Tips and ideas for a more eco friendly wedding?

[LilyRose]

Hello ladies,

 

Well, I know, that a destination wedding is not so eco friendly because of all the transportation involved.  It's important for me to try to reduce the environmental cost of our wedding.  Do you have ideas or tips?  What did you do to help? 

 

Here is my list of ideas:

 

- Using a website to communicate news and pre-wedding infos. (I did send passport invitations by mail though, it's a keepsake!)

- Not ordering magnets, door hangers, ect. for OOT bags even if they are free. I keep in mind that recycling facilities are often inexistant in many parts of the world and they will be trash after the wedding. Before ordering something, I ask myself if it's really a necessity of my guests.  Most of the time, I am just lured by the word "free"! :-)

 

- I will not personnalize the outside of my OOT bag so my guests will use it after the wedding (it's a kind of high end reusable grocery tote in a plain unisex color). I can attach the monogram or a flower on the handles if needed.

- I will try to work with what the resort has so I do not have to bring my own sashes and decor.

- Instead of doing a sand ceremony, we will do a "tree ceremony" where we will plant a palm tree on the island.

- Reselling or giving stuff after the wedding

 

I am sure you have plenty of other ideas!  Please share!

 

[LilyRose]

I was also wondering if some of you have used their website to promote the pre-wedding infos instead of mailing a package.  I am hesitating with this one.  Maybe mail the package only to those who do not have Internet or a computer a home ?

[jennifersyble]

good ideas! One idea I have is to use vintage or antique items for wedding decor, guest gifts, etc. This could also be a great way to give your wedding a special look. 

[all the love]

Perhaps something to consider in lieu of 'favors' would be to buy carbon offsets in each guest's name (or on behalf of everyone).

[smfs]

I was going to suggest the same thing. Also, Sandals has a green theme wedding package!
 

Originally Posted by all the love 

Perhaps something to consider in lieu of 'favors' would be to buy carbon offsets in each guest's name (or on behalf of everyone).

[beachesSB1412]

 

 

Originally Posted by all the love 

 

Perhaps something to consider in lieu of 'favors' would be to buy carbon offsets in each guest's name (or on behalf of everyone).

 

Forgive me but what exactly is a carbon offset?

[downtownlagirl]

We are using our website for all the complex info with the added benefit of having an FAQ (and we attached a Facebook group so people can get to know one another beforehand). We DID do invitations but we used tree-free paper (cotton paper made from recycled garments- it looks perfect, not at all "recycly") printed by I kid you not WIND-POWERED letterpress.....we're being as conscious as we can of "trinkets" that will just become landfill for our guests...we are launching wish lanterns that are totally biodegradable. We have thought about purchasing carbon offsets or using them as favors, but we need to choose a company that actually really does offset your carbon footprint (reviews of many are not great). I was going to go all the way and put a carbon footprint calculator on the website, but I realized that in all honesty, there is no way we can come close to effectively offsetting the wedding travel, so it would be a bit hypocritical.

I think mostly we are going to stay conscious of the environment in our whole lives, not just our wedding, and that is probably the most meaningful thing we can do.

[karyan]

I am soooo happy there's a thread on this! Being eco friendly is very hard during the wedding process, and it great to see the ideas flowing.

 

I'm trying to offset by using the website for most info, and only sending invites to those who are going (exceptions being grandmas and family). As tempted as I am by using Vistaprint, I'm actually trying to only by or use products that are made and produced in either Canada, Australia or Hawaii (trying to avoid the made in China thing).

 

Also going the route of using eco OOT bags so that guests will use them for local shopping and when they get home, and trying to limit whats in the oot bag to be things that when tossed can be recycled.

 

I've decided to go the real fruit centerpieces with flowers around them. I have bought some fake ones, but that's so that I can use them at the AHR as well as the wedding, and eventually they can be scrapbooked with the photos. The bulk of flowers used on the day will be seasonal local flowers from the local markets.

 

The dress is the hardest thing I find to be eco friendly! Due to being a size 14 most vintage styles don't fit, and I'd like to avoid getting a cheap dress from China as I want to support local designers, but cost is also a consideration..... 

[LilyRose]

Thank you for your input ladies!

I'm glad to see other brides having the same concerns than me.

We can not always fulfill our environmental expectations or "buy local" desires but at least, we try the best as we can.

 

It's sooooooo easy to go overboard with the wedding!  For now, my best conscience is to think before I buy something and like other brides, I try to buy local whenever it's possible and I avoid Chinese replicas or products.

 

I forgot to mention that I have chosen an "environmental-minded resort" but it's also luxurious. I'm so eager to be there!

 

Please, continue to share your ideas!

 

LilyRose

 

[beachesSB1412]

 

 

Originally Posted by karyan 

 

I am soooo happy there's a thread on this! Being eco friendly is very hard during the wedding process, and it great to see the ideas flowing.

 

I'm trying to offset by using the website for most info, and only sending invites to those who are going (exceptions being grandmas and family). As tempted as I am by using Vistaprint, I'm actually trying to only by or use products that are made and produced in either Canada, Australia or Hawaii (trying to avoid the made in China thing).

 

Also going the route of using eco OOT bags so that guests will use them for local shopping and when they get home, and trying to limit whats in the oot bag to be things that when tossed can be recycled.

 

I've decided to go the real fruit centerpieces with flowers around them. I have bought some fake ones, but that's so that I can use them at the AHR as well as the wedding, and eventually they can be scrapbooked with the photos. The bulk of flowers used on the day will be seasonal local flowers from the local markets.

 

The dress is the hardest thing I find to be eco friendly! Due to being a size 14 most vintage styles don't fit, and I'd like to avoid getting a cheap dress from China as I want to support local designers, but cost is also a consideration..... 

 

I too am doing reusable shopping tote bags.  I just ordered them from The Knot on sale w/ addl 20% off (FAN20 coupon code) w/ free personalization!  I chose the ones that fold into themselves for space saving and convenience and I just had them personalized w/ "Jamaica" in my wedding color so they represent my wedding and can be used for years to come!