As people become more and more conscious of reducing their carbon footprint, their lifestyle habits have changed. We now pay more attention to our energy output by driving hybrid cars, using green building materials, and re-using and recycling as much as possible. This shift toward eco-consciousness has also meant that brides and grooms are interested in making their weddings more earth friendly.

            “Over the past two years, I have witnessed an increased interest in ‘green weddings,’” says Emily Campbell, owner and planner with Bella Design & Planning in Breckenridge. “This term can mean many different things, but I define it as a conscientious decision to reduce the impact on natural resources while still having a tasteful and meaningful wedding.”

            Why should brides care if their wedding is as green as it can be? Because the impact of a wedding can produce around 11.5 tons of carbon emissions, says Daphne Webb, owner of Colorado Green Weddings and Events in Denver. That’s a big carbon footprint to leave behind, especially when you consider all of the weddings going on around the country. Do your part, and don’t let your wedding negatively impact the earth. After all, it doesn’t take much to make your wedding green.

 

On the surface a green wedding looks like any other wedding. You may even want to let your guests know that you’ve made a special effort to ensure your big day is eco-friendly—or else they might not even realize it. “A green wedding doesn’t look or feel any different, but I do think it tastes better because the food is fresher,” says Webb. “I’m also seeing lots of green vendors popping up, which makes my life easier.”

            Webb has been an event planner for more than 15 years, and formed Colorado Green Weddings and Events in 2006. “I felt it was critically important to have my company be eco-friendly because I have serious concerns about Climate Change and wanted to give brides and event planners an eco-friendly option,” she says. Webb offers three different “green service packages” through her company. “Forrest Green” is full-service planning for your green event, in which Webb takes control of all the necessary details. “Lime Green” is a guided green event, meaning you may have already done some of the work yourself, but Webb will help you with any guidance you need. And, lastly, the “Mint Green” package means you’ve done all the planning up until the last few months before the big day and you want a professional to step in and help with those last details.

In the two years since Colorado Green Weddings and Events was born, Webb says she’s seen a lot of brides interested in going green. Not only is it making an effort to help save the planet, but it’s also an opportunity to make your wedding a little more personal and unique.

            Find a way to express to your guests that they are participating in a green wedding, but don’t waste extra paper to make the announcement. Get up on the microphone and share the message or perhaps consider making a note right on your wedding invitation (made from recycled paper of course!). Go the extra mile and tell guests not to worry about wrapping your gifts! It will give everyone a chance to see what fun items you got.

 

            There are many ways to make your wedding more eco-friendly. One thing you can do, says Campbell, is make a concerted effort to cut back on anything unnecessary. “Keep in mind a famous quote by Henry David Thoreau: ‘Simplify, Simplify, Simplify,’” she notes. “In preparation for a beautiful celebration, some brides have the tendency to create a lot of details. When planning a green wedding, ask yourself: ‘If I don’t use this item will it take away from the beauty of significance of this event?’ If the answer is no, then cut the waste!”

            Campbell says these items may include things like paper products such as ceremony programs or any printed extras in the invitation. It may also mean cutting out an extra invites to additional parties. “Many brides are now sending out invitations to the rehearsal dinner or brunches via email,” she says. While Campbell says that she is a traditionalist, and thinks brides should stick to still mailing the wedding invite, she says to consider recycled paper and keep the invite simple without all the extras. You don’t need that extra reception announcement—make it on the wedding invite. And instead of reply cards with envelopes, consider postcards. “The less waste, the greener the wedding,” she adds.

            Going local is also important. Campbell says that using local vendors for music, flowers, photography, and more, will ensure that they don’t have to drive a far distance and use a lot of fuel. “Local food and beverages are also a must—and organic if possible,” adds Webb. “There is a component of social responsibility here too.”

            “Request that your caterer purchase local, seasonal, organic, and free-range food,” continues Campbell. “Local food providers do not require the fuel for long distance shipping and seasonal vegetables reduce the need to transport goods from far away. Organic growers do not use toxic pesticides and farmers of organic, free-range beef, chicken, and pork do not use growth hormones or raise their stock in cages.”

            No matter what steps you take to go green, you’ll feel better knowing you made an effort to ensure your wedding is safe for the earth. And it will make your big day even more special and personalized for your guests.

An eco-friendly honeymoon doesn’t have to mean camping out in a tent or forgoing all the fun. There are plenty of resort locations that practice sustainable tourism. That means they are making a concerted effort to preserve and protect their environment—and make sure that visitors do the same. You can enjoy all the luxury these sites have to offer, without feeling guilty about leaving a massive carbon footprint. Consider one of these three hot spots for your big honeymoon.

Located in the heart of the Australian rainforest, Daintree is the perfect spot to discover the local beauty of its natural setting. The site features 15 unique, treehouse-style villas scattered within the world’s oldest living rainforest. And if the sound of nature isn’t relaxing enough, the on-site spa features a variety of unique services such as the “Waterfall Treatment,” which uses the local “healing waters” from a rainforest waterfall. And you can relax even more knowing the resort is determined to protect its surrounding environment. They even have an ecotourism management unit, overseeing the cause.

 

Enjoy St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands while still feeling good that you are contributing to an effort to help preserve natural resources. Maho Bay helps preserve water by collecting rain water year round, which can be used for laundry, housekeeping facilities and bathhouses. They use solar energy for much of their heating needs and use alternative energies to power the resort. And there’s plenty to keep you busy. Explore the island or stay put at the resort—they offer a wide variety of water sports including diving and wind surfing. www.maho.org

In 2007, Trip Advisor voted this beautiful destination as having the “World’s Best Environmentally-Friendly Accommodations.” Meals come from the property’s organic gardens, the local marine life is protected, and fish are brought in from the deep ocean, outside the reef, where they are plentiful. It’s no wonder all these efforts and more are being taken to protect the local environment—the resort was founded by Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the famed Jacques Costeau. While there enjoy some of the best diving in the world or take a hike through the tropical rain forest to learn more about the surrounding area. www.fijiresort.com

If you’re not set on going to the beach, or an exotic locale, consider staying right here in the States. Cedar Creek Treehouse offers a unique honeymoon spot, where you can spend the day swimming or fishing in the nearby stream, or hiking through the wilderness. And what could be more romantic than nestling into a completely private little cabin, 50 feet above the ground? Visitors all get their own secluded treehouse, offering unbelievable views. Located ten miles from Mount Rainier Park in Washington state, Cedar Creek is an earth-friendly and privately owned and operated resort. www.cedarcreektreehouse.com