Does it seem like the phrases “ecology” and “wedding” could
hardly have less in common? With the average wedding costing
well over 15 thousand today, one would think so. And yet, the
“green” or ecologically-friendly wedding is gaining momentum
across the nation. The green wedding, like any other wedding
style, has its tribal features. By tribal, I mean the signs and
signifiers that help tell the guests what the wedding is
supposed to mean, and how the couple prefers to appear. From a
tribal perspective, a green wedding can be hauntingly romantic,
with its outdoor setting, its focus on living plants, and its
less-formal gown (often made of hemp) that brings to mind fairy
outings from 400 years ago. In personal appearance, the ecology
bride is often the gamine type. Even on her wedding day, her
fresh face forms a contrast with the heavily made-up cover girls
of bridal magazines. When it comes to more functional aspects,
the green wedding’s shape and flavor flow from three main goals:
- Do no harm, – Patronize earth-friendly vendors, and -
Reuse/recycle.
1) Do No Harm
The green bride tries to avoid products or activities that could
compromise the environment. For this reason, butterfly releases
are rare (vendors are not always careful to ship butterflies
only to appropriate, native environments). Similarly, beeswax
candles are avoided, as is the use of styrofoam or soft plastics
at the reception — glass and porcelain are substituted. (Brides
are often surprised to discover the caterer charges little extra
for this service.) Many green bridal couples are vegetarian or
vegan. In metropolitan or college-town communities, this
provides a great excuse to serve dazzling ethnic foods at the
reception at a reasonable cost! Hemp is widely respected among
environmentalists, because unlike cotton, it can be grown
without pesticides and returns most of its nutrients to the
soil. When the green bride buys a new gown for her ceremony, she
often looks to hemp fabrics. Surprisingly flexible, hemp can go
upmarket (“hemp satin”) or relaxed (cottony separates that can
be worn after the wedding). 2) Patronize Earth-Friendly Vendors
Flower petals in paper cones are environmentally friendlier than
bubble solution in plastic containers, and require no clean-up.
The trick is finding petal suppliers that don’t use pesticides.
These growers are more popular in the U.K. than the U.S. Green
brides might also distribute harm-free favors, such as sachets
made of pesticide-free herbs, live flowers, tree seedlings, or
small packets of organic tea. In fact, some brides register at
charitable organizations instead of department stores, and
contribute to environmentally-active organizations instead of
handing out favors. 3) Reuse, Recycle Even the most traditional
wedding brings opportunities for reuse/recycling. For example,
leftovers from the reception can be delivered to food banks, and
flowers dropped off at hospitals or rest homes. The green bride
often takes this a step further and chooses recycled paper for
invitations and Save-the-Date cards, for example. She might also
re-use a wedding gown (her mother’s could be ideal, or failing
that, one from a thrift or vintage store). Otherwise, the green
bride might opt for a new gown that isn’t too formal to be worn
regularly after the ceremony. Just as at the grocery store,
eco-friendly does not necessarily mean cheaper. Ecology brides
are sometimes surprised to discover their weddings cost 10K and
up, just like those of their more traditional sisters.
Still, when she looks back on a wedding that opted for more
“nature,” less formality, and less conspicuous consumption, the
green bride often finds it was time well spent – and perhaps
nurtures the hope that a guest or two will be inspired to follow
her path.