making your day not just about
\nthe two of you, but about your future and your relationship to the
\ngreater world, you add a level of meaning to your wedding that is very
\nmoving. You are saying, “Our wedding is going to be sustainable, just
\nlike our marriage.”<\/p>\n
David: A big part of the green movement
\nis making a positive impact to our local communities and environment.
\nHow can a green wedding play a part in this?<\/b><\/p>\n
Kate<\/b>: A
\nbig part of going green is going local. When you choose local seasonal
\nflowers and foods you not only decrease the environmental footprint of
\nthe event (because nothing has to be imported which produces emissions
\nand contributes to global warming), but you are also supporting local
\nbusiness and your community. I always recommend couples serve local
\ndelicacies and give locally made favors. It is a great way to create
\na sense of place for your guests and to make your wedding more unique.<\/p>\n
David: What if I can’t find a green option? Is it “cheating” if my limo isn’t a hybrid? Do they even make them?
\n<\/b>
\nKate:<\/b>
\nIn some parts of the country (New York and San Diego for example), you
\ncan indeed find hybrid limo companies. But to answer your question,
\none of things I really stress in the book is that you don’t have to be
\npuritanical. If you can’t find something, or you don’t want to choose
\nthe green option at every turn, that is OKAY. I think of it this way –
\nif every couple just included one green option in their wedding it
\nwould be 2.5 million green choices a year! So don’t fret too much – and
\ndon’t let anyone try to convince you that if your wedding is not green
\nthrough and through you are being hypocritical. That’s ridiculous.
\nJust do what you can, and know it makes a difference.<\/p>\n
David:
\nMy big view on the whole green thing is emphasizing locally grown,
\nlocally made, and locally independent. Dollars spent locally have the
\nbiggest impact in our communities, and supporting local merchants and
\nartisans keeps our communities strong. If the local cake-baker does
\nnot use organic sugar, but uses locally sourced flowers to decorate it,
\nit’s part of the success.<\/b><\/p>\n
Kate:<\/b> I totally agree.
\nAlthough I think it is great to try to get local vendors to make
\nsubstitutions when you can. In the back of the book I offer vendor
\nworksheets – which are checklists you can use to talk to vendors about
\ngreen services they can offer. This also goes to your earlier question
\nabout what to do if you can’t find local green vendors. For example,
\nyou may not be able to find an organic baker, but you can ask bakers in
\nyour town if they are willing to substitute in organic flour and sugar,
\ncage-free eggs – and you will have a green wedding cake. You will
\nquickly find out who is willing to work with you, and who knows – maybe
\nit will even change the way they do business in the future!<\/p>\n
David: Is there anything else you want to share with readers?<\/b><\/p>\n