17 steps to a greener wedding

Food:

• Plan the menu around foodstuffs from local producers. Not only does the food not have to be trucked or flown thousands of miles, it is also fresh and supports local farmers and ranchers.
• Choose organic and/or locally brewed beer, wine.
• Maybe potluck is your style with each guest bringing the dish they are famous for amongst family and friends.
• Call beforehand and arrange to have any leftover food donated to those who feed the homeless, such as the Marian Centre.

Rings:

• Antique stores offer many treasures, as do the unexpected boutique jewellers who delight in designing unique rings.
• Taking a family heirloom and having it reset into a chosen setting creates a new ring with heritage.
• Be mindful of the origins of the gems and precious metal in the rings and bands. No one wants to wear a diamond that funded a war (blood diamond). Ask. You deserve an honest answer.

Dress:

• Vintage: Slip into an antique or consignment store and check their bridal gowns. Even the used clothing stores can hide a gem or two.
• Maybe a family member - mother, grandmother, aunt - would be willing to share the dress she wore decades ago for a day.
• Perhaps a trade - you buy the eco-friendly fabric such as hemp and trade your talent and/or time with a seamstress who can fashion exactly what you want in a garment.
• Buy a dress, pantsuit, suit and accessorize with the idea it can be worn again in day-to-day life. Same with the groom and wedding party.

Rent/reuse/recycle:

• Rent. Rent the gowns and suits, accessories. Rent the dishes, tables, chairs, centrepieces.

Festivities:

• Instead of the stagette, some brides-to-be surround themselves with their women friends one evening to share a Blessingway. Taken from the Navajo ceremony, each woman tells a story of love drawn from their own life experience. They also share a gem of advice with the bride.

Flowers:

• Buy locally-grown flowers, preferably potted so they can be used in a variety of ways and then go home as favours for the guests.
• Take any arrangements or plants to nursing homes or hospitals after the wedding so their beauty is shared.

Favours:

• Make a donation in honour of each guest to a charity or cause you support.
• Send a seedling tree, potted plant or cactus home with each person who attended your wedding.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter