Green Wedding? Yes, definitely for an Eco-friendly environment

Article by Ann Rose George Tharakan

Think having a “Green Wedding” is not possible in any way? Think again.
Recycle your world

We often conclude saying having a green wedding or an eco-friendly wedding means cutting cost and getting something cheap, which is just wrong, I would rather say it’s an effort made by each couple to decrease the impact of their event on the planet. It’s not often that you will come across a couple who actually make a conscious effort to look into the consumption of resources during their Big day.

When we actually research deep into this there are so many ways one can contribute to helping our environment and all of which you can do without sacrificing your budget, vision or sanity. All you need to do is put a little extra thought into this and you will find your answers in the smallest ways possible that you never imagined.

By taking a look at the bigger picture, one can move beyond the usual decadence and consumption to create a truly personal, moving, and sustainable celebration that people will remember for years. You may even open a few eyes in the process…

Firstly, let’s look at it what actually is possible in a practical way.

Venue for a start: The first big ticket when we get into the entire planning aspect. Choose a venue that has some points standing out supporting eco-friendly approach. Say solar power, outdoor venues that need no electricity for a morning wedding, venue that has a waste management plant. Trying to refrain to one venue for all your wedding events instead of keeping them in multiple locations where you also need to consider that the guest needs to travel all the way. So think wisely and execute it in a smart way.

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Well, you need to invite your family and friends: Invitations a big mass of wastage, don’t you think. Imagine the amount of trees being cut down for this. So, going green means definitely trying not to go the traditional way of accumulating paper invites.

  • Solution for a scenario like this is to try and look at recycled paper for those who can’t avoid it for 20 reasons.
  • Well technology as evolved so why not make it all digital and paperless. There are so many Wedding apps like WedCraze, PugMe, etc… Which can be used that will not only help in sending out invites but also keeping a tab on the RSVP’s, the various activities planned across the wedding days and the details on the events and location for the same.
  • Wood carved invitations which will give you the rustic and earthy look it needs. It can be made in such a way as into a shape of a photo frame that the person can use it later.laser-cut-engraved-Wedding-Invitation-by-Chase-Kettl-34575-560x373Photo taken from WedMeGood 
  • Save the date and invites can also be sent out in the form of Whatsapp invites and using various social media sites like facebook, wedding website made specific for a couple, video invite, etc…
  • Technology has improved to an extent where couples who can’t avoid physical invites can try to source plantable invites, these invites which are embedded with some native flower seeds so that your invite grows into a plant in their backyard or garden.elephant_gray_paper-700x525Photo taken from WedMeGood
  • Vegetable based ink and soy ink may take longer to dry, it’s worth the wait – they only release around 2-4% of volatile organic compounds into our atmosphere. Hence contributing to an eco-friendly wedding.handmadepaperPhoto taken from WedMeGood

So go ahead and try something different and make your wedding stand out.

Next big wastage that we need to consider is the amount of food: Well, it is always best to keep a minimum number of your guest list. Just because you have an acquaintance with someone you need not invite their entire family, even so you invite make sure they eat to full and leave.

  • The minimal guest-list you have the minimum wastage it creates. In a way in a country like India where family and friend circles are wide and close knitted it natural you can’t avoid the number of guest-list. But one can definitely plan ahead on how to curb wastage during your wedding.
  • Some tips that can be thought of are using Banana leaf for all the meals works well for a South Indian Wedding, which can be later fed to the cows.00c9c8227b052b856d9a0f9a1e1ca901
  • Refrain use of plastics and polystyrene instead using degradable materials like recycled paper bags, edible cutlery which is now available in the market or the ones you can re-use like glasses, stainless steel and porcelain plates hence contributing to a thoughtful waste segregation process and not just dumping everything into a pile. Finally make good organic compost out of the waste.conceptPhoto taken from online source
  • One can also call in an organisation that can feed the hungry with the leftover food.

Finally the main wastage that you need to consider when you think of a green wedding Oh! Yeah. Couples who love flowers: Well, we agree it makes everything beautiful. But putting a little thought into this can avoid a major chunk of wastage.

  • Choose elements that can be re-used like fabric and lights without compromising on the look of your dream day wedding.1Y3A7171Photo credit: wfa wedding photography10403755_822486704457563_1748248341580895176_o
  • Use flowers: there are so many varieties of artificial flowers which is an option. For the ones who really want flowers try and choose flora that is cultivated without any chemical treatment which can be further made into vermi-compost and biogas by following composting procedures. This in-turn will help our farmers with their cultivation.Cover qPhoto credit: PixelStory.in
  • Also you can think of using some varieties of flowers for DIY potpourri which can be done on a large scale considering the quantity of flowers.potpourri-56a303805f9b58b7d0d01090Photo taken from online source

Let’s not wait, but be the first and make your wedding day something to remember for the years to come and for making an effort and difference to the planet we live in.