Green Wedding Update

I just thought I'd take some time to let you all know how we're doing with our wedding plans and what we're doing to keep it green.

1. We're using all digital photography which saves on materials (film) and chemicals (developing). This way we can choose what we want to have printed without wasting paper and energy.

2. We will be creating our own playlist on iTunes and have a friend emcee the event. Another friend will be loaning us his audio equipment so we will still have a professional sound. This takes a bit more planning and organization on our part but we're up for the task.

3. Our bridesmaids dresses will be simple and reuseable. It was top priority when choosing the dresses that my girls would wear them again. I've seen too much money and material wasted on dresses that are only worn once.

4. The groomsmen will be wearing simple slacks and dress shirts with matching ties. The tuxedo industry is very toxic. Not only do you spend tons of money on something you have to return but then the stores send the tuxes to dry cleaners that use harsh chemicals. Our guys will be able to spend the same amount or even less and be able to wear their outfits to work or another wedding.

5. We're limiting our flowers. Since we're getting married outside in a garden, we don't really need the use of a florist. We're planning to decorate with potted mums, pumkins and produce, fall foliage, etc. I'm not sure yet what I'll be doing about my bouquet and the girls' flowers. We might not carry any. If we do, it will be something very simple. Maybe we'll hold pumpkins. I'm kidding!

6. No rice, bird seed, bubbles or bells. Rice is wasteful. Think of all the people who could eat it. Seed is okay but I don't want to worry about it getting in my hair or down my dress. Bubbles are messy, expensive, wasteful and are always a pain in the butt to get those little bottles open. Bells are just plain pointless. I suppose I could collect them all and turn them into some kind of jingle bell instrument but that's okay. We would like our guests to simply clap for us.

7. Our food will be as organic, local and seasonal as possible. We won't be serving beef, which is a huge consumer of energy. We're having a buffet to hopefully cut down on wasted plates full of food. All leftovers will be donated to a soup kitchen. We have a wonderful caterer who is working with us to do the best we can to keep it green.

8. Our wedding site. We're getting married outside in a botanical garden and the reception will be on the same grounds. Not only will we have beautiful scenery but this is a non-profit organization. All money goes toward maintaining the gardens.

9. My makeup will be non-toxic 100% mineral makeup.

10. We will not be using a limo or any other type of hired transportation.

11. Our favors will be green. I don't want to give away what they are but they will be very earth friendly.

12. I am making our invitations on recycled paper.

13. We registered through the website www.idofoundation.org/bethandpatrick. By doing this, any gifts purchased online through this website will automatically generate a donation to the Nature Conservancy. Our guests can also opt to make a direct donation in lieu of a gift.

So there you have it. That's our green list so far. I'm sure there's more that we have planned that I forgot off the top of my head but these are the major things we're doing to keep it eco-friendly. I will gladly accept any other suggestions.